When picturing iconic fighting game IPs,Fatal Furytypically doesn’t lead the pack. Despite beingStreet Fighter’s original rival,Fatal Furyonly served as SNK’s figurehead franchise for a brief time. WhenThe King of Fighterswas introduced to unite all of SNK’s fighting games under one banner,Fatal Furyfaded into the background with sequels likeFatal Fury: City of the Wolvesexisting only in fans' dreams. Its mainstay characters, including Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Geese Howard, remained recognizable faces, but as ambassadors for SNK fighting games as a whole, rather than their home series.
At least, that was the case until EVO 2022. What began with scattered cameos like Mai inDead or Alive 5and6, Geese coming toTekken 7, andTerry’s appearances in games likeSuper Smash Bros. UltimateandFighting EX Layerhad crystallized into a new game at last. The acclaimed 1999Fatal FurytitleGarou: Mark of the Wolveswill finally have a sequel inFatal Fury: City of the Wolves, while Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui also make history as the first external guest characters in a mainlineStreet Fightertitle.Fatal Furyis back, and it’s making sure it stays.
Fatal Fury Joining Street Fighter 6 Was Once A Pipe Dream
The latter deserves some explaining, especially since there’s a lot of history between SNK and Capcom’s fighting franchises already. Summer Game Fest 2024 featured an animated reveal trailer forStreet Fighter 6’s second year of DLC, which would have been impressive if it just featured the return of Elena andsignatureStreet Fightervillain M. Bison. However, Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui were also there in an unprecedented move for the series.
Street Fighterhas drawn fighters from its shared universe withFinal FightandRival Schoolssince the 90s, but not once has it ever opened its doors to a competitor.
Street Fighter and Fatal Fury’s Crossover Has History Behind It
Capcom’s original crossover with SNK may not have reached the size and notoriety ofMarvel vs. Capcomgames, butCapcom vs. SNK, alongside theSNK-ledSNK vs. Capcomgames, formed a miniature franchise all on its own. These classic rivals coming together was a big deal for its time, and at least one game produced during that age, namelyCapcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, attained all-time great status thanks to its competitive scene. Even if dreams ofCapcom vs. SNK 3may have been buried, seeing Terry and Mai inStreet Fighter 6is sure to bring tears to many fans' eyes.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Has Brought The IP Back To Life
That’s all well and good for Capcom, butFatal Furywouldn’t be on the rise if its representatives weren’t also getting a game of their own. Fortunately, after emerging from a period of financial troubles with newKing of FightersandSamurai Shodowntitles, SNK has turned its attention toadvancing theFatal Furystoryline after over 20 years, following up the legendaryGarou: Mark of the Wolves. ThatGarouis even mentioned in the same breath asStreet Fighter 3: 3rd Strikeshould be a sign that this game is something special, and worth following up on.
City of the Wolves Is Finally Moving Fatal Fury Forward Again
Featuring its own parry system, balanced gameplay, cutting-edge 2D visuals, and even a mostly new roster operating years intoFatal Fury’s future, it doesn’t take long with the game to see whyMark of the Wolvesdraws so many comparisons toSF3.City of the Wolveswill pick up afterMark of the Wolvesjust likeStreet Fighter 6did afterStreet Fighter 3, and it’s already turning heads by learning from the best. It took a long time and a lot of love, butFatal Furyis back on its feet and ready to make players fall in love all over again.
