E3 06: Virtua Fighter 5 to beat on PS3 exclusively

Sega announces its arcade fighter is coming to Sony's next-gen console--and only Sony's next-gen console.

LOS ANGELES--Last August, Sega announced it was preparing a sequel to Virtua Fighter 4, appropriately titled Virtua Fighter 5. The game was being developed for Sega's new Lindbergh arcade board, which is based on a 3GHz Intel Pentium 4 CPU. The fact the board was based on PC architecture led some to speculate the game would be coming to the Xbox 360, as the porting process would be less complex than that to other consoles.

Today, Sega announced that Virtua Fighter 5 is indeed coming to a next-generation console...but not the Xbox 360. The game will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3 when it is released in North America in Spring 2007. Like the 360, though, the game will feature high-definition graphics and will support 720p resolution.

Virtua Fighter 5 will sport more than 15 characters, including many from previous installments. Also, it will include two new characters, Eileen and El Blaze. Of Chinese descent, Eileen "uses a monkey kung-fu fighting style that she learned from her grandfather, a former kung-fu master," according to Sega. As one might gather from the name, El Blaze is a master of lucha libre, the flamboyant style of Mexican wrestling.

Besides introducing two new characters, Sega also released some gameplay details about Virtua Fighter 5. The publisher carefully avoided any mention of an online mode but did say players could win in-game money for their victories, which they could then use at an in-game shop. Sega also said that players could pick form several customizable costumes and "attachable items" that "can be placed onto each fighter's various body parts."

GameSpot will have more details on Virtua Fighter 5 as they become available.

204 Comments

  • catbuffalo

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:54 pm PT

    lol this doesn't surprise me considering sega is the epitome of murphy's law

  • thekey

    Posted Jan 1, 2007 9:02 am PT

    mark_unix
    "thekey pissed off because it doesn't run on his precious..."

    What? On my 360? The 360 version of VF5 is coming in Aug, now what? mark_unix YOU PISSED OFF?

  • jakeboudville

    Posted Aug 24, 2006 11:25 pm PT

    cool

  • mark_unix

    Posted Aug 15, 2006 7:13 am PT

    thekey pissed off because it doesn't run on his precious...

  • lalex2

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 11:07 am PT

    Now it's out in Japan, I can wait to play it on my PS3

  • thekey

    Posted May 14, 2006 12:25 pm PT

    The Game only runs at 720p HAHAH!!!!!! Doesn't the PS3 have a max resolution of 1080P? If its so powerfull why 720P?

  • thekey

    Posted May 14, 2006 12:21 pm PT

    How many sequals can one make and how many sequals is sony going to snatch up?(MGS17, Tekken 26, Virtua Fighter 100)

  • VinceL GameSpot staff member

    Posted May 9, 2006 5:44 pm PT

    Awesome.

  • VinceL GameSpot staff member

    Posted May 9, 2006 5:36 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • Monkboon

    Posted May 9, 2006 12:22 am PT

    ****No 1080p... Ok, but come on, I would at least expect 1080i. Didn't Sony say the HD era of gaming starts when THEY say it starts, and those bold comments were made because it is the only one out of the 3 that will have 1080p support? Well, since Sony seem to consider anything less than 1080p to not be true high definition, it seems PS3 won't have much "true" high definition anyways.****

    And it took y ou how long to realise Sony was blowing smoke? As for VF5, I 'll probably get it when I get the Premium PS3 package but the lack of online play is really shallow imo. Considering good, competitive Arcades are all but gone, this would have been a great move on Sega's part. I guess they see the true value in Sony's online plans.

    I agree with many that VF4 was the deepest fighting game last year but not being to really test your skill against others and be able to brag about it took away some of the spark. Sure, you can beat the hell out of the comp at the hardest difficulty but that is nothing compared to being online, playing and watching others play while waiting your turn again if you lost. I 'm fine with the Sony exclusive but I think it was a dumb move not t o go online like DOA4 and the many other Fighting games online that have thrived, Monk....

  • segasin

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:45 pm PT

    Terrific!
    Now, I must wait for arc version first!

  • yallknowdatg

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:17 pm PT

    Wow... whichever one of gamespot's editors here who wrote this is showing a little too much Sony fanboyism here, eh?

    He's like oozing with Sony juice and glee. "VF 5 to beat on PS3... and ONLY PS3...yaaaaayayayayaaayyyyaaaaaaaaaaay!"

    Lame. These type of articles make me wanna cancel my subscription. Honestly. Just report the news... don't be excited about exclusivity like it means something other than the fact that many gamers who can't afford all systems can't play some games they may want to.

    Shameful.

  • radiocreed

    Posted May 8, 2006 7:29 pm PT

    This is THE game that will make me run to the store and get a PS3.

