As the gaming community reflects on the classics, one title, in particular, stands out for its long absence and potential return: Sega’s “Virtua Fighter.” It’s been nearly two decades since the last main installment of this pioneering 3D fighting game series was released, leaving fans eagerly anticipating a new chapter.
While a new game isn’t currently in development, Sega has sparked interest by revealing that it is actively “evaluating” how to bring “Virtua Fighter” back to life for a modern audience.
In a recent conversation with The Washington Post, Sega Co-Chief Operating Officer and CEO of Sega of America, Shuji Utsumi, shed light on the company’s intentions to revive more of its legacy properties, with “Virtua Fighter” being a prime candidate.
Utsumi acknowledged the unique realism of “Virtua Fighter,” distinguishing it from other fighting games like “Street Fighter,” which rely heavily on special moves and tricks. The challenge for Sega lies in making “Virtua Fighter” more dramatic and appealing to today’s gaming landscape, while retaining the essence that made it a hit in the past.
Speculations and Teases: The Game Awards 2023
Sega’s recent showcase at the 2023 Game Awards intensified the buzz around “Virtua Fighter.” The studio announced the development of five games from its legacy properties, including “Jet Set Radio,” fueling speculation about a new “Virtua Fighter” game.
This speculation was further fueled by Sega’s mysterious letters sent to creators and influencers, many of whom are prominent in the fighting game community.
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Sega’s acknowledgment of “Virtua Fighter” isn’t new. In a 2021 financial presentation, the company had listed it among IPs under consideration for revival. “Virtua Fighter 5,” the last main series entry, was released in 2006, initially in arcades and then on the PlayStation 3, followed by ports to other platforms and a remastered version titled “Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown” in 2021.
The franchise’s impact goes beyond the fighting game genre. Debuting in 1993 as an arcade game, “Virtua Fighter” is credited as the first true 3D fighting game and played a crucial role in the creation of the Sega franchise “Shenmue.”
Yu Suzuki, during a post-mortem at GDC 2014, revealed that “Shenmue” was initially envisioned as an RPG set in the “Virtua Fighter” universe, highlighting the series’ influence on gaming history.
