<![CDATA[Kotaku: virtua fighter 5]]> http://tags.kotaku.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: virtua fighter 5]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/virtuafighter5 http://kotaku.com/tag/virtuafighter5 <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5, FIFA Street 3 Join Xbox 360 Games On Demand]]> The Xbox 360 Games On Demand options expand by two, as Microsoft has added brawler Virtua Fighter 5 and footballer FIFA Street 3 to the downloadable games service, making it easier to be a game-buying sloth.

Or, so they say. Looks like FIFA Street 3 is available to download according to the online Xbox Live Marketplace game page. And for $19.99, about what a new copy of the game is going for. But Virtua Fighter 5? Not showing as a fully downloadable Games On Demand game online as of right now. Via the Xbox Live Marketplace may be a different story.

Yes, these games are definitely pricier than the bargains one can typically get with a little bargain hunting. Amazon is selling VF5 new for $11.11 USD, which is a nice little deal for one of the better fighting games this generation.

But you can't put a price on laziness, folks.

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5359971&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 Arcade Update Piles On The Sega Fan Service]]> As seen on Sega's official Japanese Virtua Fighter 5 web site via UK:R.

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5291676&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Some Xbox 360 Themes Not A "Beautiful" As Promised With NXE]]> Now that the New Xbox Experience has been globally launched, it's time to brace for the impact. Outside of a few error reports, things appear to have gone smoothly. One of the minor bumps that we know of, thanks to OXM, is that some Xbox 360 themes don't quite jibe with the NXE's new layout. Microsoft touted that old themes would look "beautiful" with the new look and feel, but perhaps the better descriptor is "beautiful but largely obscured."

Take, for instance, the above Virtua Fighter 5 theme. Series starlet Sarah may still look virtually beautiful — what a pretty eye you have! — but she now has a bit of creepy stalkerishness to her gaze. The same mismatched layout applies to themes for games like Army of Two, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Castle Crashers and more. For the full list of usable, but visually gimped themes, read on.

NXE: When Old Themes Go Bad [OXM]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5093276&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Armored Core, Virtua Fighter Get Platinum]]> Xbox Japan has announced three more titles joining its budget "Platinum Collection" line: Armored Core for Answer, Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom and Virtua Fighter 5: Live Arena. Each game is priced at ¥2,940 (US$29) and will be out next January.

Xbox 360 プラチナコレクションに『アーマード・コア　フォーアンサー』など3タイトルが追加 [Famitsu]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5082838&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 Patched, Now With Extra Perfect]]> vf5box.jpgIn case your copy of Virtua Fighter 5 for the Xbox 360 is just sitting on a shelf gathering dust, now would be a good time to snag that sucker and slip it into you 'box for a little update action, courtesy of Sega. The newly available patch addresses one very major issue - being able to select costume-specific pants in alternate outfits. Aside from that, it's really all gravy. You get gamer pics displayed during online battles, easier ranking navigation, one additional item per character, the ability to rematch people not on your friends list in online matches, and the ability to save online battles so you can replay them and try to find out exactly when you started sucking. Was it a slow, steady sucking or a massive burst of suck towards the end? Now you'll know. Hit the jump for the patch press release, subtitled "Subtle Changes Improves the Perfect Fighting Game". Even more perfect than before!

VF5 Update Available

Subtle Changes Improves the Perfect Fighting Game

LONDON (16th January, 2008) - SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced it has released a new downloadable patch for Virtua Fighter™ 5, the critically acclaimed arcade fighting game now available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The patch will include a number of gameplay additions and enhancements including:

* Some characters will now be able to select costume-specific pants in alternate costumes, for example equipping Costume A pants in Costume B.
* Replays of online battles can now be saved.
* One additional item per character (appear as "Downloaded item" in Costume settings/Item edit dialog).
* Gamer pictures will now be shown in online battles.
* After winning the World Tournament Final, it's now more likely that rivals you have not defeated will be playing in arcades.
* When someone joins an online match, you can now see their connection quality.
* Various fixes for minor bugs, including a texture bug.
* Easier sorting of rankings.
* Rematches in Online VS. Player Matches now possible even when the players haven't added their opponent to their friend list

