Sega unleashes an updated and improved Virtua Fighter with Showdown, the latest title in its celebrated fighting franchise. Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, contain a full overhaul of Virtua Fighter 5’s mechanics, balance and animations, along with new game modes, new dynamic fighting arenas, a massive collection of customizable character items and two all-new characters added to the roster which are Virtua Fighter 3 favorite Taka-Arashi and newcomer Jean Kujo.

Console-only features include a robust and detailed Training Mode, eight player Online Room Match Mode, and a match record feature to replay, save, and upload fights. Developed by AM2, the console version of Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown will bring the storied franchise’s detailed balance, overhauled fighting mechanics, and extreme depth to new audiences and VF veterans alike in the acclaimed series’ best version yet.

“With Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, we get to bring the ultimate expression of competitive one-on-one gaming to console players in one perfect package,” says Haruki Satomi. Haruki also states “Virtua Fighter 5 has always been an authentic arcade fighter, even when played from the comfort of a home console. And, like any proper arcade dynasty, we’ve continued to support, expand and tweak the game in the years since its release.” Continuing to support and update any popular franchise is key to its future success. Virtua Fighter has a huge following and it’s great to see this entertaining fighter is still as popular as when it first hit the scene.

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown contains the definitive version of VF5, refined over the years since its original arcade debut. The new release also adds an extensive list of features never before seen on consoles.

The Perfect Fighting Experience:

• Virtua Fighter 5’s signature style of hand-to-hand combat, with revised mechanics, balance, timing and more, along with simplified controls for new players while retaining the depth that veterans demand

• Dynamic and Interactive Arenas: Fighting areas in new shapes and sizes, including arenas with fences and walls that are different for every round – take unexpected advantage of fighters’ new wall-based moves, or break through the fences with special attacks

• A Mode for Every Fight: Dominate the leaderboards with Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown’s extremely responsive one-on-one online battle system, widely praised for having little latency, or take on an army of opponents yourself in a new single-player mode

• Customized Combatants: Enter the ring with one of 19 playable characters, including fan favorite Taka-Arashi from Virtua Fighter 3 and an all-new character, Jean Kujo, and customize them with unique costume and character items

One of the defining attractions to Virtua Fighter is its ease of use. Many popular fighting franchises are intimidating to gamers due to their high levels of complexity. VF resolves this through a simple control system utilizing buttons for kick, punch and your guard. With this approach, Virtua Fighter is easy to pick up with a friend or through a solo arcade run and the excellent control scheme quickly makes one feel like a martial arts pro. The fights are fast brutal and satisfying with each round only lasting 45 seconds. You and your opponents are quick, making the matches intense and highly entertaining. Although it’s extremely easy to pick up, there is a training mode available and it’s worthy mentioning how robust the system is. Gamers can learn everything from the basics to more advanced moves preferably for the more hardcore or veteran audience.

For Virtua Fighter purists, there will be a limited edition Real Arcade Pro series high-end arcade style fighting stick for the PS3, featuring original artwork from Sega’s “Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown”. The stick lever and button placement is based off of the “Lindbergh Universal Cabinet”. The stick also has 2 turbo settings and the stick control can be toggled to left and right stick controls. The wide body and heavy weight gives added stability for better gameplay. The stick is designed to make it much easier to carry.

Virtua Fighter 5 offers several modes.  This includes Arcade and score attack for single player and ranked, player and spectator matches for online affairs.  It feels like more options could have been devoted to the single player side but maybe we’ll see new modes created via future DLC. Never the less, the online community, which has a strong showing, should keep gamers busy and well entertained for quite some time.

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown will not only appeal to the hardcore fan-base but to any gamer that enjoys the fighting genre.  The controls are solid and simple in design which enables exciting matches under nearly every level of experience.  While the graphics aren’t exactly pushing the envelope for either system, they are still nicely implemented and suit the game’s style well. For veteran players, the training mode allows one to master the hidden complexity in Virtua Fighter and the online modes give you the opportunity to put those newly acquired skills to the test.  Head to the digital dojo, practice your kata and prepare for some real martial arts fun with Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown.

Review Rating: 8.5/10