Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: A Glimpse into the Future

Sega has unveiled new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter installment, marking the franchise's return after nearly two decades of dormancy. This new entry, developed by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, promises a fresh take on the classic fighting game.

The recently released footage, first shown at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, isn't actual gameplay, but rather a meticulously choreographed demonstration of the game's visuals. While highly stylized, the combat sequences hint at a more realistic aesthetic than previous iterations, bridging the gap between the styles of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The video features Akira, the franchise's iconic character, sporting new outfits that depart from his traditional look.

The last major Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, a 2021 remaster (coming to Steam in January 2025). This new game represents a complete departure, a wholly original entry in the series. Development is being led by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the acclaimed Yakuza series and also involved in the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster. They are also simultaneously working on Sega's ambitious Project Century.

While details remain scarce, Sega's commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter brand is evident. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The new footage offers a tantalizing preview of the visual direction and hints at a significant evolution for the franchise.