VF5 as good on 360

By Richard Leadbetter Published 16 May, 2007

Comparison shots tell all.

Sega has revealed the first shots of Virtua Fighter 5 running on the Xbox 360, and the good news is that the game is virtually indistinguishable from the PlayStation 3 conversion.

We manfully attempted to match action from the existing PS3 game with the new 360 screens, and aside from a slight change in typography there's barely any difference between the two versions, aside from the Xbox 360 game perhaps looking a little softer. Improved anti-aliasing or just poor JPEG compression on Sega's press shots? At the moment it's impossible to tell. Everything else revealed in the 360 visuals points to a flawless conversion of what is one of the PlayStation 3's best-looking games.

Developer AM2 is remaining silent on any other possible enhancements to the new rendition of the game. At the time the 360 version was first announced, there was speculation that the game would be based on the enhanced "Version C" rendition of VF5 coming soon to Japanese arcades, but in reality there has been no official comment.

Similarly, Sega has so far failed to confirm other online reports that the Xbox 360 version features optional analogue control support, revamped computer AI and an improved training mode. Such features have been demanded by console VF5 players disappointed with the poor single-player game modes and simple CPU intelligence seen in the PS3 game. These enhancements do seem likely as they would bring the new game into line with the magnificent Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution on PlayStation 2 - still the best-playing VF game for the solo gamer.

Further muddying the waters is a recent low-key announcement of another arcade rendition of the game: Virtua Fighter 5 Version DX, featuring further gameplay tweaks and a new duo of additional fighters. According to Japanese arcade price lists, it's due to be released around the same time as VF5 on Xbox 360. Could any of this content find its way into the new console game? Highly unlikely, but it could provide Sega with plenty of future downloadable content opportunities.

We'll have more news and media as we close in on the "late summer 2007" release date.

Picture of Richard.

About Richard Leadbetter

Rich has been a games journalist since the days of 16-bit and specialises in technical analysis. Commonly known around Eurogamer as the Blacksmith of the Future.

Read more articles from Richard by visiting the Richard Leadbetter archive page.

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Comments (56) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Yossarian #1 5 years ago

    developers already said there was improved anti-aliasing.

  • kissthestick #2 5 years ago

    xbox fans, wheres the LIVE multiplayer you promised :(?

  • BrokenSymmetry #3 5 years ago

    I always play fighting games on the Xbox with the analogue stick, so let's hope that analogue control is in.

  • GamesConnoisseur #4 5 years ago

    Lol!

  • Darren #5 5 years ago

    I own an Xbox 360 and PS3 and having played games like Oblivion and Virtua Tennis 3 on both systems, I can confidentally say that the former has better anti-aliasing overall so it wouldn't surprise me if Virtua Fighter 5 looks slightly better on Microsoft's machine. The PS3 version is a stunner though but you do see some nasty jaggies from time to time, most noticeably on the floors where tiles or logs meet.

  • thinktank #6 5 years ago

    @ kissthestick

    troll off

  • spongebob #7 5 years ago

    So, this article is more about the fighting between fangeeks than it is about fighting inside games?

  • onyxbox #8 5 years ago

    has anyone played this on PS3 with the big arcade joystick thing.

    if so, any good?

  • login_name #9 5 years ago

    It better had use the analogue stick else it'll be balls to play. The d-pad on the 360 controller sucks major ass. It seriously needs a good 3rd (or 1st) party alternative for fighters, preferably before the new SFII comes out.

  • JonFE #10 5 years ago

    Thank you Sega.

    kissthestick, Xbox Live multiplayer was promised (and delivered:) for Virtua Tennis 3, not for Virtua Fighter 5.
    Edited by 1 at 16/05/07 @ 11:21

  • Darren #11 5 years ago

    I've a feeling that Virtua Fighter 5 might not do as well as on the Xbox 360 without an online mode because its owners kind of take it for granted but we'll see...

