Out of all the big fighting game franchises that have received new entries over the years,Virtua Fighterhas been noticeably missing for a long time, but it appears that is just about to change. Abrand-new entry in theVirtua Fighterfranchiseappears to be in the works, bringing back an iconic game series after nearly twenty years.
Virtua Fighterhas been an iconic staple in the fighting game scene, asit was the very first 3D fighting gameback in 1993. Now, thirty years later, it finally has a chance to be back in the limelight after many years of no new entries. However, there still aren’t clear answers on what exactly this new entry in the franchise is supposed to be, which means there is a lot of potential for the series to go in a variety of unique directions.
A New Virtua Fighter Game Is In Development
A Long-Awaited Return To This Iconic Franchise
It wasrevealed during The Game Awards 2023thatnumerous classic SEGA franchises were making their return, includingJet Set Radio, Golden Axe, andShinobi, with many more being hinted at in the future. Now, it appears that SEGA is finally ready to reveal what they have in store for their iconic fighting game franchise. In a recent interview withVideo Games Chronicle, SEGA’s global head of transmedia revealed that the company currently has a new Virtua Fighter game in development, saying:
“So we have a suite of titles in development right now that fall into that legacy bucket, which we announced last year at The Game Awards; Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, and we have another Virtua Fighter being developed. And so all that’s very exciting. And then in certain instances, we’re also doing animation series, or live-action films to augment that and be part of those roadmaps.”
However, whether this new game is in fact actuallyVirtua Fighter 6or something else entirely still remains a mystery at this time. Regardless, there’s plenty of cause to anticipate details about the future of theVirtua Fighterfranchise, which could let fans see their favorite characters in a whole new way.
Is The New Game Actually Virtua Fighter 6?
The Possibility Of A Sequel Seems Likely
The most recent entry in theVirtua Fighterfranchise,Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, was released back in 2021 as a remaster of 2006’sVirtua Fighter 5. This means thatit has been almost two decades since a brand-newVirtua Fightergamewas released, meaning it is high time that a new sequel was finally announced. Ultimate Showdown proved that the franchise is still incredibly popular, with strong sales and good reviews, so SEGA has enough proof thatVirtua Fighter 6will be received well.
How Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft Was Inspired By Virtua Fighter
The creation of Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft was inspired by Virtua Fighter, both in terms of visuals and the popularity of its female characters.
However, there is still the possibility that this newVirtua Fightergame is something else. With the increasing popularity of mobile game titles, there is always a chance thatthis new title could be something else entirelyto breathe new life into the franchise, much like what Netherrealm did withMortal Kombat: Onslaught. Considering the approach taken with theCrazy TaxiandJet Set Radioreboots, however, it seems far more likely that the newVirtua Fighterwill also be released on consoles.
Virtua Fighter 6 Will Bring In A New Generation Of Fans
It’s Time For New Challengers
With how long it has been since the lastVirtua Fightergame, a new entry in the franchise could excite both veteran fans and newcomers alike. Compared to other fighting games,Virtua Fighterstands out due to its complexity, and although it isn’t asflashy asMortal KombatorStreet Fighter, it will draw in those who want more of a challenge. It would also provide fighting game tournaments with a chance to add even more variety to their roster of games, drawing in more viewers who want to witness something new.
There’s One Big Name Still Missing From Fighting Games Releasing In 2025
The Soul Calibur franchise has been a staple fighting game series for many years, and yet is is still absent from the list of future 2025 releases.
This recent announcement from SEGA is very exciting for the fighting game community, as an iconic franchise will finally return in some form or another. Only time will tell whether this new title is a sequel or something else entirely, but the answer should be revealed to the public sooner or later. Regardless of what this new game turns out to be, there is no doubt that this is an exciting time forVirtua Fighterto make its long-awaited return.
