King of Fighters returns to 3D arena

TOKYO--SNK Playmore has revealed its plans for next month's Tokyo Game Show, and they include the debut of King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2 on the PlayStation 2. However, fighting fans eager to get their hands on a sequel to the team-based brawling series' first foray into 3D fighters will have to wait a while, as Maximum Impact 2 will be shown on video only. Last month, Maximum Impact 2 was among a slew of new games announced for the Xbox 360 at Microsoft's Xbox Summit 2005. Neither version of Maximum Impact 2 has been announced for a North American release as of yet.

SNK Playmore will also use the show to announce details regarding a "short animation" based on the King of Fighters series, produced by anime studio Production I.G., the studio responsible for Ghost in the Shell, Blood: The Last Vampire, and the animated sequence in Kill Bill, Vol. 1. Core members working on the King of Fighters anime previously worked on the Ghost in a Shell: Stand Alone Complex series.

The Tokyo Game Show will take place at the Makuhari Convention Center in Chiba prefecture September 16-18. The first day is open to industry affiliates only, but day two and three will be open to the public. Tickets are available for advance sale for 1,000 yen ($9), and can also be purchased at the show for 1,200 yen ($11).

Following is the full list of playable games to be shown by SNK Playmore at the Tokyo Game Show.

PlayStation 2
Garou: Mark of the Wolves
The Last Blade 1 & 2
The King of Fighters Orochi Chapter
The King of Fighters Neowave
Twinkle Star Sprites: La Petite Princesse

Xbox
King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Maniax
The King of Fighters 2003
Metal Slug 5