Sega Unveils 'Virtua Fighter' Gameplay

Virtua Fighter Returns: New In-Engine Footage Unveiled

Sega has treated fans to a fresh look at the upcoming Virtua Fighter installment, marking the franchise's highly anticipated return after nearly two decades of relative inactivity. The new in-engine footage, revealed at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, offers a glimpse into the game's visual direction and style.

The last major Virtua Fighter release, Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (a remaster), launched in 2021. While the franchise saw a commemorative physical release of Virtua Fighter 2, the upcoming title represents a completely new entry, generating considerable excitement among fighting game enthusiasts. Further fueling anticipation, Ultimate Showdown is slated for a Steam release in January 2025, paving the way for its successor.

The showcased footage, though not actual gameplay, employs in-engine graphics, providing a strong indication of the final product's visual fidelity. The video showcases a departure from the series' traditionally stylized visuals and polygonal aesthetic, leaning towards a more realistic style reminiscent of a blend between Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. Akira, the franchise's iconic character, is featured in two distinct outfits, deviating from his classic look.

Development is being spearheaded by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series and co-developers of the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster. This same studio is also responsible for Sega's announced Project Century, highlighting their significant role in Sega's current game development strategy.

While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's previous statements hint at Sega's ambitious vision for the game. However, the company's consistent unveiling of new material underscores its commitment to reinvigorating the Virtua Fighter brand. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared during the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The game's release promises to solidify the 2020s as a golden age for fighting games.