SNK

SNK Corporation, commonly stylized as SNK, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher known for its Neo Geo hardware and for creating several influential fighting game franchises. The company originated as Shin Nihon Kikaku, founded in 1978 by Eikichi Kawasaki, and later adopted the SNK brand that became associated with its arcade and home console products.

SNK achieved prominence through its Neo Geo platform, introduced in the early 1990s as a cartridge-based system that offered arcade-quality games for home use. The Neo Geo family included the arcade MVS system and the home AES cartridge system, enabling a broad library of titles across arcade and home formats. Among its most enduring franchises are The King of Fighters (a cross-over series first released in 1994 that brought together characters from Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting), Samurai Shodown (released in 1993, known for its weapon-based combat), Fatal Fury, and Metal Slug (a run-and-gun series that began in 1996). The King of Fighters series became SNK’s flagship long-running fighting game franchise and helped establish a strong competitive scene.

In 2000, SNK faced severe financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy. A new company formed by former SNK staff acquired the SNK assets and began operating under the name Playmore, later rebranding to SNK. Since then, SNK has continued to develop and publish games, including new entries in its established franchises and remasters for modern platforms. Notable recent releases include The King of Fighters XIV (2016), The King of Fighters XV (2022), the 2019 revival of Samurai Shodown, and Metal Slug Tactics (2023). SNK markets its titles on contemporary consoles and PC, while retaining ownership of a legacy library that remains influential in the fighting game community.