On September 27, during the Tokyo Game Show, SNK, the renowned fighting game developer, made an unexpected appearance on Capcom’s stage to announce the Neo Geo Premium Selection. This initiative aims to breathe new life into classic Neo Geo games by incorporating modern features such as training modes and rollback netcode for seamless online play. The first title in this series, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers, was shadowdropped at the event. Now, at Evo France, Europe’s newest fighting game tournament, SNK has revealed the second game in the series: Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle, which is now available on Steam.
Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle originally debuted in 1996 during the arcade scene’s fighting game boom. It serves as the sequel to 1995’s Savage Reign and is set in South Town, the same gritty locale as the Fatal Fury series, albeit in a darker future. Unlike other SNK-developed weapon-based fighters like Last Blade and Samurai Shodown, Kizuna Encounter stands out as a tag-team fighter with a unique twist on the genre.
Understanding Kizuna Encounter’s Unique Gameplay
In Kizuna Encounter, players select a team of two characters from a 10-character roster to face off against either a CPU or a human opponent. The game’s distinctive feature is its tagging mechanism. Players can switch characters only when positioned within a specific tag zone—red for player one and blue for player two. This adds a strategic layer to the gameplay, as keeping an opponent out of their tag zone can be crucial to securing a victory.
Furthermore, the game introduces sidestep and dash maneuvers, allowing players to evade incoming attacks strategically. These techniques can help players reach their tag zone and avoid potentially devastating blows. Additionally, Kizuna Encounter supports four-player matches, where each participant controls an on-screen fighter, adding an element of chaos to the gameplay. Players can even engage with boss characters Jyazu and King Leo, albeit in solo mode.
What’s New in the Neo Geo Premium Selection Update?
The latest entry in the Neo Geo Premium Selection, Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle, comes with several modern fighting game features:
- Rollback netcode for smooth online play
- 9-player multiplayer lobbies
- Tournament and spectator modes
- A new practice mode with speed selectors and a hitbox viewer
- A jukebox feature for enjoying the game’s soundtrack
- Achievements to enhance the gaming experience
These updates aim to make the game more accessible and engaging for both new players and seasoned veterans of the franchise.
The Significance of Kizuna Encounter’s Release
Recently, SNK has become adept at surprise releases, having previously launched SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ Ken Masters DLC, and Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 shortly after promoting them at various events. The release of Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle is particularly significant for fans, as the game has not been available for purchase since its Japan-exclusive PlayStation 4 port in 2016.
“Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle is available now on Steam for $19.99. There’s no word on a future console release.”
This move by SNK highlights the company’s commitment to reviving its classic titles with modern enhancements, catering to both nostalgic fans and a new generation of gamers.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Neo Geo Premium Selection
The announcement of Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle at Evo France marks a significant step in SNK’s strategy to revitalize its classic library. The company’s focus on integrating modern features into these games suggests a promising future for the Neo Geo Premium Selection series. As SNK continues to unveil more titles, fans are eager to see which beloved classics will be next to receive the premium treatment.
For now, players can enjoy the enhanced experience of Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle on Steam, with the potential for more surprises from SNK in the near future.
