The highly anticipated revival of SNK’s iconic fighting game series, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, has stumbled out of the gate in its home market. Despite being positioned as a potential hit with features like rollback netcode and guest characters such as Cristiano Ronaldo, the game has failed to resonate with Japanese players. Released on multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store, sales figures indicate an underwhelming reception. According to Famitsu, the game managed to sell only 7,666 physical copies in its first week and a mere 1,235 in its second week. The digital version on Steam also shows declining interest, with peak player counts dropping significantly since launch day.
Despite its promising setup, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has not captured the imagination of gamers in Japan. Launched in late April 2025, the game aimed to rekindle interest in the classic fighting franchise by incorporating modern gameplay mechanics alongside nostalgic elements. However, initial sales data paints a grim picture. In its debut week, just over 7,600 physical copies were sold across PS4 and PS5 versions. By the end of its second week, total sales barely crossed the 9,000 mark. This lackluster performance contrasts sharply with expectations given the inclusion of popular guest fighters and retro-style gameplay enhancements.
One contributing factor could be the competitive landscape within the gaming industry. With Capcom dominating the fighting game genre, it may have been challenging for SNK to carve out a distinct niche. Additionally, despite high-profile additions like Ronaldo and familiar faces from past iterations, these features might not have been enough to draw in new or returning fans. The absence of robust marketing campaigns tailored specifically to the Japanese audience might also explain why local enthusiasm was lacking.
As time progresses, analysts will monitor whether international markets, particularly Latin America where SNK enjoys considerable popularity, offer better results. Furthermore, upcoming DLC releases featuring iconic Street Fighter characters Ken and Chun-Li could potentially boost sales if they spark renewed interest among Japanese consumers. For now though, SNK finds itself grappling with questions about what went wrong domestically while hoping other regions provide brighter prospects.
In light of these developments, the future trajectory of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves remains uncertain. While early indicators point towards tepid responses both locally and digitally, there is still hope that broader geographical appeal combined with strategic updates might turn things around. Only continued observation can reveal whether this latest entry into SNK's storied catalog will ultimately find success beyond its disappointing start in Japan.