Virtua Fighter 6 Might Be in the Works, Say Insiders

Let’s rewind to Virtua Fighter, a game that basically dragged the fighting genre into the 3D era, kicking and screaming. Dropped in arcades in 1993 by Sega AM2, this game wasn’t just another button-masher.

People were blown away by the graphics—which, yeah, look like blocks glued together now—but back then? Mind-blowing. It was the first fighting game to go all-in on 3D polygonal graphics. That alone made it a legend. And, fun fact, it wasn’t just about looking cool; it also felt different, smoother.

+2 Photos

But here’s the deal: since Virtua Fighter: Fever Combo hit in 2014, the series has been… well, sleeping. Maybe in a coma, actually. Other than a few ports and re-releases, nothing new. At least, until now. There’s this rumor floating around from Midori (aka RyanFromTheBronx) that Virtua Fighter 6 is on the way.

Also, Sega might’ve teased something cryptic on Twitter. If this is legit, Sega could be about to make a power move in the fighting game scene.

Why Virtua Fighter Coming Back Could Be Huge

Okay, let’s be real—fighting games are popping off right now. And if Virtua Fighter makes a comeback, it could be bigger than people think. Last December, Sega basically said, “We’re bringing back some of our old games,” with Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, and Streets of Rage on the list.

They hinted that other classic IPs might get the same treatment. And Sega’s COO Shuji Itsumi has already said they’re down for a new Virtua Fighter.

All this buzz, plus the fact that fighting games are having a moment right now, makes it feel like the perfect storm.

Can Sega Really Compete With Street Fighter and Tekken?

Well, Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 are owning the fighting game world right now.

Street Fighter 6 smashed it with great reviews, and Tekken 8 sold like crazy, over 2 million copies in a month. So why would anyone care about Virtua Fighter coming back? The key could be approachability.

Virtua Fighter’s Superpower? It’s Easy to Learn

Fighting games can be brutal to learn. You’ve got combos that are harder to memorize than your Wi-Fi password, and some games make you feel like you need a PhD to land a punch.

Virtua Fighter has always been different. It’s simple, easy to get into—only three buttons and an 8-direction stick. That’s it. And if they stick with that formula in Virtua Fighter 6, they could hook a way broader audience.

If VF6 makes the combat just as smooth and approachable as before, Sega might have a real shot at taking over.