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 led by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series and the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster.
The footage, while not actual gameplay, offers a glimpse into the game's visual style. It 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, sporting new attire that departs from his traditional bandana and spiky hair. The video's highly choreographed combat sequences hint at the polished nature of the upcoming title.
Following the release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (a remaster released in 2021 for PlayStation 4 and Japanese arcades, and coming to Steam in January 2025), this new entry represents a significant step for the franchise. With other major fighting game franchises seeing recent releases, Virtua Fighter's return promises to further strengthen the 2020s as a golden age for the genre.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, also working on Sega's Project Century, is at the helm of this new Virtua Fighter project. While details remain scarce, Sega's commitment to revitalizing the brand is evident through the showcased footage and previous statements from project director Riichirou Yamada and Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi, who declared, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The anticipation builds as Sega continues to unveil glimpses of this highly anticipated new title.
