Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: First New Entry in Two Decades Showcased at CES 2025

Sega unveiled new in-engine footage of the next Virtua Fighter game at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, marking the franchise's first new installment in nearly 20 years. Development is being spearheaded by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series.

The footage, while not actual gameplay, offers a glimpse into the game's visual style. The video showcases a shift away from the franchise's classic polygonal aesthetic towards a more realistic look, blending elements reminiscent of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The iconic character Akira is featured in two new outfits, deviating from his traditional bandana and spiky hair.

The last major Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (a remaster released in 2021 for PlayStation 4 and Japanese arcades, coming to Steam in January 2025). The new game promises a completely fresh experience, though details remain scarce beyond director Riichirou Yamada's previous comments on the game's direction. Sega's commitment to reviving the Virtua Fighter brand is evident, as highlighted by Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's enthusiastic announcement at the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The game's development alongside Sega's announced Project Century further underscores this commitment.