Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: 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 of relative inactivity. Developed by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, known for the Yakuza series, this new entry promises a fresh take on the classic fighting game.

The recently released footage, shown at NVIDIA's 2025 CES keynote, isn't actual gameplay, but rather a meticulously choreographed demonstration showcasing the game's visual style. While undeniably staged, the video provides a compelling look at the game's in-engine graphics, hinting at a visual direction blending the realism of Tekken 8 with the stylistic flair of Street Fighter 6. The footage features Akira, the franchise's iconic character, sporting new outfits, a departure from his traditional look.

This new Virtua Fighter follows the 2021 release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, a remaster of a previous iteration, which is also slated for a Steam release in January 2025. The last major new entry in the series was Virtua Fighter 5, released years ago. Beyond the visuals, details remain scarce, but project director Riichirou Yamada has hinted at a significant shift in the game's direction. Sega's commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter brand is evident, as expressed by Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's enthusiastic declaration: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The game's development is being handled concurrently with Sega's ambitious Project Century, further highlighting Sega's investment in the franchise's future. The return of Virtua Fighter is poised to solidify the 2020s as a golden age for fighting games.