Do you think Sega would finally throw us PS3 VF5 owners bone? No and probably not ever, according to Sega's Jay Boor. He told PS3 Fanboy, "at this time SEGA has no plans to release a patch for the PS3 version of Virtua Fighter 5."

Sure, a few of you may look at that and still hold onto the possibility, but we're finally closing the door on any hope that the PS3 version will ever get any future improvements, let alone online play. Oh well, there's always the inevitable sequel, right?

Today, SEGA announced and launched a new auto update via Xbox Live for Virtua Fighter 5 that's aimed at bringing a few minor changes to enhance your VF5 experience. Changes including the ability to save online replay videos after a fight, a re-worked costume system, the ability to see your opponent's internet connection, the ability to see your opponent's gamer picture as well as other random fixes. After the break, we've posted a complete list of changes the VF5 update will bring, so be sure to check that out. And as with all game updates, to get it all you have to do is load up VF5 while connected to Xbox Live and she should instantly download. Now be sure to remember your manners and thank SEGA for their continued VF5 support.

Sorry if we come across a little bothered in this post, but the fact of the matter is that we are very bothered. The source of our bothered nature is this week's latest Marketplace DLC offerings. And no, it's not the new 300 Microsoft point Virtua Fighter 5 Item Pack 1 which allows for more character customization. The price is a bit steep and evil in its own right, but we have bigger fish to fry.

The source of our bothered nature is EA's new DLC that they just release for Need for Speed: ProStreet. Listen to this. Not only did EA release three car bundles (Tuner, Sport and Muscle) to the Marketplace on ProStreet's launch day for 400 Microsoft points each, but they're also selling a $10 cheat code. That's correct, for 800 Microsoft points you can get the Ultimate Performance Bundle which will unlock every performance upgrade in ProStreet. Keyword there is "unlock", because purchasing the Ultimate Performance Bundle pretty much boils down to purchasing a cheat code. When will they learn?

We spent the better part of this morning wrapping our fingers around the new Virtua Fighter 5 demo on Xbox Live Marketplace. If you're familiar with the series, you can probably stop reading this right now. You know what to expect, and you know that you'll love it. For all the other fighting game fans out there, as well as fans of pretty games in general, go ahead and read our thoughts on the demo. You can find them after the break.

Our friends over at Achieve360Points posted all 32 achievements for upcoming release Virtua Fighter 5 and they're mediocre-fighter'tastic ... you know, if mediocre-fighter'tastic were a word. Among the list are eleven secret achievements and a pretty typical achievement assortment that are based off of tournament completion, advancement and costume unlocks. Nothing too spectacular really, they're all kind of generic. But if we had to pick a favorite Virtua Fighter 5 achievement it would have to be "All Emblems". Why? Well, because it has a stuffed rabbit as its icon and we have a soft spot for stuffed rabbits. Be sure to check out the full list of Virtua Fighter 5 achievements after the jump and prepare for battle, because October 30th will be here soon enough.

With the Tokyo Game Show officially kicking off today, a new batch of "Bringing It Home" content has landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. In addition to loads of new themes and gamer pictures, there are five new trailers for upcoming games. All told, there are new trailers for Virtua Fighter 5, Soul Calibur IV, Ace Combat 6, Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom, and Dark Sector. We're probably most intrigued by the Soul Calibur IV trailer, as it reveals a few more tidbits about the supposed final chapter in the series. Kingdom Under Fire: COD will likely disappoint fans of the series, as it isn't a true sequel, but rather a button mashing spree akin to Dynasty Warriors. Check out more trailers after the break. Now, if you'll excuses us, we have to continue crossing our fingers that we'll see a Ninja Gaiden 2 demo before the weekend is out.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz at Leipzig last week, Tohru Murayama, lead designer for Virtua Fighter 5, intimated that the game may not see the light of day on Japanese 360s. According to Murayama (and everybody else for that matter), the Xbox 360 has not done well in Japan. As a result, the install base of just under 400,000 units may not justify the release of Virtua Fighter 5 in Japan. It's a shame really, considering the features of Virtua Fighter 5 360 that aren't offered on the PS3, chiefly online play. Our condolences to Japanese gamers, the prognosis isn't looking good.

The rest of us can look forward to fighting bliss come October 30th.

GI.biz is reporting that Japan may not get Virtua Fighter 5 on the Xbox 360 because the console's install base is too low. Speaking with Tohru Murayama, lead designer on VF5, they were informed that the decision is not final at this point, but with only 400,000 Xbox units sold in Japan, the Japanese may need to get a PS3 for the game. The PS3 is selling comparatively better in Japan with 1 million units. VF5 is currently available on PS3 with one little thing missing that'll be on the Xbox 360 version -- online modes.

