Virtua Fighter is back. Sega will release a new version of the pioneering 3D fighting game series, called Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown, on June 1 for PlayStation 4. The game will be a digital exclusive release on PS4.
The new edition of Virtua Fighter 5 is being developed by developers from Sega AM2 (the original arcade developer) and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (the team behind the Yakuza series). The PS4 version will feature updated visuals, new background music for each stage, and new online features, including a spectator mode, lobbies for up to 16 players, and tournament options.
Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown was previously leaked, thanks to a ratings board listing in Korea, and first teased by Sega back in September.
The original version of Virtua Fighter 5 was released in arcades in 2006, and ported to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 the following year. The most recent entry in the fighting game franchise, Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, was released in arcades in 2010, and came to PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2012. Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is playable in the virtual arcades of several games in Sega’s Yakuza series.
During Virtua Fighter’s downtime, some of the game’s roster crossed over to other fighting games: Akira, Sarah, and Pai were featured as playable guest stars in Dead or Alive 5, the one-time rival fighting game series by Koei Tecmo.
Update: Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown will be available as part of June’s PlayStation Plus lineup. The game will cost $29.99 without a PlayStation Plus subscription.
