#King of Fighters XV Gets February 2022 Release Date, Trailer

SNK has dropped a trailer and revealed a February 17, 2022 release date for the upcoming King of Fighters XV. The fighting game was meant to release this year but was pushed back to Q1 2022 in June due to COVID-19-related reasons.

The trailer goes through a bunch of features for King of Fighters XV, including its 39-character roster that features characters from all of the long-running series’ sagas. The roster of “series defining characters,” resurrected fan favorites, and story-relevant “key characters” will be supplemented later by two three-character “DLC teams.” 

Other details covered by the trailer include the return of the 3-on-3 team battle system, the Story mode, and gameplay mechanics like MAX Mode, MAX Mode (Quick), RUSH, and the new SHATTER STRIKE for defending against and countering enemy attacks. Its online modes will make use of rollback netcode.

The game will also have DJ Station, which features over 300 songs, and Gallery mode, which offers character artwork and sound clips. Gallery mode will also feature a special animated short from veteran animator and director Masami Obari. Among Obari’s many past works are the Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf and Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle specials, on which he served as character designer and chief animation director. Obari took on the same roles for Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture, which he also directed.

King of Fighters XV is currently up for pre-order with Standard and Deluxe Editions and will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Windows 10, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Buying the game early will provide players with early access and the “GAROU: MotW TERRY” costume. 

As for other bonuses, the digital version of the game will feature the “CLASSIC LEONA” costume, while the digital Deluxe Edition for consoles will offer three-days early access as an exclusive pre-order bonus. The PS4 digital Deluxe Edition also offers “THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV ORIGINAL THEME” with pre-orders.