SNK takes another step back to its glory days

One of the greatest names in 90s coming is coming back, with SNK Playmore announcing its changing its name to SNK Corporation from December 1st.

It's part of a concerted effort for the Osaka-based company to return to its roots, with the company readopting its original logo and slogan 'The Future is Now' back in April this year.

"Through the huge success of many of its game franchises in the past, SNK is still a brand supported by countless fans from around the world to this day," the company said in an official release. "The new corporation name chosen for this turning point, signifies both a return to the origins of SNK, and revival of our pioneer spirit to always offer long-time fans of SNK, as well as newcomers, entertainment of an even higher quality moving forward."

Why should you care? For a long period in the 90s, SNK was synonymous with a luxurious brand of gaming thanks to the Neo Geo system and the handsome games it hosted, with series like Fatal Fury and Metal Slug earning followings they've held onto since. SNK went bankrupt in 2001, with Playmore then acquiring all the IP before it was rebranded SNK Playmore in 2003 and shifting its focus towards slot machines.

In the past year the focus has been put firmly back onto more traditional games, with high profile re-releases of classics such as The Last Blade, The Last Blade 2 and Shock Troopers 2nd Squad as well as the all-new King of Fighters 14?

Where next for SNK? It's certainly not short of iconic series to resurrect, and after the phenomenal success of the tower defence spin on the series I'd dearly, dearly love to see it turn its attention to a side-scrolling Metal Slug once again.