…It is The Final Showdown! It is with this Europe’s song verse that I would like to welcome Virtua Fighter 5 again. The king of the fighting game is coming one last time after fifteen long years with an enhanced remake version. Let’s enjoy it before the new upcoming titles will take the stage.
The King of fighting games
Virtua Fighter for those who never heard about it before, it is “the” fighting game of the Japanese videogame developer Sega. Created in 1993, it was a pioneer for the gaming world, considering that it was the first “polygon-based” fighting game in history, even inspiring the creation of the first Playstation console. The titles of Virtua Fighter were true innovation in many fields, influencing important series like Tekken and Dead or Alive. Protagonist and mascot of the saga is Akira Yuki, a perfectionist Bajiquan (or Hakkyoku-ken in Japanese) expert, where his seeking for “true strengths” will lead him to challenge the strongest opponents on earth. Other popular characters of the series are the MMA college student Sarah Bryant and his brother Jacky, a race car driver who use Jeet Kune Do.
Resuscitation of a classic
The released of Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown brings in addition of an important updated graphics, also new background music, new user interface and new online features. The title was revived for Sega’s 60th anniversary and will finally bring the saga to the esport circuit. In my opinion, launching now the enhanced remake of Virtua Fighter 5 was the right decision, considering the upcoming fighting titles, among them: The King Of Fighters XV, Die by the Blade, Sifu and eSports Boxing Club (presented at e3 2021)
Will things ever be the same again?
In the last years we have seen a true explosion of fighting game popularity. Big title like Tekken, Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter are the protagonist of the esports circuit, and old beat ‘em up glories like Street of Rage and Kunio Kun sagas are indeed experiencing a new successful revival… It is The Final Showdown! So let’s enjoy the company of Akira & Co. Playing one last time the legendary fighting game Virtua Fighter 5.
What is your main on Virtua Fighter 5? Which fighting game are you looking forward to play in the near future?