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|type          = Public
|type          = Public
|founded      = 1978
|founded      = 1978
|headquarters  = {{flag|Japan}} Suita, Osaka, Japan
|headquarters  = {{flag|Japan}} Suita, Osaka, Japan (1978–2023)<br>{{flag|Japan}} Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan (2023–present)
|key_people    = Eikichi Kawasaki
|key_people    = Eikichi Kawasaki
|industry      = Video Games
|industry      = Video Games
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|interwikipage = SNK
|interwikipage = SNK
}}
}}
'''SNK''' ('''S'''hin '''N'''ihon '''K'''ikaku, lit. "New Japan Project") is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. Founded in 1973 by Eikichi Kawasaki as Shin Nihon Kikaku Corporation in the computer electronics industry, shifting fully into coin-op video games in the late 1970's. Initially having modest success, the company officially rebranded to SNK Corporation in 1986 and released a string of successful arcade games such as {{uvm3|Alpha Mission}}, {{uvm3|Ikari Warriors}}, {{uvm3|Athena}} and {{uvm3|Psycho Soldier}}, with all having successful home console ports. This inspired SNK to start the Neo-Geo family of arcade and console hardware in 1990. The hardware would be the home of many classic franchises, like {{uv|Fatal Fury}}, {{uvm3|Art of Fighting}}, {{uvm3|The King of Fighters}}, {{uvm3|Samurai Shodown}} and {{uvm3|Metal Slug}}. However, revenue would slowly dry up throughout the 1990's and SNK would fall onto hard times, with multiple key staff members, including Kawasaki, departing to start their own companies. SNK would end up declaring bankruptcy on October 30th, 2001.<ref>https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/bursts/0111/02/snk.html</ref> Established as '''Playmore Corporation''' on August 1st, 2001.<ref>https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/profile/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160408173845/http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/press/2013/20131108.php</ref> It was originally an affiliate of the former SNK. Initially, it was a legal company specializing in copyright management services, and it would be incorrect to refer to the former SNK as its predecessor company. On October 30, of the same year, the company won the company's intellectual property rights in a bid made during the bankruptcy of the former SNK. In July 2003, with the permission of Eikichi Kawasaki, the founder of the former SNK company, the company changed its name to '''SNK Playmore Corporation'''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20030804033817/http://www.snkplaymore.jp/information/en_press12.html</ref> The company would once again achieve modest success through the 2000's and into the 2010's, but nowhere near their peak. In 2016, Hong Kong based investment firm {{s|wikipedia|Leyou}} Technologies Holdings acquired a majority stake. SNK also dropped the Playmore brand at this time. Under this new ownership, there has been a push to restore the brand name by releasing more games and making established franchises known to a new generation. In November 2020, the {{s|wikipedia|MiSK Foundation}}, a non-profit organization owned by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia,  {{s|wikipedia|Mohammed Bin Salman}}, acquired a 33.3% share of SNK through its subsidiary, Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), with the intention to acquire a further 17.7% share at a later time as to gain controlling interest in the company.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20210109224846/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/374424/</ref> In April 2021, three board members dispatched from Saudi Arabia were appointed. EGDC announced its intention to acquire 51% through additional purchases.<ref>https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/ir/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ir-news_20210407_jp.pdf</ref> In February 2022, EGDC's ownership share was increased to 96.18%.<ref>https://snk-corp.co.jp/kr/ir/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Results_of_Tender_Offer_Korea_220210_English-2.pdf</ref><ref>https://misk.org.sa/en/the-mohammed-bin-salman-foundation-misk-announces-completion-of-strategic-investment-in-japanese-gaming-company-snk-en/</ref><ref>https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/5/23011757/snk-corporation-mohammed-bin-salman-misk-foundation</ref> Alongside producing the Neo-Geo line of arcade systems and consoles, as well as several franchises, SNK has collaborated with multiple companies on various projects, such as antagonist Geese Howard in [[Bandai Namco]]'s ''{{s|wikipedia|Tekken 7}}'' and their dedicated crossover series with [[Capcom]], ''{{s|wikipedia|Capcom vs. SNK}}''.
'''SNK''' ('''S'''hin '''N'''ihon '''K'''ikaku, lit. "New Japan Project") is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. Founded in 1973 by Eikichi Kawasaki as Shin Nihon Kikaku Corporation in the computer electronics industry, shifting fully into coin-op video games in the late 1970's. Initially having modest success, the company officially rebranded to SNK Corporation in 1986 and released a string of successful arcade games such as {{uvm3|Alpha Mission}}, {{uvm3|Ikari Warriors}}, {{uvm3|Athena}} and {{uvm3|Psycho Soldier}}, with all having successful home console ports. This inspired SNK to start the Neo-Geo family of arcade and console hardware in 1990. The hardware would be the home of many classic franchises, like {{uv|Fatal Fury}}, {{uvm3|Art of Fighting}}, {{uvm3|The King of Fighters}}, {{uvm3|Samurai Shodown}} and {{uvm3|Metal Slug}}. However, revenue would slowly dry up throughout the 1990's and SNK would fall onto hard times, with multiple key staff members, including Kawasaki, departing to start their own companies. SNK would end up declaring bankruptcy on October 30th, 2001 and placed the intellectual property rights for its franchises up for auction.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020602104927/http://www.personal.triticom.com/~erm/www.neogeo.co.jp/bye_index.html</ref><ref>https://neogeo.freeplaytech.com/bye_index.html</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20011119190840/http://www.zdnet.co.jp/gamespot/gsnews/0111/02/news12.html</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20011224050613/http://www.gpara.com/news/01/11/news200111020001_et.htm</ref><ref>https://www.angelfire.com/ga/engallo/copy_of_evil.html</ref> Properties were auctioned off and floated between developers until Kawasaki's new company, ''Playmore Corporation'' would buy all up all SNK properties in 2003 to form SNK Playmore. The company would once again achieve modest success through the 2000's and into the 2010's, but nowhere near their peak. In 2016, Hong Kong based investment firm {{iw|wikipedia|Leyou}} Technologies Holdings acquired a majority stake. SNK also dropped the Playmore brand at this time. Under this new ownership, there has been a push to restore the brand name by releasing more games and making established franchises known to a new generation. In November, 2020, the {{iw|wikipedia|Mohammed Bin Salman}} Foundation (MiSK) acquired a 33.3% stake in the company, which was upgraded to a 96.18% stake on April 7, 2022. On March 20th, 2023, SNK relocated its main headquarters to Yodogawa-ku, Osaka.<ref>https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/press/2023/030102/</ref> Alongside producing the Neo-Geo line of arcade systems and consoles, as well as several franchises, SNK has collaborated with multiple companies on various projects, such as antagonist Geese Howard in [[Bandai Namco]]'s ''{{iw|wikipedia|Tekken 7}}'' and their dedicated crossover series with [[Capcom]], ''{{iw|wikipedia|Capcom vs. SNK}}''.