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=345535&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Week in Games: Spooky Halloween Edition]]> Here we are again at another week full of games that threaten to drain my bank account. I haven't even gotten through last week's "must have" list and here comes Manhunt 2, GH III, The Simpsons Game, Hellgate: London, Dementium: The Ward. My Christmas wish list grows longer with each passing day while my time to play games grows ever shorter. What's a poor gamer to do?

Manhunt 2 (WII, PS2, PSP)
At long last it finally arrives, castrated but no worse for the wear.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (X360, WII, PS3, PS2)
Barracuda, here I come!

The Simpsons Game (X360, PS2, DS, WII, PS3)
One Simpsons game to rule them all.

The Witcher (PC)
It's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft...

Hellgate: London (PC)
Welcome to the 'ell 'ole.

Culpa Innata (PC)
What life will be like 40 years from now. I can't wait to see if it's accurate.

Dementium: The Ward (DS)
GameCock rolls out the monsters.

TimeShift (PC, X360)
The clothes make the man.

Battalion Wars 2 (WII)
Who knew war could be so cute.

Tabula Rasa (PC)
Richard Garriot's futuristic MMO finally arrives.

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness (PSP)
YOU are the Overlord. Or at least you will be if you win.

Virtua Fighter 5 (X360)
Beat down in HD.

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=316033&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 360]]> In the middle of the night while unsuspecting Americans were sleeping the sleep of the sleepy, Sega slipped quietly onto Xbox Live Marketplace and tucked the Virtua Fighter 5 demo under our pillows, pausing to reflect on how much we've grow and caressing our cheek only to disappear into the darkness at the first sign of our stirring. The demo features four playable characters - Akira, Sarah, El Blaze and Eileen - and three stages, which players able to battle in Versus mode and Arcade mode. Sadly the demo doesn't feature online battles, but with only a few short weeks to release we'll get our hands on some of that action soon enough.

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=310143&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[No Virtua Fighter 5 for Japan (Maybe, Perhaps, Dunno)]]> It's a numbers game. While the PS3 has over a millon install base in Japan, the Xbox 360 doesn't. Heck, it doesn't even have half a million. With 400,000 Xbox 360s purchased in The Land of the Rising Sun, no wonder SEGA is having second thoughts about releasing Virtua Fighter 5 for the Xbox 360. Sure, it will still get its fall US/Euro release. Lead designer Tohru Murayama explains:


We haven't decided if we'll release Virtua Fighter 5 in Japan because of that. But if we [can only release the game] for the US or EU markets, we just hope Virtua Fighter 5 will be a key title which encourages people to buy Xbox 360s.

The 360 version will include online versus play as well as other features not in the PS3 one. Bad situation for Xbox Japan to have major third party publishers considering to forego domestic releases. Those Japanese Xbox 360 owners are probably dying to play VF5! Lack of faith, that's for damn sure.
No Japan Release? [Games Industry]]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=294526&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Sega Not Playing Console Favorites]]> Back in June, Sega's American marketing VP Scott Steinberg had some pretty strong things to say about the state of this generation's consoles - in particular casting doubts on the Wii's longevity - which were retracted almost as soon as the words left his mouth. Next Generation recently sat down with Steinberg to gain further insight into the statements, coming away with a much kinder, gentler, and pussified view of the current console crop.

"Are we placing bets [on one particular platform]? No one can tell right now who'll 'win.' It's still too early. All three consoles have got the right materials for success. That alchemy is there across all three different platforms. I guess that's being defined a bit differently with Nintendo, but they definitely have their own consumer-oriented track, which we think is great. So I think from a third-party publisher's standpoint it's not wise to make bets right now that don't include all three consoles."

