As some of you may know, players from around the world have been waiting for a KOF game to make it into a major tournament, at the top of the tier being Evo. This year, we have two major KOF XIII tournaments going on less than a month away from each other; MLG (Major League Gaming) in Anaheim, June 8-10 and Evolution 2012 in Las Vegas, July 6-8 .

Because of the close time frame between the two, some tough choices will have to be made for these gamers abroad as the restriction with them is not only to get time off to attend these events, but the money that is involved.  We’ve spoken to several international players who would like to come to the states to participate in one of these majors, but they’re all torn between the two.  They know Evo will be a much bigger tournament for KOF XIII and moreso this is the ultimate tournament to compete at the highest level, in reality though, let’s face it, when their is large loot, some will scoot, which is recently what MLG has been flashing in the faces of top KOF XIII contenders, big $$.

So what’s the purpose of this fundraiser?  Well, to make everyone happy and build that cash cow up to ensure EVO 2012 has the best competition for KOF XIII.  So hit it up after to break to see how you can help, because we’re already getting started…

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One thing we’re all guilty of at least once if not dozens of times is procrastination.  Well, one can call this SNK fan that, and add the word ‘hopeful’ to his belief in customer service.  When we visited SNK Playmore in Wall, NJ in 2008, we found this on their customer service desk and was like, “uh, what is that? Is that really what I think it is?”  Look closely.  It’s a warranty card for Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage, which was released originally if we take the worse case, April 2000 for the PSOne.  The address on the card as you can see is to SNK’s second home, which was based out of San Jose.  Yeah, this office closed it’s doors around that time frame, so it’s a bit overdue.   You gotta give it to this fan who convinced himself it was time to get extended coverage, who certainly has shown to have pride in his SNK ownership (take that to those nutty AES owners who spend thousands…lol).

This warranty card was folded into another envelope that addressed to the San Jose Office, which was later forwarded to the Jersey Office by the United States Postal Service.

Ah, but you think it ends there.  Here’s the kicker.  SNK Playmore USA in Jersey was so humored by this that they were going to still honor this and actually sent the recipient a version of Samurai Shodown V for the Xbox.  Now how is that for customer service?   Go past the break to view the second side of the card.

Lesson is, never give up, even if there’s only 1% of life left on that meter.

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SNK Playmore is on a roll and who would have thought we would get a sequel this soon for their hit on the iPhone/iPod Touch last year for KOF-i?   Uh, from what it looks like, it’s a portable version of KOF 13 Climax which is SNK’s latest KOF 13 update (just released for the arcades).   Absolutely awesome for a decked out version of KOF 13 to be released to take on the road.  Only problem now is, you have to master those controls, but we can handle that.  Keep ‘em coming.  We wonder what’s coming next?  Could we possibly be getting another fighting game hit after KOF XIII?  Hmm.  If we’re lucky maybe they will make that announcement at a big fighting game event.  Wonder which tournament that would be.

HOT off the PRESS:

LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 3, 2012 – SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION (Corporate HQ: Suita-city, Osaka, Japan, Company President: Ryo Mizufune) is proud to announce the second installment of its popular KOF-i series, THE KING OF FIGHTERS-i 2012, is now available on the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch.

Head past the break for cherry images of KOF-i2012. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s a shame that all the time we spent ditching classes in college to head down to the local SNK USA Office, we didn’t take a single picture of what it was like here.  Only great memories and experiences remain how open and welcoming the whole SNK staff was, from the people at the front desk all the way to the top boss.  Luckily for us, some huge SNK fans from the guys at www.neogeo.ch  captured some great pics of the exterior and interior of the original SNK USA Office, which was located on Earl St in Torrance, CA.   Go past the break to take a trip back to the NEO GEO goodness of old.

Special thanks to the great guys at www.neogeo.ch for allowing us to use their images.

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Another year, another amazing Total Eclipse. With plenty of talent from around japan, and even one player from China, the Total Eclipse event proved to be the premiere SNK tournament in the world. Qanba|Xiaohai, who came from China showed no remorse as he plowed through every one of his opponents. R-MOOM, classic LB2 player, wins his first Eclipse trophy and Hayato, surprises everyone and wins MOTW by taking out one of the best players in Japan.

I wasn’t able to get down all the players names, nor the characters they used, mainly for Last Blade 2, but here is what I have right now (it will be updated as I can find the names/characters):

Thanks to @Soh_Italy and @R_MOON_Kujou for help with Last Blade 2.