  • MysticGenie

    Posted May 8, 2006 5:18 pm PT

    Well, it appears that the PS3 will be a haven for fighting games like the PS2 was before it. With Tekken series being Sony exclusive since its inception, Soul Calibur series going Sony exclusive with SC3, and now VF joining the fray, the PS3 is a no-brainer choice for fans of fighting games.

    However, its hard to convince the DOA fanboys and the Ninty fans who classify Super Smash Brothers Melee as a fighting game of the same type.

  • marc_man3001

    Posted May 8, 2006 4:56 pm PT

    Awesome. Go Sega.

  • radiostyle

    Posted May 8, 2006 4:42 pm PT

    Oh god!! Come on!! I really want it!!!!!

  • chikahiro94

    Posted May 8, 2006 4:34 pm PT

    This is horrible, horrible news. I was hoping to see it on the 360 as well. Microsoft should've offered Sega some serious money (enough to cover dev costs and a nice "bribe") to get VF5 on the 360 - it would've been an excellent title for them in Japan.

    Of course, I'm sure Sony knew this, and offered Sega a nice chunk of change for the exclusive.

    Oh well.

  • B-bad

    Posted May 8, 2006 4:02 pm PT

    wow just on the PS3 didn't really see that coming, hope it does move to other consoles and maybe even hand-helds...... one can hope! Just glad there's another VF game coming out they are all cool easy to get into be hard to full master.

  • GoddBless

    Posted May 8, 2006 3:43 pm PT

    It doesn't even have online. SEGA said if you could fight online it wouldn't be Virtua Fighter. Guess I won't be getting it then.

  • mpeg3s

    Posted May 8, 2006 3:27 pm PT

    2007, HAH Sega's History

  • Jonas_81

    Posted May 8, 2006 3:26 pm PT

    It makes perfect sense. The only viable options for the ports would be either PS3 exclusive or PS3/XBox 360 multiplatform (360 exclusivity was never, ever going to happen) and Sega doesn't want to waste more time on a console port then they have to, consoles are after all a SECONDARY market for competitive fighting game developers.

  • WolfSkill5544

    Posted May 8, 2006 3:09 pm PT

    YES!!!! PS3 baby!!

  • Fatality4u

    Posted May 8, 2006 3:03 pm PT

    Ask me if I care, as I continue to play DOA4.

  • DevJin

    Posted May 8, 2006 2:57 pm PT

    Die 360 rubbish!!

  • Khimarhi

    Posted May 8, 2006 2:33 pm PT

    i am going to wet my pants by the end of the day

  • BorgMind00

    Posted May 8, 2006 2:18 pm PT

    Great VF5, I've been waiting a while for this game. Can't wait until it hits these shores. I do have a question though, why would Sega make this an exclusive title, and if it is to be exclusive, for how long? It just doesn't make any sense. A title like that would look great on pretty much any next gen console, including the Wii. Why not make it for the 360 as well, atleast. It's certainly more than capable of running an exact port. If someone has a good answer, let me hear it because this on is racking my brain now. Well, atleast I won't have to decide which system to get it for.

  • decebal

    Posted May 8, 2006 1:56 pm PT

    "Thats the only thing the xbox360 done right for me was the upscaling."

    Same here. I was really affraid I wont' be able to play Kameo in high def, because my tv is not 720p, and well... 360 surprised me.

    I'd be surprised if PS3 doesn't do the same thing though.

  • John_of_Fire

    Posted May 8, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    I can't say I'm surprized about the news but it's sad news for me. I just don't want to shell out the money for all three systems next gen. I have less than 10 games for my ps2 but VF4E was one of them. I really like VF but I may wait until the PS3 is 100 dollars and pick VF5 used. I can wait but I'd rather not.

  • eljono

    Posted May 8, 2006 1:22 pm PT

    meh. VF was good in arcades like 2 decades ago.

    Its retarded to make console specific games if youre a third party dev. esp. when its a game that has been on multiple ones before.

    Do they really think VF is gonna sell PS3s? i dont think so

  • dodgyd55

    Posted May 8, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    aaaaaahahahahhhahahahah virtule fighter sux :L

  • hazuki

    Posted May 8, 2006 1:10 pm PT

    Hmm this game may not out sell any other fighting game, but i can guarantee you that it will be better as virtua fighter 4 is still one of the best fighting games even now. I just hope the ps3 upscales the resolution to 1080i as my hdtv doesnt support 720p. Thats the only thing the xbox360 done right for me was the upscaling.

