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'Metal Slug Tactics' is delayed until 2023
Dotemu and Leikir Studio say the turn-based RPG isn't ready for primetime.
SNK is making its first new Fatal Fury game in 23 years
SNK has revealed that it's working on its first Fatal Fury game in more than 20 years.
'Metal Slug Tactics' resurrects a classic '90s franchise
Metal Slug, a mainstay SNK action franchise, is back... in tactical RPG form!
Neo Geo retro stick console includes 'King of Fighters,' 'Samurai Shodown'
SNK has detailed the full 20-game lineup for its Neo Geo Arcade Stick Pro, and it's mixed news for fans of the classic platform. The retro console and controller hybrid will focus on the best-known brawlers with six The King of Fighters games ('95 through 2002), four Samurai Shodown titles (II through V Special) and three Fatal Fury releases (Special, 3 and Garou: Mark of the Wolves) in addition to several others. It's not a complete release, but fans of classic fighters should be happy. You can read the full list below.
SNK promises 'next gen' Neo Geo hardware to follow its Mini console
Amid the retro gaming console fad, last year's release of the Neo Geo Mini didn't attract as much attention as others, but SNK is back this summer with a $140 Samurai Shodown edition to celebrate the release of Samurai Shodown on PS4 and Xbox One. Unfortunately, according to reviews, despite a reshuffled list of included games this version of the console still suffers from subpar video output over HDMI. The good news is that fans of the arcade/home gaming system may have something better to look forward to. Ahead of the EVO 2019 event this weekend, SNK tweeted that "A Next-Gen NEOGEO hardware is coming after NEOGEO Mini." It promises a modern design and the ability to link to the Mini. The last time we saw modular hardware in this family was with the Neo Geo X, and really all we can hope for is that things are a little better executed this time around.
SNK fighting series 'Samurai Shodown' is making a comeback on PS4
It's been ten years since the last genuinely new Samurai Shodown title has appeared. At Sony PlayStation's Tokyo Game Show warmup, we were treated to a brief teaser of a brand new game, Samurai Spirits, powered by the Unreal engine, and bringing the iconic beat-em-up to modern consoles -- namely the PS4.
Nintendo Switch gets SNK's arcade games this November
SNK is celebrating its 40th birthday with a triumphant return to the golden age of arcade games -- with a modern twist. On November 13, the creator is launching a bevy of retro games for Nintendo Switch, including Alpha Mission, Ikari Warriors, Athena, Guerrilla War and Vanguard, among others. There's more to be announced, too, although the titles already confirmed can be pre-ordered now as part of the Switch-exclusive pack.
Play 19 SNK games in a browser via the Neo Geo Humble Bundle
A bevy of classic SNK games make their debut on PC today in the latest Humble Bundle, in celebration of the Neo Geo console turning 25 this year. Plus, you can demo 19 of these games directly in your browser for two minutes each, including Art of Fighting 2, Fatal Fury Special, Metal Slug (1, 2, 3 and X), The King of Fighters 2000, Shock Troopers and Twinkle Star Sprites. Most of the games are DRM-free and available for PC, Mac and Linux. Get all 21 games plus the 25th anniversary soundtrack via Humble Bundle for a minimum of just $10 -- that's $167 worth of classic Neo Geo goodness.
SNK ditches slot machines to focus more on video games
Call SNK the anti-Konami. Rather than back away from video games, the legendary Japanese studio has announced that it's dropping its pachinko slot machine business to concentrate its efforts on both conventional video games (like the upcoming King of Fighters XIV, above) and mobile titles. There just isn't as much money in those machines as there is consoles and smartphones, SNK says. To that end, it's hiring more staff and planning more titles.
Square Enix sues SNK over past copyright infringement allegations
Square Enix announced that it brought a declaratory judgment suit against SNK Playmore as a response to previous accusations of copyright infringement. SNK sued Square Enix in May, claiming the Final Fantasy publisher used copyrighted SNK characters without permission in the High Score Girl manga. SNK alleged that characters from The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown were used more than 100 times without permission. Following the lawsuit, police collected evidence in early August from Square Enix's offices, and the publisher stated it "has been cooperating fully with police investigations since the domiciliary search, and will continuously maintain the cooperative stance with good faith." Square Enix is now seeking an authoritative opinion from the Osaka District Court to determine that it has not infringed on SNK's copyright and will "prove the point through civil procedures." [Images: Square Enix]
SNK sues Square Enix, claims copyrighted material in manga
Authorities in Japan are investigating the claim that Square Enix uses copyrighted SNK characters without permission in the manga High Score Girl. SNK filed a lawsuit against Square Enix in May, and police visited Square Enix offices on August 5 to collect evidence, Sankei News reports (as translated by Kotaku and C-Sword on Shoryuken). High Score Girl includes characters from SNK's The King of Fighters and Samurai Shodown more than 100 times, SNK claims. Square Enix says SNK never asked it to stop publishing the manga. High Score Girl is making the jump to anime, and SNK realized the infringement when a production company asked to use SNK's copyrighted characters and sounds in the show, the report says. Pages of the manga in the SRK forum show High Score Girl also depicts Capcom's Street Fighter and NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat arcade games. [Images: Square Enix]
Classic run-and-gunner Metal Slug 3 coming to Steam in February
SNK's run-and-gun action game Metal Slug 3 will launch on Steam in February. The arcade game first arrived in 2000, later leaping to multiple platforms like XBLA in early 2008, the Wii Virtual Console in May 2012 as well as iOS and Android in 2012. The Steam version will feature online cooperative multiplayer, leaderboards and cloud save support. In addition to the mobile ports, the Steam version was handled by DotEmu, a specialist in retro game adaptations. The developer previously brought the Double Dragon Trilogy to mobile and also took Another World to Mac, iOS and Android. DotEmu is currently hosting a closed beta for Metal Slug 3 on Steam.
