SVC Chaos: A Surprise Revival on PC, Switch, and PS4
SNK's surprise announcement at EVO 2024 sent shockwaves through the fighting game community: SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos is back! Now available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4, this classic crossover fighter returns with modern enhancements. Xbox players, unfortunately, are left out of this revival.
Modernized Mayhem
Boasting a robust roster of 36 characters from both SNK and Capcom universes, SVC Chaos offers a nostalgic yet updated experience. Fight as iconic heroes like Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui (Fatal Fury), the Mars People (Metal Slug), Tessa (Red Earth), and Capcom stalwarts Ryu and Ken (Street Fighter), among many others.
The Steam page highlights key improvements: rollback netcode for smooth online battles, tournament modes (single, double elimination, and round-robin), a hitbox viewer for advanced players, and a gallery showcasing 89 pieces of artwork.
A Legacy Restored
SVC Chaos's return is monumental, considering its 2003 debut and SNK's subsequent challenges. The company's bankruptcy and acquisition by Aruze, coupled with difficulties transitioning from arcades to home consoles, delayed any re-release for over two decades. Despite this, the game's unique gameplay and character roster maintained a dedicated fanbase, making this re-release a testament to its enduring appeal.
The Future of Capcom Crossovers
In a recent interview with Dexerto, Street Fighter 6 producer Shuhei Matsumoto hinted at Capcom's ambitions for future crossover titles. While a new Marvel vs. Capcom or a new Capcom/SNK collaboration is a possibility, Matsumoto stressed the significant development time required. The current focus, he explained, is reintroducing classic titles to a new generation of players on modern platforms. The successful re-release of past Marvel vs. Capcom titles, facilitated by renewed interest fueled by community tournaments like EVO, paves the way for exciting future possibilities.
The revival of SVC Chaos is more than just a re-release; it's a sign of renewed interest in classic crossover fighters and a promising glimpse into the future of collaborative fighting game projects.
