This winter, for the first time ever, Sega is bringing the iconic Virtua Fighter series to Steam with the release of Virtua Fighter 5 REVO. Fans might recognize this as the latest iteration of the fifth major entry in the franchise, originally launched in 2006. It’s worth noting that this “new” Virtua Fighter mentioned by a Sega executive earlier this month is indeed a fresh take on the well-established Virtua Fighter 5, rather than an entirely new game.
While some might have been crossing their fingers for Virtua Fighter 6, there’s still a lot to look forward to in Virtua Fighter 5 REVO. Sega has made it clear that this version will introduce several exciting enhancements. Players can expect improved online gameplay with rollback netcode, stunning 4K graphics featuring updated high-resolution textures, and some significant balance adjustments across its roster of 19 characters.
The game is in reliable hands, as it’s being developed by Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind popular titles like Like A Dragon and Judgment. They plan to deliver various modes such as ranked, arcade, training, and versus, alongside the potential for 16-player tournaments and leagues for those interested in competitive play online.
For a bit of history, Virtua Fighter 5 first hit arcades in 2006, shortly followed by its release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the subsequent year. Sega then rolled out Virtua Fighter 5 R in 2008, introducing new character Jean Kujo and marking the return of sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi. Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown came along in 2010 for arcades and later appeared on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2012. This version can also be experienced within various virtual arcades in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s other games.
Earlier in the month, Justin Scarpone, Sega’s executive VP of global transmedia, hinted at the development of another Virtua Fighter game while speaking to Video Games Chronicle. This fueled speculation and anticipation for a potential Virtua Fighter 6. With Sega also working on reviving classic titles like Jet Set Radio, Golden Axe, Shinobi, and Crazy Taxi, the gaming community had high hopes for a fresh Virtua Fighter entry. However, for now, fans will have to settle for this enhanced version of Virtua Fighter 5, which promises to keep the excitement alive until then.