Thank goodness. I'm glad to see Sega sticking to their policy of not supporting any one console that was established way back when the Dreamcast was released.

The interview also explores the reasons behind PS3 owners getting the shaft in regards to Virtua Fighter 5, saying that the Xbox 360 versions online multiplayer was the result of...tinkering?

"[AM2] felt that with the 360 they could make online happen, and with a lot of trials and tests and experiments figured out a way to do it where there's no lag—well extremely minimal lag, almost unnoticeable—so we were quite shocked when they told us it would be online, actually. It was a surprise.
So basically, "I wonder if we can make this work? Hot damn, we can!" sort of deal. Japanese developers say hot damn all the time, I assure you.

Hit up the link for the full interview, which includes insight into the company's plans for world domination.

Sega Talks VF5 Online, Wii, Imperialism [Next Generation]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=284310&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 360 This Halloween]]> Ever since Sega announced that the Xbox 360 version of Virtua Fighter 5 would be getting online multiplayer, fans of the series have been salivating over the though of going online and kicking each other's asses all over Xbox Live, except for me of course. I plan on forgetting to pick up the game for reasons in no way involving saving myself from complete humiliation. October 30th has been announced as the date that game retailers across the country respond to phone calls with, "No, that's just the ship date...we'll have it tomorrow, which means there is still time to preorder *click* hello?" It's a Virtua Fighter 5 Halloween Spooktacular!

Sorry, I've just always wanted to use the word Spooktacular.

Virtua Fighter 5 for Xbox 360 ships October 30 [GameSpot]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=282175&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 360 Goes Online]]> When Virtua Fighter was revealed to not be the PS3 exclusive we originally thought it would be, fans took solace in the fact that the 360 version would be coming out months down the line, after they'd gotten all the joy they could out of the title. Well now we know why the 360 version was delayed so long, as Sega announces online multiplayer functionality for the Xbox 360 version of Virtua Fighter 5! When the game launches this Autumn in North America and Europe, gamers will for the first time be able to take their Virtua Fighting online to pit their skills against people most likely much better than I am.

The game also features an improved quest mode with deeper character customization, a modified DOJO mode that includes leaderboards and new levels of practice to help you hone your talents, and of course...vibration support.

I'm kind of speechless here. Maybe they're planning on releasing an enhanced version for the PS3 with the added features down the line? Even if that is the case, PlayStation 3 owners just got double-kicked in the groin for early adoption, myself included.

SEGA ANNOUNCES ONLINE MULTIPLAYER FUNCTIONALITY IN VIRTUA FIGHTER™ 5 FOR XBOX 360™

Premier Fighting Game Franchise Goes Online In Europe and North America

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (July 6, 2007) - SEGA® Europe, Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. announced today that the highly-anticipated arcade fighting game, Virtua Fighter™ 5 for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, will feature an online versus mode at launch in Autumn 2007. The Xbox 360™ version of Virtua Fighter™ 5 is based on the latest arcade version update and features both analogue-stick and D-pad control, as well as vibration support. The game also includes an improved Quest mode featuring more CPU rivals, items, and emblems for character customisation. The DOJO mode has added features including leaderboards, training move settings, improved throw and escape training, and the option to change your opponent's position and recovery type. These all work to create a more refined DOJO mode where players can improve their fighting strategy.

Now featuring an online two-player versus mode via Xbox Live®, Virtua Fighter™ 5 will allow players to compete online. Players will also be able to select one of the 17 characters or customise them in Quest mode. Customisation features allow players to modify their characters by selecting from four base costumes and then attaching a wide range of unlockable and earnable items. Players will not only achieve victory by defeating highly-skilled opponents, but also by competing for prizes and earning in-game money which allows them to buy many items at an in-game shop.

"For a lot of very good reasons, Virtua Fighter™ 5 is regarded as the deepest and most revered fighting game available on next generation consoles", said Gary Knight, European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe. "Bringing Virtua Fighter™ 5 to the Xbox 360™ will not only capture an entirely new audience, but will allow gamers to show their Virtua Fighter™ skills online against friends and foes"

Created by the renowned development team AM R&D Department #2 out of Japan, Virtua Fighter™ 5 will be released in Autumn 2007.