With any luck there will be enough of a hardcore following for VF5 to make it to the Xbox 360 in Japan. That's what Murayama is hoping for anyway. Call us new-fashioned, but it just seems odd to have a fighting game in this day and age without online support.

While Virtua Fighter 5 is a damned fine fighting game in its own right, there can be no doubt that its biggest boon on Xbox 360 is the inclusion of online play. As the first in the Virtua Fighter series to include the feature, much attention is being paid by fans. Dead or Alive 4 currently stands as the only Xbox 360 fighting game to utilize online play, and many players find it less than satisfactory. Without a miracle of a connection, fights often turn into lag-filled nightmares where victory has little to do with skill. The Gamersyde video above shows off Virtua Fighter 5's online system as displayed in Leipzig. The lobby system appears to be a no frills affair, though it looks like it gets the job done. The play looks solid, and any slowdown could be attributed to the video quality. Still, we're sure that Sega went out of its way to set up a smooth match for the convention, so we'll have to reserve final judgment for the retail version.

[Via Joystiq]

If you like fighting games, you'd best mark your calendar, because Sega has confirmed with GameSpot that Virtua Fighter 5 for the Xbox 360 will ship October 30. As we've reported before, the 360 version includes several new features beyond those found in the PS3 version. The biggest of these is undoubtedly online play. Other changes include smoother graphics, leaderboards, downloadable content, a deeper quest mode, and gameplay based off of the latest arcade revision. Now, if you'll excuse us, it's time to go place a pre-order.

[Via Joystiq]

At Sega's Virtua Fighter 5 360 demo station at E3, there were two shiny HORI joysticks, which are being released alongside the 360 release of VF5. While we were (barely) bested by Sega's employee in our matches, we definitely enjoyed the hardware on which we played. The buttons and joystick have a nice, durable feel to them. The joystick has a definite tactile click to it, and it's not too loud either, which is nice. The buttons click solidly and the joystick inputs seemed spot on. We managed some nice body checks with Akira with no problem at all, and diagonal inputs were easily recognized too. The Sega rep informed us that the stick should retail for around $50 or so, which seems fairly standard. Considering the DOA4 stick is now nearly impossible to find (and damned expensive if you do), you'll definitely want to pick up the HORI stick if you're serious about your virtual fighting.

Yeah, you read that right. Despite all the cries that it would ruin game balance, and that Virtua Fighter just wouldn't work online, there it is. Sega has officially announced that Virtua Fighter 5 for the Xbox 360 will feature online versus multiplayer. Given that this was one of our personal predictions for E3, we couldn't be happier. Online play in Virtua Fighter 5 will allow players to take on opponents in 1-on-1 matches over Xbox Live. The 360 version is based on the latest arcade revision and features new additions to the Quest and DOJO modes. Of course, Online play stands out as a particularly ostentatious feather in the 360 version's cap, as the PS3 version is an offline-only affair.

It seems there's some confusion surrounding the release date of Virtua Fighter 5 according to Eurogamer. It seems that several online retailers, including GameStop, Amazon, and Play.com, are listing the game as a fall or even winter release. SEGA begs to differ and has confirmed with Eurogamer that Virtua Fighter 5 is still planned as a summer release. Eurogamer also notes that we still don't know exactly what will be different between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the title, especially given recent revisions to the arcade game. Of course, we're all still hoping for online multiplayer, but we're not hoping too hard.

Fighting games used to be king. Once upon a time, back in the 90s, arcades (remember those?) were full of fighting games of all kinds. You could fight with and against just about anything you pleased: dinosaurs, robots, time travelers, ninjas, werewolves, you name it. With so many games from which to choose, rivalries were formed. After the Street Fighter VS. Mortal Kombat era rose the Virtua Fighter VS. Tekken era. When the Dead or Alive series arrived, Virtua Fighter's influence was unmistakable (the original DOA ran on the VF2 arcade board after all). The game's had identical control schemes (as long as you disregard VF3's unfortunate dodge button), similar combos and even shared many fighting styles. So, which one is better?

GameTrailers is letting the gaming public decide by pitting Virtua Fighter 5 against Dead or Alive 4. It's simple, watch a video (also in HD) then vote for your favorite game in several categories. Cast your vote on the best graphics, gameplay, characters, and more. After you vote, see how your choices reflect the general public.

Currently, it's a pretty close race, with DOA4 winning people over with its stages and modes, while VF5 wins in the areas of graphics and gameplay. Which do you prefer?