    However, Dead Or Alive 4 proved to me that beat 'em ups don't really work online as the slightest bit of lag can ruin a game that relies on precise timing. In that respect, I think SEGA are wise not to attempt to add online gameplay to the 360 version and, instead, concentrate on refining the single and offline multiplayer components.

  • Ninja_Cop #12 5 years ago

    @kissthestick vf is far to technical to be online yet we need faster internet before it goes online

  • Monkey_Puncher #13 5 years ago

    OMGZ THE GUY HAS NO HAIR ON TEH PS3, XBOX IZ TEH WINNAR!!1!!

  • Santino #14 5 years ago

    @onyxbox
    ive got this with the virtua stick high grade, it is bloody great. i cant imagine playing using a pad anymore.

  • onyxbox #15 5 years ago

    However, Dead Or Alive 4 proved to me that beat 'em ups don't really work online as the slightest bit of lag can ruin a game

    i agree, any latency in a fighter would kill the game. VF5 should stay offline and keep it pure offline... besides fighters are more fun getting a bunch of people 'round to play on a big screen and have some beers.

  • DJ12 #16 5 years ago

    Not really a surprise as the PS3 version was identical to the arcade version, which has a GFX chip much weaker than the PS3 and 360.

  • Nova5lag #17 5 years ago

    Really not much in it... but havent we had enough of this arguement.

    I personally I think VF5 on the wii would be the best... both graphically and gameplay wise. hehehe

  • FrostyPhoenixxx #18 5 years ago

    That's why you don't make games for a living

  • kangarootoo #19 5 years ago

    "and the good news is that the game is virtually indistinguishable from the PlayStation 3 conversion"

    Umm... to my eyes the PS3 version is noticeably better in every shot in several respects.

    That said, once its moving I'm sure it will not make one jot of difference to the player experience. When presented with two grabs and the task of comparing them I would expect to pick out differences that wouldn't be that apparent during play.

  • aabyssx #20 5 years ago

    In a frame accurate fighting game like VF (or Tekken) online multiplayer simply does not work because of the lag. Not with today's network.

  • SeesThroughAll #21 5 years ago

    Oblivion all over again.

    When is this need for comparison going to stop? The game looks lovely regardless of the console you're running it on.

  • stampax #22 5 years ago

    Interesting, but i assume once developers really get to grips with the PS3 then the games will start looking better on it, seeing as it is the more powerful machine.

  • TDS #23 5 years ago

    yes PS3 is teh winner!

  • JayPee #24 5 years ago

    "Interesting, but i assume once developers really get to grips with the PS3 then the games will start looking better on it, seeing as it is the more powerful machine."

    Wikkid innit!

  • TDS #25 5 years ago

    I heard that the 360 devs had to hold back on the GFX so that it wouldn't show up the PS3...

  • Beano #26 5 years ago

    "has anyone played this on PS3 with the big arcade joystick thing.

    if so, any good? "

    Yes, I own the new Virtua Stick High Grade which is exellent with VF5 in PS3.

    The stick is quite expensive since it's only available on import in Europe (as far as I know) , but worth the money IMO ;)

  • trousers #27 5 years ago

    "Interesting, but i assume once developers really get to grips with the PS3 then the games will start looking better on it, seeing as it is the more powerful machine."

    Hey I never thought of that. VF5 should look ACE on my car seeing as that's got loads more horsepower than a PS3.

  • #28 5 years ago

    Who gives a flying badger?

  • Hugundo #29 5 years ago

    His beard looks better on 360!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • uiruki #30 5 years ago

    Wonder if they'll actually use the AI from the arcade version of the game in the home version. The quest AI in VF5 PS3 was clearly still playing Evo, and falls for simple tricks at the very highest levels. Compared to the Knockout Trial AI in the arcade version, it's absolutely pathetic. The ability to record and play back moves in Training mode wouldn't go amiss either.

    also: it should bloody well look identical since both machines are considerably more powerful than the original arcade version.
    Edited by 1 at 16/05/07 @ 12:14

  • Guff-Pipe #31 5 years ago

    I heard that the 360 devs had to hold back on the GFX so that it wouldn't show up the PS3...

