Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown announced for XBLA & PSN

Sega's 2007 face-puncher Virtua Fighter 5 is being reworked, rebalanced, and generallyy jazzed up for a standalone downloadable release. Described as the "definitive version," Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown will be heading to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in summer 2012.

Revised fighting mechanics, balance, and timing are promised, along with destructible walls and fences in arenas to enable new wall-based moves. The controls are being simplified for new players but Sega assures they still retain "the depth that veterans demand."

Final Showdown will also bring new game modes and two all-new characters. There'll also be "a massive collection" of costumes and character items, if you enjoy dressing your fighters up.

"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," said Haruki Satomi, Sega of America VP of digital business. "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."