Sega is beginning to tout its flagship fighting series in its debut on a next-generation console.

Scheduled for a spring 2007 release on the Playstation 3, the company recently released details on its newest 3-D arcade fighter, Virtua Fighter 5. The new title promises the core game play the series is known for as well as enhanced mechanics, additional characters, new fighting styles and brand-new 3-D environments.

Rounding out a cast of 17 default characters are two completely new fighters. Lucha libre fighter El Blaze and monkey kung fu master Eileen will join the base roster. Players will also have the option of customizing a character of their own while earning ways to modify them through game play.

Four base costumes will be available for custom creations at the start, but by earning in-game money, an in-game shop will allow players to attach a range of unlockable items to their created champion.

While in the heat of battle, the fighters will now be able to execute an "offensive move" technique. In an attempt to add even more depth to the series, the technique allows players to move around their opponent from the side or back.

In order to take advantage of the Playstation 3's next-gen hardware, Sega has touched on a few key performance features. The highly detailed environments in the game are based on actual locales around the world and feature varying types of arenas. All of the visuals will be presented in 720p HD resolution (widescreen) with the audio being pumped out through 5.1-channel Dolby Digital surround sound.

While the title has already been released in Japanese arcades, it has been confirmed that home versions of the game will be exclusive to the Playstation 3 platform.