    ?

  • bonker #32 5 years ago

    "I heard that the 360 devs had to hold back on the GFX so that it wouldn't show up the PS3..."

    LOL

    Source?

  • kangarootoo #33 5 years ago

    "I heard that the 360 devs had to hold back on the GFX so that it wouldn't show up the PS3..."

    Yeaaaah right. Thats how it works.

  • Foundry #34 5 years ago

    Less or no AA on PS3 judging from those screenshots. Apart from that nothing in it.

  • Darkedge #35 5 years ago

    I love the fact that on the first of the comparison shots on the PS3 version Shun's fist is embedded inside Akira's chest!

  • lambtron #36 5 years ago

    "I heard that the 360 devs had to hold back on the GFX so that it wouldn't show up the PS3..."

    Yeaaaah right. Thats how it works.

    Actually Kanga I have first hand experience of working on a project where we got told that we had to make Platform X look no better than Platorm Y otherwise manufacturer of Platform X would not allow us to publish the game on their platform.

    Although I doubt it was like that in this case it definitely does happen.

  • UltimateGold #37 5 years ago

    I'm sorry but they don't look identical to me. The ps3 shots are clearly more detailed. Who cares really.

  • Polymath #38 5 years ago

    I must get the Japanese edition... with Japanese words! I love the Kanji on the player names.... :)

  • TDS #39 5 years ago

    "I heard that the 360 devs had to hold back on the GFX so that it wouldn't show up the PS3..."

    I lie

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #40 5 years ago

    In terms of performance, 360 and PS3 are both the same, guys.

    They'll always be the same. They're probably technically the most evenly matched rival consoles ever. If you think the PS3 is suddenly going to pull something out of the bag in two years time to make it look better, you're kidding yourselves.

  • stampax #41 5 years ago

    Wow, i made what I thought was a fairly intelligent comment, only to be bitched at by a few people. People really do get passionate when it comes to these debates - it's almost like you're cheering on a football team!

    Back to my original comment - is it not just common sense that as PS3 is more powerful, games will end up looking better on it? I'm not trying to upset anyone.....

  • GamesConnoisseur #42 5 years ago

    Now I have weakened and gone and bought PS3 yesterday, so I am in a better position to make comparsion myself from now on.

    I dislike biased comments whether for X360 or PS3, hell everyone biased one way or other. I am enjoying PS3 on its own and got Motorstorm which is a excellent advert for the system. Still NOT going to chuck in X360 as it do exciting exclusives coming up and a gamerscore whore (respectable 18005).

    Now about the topic, as ol' Richy said, not certain if slight disfocus is due to the quality of jpeg itself, so need to give it a benefit of doubt but it is obvious that PS3 have far more jaggies but more sharp. X360 and PS3 in motion in Pepsi test who would be able to tell?!

  • kangarootoo #43 5 years ago

    @lambtron

    Well fair enough, but I think that is the exception to the rule (and also bloody ludicrous, I hope you don't have to suffer that sort of crap anymore).

  • Feanor #44 5 years ago

    Playing this with the 360 D-pad is a recipe for total disaster.

  • lambtron #45 5 years ago

    @Kanga

    Yeah I am no longer there and I agree it was totally ridiculous.

    The only reason the manufacturer could get away with it was that they had lots of clout and the publisher didn't. For me it was annoying and seemed downright unfair (which it was) but I think it was worse for the art guys who actually really wanted to make it look as good as it could but had their hands tied.

    They actually made too good of a job of one of the levels and got told explicitly to make it look worse. If you can actually believe that...

    And of course this kind of thing leads to accusations of lazy ports and the like in this case it really wasn't because we couldn't be bothered...
    Edited by 1 at 16/05/07 @ 14:13

  • Feanor #46 5 years ago

    Pleeeease name names!




    I know you can't.

  • Penguinzoot #47 5 years ago

    Yeah, Lambtron, spill the beans!