PSA: King of Fighters '97 sneaks onto iOS, Android devices
If you're too impatient to see how Legend of Raven turns out under the guide of former King of Fighters developers, King of Fighters '97 can help you relive an iteration of SNK's fighter on iOS and Android devices. The pre-existing four button layout is still an option, but a new six button sprawl provides an alternative control scheme. The game's listing mentions an "SP button," meant to make pulling off special moves a bit more feasible without the tactile feedback a real fight stick would provide. The port also unlocks characters from the get-go that were originally hidden away in the Neo Geo version. Considering its 35-character roster and support for Bluetooth multiplayer, $3.99 isn't a bad asking price. Much more affordable than other recent options for replaying Neo Geo classics have been, at least. Update: Included mention of King of Fighters '97 coming to Android as well.
Tommo to continue to sell Neo Geo X Gold through 2016, denies breach of contract
Well, this is awkward. Two days ago, SNK Playmore announced the death of the Neo Geo X Gold -- today, the handheld's manufacturer has demanded a retraction. According to Tommo, it has a standing contract with SNK to produce and support the handheld console through 2016 and "fully expects this agreement to be honored by all parties." Moreover, the company claims that it has performed all of its obligations as a licensee, asserting that SNK has no reason or grounds to terminate the agreement. For now, the company says it will continue to sell the Neo Geo X Gold system as well as its arcade stick and assorted game collections. It's a messy situation, to be sure, but at least it's delaying the device's inevitable fate as a collector's item. Check out the statement for yourself after the break.
SNK terminates Neo Geo X Gold licensing, Tommo required to cease production
Not even a year after the Neo Geo X's rocky road to market, creator SNK is pulling the plug. The firm has severed ties with manufacturer / distributor Tommo, ordering it to "immediately cease any and all manufacturing, distribution, marketing and promotion and selling of the Licensed Products." Affected items include the handheld console, the SNK NeGeo X arcade stick and all applicable software. This isn't really a surprise for a system that was plagued with delays and pricing issues from the word "go," but it's sad to see nonetheless. A handful of retailers have the console marked down from its $200 price, so if you were on the fence about buying one new, now would be the time to get off of it. Or, you could always go the wooden route.
SNK orders Neo Geo X Gold manufacturer to stop producing, selling units and games
The License and Distribution Agreement between TOMMO Inc. and SNK Playmore involving production of the Neo Geo X Gold line of products was "terminated" on October 2, a statement on SNK's site revealed this week. The post describes SNK's demand that TOMMO "immediately cease any and all manufacturing, distribution, marketing and promotion" of the Neo Geo X Gold and its line of Neo Geo X Classic games. SNK has also demanded that TOMMO cease sales of the SNK Neo Geo X Arcade Stick and that they remove it from the shelves of both physical and digital shopfronts. Despite SNK's statement, the Neo Geo X Gold line of products is still available for purchase at some retailers at the time of this writing.
King of Fighters Online footage features familiar faces, isometric places
King of Fighters Online, the Thailand-only PC MOBA set in the KOF universe, entered beta last week on September 4, and as a result match videos are starting to crop up online. As we can see from this 30-ish minute demonstration, the game features all the expected MOBA trappings (click-to-move, action bars, loitering next to turrets, etc.) in addition to familiar KOF characters and their signature moves. The game is being developed by South Korean studio Dragonfly, and is published in Thailand by True Digital Plus. The client is available to download on the official King of Fighters Online website, with the only barrier to entry being that of language. So far, no announcements have been made with regards to expanding KOFO into other markets, but we're keeping an eye on it just in case.
King of Fighters 13 Steam beta extended to Sept. 6
An ongoing closed beta for King of Fighters 13 on Steam has been extended to September 6, SNK has announced through Facebook. Anyone who pre-purchases the game through Steam gets instant access to the online beta. King of Fighters 13 launches on Steam next month, on September 13. In addition to closed beta access, those who pre-purchase can also knock $5 off the price, bringing the game down to $25 up until launch. The Steam edition of King of Fighters 13 is an upgraded version of the console game, featuring enhanced online, story and tutorial modes in addition to three special DLC versions of fan-favorite characters Iori, Kyo and Mr. Karate.
Yatagarasu Attack on Cataclysm surpasses Indiegogo fundraising goal
Yatagarasu Attack on Cataclysm, the enhanced version of indie PC fighter Yatagarasu, has bested its Indiegogo fundraising goal of $68,000 by almost an additional $30,000 as of press time. As a result, Yatagarasu Attack on Cataclysm will launch on PC "around February 2014" with GGPO netcode for online battles, a new song and new moves/voice acting for the game's eight returning characters. By having met its original goal of $68,000 in the first place, the game will also feature two new characters, an official English localization with "dynamic commentary" from well-known fighting game community personalities such as James Chen and UltraDavid, story rewrites and an arcade release for the Japanese version of the game, among other things. There's still about 30 hours left to contribute to the campaign and receive one of a multitude of reward tiers, otherwise prepare to deal a $15 combo to your wallet when the game is released next year.
PlayStation Plus deploys free Metal Slug XX this week
Metal Slug XX, compatible with both PSP and PS Vita, is this week's new recruit for the PlayStation Plus Instant Game Collection. PS Plus subscribers can grab SNK's run-and-gunner gratis starting tomorrow - the usual asking price is $20. Metal Slug XX is an altered version of Metal Slug 7 on the Nintendo DS. It features additional ad-hoc co-op and mini-games on top of the core DS game. The series is known for its expressive sprites, powerful weaponry, insane boss battles and blatant disregard for bullet rationing.
