Being in the unique position of a game that has received major updates already, Virtua Fighter 5 is making its run at the new era. Completely redesigning the aesthetic and soundtrack without making the game feel too different, Ultimate Showdown has done one of the best jobs at a remake that any fighting franchise has done for an older title.
While every studio that decides to rerelease makes some changes, Virtua Fighter has done a great job of walking the thin line between changing too much and not changing it enough to warrant a whole new title. Both old and new fans alike will find this game is a great upgrade to the series.
5 Dragon Engine
Shaking off the 2012 graphics that Final Showdown had built for the PS3, Ultimate Showdown jumps into the modern era with the Dragon engine. The same engine that's used in the modern Yakuza series, fans will be sure to notice a major upgrade to both style and mechanics. That means completely new character models and stage designs for players to explore, moving away from the flat textures of the original. This adds so much more personality to each character and breathing some life into the dated fighter.
They did a great job of bringing it into the present without losing too much of what fans loved about it, sporting the exact same roster and level as the first. It simply the smoothest and most refined version of Virtua Fighter in every way, leaving fans of the franchise little room to complain. Though all the characters are the same, the roster did get rebalanced and now opens up more of the fighters for competitive play.
4 Online Overhaul
The online modes seem to be the main reason this game was remade, taking up most of the gameplay and leaving only an arcade mode and tutorials in its wake. Boasting a more stable connection than any Virtua Fighter that has come before it, it seems Ultimate Showdown will be the most reliable online experience available. The dan ranking system is also a great indicator of strength and prevents any unfair matchups that can slip by in other games.
While the original online framework still remains, this also means that it's much less cluttered and easy to navigate than some of the modern titles. Ease of use is one of the most important things in online matches and Ultimate Showdown delivers on all fronts, even in custom lobbies. Even the data that players can access is next level, giving a win/loss percentage for each and every character that gets played in a match, making identifying a player's strengths and weaknesses even easier.
3 Legendary Pack DLC
A huge DLC that includes a massive amount of customization options for every character on the roster, including the original models for the very first game. Players can experience the game exactly as it was all the way back in 1993, revisiting the roots and bringing back some nostalgic moments for long-time fans. Including the original stages and soundtrack, players can teleport back and enjoy the early 90s without having to plug in their Sega Saturn.
Any fans just getting into it will find the real content in the modern era, from 19 new costumes to over 2,000 customization items. It guarantees that a long time will pass before anyone can get bored of the aesthetic, adding to the already wide array of choices for players to explore. Flipping back and forth between the original and Ultimate Showdown can give a whole new perspective on just how far the series has come, players might even find they prefer some of the vintage tracks when they play through the game.
2 Room Matches
The best part about the online section, Room matches allow players to set up private lobbies for up to 16 players. Covering the entire range of matches from single elimination to a revolving door tournament, any group of friends is sure to find the custom settings they're looking for. Coming fully equipped with a spectator mode that's much smoother than other fighting titles, players can flick through their game while having a mini window that shows another match.
The basic format combined with the wide range of options makes for a tailor-made experience the whole group can enjoy, taking away the frustrating part of having to play with the limited choices. Allowing for bigger groups to be able to enjoy an entire tournament without breaks throughout, Virtua Fighter delivers on the party mode front.
1 Soundtrack
One of the cleanest soundtracks in the fighting game genre, Ultimate Showdown has brought back the same energy of the original series. The retro sound comes into the modern age with tracks that combine 90s sounds and makes fans nostalgic, 29 tracks that make those long, grinding fights enjoyable.
The best part about Ultimate Showdown is the option to bring back the best parts of the past titles, this includes the original soundtrack for those that are in an especially throwback mood. Soundtracks are a huge part of the atmosphere of a game, something that Virtua Fighter executes seamlessly.