The recent success ofCapcomretro remaster collections has stirred excitement around the potential revival of the company’s legacy series. WithMvC Fighting Collection: Arcade ClassicsseeingMvC2finally being brought to modern systems with proper online play, interest in the iconicCapcomcrossover IP has only grown. In light of the now frequent presence of SNK collaborations and hurdles in the way of another one with Marvel, however,Capcom vs. SNKcould be on the way instead.
TheMvCseries was stuck in limbo after the disappointment ofMarvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, a title with solid mechanics that suffered from what was perceived as a lackluster roster and decline in visual style.Capcom Fighting Collectionreignited hope for a newDarkstalkers, and nowMvC Fighting Collectionhas done the same forMarvel, but a pattern of current releases connected to SNK seems to indicate that another bigger project could be on the horizon. With next year set to see a new era ofFatal Furyand theupcomingCapcom Fighting Collection 2featuring theCvSgames, the future might sooner seeCapcom vs. SNK 3.
Crossover DLC Characters Have Demonstrated the Relationship Between Capcom and SNK
Focusing on Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui in Street Fighter 6 Shows Remarkable Trust in Another IP
Now that Terry has been integrated into the seasonal release structure of theStreet Fighter 6DLC release schedule, it’s been proven that Capcom is willing to let a borrowed character drive an entire period of a flagship game’s support. The choice to also include Mai means that there will be an extended portion of the title’s overall life cycle dedicated to these guest fighters, and this arrangement appears to have been honored by both parties.
Ken and Chun-Li Have Apparently Found a Place in Fatal Fury
The game’s release might be several months away in April 2025, but SNK has already announced at this year’s Tokyo Game Show thatFatal Fury: City of the Wolveswill featureStreet Fightercharacterswithin its own first season DLC. Ken Masters and Chun-Li will somehow be making their way to South Town, mirroring the inclusion ofFFcharacters inSF6in what has been confirmed as an intentional move towards rekindling the past. With no footage of them yet and the remainder of that season’s DLC fighters yet unrevealed, it’s clearly become a priority to emphasize the growing ties between the companies.
The Stage Appears to Be Set for Capcom vs. SNK 3
New Generations Are Spearheading Both Franchises
Street Fighter 6’s new take on the franchisehas come as a triumphant introduction to an entire cast of fresh faces, and the upcomingFatal Furycould be able to match this with a similar energy. It’s technically true that Rock Howard’s timeline was introduced all the way back in 1999’sGarou: Mark of the Wolves, but the greaterFFseries has been dormant for so long that the younger Terry Bogard design from before that time skip has since remained more ubiquitous.King of Fightersis actually an SNK crossover series despite having its own lore, soCity of the Wolves' bold direction will mark the first advancement in the series in decades.
A Concept Has Likely Been in the Works Since 2022
In an interview,Fatal FuryproducerYasuyuki Oda told TheGamerabout what sparked the “straight swap” of characters between the companies for their latest flagship fighting games, saying:
“It was Evo 2022 in Las Vegas. We had the posters that we brought out. And that’s the first time that SNK and Capcom sat down, and they first said,‘Hey, we should do something.’”
While the posters for the fighting game tournament by artists Shinkiro and Eisuke Ogura featuring characters from both companies were likely just intended to be a homage to their shared history, as thebelovedCapcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001was featured in the event lineup that year, their creation ended up reviving interest in the crossover. The addition of Terry toSF6has landed with fans of both IPs and more is on the way, but it’s also notable that this dynamic seems to have sprung up so casually. This stands in stark contrast toMvC, a series that may never be able to return to the essence of its older titles.
Bypassing the Red Tape of Capcom Licensing Marvel Characters
A key challenge that may continue to decrease the odds of futureMarvel vs. Capcomtitlesgetting made lies in navigating the massively increased status of the Marvel brand when compared to the early 2000s. Working around the scale of the MCU’s success and the business incentives of Disney as an owner can make it especially difficult to collect a large cast of characters from different franchises, a huge shift from the arcade asset reuse that droveMvC’s creation.
AnotherCapcom vs. SNK, on the other hand, could easily see both companies being complicit in licensing a massive roster without dealing with rights issues. WithMarvel vs. Capcom: Infinitelacking X-Mendue to issues outside the game’s development, for example, there are several core struggles thatCvS3would be able to avoid due to being in a prime position to possibly see most of its predecessor’s cast return.
SNK Might Be Ready for Another Shot at a Major Crossover
Difficulties have seen ups and downs for SNK after the missteps ofSVC Chaos, but the company has rebounded in an impressive way since the release ofKing of Fighters 15. While Capcom might have its hands full with everything currently in production, it’s possible that SNK could take on the role of developing the nextCvSby making it in line with the style ofCoTW.
Comparing the 39-character base roster ofKOF15against the smaller cast of the more realisticSF6, it might be more sustainable for tackling a title that is following up the massive selection of fighters in the lastCapcom vs. SNK. TheupcomingFatal Fury: City of the Wolveswill need time for its natural life cycle after release, but that doesn’t have to stop its developer from preparing to push its engine to its limits in the future.