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=275659&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Exclusives Sony Dropped The Ball On]]> Exclusives. They're important and these days, they're rare. Game|Life's Chris Kohler does a nice job of rounding up games that could've been PS3 exclusives, but ultimately ended up on the Xbox 360 because of boneheaded moves by Sony brass. Let's dive in:


Grand Theft Auto IV — ...Take Two had wanted to continue its long-standing practice of giving Sony a lengthy timed exclusivity on the game, but they didn't want it.
Newsweek says that former Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi's "radio silence" on the issue left Sony's American execs without the authority to make deals, and nothing happened. Same with...

Assassin's Creed — Again, Newsweek revealed that Ubisoft had actually gone to Sony with an offer to make the game a PlayStation 3 exclusive. Although Sony did go through the trouble of asking Ubisoft to make it seem as if their multiplatform action game Assassin's Creed was indeed PS3 exclusive , it came out shortly after E3 that it would ship simultaneously on both platforms.


Not to mention *deep breath* Devil May Cry IV, Virtua Fighter 5, Beautiful Katamari and Fatal Inertia. Somewhere along the line, Sony forgot that people play games, not hardware. Curious to see if Sony can hang on to those remaining third party exclusives. They better.
A Timeline [Game|Life via Major Nelson]]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=274945&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 For Xbox 360]]> Get our your magnifying glasses, because Sega's just released a new batch of 16 Virtua Fighter 5 screenshots for the upcoming Xbox 360 version. They look, unsurprisingly, almost exactly like the PLAYSTATION 3 edition, but I'm sure the fanboys with an emotional investment will find some differences. Michael McWhertor

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=272058&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 For 360 Moved To Fall?]]> A number of retailers have recently updated their listings of the Xbox 360 port of Sega's arcade hit Virtua Fighter 5 to arrive this October instead of "late summer." You may recall Sega announced the former PLAYSTATION 3 exclusive was coming to the Xbox 360 platform just before Christmas, but specified no differences between the two. Given that the game has been pushed back a few months, one might wonder if Sega is planning on implementing the new Version C changes, including those fan service-caliber costumes, for the 360 edition. They're sure as hell not adding Xbox Live multiplayer support... right?

Sega did not respond to requests for comment on the delay, nor did they confirm speculation that the game has been delayed in order to add an extra layer of glistening sweat to Vanessa's breasts. Michael McWhertor

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=264246&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Virtua Fighter 5 To Up Babe Factor]]> The latest Virtua Fighter 5 arcade revision, Version C, will finally give digital babe fans additional clothing options, adding some of the new outfits you see above. Is Sega trying to one up Tecmo's Dead or Alive 4 ladies, or are they just giving Japanese arcade gamers what they desperately want?

One thing's for sure, if Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 owners get new downloadable costumes, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to nab those bunny ears and vinyl hotpants. You know, to test them out. Impressions and stuff. Michael McWhertor

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=261120&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Gallery: New King of Fighters Arcade Images]]>

SNK has released the first images of the new King of Fighters arcade game for Japan. Dubbed the wordy "King of Fighters Maximum Impact Regulation A," the game is powered by Taito's Type X2 PC-based hardware. Comparisons to Sega's arcade fighter Virtua Fighter 5 are inevitable, but SNK diehards will tell you: Graphics aren't necessarily the main draw here. Brian Ashcraft

King of Fighters First Screens [Arcade Heroes]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=258815&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Box Art: Virtua Fighter 5 For Xbox 360]]>

Fahey and I have this rolling debate about whether Virtua Fighter 5 sucks or not. We'd go online to settle it with some well placed kicks and punches, but the game doesn't support that. Don't mind me, I'm just bitter.

