Tactical RPG Metal Slug Tactics Releasing in Fall of 2024

PARIS (Sept. 30, 2024) - Publisher Dotemu (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4) and developer Leikir Studio (Rogue Lords, Synergy) today released a new, in-depth video look at Metal Slug Tactics, the grid-based tactical RPG adaptation of the iconic run-and-gun franchise. Metal Slug Tactics will be released in Fall 2024 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

In the video, Leikir Studio reflects on childhood memories of playing the series in arcades. The team bonds over a shared fondness for the METAL SLUG universe, which Dotemu and Leikir Studio hope to instill in new players and evoke from series veterans when they storm the battlefield in Metal Slug Tactics.

The combat of Metal Slug Tactics takes place in an isometric view, a fresh, reimagined approach to the side-scrolling action for which the series is famous. A change in perspective that affects gameplay and visuals alike, Leikir Studio worked in collaboration with the franchise’s legendary original pixel artists to ensure Metal Slug Tactics authentically captures the spirit of the series’ stunning visuals. The video also explores Metal Slug Tactics’ introduction of new elements to series conventions, including the shift to tactical play, randomization to boost mission replayability, unlockable skills, and roguelite-style progression. It all adds up to a unique and imaginative way to enjoy the world of METAL SLUG.

The classic characters of METAL SLUG return in Metal Slug Tactics, armed with unique abilities that capture their signature personalities and influence each fighter’s approach to combat. With new mechanics such as SYNC team attacks that can be capitalized on through clever field positioning, and a home base-style armory where players select a squad to send into battle, Leikir Studio and Dotemu have transposed the feel of run-and-gun action into a tactical RPG while retaining the series’ DNA of fast-paced gameplay.

Both a respectful homage to an all-time classic and an imaginative new way to celebrate the renowned series, Metal Slug Tactics channels the timeless METAL SLUG aesthetic through gorgeous pixel art and fluid animation. The game’s highly replayable battlefields combine shuffled layouts from handcrafted terrain sectors with subtle roguelite elements, pushing players to adapt and overcome unpredictable clashes as they master dynamic, strategic combat.

Wield classic METAL SLUG weapons, leveraging skill trees, perks, and a super-charged adrenaline system to outwit and demolish the flanks of the series’ signature villains. The action is accompanied by an original soundtrack featuring music from Tee Lopes (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Sonic Mania, Streets of Rage 4’s Mr. X Nightmare DLC). Metal Slug Tactics is wholly developed by Leikir Studio with support from Dotemu and access supplied by IP owner SNK.

For the latest on Metal Slug Tactics, visit https://www.metalslugtactics.com/, follow @Dotemu and @LeikirStudio on X, and wishlist the game on Steam via https://store.steampowered.com/app/1590760/Metal_Slug_Tactics/.

About Dotemu

Dotemu is a French video game company specializing in bringing back the best video games and legendary pop culture licenses on PC and modern consoles, to create neo-retro experiences carefully crafted for fans around the world.

The Dotemu team has published and developed a number of global top-sellers across both PC and console, including the award-winning games Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, other great development and publishing work from Dotemu includes Windjammers 1 & 2, Pharaoh: A New Era and more. Dotemu is currently working with Leikir Studio on Metal Slug Tactics, with more announcements planned for later 2024 and beyond.

Learn more at http://www.dotemu.com.

About Leikir Studio

Leikir Studio is an independent studio based in Ivry sur Seine, France. Specialized in system games, we are passionate about carrying projects that we are passionate about.

We are the creators of the ruthless Isbarah, the warm Wondershot, the robotic I AM LEGION, the diabolical Rogue Lords and the sublime Synergy. Today, we’re putting all our energy and talent into Metal Slug Tactics to honor the hours of joy we had on this mythical license.

About SNK

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, SNK develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software on a global scale. Known for such franchises as METAL SLUG, THE KING OF FIGHTERS, and SAMURAI SHODOWN, SNK continues to focus on its rich console game and arcade history.

©SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Article by: Susan N.

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Fatal Fury and Street Fighter Meet on the Battleground in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves in 2025!

TOKYO, Japan — September 26, 2024 – Today at Tokyo Game Show, SNK CORPORATION revealed that the iconic Street Fighter legends Ken and Chun-Li will join the roster of FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves as post-launch Season 1 DLC. Ken arrives in Summer 2025, followed by Chun-Li in Winter 2025. FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves launches early 2025 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Pre-order DLC characters, including Ken and Chun-Li, with the Season 1 pass in the Special Edition ($59.99/€59.99)!

