Virtua Fighter Returns: First New Entry in Two Decades Showcased at CES 2025
Sega unveiled new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, marking the franchise's return after nearly two decades. This new installment will be a completely original title, not a remaster, and is being developed by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series and the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster.
The footage, while not actual gameplay, provides a strong indication of the game's visual style. The video showcases a visually realistic Akira, the franchise's iconic character, sporting new outfits that depart from his traditional look. The visuals appear to blend elements of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, representing a significant evolution from the series' polygonal origins and hyper-stylized past. The impeccably choreographed combat sequences hint at a focus on fluid, well-timed animations.
The last major Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (2021), a remaster recently confirmed for a Steam release in January 2025. This new entry, however, promises a fresh start for the franchise, with Sega committed to its revitalization. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi declared during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" While details remain scarce beyond the visuals and development team, the showcased footage generates considerable excitement for this long-awaited return of a fighting game classic. The game's arrival further strengthens the 2020s as a significant era for fighting game releases.
