Our fanboy fingers are shaking as we type this, but we'll try to remain strong. SEGA has officially announced that Virtua Fighter 5 (AKA the mother of all Japanese exclusives) is coming to the Xbox 360 -- despite SEGA's claims otherwise. The game is expected to ship in Summer 2007, some months after the February release of the PS3 version. While this is great news for fighting fans, it's even better news for Microsoft's hopes in Japan. Virtua Fighter is huge in Japan, much bigger than it's ever been in North America or Europe. VF5 could very easily move some 360s in Japan, especially given that VF fans can pick up the 360 for much less than a PS3.
Before we get too excited, we should point out that VF5 does not feature online play, an expected feature for 360 titles. Even including that caveat, this is an overwhelmingly positive outcome for Microsoft and 360 owners in general. Now if they'd just release a 360 compatible Virtua Stick ....
Alright, let's make some bets. Which exclusive will make it to the 360 next? MGS4, perhaps?
[Thanks to Xboxygen for tipping us off.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-21-2006 @ 12:29PM
willpooted said...
Why can't Sega implement online play in those extra six months? Isn't that what makes Xbox 360 so great? Xbox Live. And please Sega, if you're reading this... add support for face mapping via the Vision cam.
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12-21-2006 @ 12:41PM
joefro said...
DMC4 next 360 exclusive since M$ hearts Capcom
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12-21-2006 @ 12:41PM
James P said...
From what I know of the Virtua Fighter series, the reason online play isn't supported is that the controls are too sensitive and timing driven to account for any kind of lag that the intertubes would bring.
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12-21-2006 @ 12:48PM
Ninegauger said...
Whatever... online play in fighting games is usually a one way ticket to losing, over and over.
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12-21-2006 @ 12:50PM
Dr. Funbags said...
This Digg is a Dupe - Digg the Original - more diggs.
http://digg.com/gaming_news/Sony_Loses_Another_Exclusive_Virtua_Fighter_5
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12-21-2006 @ 1:11PM
J.Goodwin said...
Well, except that Virtua Fighter 5 is networked in Japanese arcades. By networked, I mean that different arcades around the country are connected to each other and you can play cross country matches.
Naturally, Xbox live has quite a bit more latency than SEGA's custom built single-purpose network...but DoA2 and 4 are plenty playable online unless you end up with some sucker who can't configure their router.
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12-21-2006 @ 1:52PM
Z3r0 D3adly said...
Yes im so glad I loved playing VF in the arcade and I am a 100% 360 fanbot and now its coming to the 360! I am so excited!
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12-21-2006 @ 1:52PM
Jonathan H. said...
While I'm glad that VF5 is coming to the 360, I see a slight problem in it being a possible "console-seller" for the system in Japan. Japanese VF fans are pretty hardcore when it comes to the series, so they might be more inclined to jump right for the PS3 version instead of waiting for the 360 version. Then again, this could end up going the other way and turn out to be another Blue Dragon-type scenario for the 360. Either way, VF fans still win in the end.
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12-21-2006 @ 2:02PM
Ryan said...
Richard, check this out
"not only will the game come to 360, but that the Virtua High Grade arcade-style sticks with wired USB cords will work with the Xbox. "
http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7718090&publicUserId=4549175
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12-21-2006 @ 2:08PM
mike said...
wow yet anothr publisher lining up to give some a swift kick in the bollocks, first ubisoft (assasins creed) now sega :-)
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12-21-2006 @ 2:32PM
Richard Mitchell said...
"not only will the game come to 360, but that the Virtua High Grade arcade-style sticks with wired USB cords will work with the Xbox. "
As long as the new Virtua Stick is as good as the old one, my life will be complete :)
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12-21-2006 @ 3:57PM
Merritt said...
Man, I've missed this game. I've never owned a Playstation. I can't wait to play it again! Last one was VF:3-TB. I can't wait to get this!
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12-21-2006 @ 4:14PM
Tony said...
A lot of companies kind of didn't do much with Sony's online service though... so I'm wondering if it not being online is more about that than anything else.
Given that the 360 would be seeing this months later, it could be added in. That alone would make it worth waiting for.
I'm happy about this, though. It's one more reason for me to wait on a PS3, as this is really my favorite 3D fighter for sure. I'm just not into DoA.
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12-21-2006 @ 6:35PM
Ted said...
(AKA the mother of all Japanese exclusives)
I think that goes to FFXIII, no VF
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12-21-2006 @ 6:38PM
razer said...
hah! I finally figured it out! 360 Flammer comments on every article starting at this one. You are nothing but an angry Sony fanboy because the 360 has yet another "PS3 Exclusive" coming it's way.. HAHAHAH I love it!!!
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12-21-2006 @ 7:13PM
Peacefuloutrage said...
I can understand no online for those reasons, but not system link. Some type of multiconsole support should be added.
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12-22-2006 @ 10:40AM
Richard Mitchell said...
"(AKA the mother of all Japanese exclusives)
I think that goes to FFXIII, no VF"
I'm actually surprised it took that long for someone to take exception to that. I knew it was coming :) VF is still hot stuff though.
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