“For decades, SNK has had deep respect for Capcom, in both genuine admiration and a bit of friendly rivalry,” said FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves Producer Yasuyuki Oda. “It’s an honor to bring the universes of FATAL FURY and Street Fighter together once again. This collaboration is a reflection of that bond, and we hope players share our excitement.”

Season Pass 1 Details:

In addition to Street Fighter icons Ken and Chun-Li, SNK revealed the cadence of their Season 1 pass DLC characters:

• DLC Character 1 (Scheduled for: Summer 2025)
• DLC Character: KEN (Scheduled for: Summer 2025)
• DLC Character 3 (Scheduled for: Fall 2025)
• DLC Character: CHUN-LI (Scheduled for: Winter 2025)
• DLC Character 5 (Scheduled for: Early 2026)

The FATAL FURY series debuted in 1991, igniting the fighting game boom of the 1990s that took the industry by storm. GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES, released in 1999, has been the most recent installment in the franchise until now. With fan favorites, new fighters, and now legendary characters across fighting game history making an appearance, FATAL FURY returns with a classic battle system evolved for the next generation of fighters.

For all the latest on FATAL FURY, visit the official website, follow SNK on Twitter, or join the official Discord. For more information on Street Fighter 6, visit the official website.

 

ABOUT FATAL FURY

The FATAL FURY series made its debut in 1991, igniting the fighting game frenzy of the 1990s that would soon engulf the gaming industry. GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES, released in 1999, has remained the latest installment in the franchise for quite some time. FATAL FURY will soon make its triumphant return for the first time in 26 years when FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves launches in early 2025, featuring a dynamic art style, new and familiar fighters, and modernized battle systems.

ABOUT SNK

Founded in 1978, SNK CORPORATION is a Japanese video game company headquartered in Osaka, Japan. SNK is an acronym of Shin Nihon Kikaku, meaning New Japan Project, and was the company’s legal name until it was shortened to SNK in 1986. SNK is best known for creating the NEOGEO arcade system and several game franchises, including THE KING OF FIGHTERS, METAL SLUG, SAMURAI SHODOWN, and FATAL FURY. SNK also published classic games like WORLD HEROES, NINJA MASTER’S, and SENGOKU. Learn more about SNK CORPORATION by visiting https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/.

Article by: Susan N.

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DotEmu and Leikir Studio Announce Metal Slug Tactics During Summer Game Fest 2021!

PARIS (June 10, 2021) - Publisher Dotemu and developer Leikir Studio in partnership with SNK today announced Metal Slug Tactics, an exciting adaptation of the iconic series’ satisfying action through grid-based tactical warfare coming to PC via Steam, as part of Summer Game Fest 2021.

Metal Slug Tactics reunites Marco, Eri, Fio, and Tarma as they lead the Peregrine Falcon Squad into a new battlefield through dynamic, strategic combat. Players wield classic METAL SLUG weaponry, leveraging skill trees, perks, and a super attack-fueling adrenaline system to outwit and demolish flanks of the series’ signature villains. Watch Metal Slug Tactics’ charismatic heroes return to the frontline via today’s exuberant announcement trailer:

Metal Slug Tactics’ challenging missions build levels from different combinations of hand-crafted terrain tiles, keeping battle layouts unpredictable and ensuring clashes are won through calculated strategy rather than memorization. Roguelite elements make missions highly replayable and victories feel truly earned, but should a cunning squad or fiendish boss persevere, rounds are quick to jump back into.

Paired with gorgeous pixel art and fluid animation which faithfully channels the series’ timeless aesthetic, Metal Slug Tactics is a natural extension of METAL SLUG’s beloved visuals. Each mission’s heated battle is energized through original music by Tee Lopes (Sonic Mania, League of Legends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, and Streets of Rage 4’s Mr. X Nightmare DLC among other titles). Metal Slug Tactics is both a respectful homage to an all-time classic and an imaginative new way to celebrate the renowned series.

To secure the latest intel on Metal Slug Tactics, visit https://www.metalslugtactics.com/, flank @Dotemu and @LeikirStudio on Twitter, and wishlist the game on Steam via https://store.steampowered.com/app/1590760/Metal_Slug_Tactics/.

