If you had any doubts about the future of SNK after its Saudi prince owner stated his intention to preserve the company’s Japanese roots rather than pursue globalization, you can put them to rest.
At the Summer Game Fest, SNK unveiled two new fighters for the highly anticipated Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the first new entry in the Fatal Fury series in 26 years, set to release in 2025 for all major consoles and PC.
The new fighters are Vox Reaper, a street assassin, and the returning pirate queen, Lillien Knights’ B. Jenet. They were showcased in separate character reveal trailers.
Vox Reaper is described as a street assassin on a mission to hunt down Garou: Mark of the Wolves’ final boss, Kain R. Heinlein, when Kain’s bodyguard, Grant, takes him under his wing after a failed attempt to take Kain’s life.
Given the predominantly male fanbase of fighting games, a genre known for its diverse and intriguing characters, both male and female, it’s important to acknowledge the appeal of the iconic female fighters.
Historically, these women have been depicted as attractive and often well-endowed, contributing to the popularity of characters like Mai Shiranui, Cammy, Chun-Li, and Ivy Valentine. Fans appreciate when these games feature a balanced mix of characters, avoiding a “sausage fest.”
These female fighters are not only visually stunning but also formidable and iconic, deserving authentic and thoughtful representation free of censored designs such has been the case with other fighting franchises of late.
This brings us to SNK’s second announcement: the return of the pirate captain, B. Jenet. A beloved character from SNK’s Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series, her comeback has been widely praised.
Thanks to SNK’s Saudi prince owner, B. Jenet’s design includes her signature assets, adding to her appeal as she enters the upcoming KOF tournament. Vox Reaper and B. Jenet join a roster of confirmed playable characters, including Andy Bogard, Terry Bogard, and Rock Howard.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the long-awaited sequel to the 1999 Neo Geo brawler Garou: Mark of the Wolves, is set to bring these iconic characters back into the spotlight. Thanks to SNK’s owner, Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the game will preserve its original charm without censoring its feminine characters to cater to “global audiences” or specific agendas.
As a fan of the company, Prince Mohammad bin Salman aims to revive SNK while maintaining its Japanese roots, ensuring that Fatal Fury remains true to its origins without the influence of ESG agendas targeting fanservice and attractive female character designs in gaming.
