Sega has officially released the first gameplay footage for the New Virtua Fighter Project, providing fans with a long-awaited look at the future of this iconic 3D fighting series. The new trailer was unveiled during EVO Vegas 2025 and showcases an early glimpse of the in-game mechanics and a redesigned combat system. This new system remains true to the franchise’s core identity while also incorporating cinematic enhancements.
Titled New Virtua Fighter Project | Combat Gameplay First Look – Training Stage, the footage showcases an intense battle between two characters on a standard training stage. The gameplay maintains the classic one-on-one format that has defined previous entries in the series, featuring fluid animations and familiar fighting stances. New visual elements have also been introduced, including dynamic close-up shots during critical attacks.
One standout moment occurs when a high kick connects with an opponent’s jaw; this moment is slowed down to highlight the impact in greater detail, showcasing facial contortion and the scattering of teeth. While this dramatic effect is engaging, it remains uncertain how frequently these cinematic hits will occur during live matches or if they will be limited to specific conditions.
This marks the first substantial update since Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio initially announced the project during The Game Awards 2024. That reveal was followed by a digital event titled Virtua Fighter Direct, where the developers provided character model previews for series mainstay Akira and newcomer Stella. Wolf and another unidentified male character were later teased during EVO Japan 2025, although further gameplay was not shown at that time.
In an interview with Famitsu, Yamada, the chief producer of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, and studio representative Yokoyama discussed the direction of the new installment in the series. A notable development is the consideration of a story mode, which would represent a significant shift for the series. Previous Virtua Fighter titles have primarily focused on arcade-style combat with minimal narrative integration, so introducing a story-driven structure would be an important evolution. The developers also confirmed that this installment is primarily being developed for home consoles, with a PC version already being considered.
Another key detail is that this title will be the first mainline Virtua Fighter game not developed by Sega’s AM2 Studio. While AM2 laid the foundation for the franchise beginning with its genre-defining debut in 1993, the sixth mainline installment is being handled by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, known primarily for the Yakuza series. This is the studio’s second time working on the franchise, having previously released Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown in 2021.
Although there is no confirmed launch window or list of platforms yet, the renewed interest in Virtua Fighter is promising for fans of the series. Sega has started teasing additional updates for the Tokyo Game Show 2025, leading to rising expectations for a complete character roster reveal, as well as more detailed information about the game’s mechanics and modes.
