Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Summary

• Sega unveiled new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game.
• This marks the franchise's first new entry in nearly two decades.
• Development is being handled by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.

Sega recently released exciting new footage showcasing the visual direction of its latest Virtua Fighter installment. The franchise has been largely dormant for almost twenty years, with only remasters of Virtua Fighter 5 released since its last entirely new title. Beyond Virtua Fighter 2's surprise physical release, the most recent major entry was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, a PlayStation 4 and Japanese arcade remaster released in 2021. This remaster is also slated for a Steam release in January 2025, further building anticipation for the new game.

First unveiled during NVIDIA's 2025 Consumer Electronics Show keynote, the short video features a stylized combat sequence. While clearly a pre-rendered cinematic, the impeccable choreography and timing—more akin to a Sammo Hung film than a typical fighting game—provide a strong indication of the game's potential visual quality. With other major fighting game franchises recently releasing new titles, the return of Virtua Fighter promises to solidify the 2020s as a golden age for the genre.

New Virtua Fighter Footage Highlights Evolving Visuals

Although not actual gameplay, the in-engine footage offers a compelling glimpse into the game's visual style. The video showcases a departure from the series' hyper-stylized, polygonal origins, moving towards a more realistic aesthetic that blends elements of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The trailer features Akira, the franchise's iconic character, in two new outfits, notably different from his classic bandanna and spiky hair.

Development is being led by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind both the new Virtua Fighter and the announced Project Century. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio also co-developed the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster with Sega AM2 and is best known for the Yakuza series, beginning with Yakuza 5.

Beyond comments from Virtua Fighter project director Riichirou Yamada hinting at the game's direction, details remain scarce. However, Sega's commitment to revitalizing the franchise is evident in these ongoing reveals. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared during the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"