  • grnidbandit

    Posted May 8, 2006 1:06 pm PT

    I_love_my_ds......They should release Halo, Ninja Gaiden, zelda and mario on the ps3, they would make a heck of alot more money

  • Berserker_2

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:57 pm PT

    I think the writer had a Sonygasm. It wasn't enough to say 'exclusive', he had to reiterate: 'ooonly' on Sony's next-gen console.

  • veracity024

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:47 pm PT

    lame game anyway

  • axia_777

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:42 pm PT

    Hell freaking YAH!!! PS3 and Virtua Fighter. BEST FIGHTER EVER! Tekken and Soul Caliber come next, but the game owns them all. DOA? What is that fluffy peice of crap? VF5, so sweet!

  • fallendamnation

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:35 pm PT

    hmm i wonder why it is exclusive they should state their reasons for keeping it on the PS3

  • Jmorphman

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:30 pm PT

    I fail to see how this is a bad decision. VF sells extremely well in Japan, and the 360 does not. Why release it on a console that doesn't sell?

  • decebal

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:23 pm PT

    Anyways, I read this on ps3scene.com
    "Promising to take "true advantage" of next-generation hardware capabilities, Virtua Fighter 5 ..."

    i wonder what true advantage can they get for a fighting game?

  • decebal

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:22 pm PT

    rgsniper1, well you are right normaly, except you are wrong this time. PS3 is more powerful, and I know that since I have my sources.

    Anyways... I am not getting a console for VF or any other game that I don't care about. What I was saying is that I generally I really like when consoles have exclusives. This in particular is an exlusive I dont' care about... but someone else might.

  • SnowFarmer

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:10 pm PT

    Good job to Sony for securing an exclusive that people care about, and props to Sega for producing a game that fans want to play.

    As for online for VF5, I don't really care if there is no online mode. Just make the single player deep and fun to play and I'm happy. Besides fighting games are much more fun to play multiplayer when you have your opponent sitting next to you and your other friends cheering behind the sofa. Online fighters are for those pasty/hermit types... =|

  • rgsniper1

    Posted May 8, 2006 12:08 pm PT

    Decebal - so let me get this straight, you like buying consoles when you know why you're getting them.........for exclusives that you don't even like. Honestly it sounds like a very lame reason to get a console. Also, you point out that you don't care if the PS3 has a lot better graphics, which you say is the case. I'm not sure what you're basing that on as it's not even known what barely any of the games are really going to look like beyond there "movies" of them. I could care less which is graphically better either, as I'll be getting both for the exclusives (which I'll actually buy). But up to this point to say the PS3 is better graphically is a dumb thing to say as you don't know yet.

  • sasuke55

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:47 am PT

    I dont' really care when was the last time someone played a VF game lets be real. It has no hopes of out selling Tekken, Soul Caliber or Dead Or ALive.

  • sabru8

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:43 am PT

    awesome!

  • Sonicplys

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:40 am PT

    ^ lol @ Dead or Alive

  • i_love_my_ds

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:37 am PT

    they should also release it for the 360, theyd get a lot more sales

  • Space_Godzillla

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:37 am PT

    Dead or Alive, and tekken are better.

  • decebal

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:36 am PT

    p.s. Tekken 5 rulez though. That's probably the only fighting game I can stand since Capcom vs SNK 2, and MK4.

    VF 4 and Dead or Alive 4 are big disapointments.

  • decebal

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:34 am PT

    Well generaly people seem to be happy about this. I personally hate VF, but I'm really glad to see that Sony has more exclusives. I like buying a console and know why I'm buiying it. The more exclusives they have the better.

    That is my only disapointment with 360. Not enough exclusives. Everything is on PC as well.

    i really dont' care that graphics on PS3 is that much better. I mean, I'm happy that it is so, but it's all about the games. PS2 had the worst graphics last generation, and it clearly owned XBOX.

    They will all be nice systems if they get exclusives. That's what makes a console special. And I hope they all do. I hope they all get lots. Competition is good for us gamers.

    I don't really get why people are so found of a company versus another. Afterall they all try to take your money.

    Sony and Nintendo have more exclusives that I like, and generaly I prefer them over MS. However I do own a 360 as well, (which is colecting a lot of dust at the moment,) and it looks like MS will get some nice titles as well. Like Lost Oddysey, and Mass Effect...

    Well I hope they are all good, and I'm all up for exclusives. The ported games, never turn out so good. (Esspecially if EA publishes them )

  • waynehead895

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:25 am PT

    I've stopped playing Tekken and Virtua Fighter when DOA 2 Hardcore was released. Virtua Fighter is dead to me.

  • dirtyoldman99

    Posted May 8, 2006 11:19 am PT

    i have an xbox 360 and i am GUTTED!!! No Tekken, No Virtua Fighter and not even a street fighter yet!!

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