Bumper release features 39 characters, rollback netcode, and more
SNK has finally offered up a release date for its upcoming epic slugfestThe King of Fighters XV.The team-based fighter will finally launch on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox One on May 25, 2025, following on fromits recent delay.
The long-time developer/publisher also released a slew of new details for the fighter, including the long-anticipated confirmation thatKoF XVwill support rollback netcode for what hopes to be the franchise’s best online capabilities to date. SNK also announced that all previous protagonists from theKoFseries storied history will be returning to the ring, so fans can expect the likes of Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Chizuru Kagura, K’, and my returning husbando, Ash Crimson. Swoonsville. SNK suggests that the new story mode will see all previous arcs come to an “explosive climax”.
A feature-packed release will include a roster of around 39 fighters, with six further characters expected as post-release DLC.King of Fighters XVwill feature typical Arcade and Vs. modes, as well as a full Story Mode, training options, online tournament options, a gallery mode, and an all-new “DJ” mode featuring an incredible 300 tracks picked from the entireKing of Fighterssaga. A brand new animated short — from anime veteran Masami Obari — will also be featured.
In all honesty, it looks as if SNK is going all-out to makeKing of Fighters XVthe most prestigious entry in the franchise’s almost 30-year lifespan.The King of Fightersis my favorite fighting game series of all time, and while SNK and I definitely are going through something of a… marriage counseling crisis… I won’t deny thatKoF XVis lookinggreat.
Pre-orders are now live on a selection ofKoF XVreleases. The standard edition will launch on all platforms for $60, with day one purchases bagging aGarou: Mark of the Wolvesskin for Terry Bogard. The $85 Digital Deluxe edition includes a copy of the game, a season pass for the six DLC characters plus an exclusive “classic” skin for my favorite character, Leona Heidern… Thanks for that. The DLC season pass will be available separately for an eyebrow-raising $30.
