Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown hits June 5

It has been five years since the last new Virtua Fighter game debuted on consoles, but the wait for a new installment in Sega's flagship fighting franchise ends next month. Sega today announced that Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown will arrive on the PlayStation Network on June 5, with an Xbox Live Arcade release set for June 6.

Described as an update and expansion to previous versions of the game, Final Showdown will sell for $15 (1,200 Microsoft points) on each system's downloadable storefront. In addition to new modes, arenas, and customizable character items, the game will add two more combatants to the game's roster. Virtua Fighter veterans will welcome the return of Virtua Fighter 3 sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi, while those eager to try out a new style can look forward to the debut of Jean Kujo.

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown will also feature online multiplayer action for both systems. Sega has promised "little to no latency" for online matches, with leaderboards to keep track of rank. For more solitary fighters, Final Showdown will also include a new single-player mode where players fight "an army of opponents" on their own.

Sega is also planning a variety of downloadable content in the form of character customization packs available at launch. Players will be able to buy character-specific content for each of the game's 19 characters for $5 (400 Microsoft points) per pack, or they can purchase two bundles of customization DLC, each selling for $15 (1,200 Microsoft points) and covering about half of the game's roster.

For more on Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.