==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''==
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''==

Latest revision as of 12:55, March 17, 2024

SNK Corporation
SNK logo.svg
Type Public
Founded 1978
Headquarters Japan Suita, Osaka, Japan (1978–2023)
Japan Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Japan (2023–present)
Key people Eikichi Kawasaki
Industry Video Games
Products Video game hardware and software
Website SNK Corporation
Article on Wikipedia SNK

SNK (Shin Nihon Kikaku, lit. "New Japan Project") is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. Founded in 1973 by Eikichi Kawasaki as Shin Nihon Kikaku Corporation in the computer electronics industry, shifting fully into coin-op video games in the late 1970's. Initially having modest success, the company officially rebranded to SNK Corporation in 1986 and released a string of successful arcade games such as Alpha Mission, Ikari Warriors, Athena and Psycho Soldier, with all having successful home console ports. This inspired SNK to start the Neo-Geo family of arcade and console hardware in 1990. The hardware would be the home of many classic franchises, like Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, The King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown and Metal Slug. However, revenue would slowly dry up throughout the 1990's and SNK would fall onto hard times, with multiple key staff members, including Kawasaki, departing to start their own companies. SNK would end up declaring bankruptcy on October 30th, 2001 and placed the intellectual property rights for its franchises up for auction.[1][2][3][4][5] Properties were auctioned off and floated between developers until Kawasaki's new company, Playmore Corporation would buy all up all SNK properties in 2003 to form SNK Playmore. The company would once again achieve modest success through the 2000's and into the 2010's, but nowhere near their peak. In 2016, Hong Kong based investment firm Leyou Technologies Holdings acquired a majority stake. SNK also dropped the Playmore brand at this time. Under this new ownership, there has been a push to restore the brand name by releasing more games and making established franchises known to a new generation. In November, 2020, the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (MiSK) acquired a 33.3% stake in the company, which was upgraded to a 96.18% stake on April 7, 2022. On March 20th, 2023, SNK relocated its main headquarters to Yodogawa-ku, Osaka.[6] Alongside producing the Neo-Geo line of arcade systems and consoles, as well as several franchises, SNK has collaborated with multiple companies on various projects, such as antagonist Geese Howard in Bandai Namco's Tekken 7 and their dedicated crossover series with Capcom, Capcom vs. SNK.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[edit]

Terry Bogard, the main protagonist of Fatal Fury and regular combatant in The King of Fighters, was confirmed on September 4, 2019 to be the fourth DLC character in the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He was released on November 6, 2019, along with his stage King of Fighters Stadium and 50 music tracks not just from Fatal Fury, but also from the The King of Fighters, Alpha Mission, Ikari Warriors, Athena, Psycho Soldier, Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown, and Metal Slug series. Alongside spirits from Fatal Fury, spirits from Art of Fighting, The King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Psycho Solider, and Ikari Warriors also appear. Finally, Mii Costumes of SNK characters show up as DLC, with Ryo Sakazaki from Art of Fighting and Iori Yagami from The King of Fighters as costumes for the Mii Brawler, and Nakoruru from Samurai Shodown as an outfit for the Mii Swordfighter.

Trivia[edit]

  • SNK is the third company represented in the Smash Bros. series to have competed against Nintendo in the console market, after Sega and Microsoft. As with the former, however, it stopped producing its own consoles before providing content for Smash Bros.
    • Unlike the former two, one of their consoles is mentioned in-game, as the NEO GEO logo appears on one of Terry's hats.
  • SNK is the third third-party company to be introduced to the Super Smash Bros. series as DLC, the first two being Square Enix and Microsoft.
  • SNK's The King of Fighters series actually played a part in the creation of the Super Smash Bros. series, as Masahiro Sakurai got the idea to create a newcomer-friendly fighting game after effortlessly winning against a young couple in The King of Fighters '95.
    • Fittingly, the King of Fighters series was the first to introduce a short-hopping mechanic to a traditional fighting game, and may have inspired the use of short hops with aerial attacks in the Super Smash Bros. series, along with other mechanics like the run (likewise borrowed from SNK's Samurai Shodown), spot dodge, and roll.
    • Additionally, the concept of characters from multiple SNK games colliding in The King of Fighters also directly inspired Masahiro Sakurai for the premise of Super Smash Bros.[7]
  • SNK is currently tied with Disney for the least amount of playable characters in Smash out of all third-party companies with a playable character, with only one: Square Enix, Sega, Konami, and Capcom have three each while Bandai Namco and Microsoft have two each.

References[edit]


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