About Dotemu

Dotemu is a French video game company specializing in modern releases of beloved retro games. Our mission is simple: give every gamer access to yesteryear’s classic video games on today's platforms, including PC, mobile, console and more. Working alongside the world’s most cherished and recognized publishers, the Dotemu team has published a number of global top-sellers across both PC and console including Streets of Rage 4, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, with additional development and publishing work on Windjammers 1 and 2, several games in the Ys series, and more. Dotemu is currently working on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge with Tribute Games and Metal Slug Tactics with Leikir Studio.

Founded in 2007, Dotemu leverages its considerable technological know-how to maintain the original spirit of classic games while giving them a second life as rediscovered gems for a new generation of gamers.

About Leikir Studio

Leikir Studio is an independent studio based in Ivry sur Seine, France. Specialized in system games, we have at heart to carry projects that we are passionate about. We are the creators of the merciless Isbarah, the ruthless Wondershot, the robotic I AM LEGION and the diabolical Rogue Lords. Today, we put all our energy and talent on Metal Slug Tactics to honor the hours of joy spent on this mythical license.

About SNK

Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, SNK develops, publishes, and distributes interactive entertainment software on a global scale. Known for such franchises as METAL SLUG, THE KING OF FIGHTERS, and SAMURAI SHODOWN, SNK continues to focus on their rich console game and arcade history.

 

Article by: Susan N.

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Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 1 - Switch Review

Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 1 by developer and publisher SNK Corporation—Nintendo Switch review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 1 is a fantastic offering from the fondly remembered but short-lived Neo Geo Pocket Color handheld gaming platform. There is a nice variety of titles with ten games included, and while I had played most of them at one point or another in the past, there were a couple of titles that were new to me as well.

This competitor to the Game Boy Color hit North America shortly before the turn of the century. The quality of the titles was generally quite high, but with just shy of a few dozen games released for it, the Neo Geo Pocket Color had a very short shelf life as it was out of production about a year later.

There is a somewhat heavy focus on fighting titles, as those were all the rage back then and SNK has always had a sweet spot in that genre with long-running series such as King of Fighters and Samurai Showdown. In terms of the fighting titles, you have King of Fighters R-2, Samurai Showdown 2 (still one of my favorite fighting games of all-time), SNK Gals’ Fighters, The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny, Fatal Fury: First Contact and SNK vs Capcom: The Match of the Millennium. These have all seen individual re-releases of late, and there is a ton to like here if you are fans of the genre.

These titles were generally based on the popular arcade machines. So while titles like Samurai Showdown 2 ate many of my quarters, as was often the case during the late 90’s, these arcade-to-console ports were usually a step backwards. Putting the games on a handheld system with less horsepower had a tendency to make those compromises even more noticeable, but honestly? They still worked pretty well. If you needed some side-scrolling Fatal Fury brawling on the go – this was a pretty enjoyable way to go. While Samurai Showdown 2 was obviously not up to par with its arcade counterpart here, it’s unique weapon vs weapon style of play held up decently then on the portable platform, and I still enjoy it today in bursts.

One thing that stands out however, is that the original platform only had two face buttons. For those used to fighting games having four or six buttons (more of a concern with 1-on-1 fighting games than beat-‘em-ups). This can make them feel a little strange to play if you are more accustomed to modern fighting games, but they still work very well.

SNK’s fighting games hold up pretty well here and if you are a big fan of the genre? That alone probably makes this collection worth taking a look at. That being said, there are four more titles in this collection that haven’t seen individual release for the Switch and need to be discussed. Metal Slug 1^st Mission, Metal Slug 2^nd Mission, Big Tournament Golf and Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999 help to round out this collection of ten games. While I am very familiar with the Metal Slug games, both Dark Arms and Big Tournament Golf were completely new to me and I was looking forward to delving into these titles for the first time.

Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999 is probably the most unique of the entries here, as it is an action-RPG with a horror setting. The RPG elements are a little light, in that the focus is less on improving your character and instead building up an arsenal of steadily improving weapons. Instead of character experience, you harvest souls and parts to build them out in a variety of ways. It sort of reminds me a title like Monster Hunter in that sense. There is a layer of exploration tied to a day/night mechanic that makes this a very strange but interesting addition to the collection.

Equally unique to this collection is Big Tournament Golf. It’s a much more arcade-style of sports game. If you had a chance to play it, it’s a slightly watered-down version of the Turf Masters game. If you’re unfamiliar with that one, it’s more Hot Shots Golf than Golf Club or an EA simulation style game. There are a half dozen characters with their own strengths and weaknesses that can play on a trio of different international courses (US, Germany and Japan) with a few different mode variations. Like Dark Arms, Big Tournament Golf is a really unique addition to this collection, but again one that works well to add some variety to the mix.

