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 silence. The development reins are held by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the acclaimed Yakuza series.
The recently released in-engine footage, first shown at NVIDIA's 2025 CES keynote, offers a glimpse into the game's visual style. While not actual gameplay, the meticulously choreographed combat sequence showcases a significant shift in the franchise's aesthetic. The hyper-stylized polygons of older titles are replaced with a more realistic approach, striking a balance between the visual styles of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The iconic character Akira is featured, sporting new outfits that deviate from his classic look.
This new direction builds upon the remastering work Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio previously undertook for Virtua Fighter 5, alongside Sega AM2. The studio is also simultaneously developing Sega's ambitious Project Century.
While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada has hinted at the overarching vision for this new entry. Sega's commitment to the franchise's revival is evident, as highlighted by Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's enthusiastic declaration during the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The upcoming Steam release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown in January 2025 further fuels anticipation for this next chapter in the fighting game saga. The return of Virtua Fighter promises to solidify the 2020s as a golden age for fighting game enthusiasts.
