Virtua Fighter Teases Gameplay with New Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: A Glimpse at Sega's New Fighting Game

Sega has unveiled new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game, marking the franchise's return after nearly two decades of relative inactivity. Developed by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, this new installment promises a fresh take on the classic fighting series.

The last significant Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (2021), a remaster. While the franchise saw a commemorative release of Virtua Fighter 2, the upcoming title represents a completely new entry, generating significant excitement among fans. This new game's announcement follows the recent release of other major fighting games, suggesting a strong resurgence in the genre.

The newly released footage, shown at NVIDIA's 2025 CES keynote, isn't actual gameplay, but rather a pre-rendered cinematic showcasing the game's in-engine graphics. This cinematic offers a compelling preview of the game's visual style, which appears to blend elements of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, moving away from the franchise's earlier, more stylized visuals. The video features Akira, the series' iconic character, in updated outfits, noticeably different from his classic look.

Development is led by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series and also involved in the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster. This studio is also concurrently working on Sega's Project Century. While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's previous comments hint at a significant shift in direction for the franchise. Despite the limited information, Sega's commitment to reviving Virtua Fighter is evident, as highlighted by Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's enthusiastic declaration at the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"