Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter's Return: A Glimpse into the Future

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

The recently released footage, first shown at NVIDIA's 2025 CES keynote, isn't actual gameplay, but rather a meticulously choreographed demonstration showcasing the game's visual style. This cinematic presentation, while not representative of real-time combat, provides a compelling look at the game's potential. The visuals appear to blend elements of both Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, moving away from the franchise's original polygonal aesthetic toward a more realistic approach. The iconic character Akira is featured in two distinct outfits, a departure from his traditional look.

The last major Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (2021), a remaster slated for a Steam release in January 2025. This new entry, however, represents a completely original game in the series. The development team, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, is also behind Sega's Project Century and previously co-developed the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster with Sega AM2. The studio's expertise, honed through the acclaimed Yakuza series, suggests a significant evolution for Virtua Fighter.

While details remain scarce, Sega's commitment to the project is evident. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" This resurgence, coupled with recent releases from other major fighting game franchises, positions the 2020s as a potentially golden age for the genre. The new Virtua Fighter promises to be a key player in this resurgence.