    /knows he can't either ;-)

  • TheJanitor #48 5 years ago

    with extra development time, it only looks as good.

    hmkay.

  • Dizzy #49 5 years ago

    The 360 version does indeed have extra AA but TBH VF5 never really pushed next gen graphics.

  • TRUTH #50 5 years ago

    I still think Dead Or Alive 4 (360) looks and moves better then VF5 on either system.

  • TRUTH #51 5 years ago

    I still enjoy 2d beat em' ups, so thank god i can play Street Fighter III Third Strike on my 360 now. Still think Dead Or Alive is more enjoyable and exciting once you master the controls - also plays more fluid and i'm sure they have better graphics then VF5, with interactive backgrounds and more dimension compared to VF5 (PS3) flat arenas.

  • Les #52 5 years ago

    Wow, another pointless thread, another fanboy post by Kato, another crazy post by TRUTH (naming DOA in the same sentence as VF is blasphemy)... Some things never change...

    I hope next gen will see a move back to SD graphics so we'll once again get a decent number of original games (not ports) of decent length. So far, next gen has been nothing but a shallow graphics upgrade and a content downgrade. Indeed, gaming is becoming more and more like Hollywood...

  • Vandrius #53 5 years ago

    Heh, 360'ers are welcome to it.

    Hired it out on PS3 and it was bollocks.

    Pretty visuals though.

  • Silvergun_UK #54 5 years ago

    I can't wait for this game, it's been years since a fighting game worth playing has got me so excited. Dead or Alive was okayish but since 2 it's been a complete load of crap. I recently played it on a ps3 demo booth and was lovin it (apart from the rubbish control pad) and look forward to the forthcoming 360 version :)

  • TRUTH #55 5 years ago

    Dead Or Alive is faster, more fluid, more moves, better graphics and animation, better environments, better locations and much more interactive ...Play against a professional player - the game is just pure adrenaline fun, but with thought needed to fight some one who has skill in playing.

    LES: I think you can't take it a console that's older, cheaper is playing games that on PS3 look & play inferior: F.E.A.R, Call Of Duty 3, NBA: Homecourt, Madden 97, Tony Hawks, Splinter Cell, Virtua Tennis (Looks better & online on 360), Ridge Racer http://ww w.destructoid.com/ridge-racer-6... ...etc. And looks like VF5 is better(or equal) on 360 - hmmm; doesn't work that way on PS3 though!
    Edited by 4 at 17/05/07 @ 19:14

  • Les #56 5 years ago

    @ Kato

    Not everyone is a mindless fanboy like you. It's stupid to have feelings for a plastic box. The fact that I don't praise the 360 or put down the PS3 in every post doesn't mean I hate MS's machine. I think it's as good a next gen console as the PS3 and I'm disappointed in both. These machines aren't capable of creating HD graphics while also pushing gameplay to a next gen level and therefore offer nothing that justifies the hardware upgrade (unless you're a graphics whore).

    You're right I'm not a big fan of MS as a company. Their business ethics are questionable at best IMO and if you've been forced to use their terrible OS and Office programs day in, day out, I bet you wouldn't be too fond of them either. But that doesn't make the 360 a bad machine. In fact, I'd say it's the best product (hardware or software) in MS's library.

  • septimus #57 5 years ago

    360 does have better AA... but I've noticed that PS3 games that run at 1080P don't suffer anywhere near as badly as games at 720.

    The one thing I find curious is that the 10MB embedded DRAM in the 360 ATI isn't enough to hold a full 1080P frame and do full 4x (probably not even 2x) AA which is a requirement. I wonder how devs have got around that without swapping the AA frame to slower graphics ram?...

    -edit- @ Les: I'm kinda with you. Own all 3 consoles, yet for the most part I prefer the PS3. Build quality and just most things about it are just far better qualilty. Just wish developers would spend as much time on it as they do the 360 and stop porting... until then I usually get the 360 version of a game. Can't say I agree with you on MS OS's and Office.... they are still the best in a professional environment.
    Edited by 1 at 31/05/07 @ 20:32