Yasuyuki Oda Reveals the Long-Awaited Return of Fatal Fury

The Fatal Fury series, which originated in 1991, has seen numerous iterations throughout the 1990s, with the last mainline entry being Garou: Mark of the Wolves in 1999. Now, 25 years later, SNK is set to release Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, with Yasuyuki Oda at the helm as producer. Oda, who has been instrumental in reviving dormant SNK franchises such as Samurai Shodown and The King of Fighters, aims to bring a fresh perspective to the series while maintaining its core essence. In a recent interview, Oda discussed the challenges of developing a new Fatal Fury game, the introduction of new characters, and the decision to keep the game in 2D. According to Oda, the team spent a significant amount of time bridging the knowledge gap between veteran developers and newer staff members, which proved to be a valuable learning experience for both parties. The game features stunning character models and a unique art style, which Oda attributes to the team's desire to incorporate American comic book elements, a hallmark of the original Fatal Fury games. In terms of gameplay, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves boasts the SPG system, an evolution of the Tactical Offense Position system from Mark of the Wolves, designed to provide players with greater freedom and tactical options. The game's balance is intended to cater to both casual and hardcore players, with a high skill ceiling that is still accessible to newcomers. Oda emphasized the importance of grassroots esports initiatives, such as SNK's Esports Support Program, which aims to support local tournament organizers and foster a sense of community among players. With the release of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves slated for April 21, 2025, Oda reflected on his journey in the gaming industry, from his early days as an artist to his current role as producer, and expressed his enthusiasm for potential future projects, including a South Town action RPG. As the driving force behind SNK's fighting game series resurgence, Oda is poised to leave a lasting impact on the world of gaming.