Last Blade 2

1. R-MOON (Kojiroh/Speed)
2. TAK (Washizuka/Speed)
3. Marushikaku (Moriya/Speed)
4. Daiki (Kaede/Power)
5. MA2 (Juzoh/Power)　
5. Ryo (Mukuro/Power)
5. Minami(Amano/Power)
5. Suzumasa(Kagami/Power)

Garou MOTW

1. Hayato (Gato)
2. Amemori (Terry)
3. ? (Kain)
4. Tamura (Marco)
5. mhata (Kain)
5. Aki (Jenet)
5 Goro (?)
5 ?

KOF 98

1. Qanba|Xiaohai (Chizuru, Daimon, O. Chris)
2. Akihisa (O. Yashiro, Ralf, Daimon)
3. Futase (Kyo, Iori, Daimon)
4. Gacho (Kyo, Ralf, O Chris)
5. ? (Iori, Daimon, Chris)
5. JoJo (Kyo Daimon, Yashiro)
5. ? (Kyo, Iori, Yashiro)
5. Taku (Yamazaki, Kyo, Ryo)

Live stream videos at UstreamTotal Elcipse, for those who don’t remember, is the largest Japanese SNK tournament. The catch is, this is all classic SNK games: KOF 98, Last Blade 2 and Garou: MOTW. There are a total of 300+ entries this year, KOF 98 has 106, Last Blade 2 has 116 and Garou MOTW has a whopping 157 entries.  Last years’ show was amazing, and this years won’t be any different. The bulk of top players have entered their respective games. Tune in and enjoy the show!

Ah, how times have changed.  Everyone has streamlined their business model for the better, at least for the financial aspect of things.  We can go back as far as SNK USA as a company when they operated out of Torrance, CA back in 1991 (yup, I’m an old fellow, ditching class(es) at USC to hang out at their offices) and recall how SNK operated from the perspective of a fan.  Fast forward to the most recent memory of SNK/SNK Playmore having a fully operational office that focused on console gaming, we have ourselves what we remember as SNK Playmore USA, which was located in Wall, New Jersey (2008).  So for the first time, pictures of their office is being released, so click on the following link to get a glimpse what it was like inside.

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What can $2.99 get you these days?  Not enough for even a good cup of coffee, but SNK Playmore has a better bargain to forego that morning mug.  Good ol’ days of Ikari Warriors are here to continue their series SNK Playmore has made it official release on the PSN Network today:

We can enjoy the classics of the SNK days for now until their next big release right?  Click on the following link to read the official press release. Read the rest of this entry »

Stuntfest is considered to be one of the biggest tournaments for SNK games  in the world. The big feature this tourney is MOTW as the French have flown out three of the top Japanese MOTW players; Kento, Wata and tsubo. Can the French defend their home turf and fend off the Japanese invasion?

Watch live video from swga_maho on www.twitch.tv

Be sure to check out the Xbox Live deals of the week this week for a nice chunk of SNK titles all 1/2 off. The games include: KOF 98UM (400MSP), KOF 2k2UM (400MSP), KOF Sky Stage (400MSP), Metal Slug 3 (400MSP), Metal Slug XX (600MSP), and Trouble Witches Neo (400MSP). $5 for most of these games is a steal. Be sure to buy some of these before the prices shoot back up.

If you’re headed to NCR 2012 this weekend, March 24-25, 2012, stop by Arcadeshock’s booth to check out some of goodies they will be offering.   Here are a number of products that will be there and combo deals that will be offered:

•  Qanba Q4 SE Sticks on sale!
• Qanba Bags on sale!
• Sanwa Pushbuttons on sale! SOLID, Clear and Half Clear Buttons
• Sanwa Balltops and 8-Way Gates on sale!
• Seimitsu Clear Pushbuttons on sale!
• Seimitsu Bubbletop Clears on sale!
• Hori Joysticks on sale!  Ultimate MvC3
• Posters (Vice Mature, KOF assortment of KOF Posters)
• Arcadeshock Heavy Duty T-Shirts

Here are the sick combo packages that will be offered:

1st 50 customers who purchase ANYTHING over $20.00, will receive a free KOF XIII poster 27 x 39″.  Heavy weight matte print and is the official SNK/Taito Arcade poster, not the console “censored” version.

Buy any stick (even on sale) and at least 6 pushbuttons (any combination), we will MOD them for you at NO charge.  (First come first served based on time restrictions – basically as long as our “MOD MONKEY” is available and not running the KOF XIII event).

Buy any stick and receive free 2 button plugs (any color) and dust and shaft cover FREE.

BIG BONUS:  1st TEN orders over $200.00 in addition to freebies above, will also get free SNK KOF 15th Anniversary CD Soundtrack.

Addition to the above, get free KOF XIII Poster for the purchase as well as a KOF 2000 poster.

These are just a few samples of what we’re offering so swing by as there will be some sort of freebie with EVERY purchase over $10.00.  Yes, just $10.

vVv Romance (left) with EG Justin Wong (right) at Evo 2011

Romance joins vVv Gaming weeks after leaving his former sponsor. Romance will be representing vVv gaming at MLG this weekend to compete for the a piece of the $16,000 prize. We here at snk-capcom are very happy for Romance and wish him the best in the future. Romance is considered one of the ‘Big Four’ of KOF XIII, and has taken 2nd place at Evo 2011 and FInal Round XV.

Source: vVv Gaming