Since the launch of the PS3 last November, new titles have been far and few to keep gamers interested as the winter season winds down. Sega hopes to kick off the spring season by shipping the anticipated Virtua Fighter 5 to North America today for the next-gen console.

“Sega delivers the first martial arts style fighting game for the Playstation 3 system with Virtua Fighter 5,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America. “Not only is it a stunning looking game graphically, but Virtua Fighter 5 delivers the most intense fighting experience available.”

The next iteration of the great fighting franchise includes two brand new fighters, El Blaze and Eileen. El Blaze is a Mexican wrestling champion which beats opponents down with the Lucha Libre fighting style while Eileen attacks with the Monkey Kung Fu style “Kou-Ken”. Also included in Virtua Fighter 5 is an all new commentary mode that brings play-by-play voices to the match for a more television feel.

Virtua Fighter 5 for the PS3 can be found at retailers for $59.95 and is rated 'T' for Teen.