The world of fighting games was forever changed in 1991 when SNK introduced the Fatal Fury series during the arcade boom that swept the globe. This series quickly captured the hearts of fans, resulting in numerous releases throughout the ‘90s. While those beloved classics have been re-released on modern consoles, fans have eagerly awaited a fresh entry to the series since 1999.
The wait is finally over. In 2025, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will breathe new life into this iconic series, marking the end of a 26-year hiatus. Players can expect the triumphant return of beloved characters like Terry Bogard and his apprentice Rock Howard. Fan-favorites such as Mai Shiranui and Billy Kane will also make an appearance, complete with stunning updated designs.
In City of the Wolves, the story continues from Garou: Mark of the Wolves and reintroduces the popular T.O.P. system, now revamped as the S.P.G. system. This allows players to select a section of their health bar—be it the beginning, middle, or end—and triggers the S.P.G. when health reaches that designated range.
Once activated, the S.P.G. grants benefits such as health regeneration, increased attack power, a faster-filling power gauge, a slower-filling REV Meter, and the ability to unleash REV Blows. These moves are a highlight of the new REV System, blending offensive strikes with defensive resilience, giving players the tactical edge to deliver formidable blows while parrying enemy attacks.
Players can chain these moves following REV Arts, a technique that can be used post-special moves to enhance their power. Additionally, the REV Guard is a distinctive block maneuver that pushes foes further away and negates chip damage from special moves.
The action-packed REV System is powered by the REV Meter, located at the bottom left of the screen. Once full, players enter an overheated state, which temporarily disables REV actions and weakens the guard gauge. If the gauge depletes completely, players’ defenses are shattered, prolonging recovery time after being hit.
Managing the REV Meter becomes crucial; it gradually decreases over time and is influenced by movement towards an opponent, landing attacks, and successful use of Just Defense or Hyper Defense. Just Defense occurs with perfectly timed blocks, while Hyper Defense requires a precise forward input during multi-hit assaults.
Strategically adapting to the REV System is essential, as you can’t simply dominate by spamming powerful moves. Keeping an eye on the REV Meter and balancing offense with well-managed defensions will prevent overheating and ensure success in battles.
For the first time in the series, players have a choice between two control schemes: Arcade Style and Smart Style, catering to both series veterans and newcomers alike. This flexibility offers diverse ways to execute each move, enhancing the gaming experience for all.
If Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has piqued your interest, it’s available now for pre-order and wishlist, ahead of its official release on April 24, 2025, for PC, PS4/5, and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-order perks include Terry’s classic outfit from Fatal Fury 2 and early access to the game on April 21, a full three days ahead of the official launch.
Priced at $59.99, the base game also comes with Season Pass 1 and five DLC characters. Excitingly, two of these characters are Ken and Chun-Li from Street Fighter, marking a groundbreaking crossover as the first non-SNK characters to grace a Fatal Fury game, continuing the franchises’ recent collaboration that began with Terry and Mai appearing in Street Fighter 6.
To pre-order, visit the official website and select your preferred platform. For those wanting to engage with the community, SNK invites players to join them on Twitter and Discord.
