Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage

For the asking price, it's hard to find much to fault with Virtua Fighter 5 on Switch 2. The slick, 60fps gameplay is approachable enough for newcomers, but with layers upon layers of depth to uncover, dedicated fight fans will find plenty to enjoy.

While it is an older title, I’m still surprised at the quality and general smoothness of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage on the Switch 2. It plays incredibly well, the online is generally smooth, and runs pretty great.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is the definitive debut of the series on Nintendo and a good entry point for new fighters. Its precise controls, beautiful graphics, and flawless gameplay are excellent attractions for those looking to expand their horizons on fighting games and even pay respect to one of the most important franchises in gaming. However, glaring errors in respecting its legacy, the absence of single-player modes, many of the real highlights being relegated to DLC, and the complete lack of story may disappoint those fighters who expect a greater understanding of this iconic series. It doesn't need to train for another ten years, but a little more finesse to adapt to modern times could truly revive Virtua Fighter.

But it is for exactly those reasons that this game whose original ports come from the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 era feel as fresh and powerful as ever. This is a hell of a package at a modest cost of entry, and the best Switch 2 fighter to date. What are you waiting for? Fight me.

The Switch 2's fighting game line-up is all the better for having Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O World Stage in it. In my humble opinion, this remains one of the best fighting games of all time, and the Switch 2 version looks and feels exactly as you'd hope, letting you take your one-on-one brawling on the go.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage sets itself up as the real definitive version of this long-running entry in the series. Online play is still the main focus, and it helps that the performance is good, while cross-play ensures a longer than expected online life for the game. The single-player content is fine from a purist perspective; it'll keep you busy with fight after fight, but don't expect anything deeper than that. It looks and performs well on the system, and that's all you can really ask for. This is a great addition for Switch 2 owners who love fighting games, but it would be really nice to get more info on a brand-new entry rather than another port of this title.

A revival of a classic comes to Switch 2 looking slightly worse for wear, although the hit to visual quality is a sacrifice worth having to ensure a smooth docked and portable experience for Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage. The new solo mode is on the grindy side and unfortunately doesn’t add any story scenes that would appeal to offline players, but it serves as a solid alternative to the arcade, and unlocking cosmetics along the way keeps reasons to persist with it high. The focus is on the online portion, which has great long-term potential with rollback and crossplay at the core.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is the definitive version of Virtua Fighter 5, combining technical depth, accessibility for newcomers, and extensive content. The Switch 2 version proves that the franchise can shine on a handheld without sacrificing quality or fluidity, although some characters, like Dural, are offered as paid DLC. With solid modes, a robust online component, and the new World Stage, it's a must-have for fans of the genre and competitive players alike. Furthermore, it makes it clear that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is laying the groundwork for the next Virtua Fighter installment.

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage is the same, already great 3D fighting experience that PC players got last year and fans of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown have been familiar with since 2021. It brings Nintendo Switch 2 owners to parity with crossplay and rollback netcode, meaning that it should be easier than ever to find an online opponent.

It's personally tragic for me to see that the Virtua Fighter series hasn't reached the popularity level of games like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken. I say this as someone who really enjoyed the franchise's beginnings back then. In that sense, Virtua Fighter 5 REVO World Stage serves as a way to revive the brand and introduce it to a wider audience. This idea might be corroborated by the recent announcement of the new title. I'm not saying that playing VF5 is a bad experience. It's just that it could be much better than it is.