Last and hardly least, the two Metal Slug games are spun off from the primary series that people have no doubt seen on other consoles in the past. These are action-heavy shooting games with some side-scrolling / platforming elements. I’ve always loved this series, and these First and Second Mission games bring that same kind of action intensity to their smaller screens. One of the more interesting aspects of these games is how alternate routes through the stages can be opened up. These games are charming and a lot of fun. The visuals are impressive though I did run into some slowdown at times when there is a ton of activity on the screen at once. That’s likely truer to the original games and why it’s still happening here, but it’s a little annoying when it comes up given how far video games have come. While both games are enjoyable, Metal Slug 2^nd Mission is clearly the superior game. The bones of the two titles are similar, but more power-ups and variety in the game make it the superior experience.

In looking at the collection as a whole, I like that this isn’t just a straight port of ten games – there are some additional bells and whistles worth noting. There are some different visual filters (black and white, or New Geo Pocket view), both English and Japanese versions of the games, a Rewind feature, save states (these last two are wonderful quality of life features that have become fairly standard in collections like this now but still very welcome), and a sort of virtual / museum vie that lets you look at a digital representation of what the physical game looked like. There are a few different border options to frame the small screen on what is likely a large wide screen television in your living room.

Summary

Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol 1 is a fantastic selection of games, even if it does tilt a little heavy towards the fighting side of things. Given that the title has ‘Vol 1’ in there, I wonder if we’ll see one or two more of these collections (the Pocket Color had 31 games released for it). Assuming you haven’t already picked up all of the previously released fighting games, this is a very worthwhile collection for old school gaming enthusiasts.

Score: 7.75 / 10

 

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Samurai Shodown - Series X Review

Samurai Shodown by developer and publisher SNK Corporation—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Pierre-Yves with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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Samurai Shodown is one of the latest tournament styled 1v1 fighting versus to get the "next-gen" treatment. Hosting a story mode alongside both offline and online versus modes, this slower paced yet difficult to master fighter was a treat to dive into.

I'm not normally one to pick up a fighting versus title, and if I do, it's generally to play either single player or against my brother. Let's just say that against my brother I generally lose so it's normally for me to experience some sort of story. That said, sometimes I get an itch and I think that maybe now is the time that I can pick up said fighting versus title and do well. Well… I did ok on my first run through and then decided maybe it was a good idea to run through the tutorial to learn some neat tricks.

Samurai Shodown is a classic style 1v1 arcade based fighter. Set on a single line to go left and right, the moves that you have at your disposal aren't inherently designed to be chained together unless you've started to get a hang of the system. Now it's not to say that the combat is slow, but, each move is designed to be performed "one at a time" so going on for a sliding kick may not immediately result in a flying uppercut combo. Instead, you can chain some attacks together such as a light into a medium into a heavy but generally after a heavy the blowback is enough that you won't be hitting your opponent again until they get back off of the ground.

The overall gist of the combat is basically that button mashing will not save you. Period. You have to learn the system. You have to get to know the characters and their move sets. Some are faster than others. Some are stronger than others. From the time that I spent with Samurai Shodown some characters seemed to be a tad "broken" but after figuring out some new moves and counters, the only character that really seemed broken was the final boss of the story mode. That however, is par for the course.

In terms of modes, side to that of the offline story mode, there's also a Time Trial, Survival, Gauntlet and the well known Versus to fight against someone else sitting right beside you. Starting with the time trial mode, you'll have to go up against a series of enemies on an ever decreasing timer. Thankfully for every defeated opponent the clock will add a bit more time to it capping out at 99 seconds should you need it. as it is almost tradition to the style, the beginning opponents are fairly easy ramping up in difficulty as you work your way through the roster.

Unlike Time Trial, Survival Mode will have you go through the same motions but without having to worry about a clock that continuously counts down and doesn't reset. Instead, you'll have to worry about only getting back a portion of lost health. Finally, in Gauntlet Mode, you'll go up against every other character, finishing it off with both forms of the story's final boss.

Moving into the multiplayer modes, you can choose from one of two styles of opponents. The first and easiest to explain is that you can face off against other players online. The second mode is a little bit different than your norm and can be found within the Dojo. Entering the Dojo you can either face off against "ghosts" which are CPU that have the ability to learn from players one at a time or if you’re really feeling brave, head into an Ironman Challenge to fight one-hundred in a row. I found this mode a perfect idea to get your feet wet against what you could find against other players online as there is only so much you’ll get to learn from the standard CPU.

