After SNK Playmore’s most welcome announcements of Metal Slug 3D and King Of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2, the arcade-flavoured industry veterans have confirmed more classics, to the delights of the 2D hardcore. Raising the value stakes up from the earlier King Of Fighters double-packs, spring 2005 will see King Of Fighters triple packs reinforcing the history of the series in a wallet-friendly fashion.

The first KOF title is getting a full stand-alone anniversary re-release (KOF ’94 Re-bout), but the other games will be crammed onto just two discs. The first includes ’95, ’96 and ’97 and the second includes ’98, ’99, and 2000. For those interested in exploring the roots of one of the greatest beat ‘em up franchises ever, these collections ought to provide the ideal opportunity. And because they are all online, even owners of the NeoGeo originals might consider a purchase or two.

If appetites don’t stretch to wanting each and every of the 9 separate King Of Fighters renditions hitting the shelves over the next year, there are 3 more SNK fighting classics readying for release at the same time. Garou: Mark Of The Wolves (the much acclaimed extension to the Fatal Fury franchise) will also be re-released as a stand-alone; and the fantastic Last Blade 1 & 2 will venture forth in a double pack.

It doesn’t get much richer in fight-calories than that. So, to balance out this punch-rich SNK diet, Twinkle Star Sprites is also making a comeback. As one of the only 2 player split-screen 2D shooters ever made, this is another very welcome addition to SNK Playmore’s burgeoning PS2 catalogue.

SPOnG is rather keen on each and every one of these titles, having enjoyed their previous incarnations on Japanese Dreamcasts. Although there has been no news on releases outside of Japan, PAL regions are definitely included in SNK’s (and European publisher Ignition’s) wider strategy, so hopefully a confirmation will be forthcoming. We’ll keep our muscular, arcade-stick tuned fingers crossed until then.