KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax hits stores

Time to throw down the gloves and tape up those knuckles. SNK Playmore USA today announced that King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Maniax has shipped for the Xbox. The game was previously released on the PlayStation 2 in October as KOF: Maximum Impact. This is the first KOF title for Microsoft's black box. A PSP version is also in the works, but no details are currently available.

Exclusive to the Xbox version of the game (besides the postscript of "Maniax") is Xbox Live support, which takes the 3D slapfest online. Gamers can compete against each other one-on-one and continue the beatdowns with an instant rematch option, or they can compete in global 128-participant tournaments. Also exclusive to the Xbox edition is a "stop action" camera--a feature that lets gamers snap shutters instead of necks by taking pics of their fighters in action.

SNK will also be releasing two other King of Fighters games for the Xbox later this year. The King of Fighters 2002 & 2003, a compilation of two KOF games, will be released on August 15. The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout, which is also scheduled for release on the PS2, is a remake of King of Fighters '94 and will fight onto store shelves in November.

King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Maniax is rated T for Teen and retails for $39.99. For more info, head over to GameSpot's previous coverage.