If I had any issues with Samurai Shodown it would be in the performance on the Series X. Load times for the console felt much longer than they should have. More than that, I'm finally beginning to appreciate the beginnings of vertical sync options on the consoles that used to only be present on the PC. The reason for this is that the videos had a bit of a screen tearing across the 35 to 50% mark that made videos a bit harder to view which was unfortunate with how great the graphics looked.

Summary

Overall Samurai Shodown for the Xbox Series X is a pretty good 1v1 versus fighter. While I may not be able to compare it to the previous generation, it does a fairly good job at what it sets out to do whether you're planning for a night in for some couch versus or if you're feeling confident enough to take your skills online.

Score: 8 / 10

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Official Trailer Reveal for The King of Fighters XV Plus Samurai Shodown Season Pass 3

Osaka, Japan, December 4, 2020 - SNK CORPORATION (Corporate HQ: Suita-city, Osaka, Japan, Company Chairman, and President: Ge Zhihui) is proud to announce that both the official trailer for THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV and the reveal of SAMURAI SHODOWN Season Pass 3 characters will take place on Thursday, 7th January 2021.

SNK fans eager for the scoops on both games will need to tune into SNK’s official YouTube channel on 7th January (exact time TBD), with THE KING OF FIGHTERS (*KOF) Producer Yasuyuki Oda and Creative Director Eisuke Ogura laying out further details in a brand new KOF XV teaser trailer, released today:

Both Oda and Ogura claim the game will be SNK’s “most ambitious KOF yet”, with the team behind the latest entry “really proud” of the title they are putting together.

“The way teams are composed [in KOF XV] will differ greatly from XIV,” offers Ogura in the teaser trailer. “But more information will come out periodically next year so, in the meantime, fire up those dream rosters!”

In addition to the world premiere trailer for SNK’s newest fighting game title KOF XV, viewers can also expect to learn more about the SAMURAI SHODOWN Season Pass 3 characters, among them THE LAST BLADE collaboration character, which will be revealed at the same time.

©SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

©2020 Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Article by: Susan N.

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Samurai Shodown Heads to the Nintendo Switch!

Osaka, Japan, November 21, 2019 – SNK CORPORATION (Corporate HQ: Suita-city, Osaka, Japan, Company President & CEO: Koichi Toyama) is proud to announce that the critically acclaimed SAMURAI SHODOWN, nominated for Best Fighting Game at THE GAME AWARDS 2019 is now making its way to the Nintendo Switch™ system in Q1 2020!

The battle cuts its way into the Nintendo Switch line-up!

From its creation in 1993, the Samurai Shodown series has redefined weapon-based fighting games. 11 years after its most recent release comes a brand new addition on the Nintendo Switch! Experience the fighting game that took the world by storm!

Peerless warriors duke it out in 1700's Japan!

13 returning characters are joined by 3 completely new to the series. This latest installment takes place one year before the events of the original Samurai Shodown game, where tensions are still hot in the land of the rising sun!

A game that threads the line between suspense and thrills!

Classic Samurai Shodown concepts like the Rage Gauge, Lightning Blade, and Super Special Moves make their return! Feel your heart race as you're moments from death, only to turn the tables in one fell swoop! A true fighting game experience is waiting for you on the Nintendo Switch!

Play anywhere, anytime, with the Nintendo Switch

It's easier than ever to battle a friend using the Nintendo Switch's Table Top mode. Simply pass them a Joy-Con and have at it! Additionally, you can fight anywhere in the world using Handheld mode!

Thrilling new DLC characters join the fight!

Fan favorites like Rimururu, Kubikiri Basara, Kazuki Kazama, and Wan Fu make their return! Also, Hisame Shizumaru from Samurai Shodown III is included as a free character!

Samurai Shodown! 2 pre-order bonus for the Nintendo Switch!

Samurai Shodown! 2, a fighting game developed for SNK's own handheld system (the Neo Geo Pocket) will now be available for the first time ever on a new platform, and only on the Nintendo Switch! These chibi fighters really pack a punch!


Head over to the Official Website: https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/games/samuraishodown_switch/



Article by Susan N.

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SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy - PS4 Review

I am convinced that the fighting genre has one of the most difficult tightropes to walk in trying to balance accessibility against the kind of depth in modes and combat that keeps someone coming back for more. To its credit, SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy has copious amounts of fanservice mixed with controls that are easy to learn, but unfortunately it does in the end come across as a somewhat shallow fighting experience.

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