Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage Revealed by Sega

Virtua Fighter Returns: A Glimpse into Sega's Next-Gen Fighter

Sega has unveiled new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game, marking the franchise's return after nearly two decades of relative silence. Developed by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the footage offers a tantalizing preview of the game's visual style and combat.

The last significant Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, a 2021 remaster (also coming to Steam in January 2025). Since then, only a commemorative release of Virtua Fighter 2 has been seen. This new installment, however, promises a completely fresh experience.

First shown at NVIDIA's 2025 CES keynote, the showcased video, while not actual gameplay, demonstrates in-engine graphics. The meticulously choreographed combat sequences, more reminiscent of a martial arts film than a typical fighting game recording, hint at the polished final product. The timing and precision suggest a deliberate showcase rather than raw gameplay footage. With the recent releases of other major fighting games, Virtua Fighter's comeback further strengthens the 2020s as a golden age for the genre.

A New Visual Identity for Virtua Fighter

The footage reveals a shift in visual style. The game moves away from the franchise's signature hyper-stylized polygons and towards a more realistic aesthetic, blending elements reminiscent of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The iconic character Akira is featured in two new outfits, a departure from his traditional bandana and spiky hair.

Development is led by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, also responsible for the Yakuza series and co-developer of the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster alongside Sega AM2. They are also handling Sega's Project Century.

While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's previous comments and Sega's continued teasing suggest a strong commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter brand. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared in the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"