If you don't have a PS3 and have been waiting for your VF fix, here's a little something to tide you over until the summer. Sorry, it's just box art. Brian Crecente

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=247918&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Why VF5 Doesn't Have Online]]>

There's nothing like fighting a computer. It's so 1995. Online was sorely missed from Virtua Fighter 5 — So much so, that I and others decided to sit this one out and not pick up the title. So, Sega, what gives? Where's our online slug-fests? Sega's AM2 team tells game site Eurogamer:

VF5 runs at 60fps. It would be nice if there were an environment where we could communicate with no problem at all under this condition, but unfortunately, there are various barriers for the network gaming. We wish we had an Internet environment that would convince the players who develop frame-by-frame offense and defence. The Japanese advanced players play battles that can be determined within one frame! We were interested in dowloadable extra service and PlayStore, but we decided not to adopt them this time. Instead, we decided to include every possible item we can offer since we could secure sufficient space due to the introduction of Blu-ray Disc.

Oh. Well, um, great. Thanks. Brian Ashcraft

Why There's No Online [Eurogamer]

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=241781&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Prof. Layton Commands Japan To Buy Game, Citizens Comply]]> The world was turned upside down as Level 5's RPG Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village rose to the top of the Japanese sales charts. Amazing sales of a DS game? In Japan? What's next, bread sold in pre-cut slices?

While I fantasize about delicious toast, here are the top ten games sold in Japan for the week of February 12 to 18.

01. Professor Layton and the Mysterious Village (DS) - 136,736 / new
02. Tales of Destiny 2 (PSP) - 73,022 / new
03. Bleach DS 2nd: Kokui Hirameku Requiem (DS) - 45,486 / new
04. Death Note (DS) - 44,600 / new
05. Soul Cradle: Sekai wo Kurau Mono (PS2) - 43,253 / new
06. Picross DS (DS) - 41,105 / 156,664
07. Dragon Quest Monsters Joker (DS) - 39,598 / 1,134,069
08. Wii Sports (Wii) - 39,128 / 1,043,683
09. Wii Play (Wii) - 29,342 / 908,774
10. More Brain Age (DS) - 28,254 / 3,991,966

Pretty amazing that the mediocre Wii Play will soon be a million seller.

Keep on keepin' on to see where previous chart toppers Virtua Fighter 5 for the PLAYSTATION 3 and Grand Theft Auto San Andreas for the PlayStation 2 checked in.

11. New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
12. Wario: Master of Disguise (DS)
13. Harvest Moon: The Island I Grew Up On (DS)
14. Animal Crossing Wild World (DS)
15. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (DS)
16. Common Knowledge Training (DS)
17. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
18. Mario Kart DS (DS)
19. Brain Age (DS)
20. Pok mon Diamond (DS)
21. English Training (DS)
22. Kanji Brain Test 2M (DS)
23. Pok mon Pearl (DS)
24. J-League Pro Soccer 5 (PS2)
25. Virtua Fighter 5 (PS3)
26. Monster Hunter Portable (PSP)
27. Heisei Board of Education DS (DS)
28. Puyo-Puyo! (DS)
29. Zero no Tsukaima (PS2)
30. Kanji Test (DS)

Look at those non-DS games hang on for dear life. It's so thrilling!

Speaking of thrilling, I need some sexy title help, Kotaku readers. We've got recurring themes inHot Flashes, Kotaku Magu, Rumor Smash and a handful of others, but I really need something that screams "these are Japanese sales charts, please look at them." I'd do it myself and come up with some brilliant, natch, but I have a wicked bad hangover. Michael McWhertor

Media Create Weekly Sales

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=238928&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Week in Games: Crackdown Edition]]> Some great games coming out this week and the PS3 gets some love with flOw and Virtua Fighter 5. Xbox 360 owners will be scrambling for a copy of Crackdown and a chance to get invited to the Halo 3 beta. For me, I'll be laying my cash down for Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja. What will you be getting?

Flynn De Marco

]]> http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=237712&view=rss&microfeed=true