Virtua Fighter heading to PS3

SEGA has announced that the fifth instalment in the Virtua Fighter series will be arriving next year - and that it'll be available exclusively for PlayStation 3.

Virtua Fighter 5 will feature 17 playable characters in total, including many old friends as well as two newcomers. El Blaze is a Mexican wrestler who favours the Lucha Libre fighting style, while Chinese-born martial arts expert Eileen prefers Monkey Kung Fu, a style she was taught by her dear old grandad.

You'll be able to customise your chosen character, selecting from four different costumes and a wide range of extra items. These items can be purchased at the in-game shop, but of course you'll need to compete for prize money before you can get your hands on them.

Other new features will include the 'Offensive Move', a new manoeuvre that lets you attack your opponents from the side. This adds a whole new element of strategy to battles, according to SEGA.

Virtua Fighter 5 is due for a release in spring 2007 - while you're waiting, why not check out these screenshots?