Sega Reveals New Virtual Fighter Gameplay Footage

Overview

Sega has unveiled fresh in-engine visuals for the next installment of the Virtua Fighter franchise.
This marks the first new entry in nearly two decades.
The game’s development is spearheaded by Sega’s Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.

In an exciting development for fans of fighting games, Sega has released new footage that provides a glimpse into the aesthetic and immersive experience of their forthcoming title in the Virtua Fighter series. The franchise has been relatively quiet, with its last original title, Virtua Fighter 5, only receiving remaster updates since its release.

After a surprising commemorative release of Virtua Fighter 2, the last significant update to the franchise was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, which was launched in 2021 for the PlayStation 4 and select Japanese arcades. This remaster is set to debut on Steam in January 2025, just ahead of the highly anticipated new game.

The revealing footage was showcased during NVIDIA’s keynote at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, featuring a blend of cinematic transitions and simulated combat scenes. Though the disclaimer noted the staged nature of the video, the fluid choreography heavily hints at a polished and well-coordinated game, reminiscent of a fight scene from a Sammo Hung film rather than a typical gaming playthrough. With other prominent fighting franchises releasing titles recently, the revival of Virtua Fighter could help define the 2020s as an exceptional decade for the genre.

Visuals Evolution in New Virtua Fighter Footage

The newly released clip may not reflect actual gameplay, but it does showcase impressive in-engine graphics that offer a tantalizing preview of the game’s potential visual style. The footage illustrates a transition away from the franchise’s traditional hyper-stylized characters, moving towards a more realistic depiction akin to what players have seen in both Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. Notably, the trailer features Akira, the renowned flagship character, in two distinct outfits that stray from his iconic bandanna and spiky hairstyle.

Virtua Fighter 6 character executing a kick

This new title is being developed by Sega’s own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which is also working on another project known as Project Century. This studio previously collaborated on the remaster of Virtua Fighter 5 alongside Sega AM2 and is noted for their work on the popular Yakuza series, beginning with Yakuza 5.

Although information regarding the upcoming game remains limited, the project director, Riichirou Yamada, has hinted at exciting new directions for the series. Despite the prevailing ambiguity, Sega seems dedicated to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter franchise, frequently sharing updates on its progress. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi stated during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, “Virtua Fighter is finally back!”

Source & Images