Final Showdown sarà disponibile in Estate 2012 sui canali digital delivery XBLA e PSN, si avete capito bene, digital delivery.
Un trattamento che troviamo indecoroso (e anche offensivo) per una brand pesante come Virtua Fighter, e che soprattutto non trova scuse nel classico “mercato ostile”, dal momento che la concorrenza pubblica picchiaduro “a cadenza settimanale” in versione fisica su disco senza problemi ed anche con successo.

La questione del digital delivery però non è solo il classico “capriccio” del collezionista, dal momento che, come già successo con Afterburner climax e l’ultimo Sega Rally Online Arcade, la scelta di questo formato si ripercuoterà anche sui contenuti del gioco.
Dal comunicato ufficiale (che potete leggere sotto) si può notare ad esempio la mancanza del Quest Mode, la modalità principale per giocatore singolo inclusa in VF5, anche se Sega promette una nuova modalità single player mai vista prima.
Saranno disponibili ovviamente le classifiche, il multiplayer online e il supporto ai DLC futuri.

Vi lasciamo all’interessante intervista di Gamespot

ed al comunicato ufficiale:

Definitive Version of Blockbuster Fighting Title Arriving on Consoles in Summer 2012

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO— 23rd August 2011—SEGA® of Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Virtua Fighter™ 5, the latest title in its celebrated fighting franchise, will see a grand update and expansion released as a standalone title for both Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.and PlayStation® Network. The new game, entitled Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, will contain a full overhaul of Virtua Fighter 5’s mechanics, balance and animations, along with new game modes, new dynamic fighting arenas, a massive collection of customisable character items and two all-new characters added to the roster. Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is expected to be available in Summer 2012.

“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, Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “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.”

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown contains the definitive version of VF5, refined over the years since its original arcade debut. The new release also adds an extensive list of features never before seen on consoles. VF5FS will include:

The Perfect Fighting Experience: Virtua Fighter 5’s signature style of hand-to-hand combat, with revised mechanics, balance, timing and more, along with simplified controls for new players while retaining the depth that veterans demand

Dynamic and Interactive Arenas: Fighting areas in new shapes and sizes, including arenas with fences and walls that are different for every round – take unexpected advantage of fighters’ new wall-based moves, or break through the fences with special attacks

A Mode for Every Fight: Dominate the leaderboards with Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown’s extremely responsive one-on-one online battle system, widely praised for having little latency, or take on an army of opponents yourself in a new single-player mode

Customized Combatants: Enter the ring with one of 19 playable characters, including fan favorite Taka-Arashi from Virtua Fighter 3 and an all-new character, Jean Kujo, and customize them with unique costume and character items