SNK 40th Anniversary: Talking to the SNK Creators That Made History

Famitsu Translations

For the final part of this feature, we're bringing you an interview with four of the creators that worked on some of the best known Neo Geo titles. It's loaded with stories of hardships, secrets that can only now be discussed, and plenty of 100 Mega Shock! Naoto Abe (Designer): Mahjong Kyo Retsuden, Burning Fight, Savage Reign Kazuhiro Tanaka (Designer): Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug 3 Nobuyuki Kuroki (Designer): Fatal Fury series, Art of Fighting series Hideki Asanaka (Sound): Real Bout Fatal Fury, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers, KOF series

Anything But Metal Slug!

The Neo Geo Mini is finally on sale. So I'd like for all of you to talk about your memories of working on these well known Neo Geo titles as much as you'd like. (Asanaka) I think you're the one who started there the earliest, Abe? (Abe) I guess so. When I look back on it, the development environment there was really bad. (Kuroki) Everyone "burned", right? (Asanaka) I burned. What does that mean? Continue Reading

Neo Geo And Me File 2: Kenichiro Takaki

Famitsu Translations

(The following is a translation from the 08/09/2018 issue of Famitsu magazine) Executive Officer at Marvelous, President of Honey Parade Games. He develops games across many different genres for Marvelous, such as the Senran Kagura and Half-Minute Hero series.

A Genuine Neo Geo Fan Made Arcades His Home

So Mr. Takaki, I hear that you're the biggest Neo Geo fans in the game industry? (Takaki) I don't know if I'm the biggest or not, but I love the Neo Geo and I collect both the home cartridges and arcade boards. I have about 50 titles at home. Several years ago I was able to fix up my new house with a long held desire of mine: An arcade cabinet at the entrance! That's amazing! (Takaki) It's been my dream to have an arcade cabinet in my house ever since I was a kid going to arcades. Up until now I'd been renting places and didn't have enough space to have one, but I was finally able to make it a reality. Though I'd like to get a change machine now too (Laughs) Continue Reading

Neo Geo And Me File 1: Mitsuhiro Ichiki

Famitsu Translations

(The following is a translation from the 08/09/2018 issue of Famitsu magazine) Known by his nickname, "The Anti-Air Voice Actor", he's a voice actor that loves fighting games. He's best known for his performances as Shichigen Higurashi (from Basilisk Ouka Ninpou Chou), Yasusada Yamatonokami (from Touken Ranbu), etc.

Mitsuhiro Ichiki, The Anti-Air Voice Actor, talks about his love for KOF!

You're well known for loving fighting games, but would you tell us about your first encounter with a Neo Geo machine? (Ichiki) My older brother loved fighting games, so I'd watch him play them. I decided that they looked like fun, and I think the first time I played one was my first encounter with arcade games. The first SNK fighting game that I ever played was KOF '94. Continue Reading

FACE – Rica Matsumoto Interview (Friday the 13th)

(The following is a translation from the 07/26/2018 issue of Famitsu magazine of a recurring feature called "FACE", in which various personalities are interviewed for involvement in games)

Profile for Rica Matsumoto (Voice Actress)

As the voice of Satoshi and performer of various theme songs for the Pokemon anime in Japan, Rica Matsumoto has contributed a lot to the series as both a voice actress and singer. She also is a radio personality and variety show commentator, with a natural cheerfulness and casual conversation style. Her father is also the head of a public theatre group, so she's been heavily involved in theatre as a stage actress since she was young. The survival action game "Friday the 13th the Game" will be released in Japan from Natsume Atari on 08/02/2018. The dubbing for the long awaited Japanese version has had a lot of effort put into it, as it features popular voice actress Rica Matsumoto voicing Pamela (Jason's mother) and Tommy Jarvis. We spoke to Rica Matsumoto herself about her feelings about these roles, as well as the process of recording for them. Continue Reading

Our Nostalgic Games: King of Fighters 2000

Famitsu Translations

(The following is a translation from the 07/26/2018 issue of Famitsu magazine, from a regular column called "ore tachi no natsu gee ~Retro Gamer zadankai~", or "Our Nostalgic Games ~Retro Gamer Round-table~")

Our Nostalgic Games ~Retro Gamer Round-table~ #191

Editors passionately discussing games playable on modern hardware that are just as good as they've ever been!

Arcade Archives Neo Geo (PS4) - The King of Fighters 2000

The 7th installment in the King of Fighters series. It allows for more fierce battles than before, with the introduction of Active Striker characters that can be called into battle at any time. Original Release Year: 2000 Hardware: Arcade Date of Digital Release: 06/21/2018 Maker: Hamster Continue Reading