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{{Short description|Japanese video game company}}
{{About|the video game company and its predecessor|<!-- This parameter is empty to avoid breaking the template. -->}}{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = SNK Corporation
| image_caption = Headquarters in Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, since 2023
| native_name = 株式会社SNK
| native_name_lang = ja
| romanized_name = [[Kabushiki gaisha]] SNK
| former_names = {{Unbulleted list|'''Original company'''|Shin Nihon Kikaku<br />(1978–1986)<ref name="1973 history"/>|SNK Corporation<br />(1986–2001)|'''Current company'''|Playmore Corporation<br />(2001–2003)|SNK Playmore Corporation<br />(2003–2016)}}
| logo = SNK logo.svg
| logo_caption = 
| image = Shin-Osaka 2nd NK Building.jpg
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| area_served = Worldwide
| traded_as = 
| founder = Eikichi Kawasaki
| defunct = {{nowrap|{{start date and age|2001|10|30}}}}<br />(original)
| key_people = 
| revenue = {{increase}} {{Currency|3.105 billion|JPY}} (2017)<ref name=14thfiscal>14th Fiscal Period Publication, "Official Gazette (官報)" (Extra Edition No. 250), 2015 November 5, Page 62.{{in lang|ja}}</ref>
| net_income = {{increase}} {{Currency|115 million|JPY}} (2015)<ref name=14thfiscal />
| parent = [[Misk Foundation|MiSK Foundation]] (96.18%)<ref name="koreandepositoryreceipts" />
| subsid = {{Unbulleted list|Shogun Studios|Neo Geo Comics|SNK Electronics}}
| divisions = {{Unbulleted list|Studio Alpha|Playmore Entertainment|SNK Animation Studio}}
| num_employees = {{increase}} 472 (as of April 1, 2025)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/company/ |title=(株)Snkの会社概要 &#124; マイナビ2025 }}</ref>
| foundation = {{start date and age|1978|7|22}} (as Shin Nihon Kikaku Corporation)<br />{{start date and age|2001|8|1}} (as Playmore Corporation)
| location = [[Suita, Osaka]], Japan (1978–2023)<br />[[Yodogawa-ku, Osaka]], Japan (2023–present)
| homepage = {{URL|www.snk-corp.co.jp}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''SNK Corporation'''|株式会社SNK|[[Kabushiki gaisha]] SNK|lead=yes}}<ref name="dec1name">{{cite web|title=Announcement regarding SNK Corporation's name change.|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2016/120101/|website=SNK|date=December 2016 |access-date=1 December 2016}}</ref> is a Japanese [[video game]] company.<ref name="エス • エヌ • ケイ">{{cite web|url=http://www.neogeo.co.jp/ |title=Original SNK Corporation (Shin Nihon Kikaku)|language=ja|website=SNK Corporation |date=1997-01-04 |access-date=2023-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970104150618/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/ |archive-date=January 4, 1997 }}</ref><ref name="株式会社エス • エヌ • ケイ">{{cite web|url=http://www.personal.triticom.com/~erm/www.neogeo.co.jp/index_jp.html |title=旧SNK 公式サイト |language=ja |website=エス • エヌ • ケイ |date=2001-10-12 |access-date=2023-11-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602194522/http://www.personal.triticom.com/~erm/www.neogeo.co.jp/index_jp.html |archive-date=June 2, 2002 }}</ref><ref name="株式会社SNK">{{cite web|url=https://neogeo.freeplaytech.com/index_jp.html |title=Original site SNK. |language=ja |website=SNK |date=2001-10-12 |access-date=2023-11-30}}</ref><ref name="snkhomepage">{{cite web|url=https://www.neogeo.co.jp/english/en-oversea.html |title= SNK Homepage |language=en |website=SNK Corporation |date=2001-10-05 |access-date=2023-11-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011005165730/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/english/en-oversea.html |archive-date=October 5, 2001 }}</ref> It was founded in 1978 as {{nihongo|'''Shin Nihon Kikaku'''|新日本企画||{{lit|New Japan Project}}}} by Eikichi Kawasaki and began by developing [[arcade game]]s. SNK is known for its [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo]] arcade system on which the company established many franchises during the 1990s, including ''[[Art of Fighting]]'', ''[[Fatal Fury]]'', ''[[Metal Slug]]'', ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'', and ''[[The King of Fighters]]''; they continue to develop and publish new titles on contemporary arcade and home platforms. Since the 2000s, SNK has diversified from its traditional arcade focus into [[pachislot]] machines, mobile game development, and character licensing.

In 2001, due to financial troubles, the original SNK Corporation was forced to close. Anticipating the end of the company, founder Kawasaki established '''Playmore Corporation''', which acquired all of the intellectual property of the SNK Corporation. In 2003, Playmore Corporation was renamed to '''SNK Playmore Corporation'''. In 2016, SNK dropped "Playmore" from its name. It has been owned by the Saudi Arabian [[Misk Foundation|MiSK Foundation]] since 2022.

==History==
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==={{anchor|Beginnings}}Beginnings (1973–1981)===
[[File:SNK early logo.png|thumb|left|The "SNK: Shin Nihon Kikaku Corp." logo from 1982 to 1986 combined with the original 1978 "S" logo]]
[[File:SNK CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS.jpg|250px|thumb|A previous location for SNK headquarters in Esaka, Osaka]]

SNK was founded in 1973 as Shin Nihon Kikaku and reorganized on July 22, 1978 as a stock company (''[[kabushiki gaisha]]'') under the name "Shin Nihon Kikaku Corporation".<ref name="会社概要">{{cite web|url=http://www.neogeo.co.jp/introduction/company.html |title=旧企業情報 |date=2001-08-06 |access-date=2023-10-20 |language=ja |website=SNK Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010806151417/http://www.neogeo.co.jp/introduction/company.html |archive-date=August 6, 2001}}</ref><ref name="1973 history">{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/snk-history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202052935/https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/snk-history/|archive-date=2017-12-02|title=SNK History – 株式会社SNK|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> When Eikichi Kawasaki noticed rapid growth in the coin-operated video game market, he expanded Shin Nihon Kikaku to include the development and marketing of stand-alone [[Arcade game|coin-op]] games.

The company was nicknamed "Shin Nihon Kikaku" in katakana at first; however, since 1981, it has been changed to "'''SNK'''" by taking the initials from the Roman alphabet (Shin Nihon Kikaku). The English copyright notation was also "'''SNK CORPORATION'''". It established itself in [[Sunnyvale, California|Sunnyvale]], California, to deliver its own brand of coin-operated games to arcades in North America. SNK chose John Rowe to head its American operation.

The first two titles that SNK released were ''[[Ozma Wars]]'' (1979), a vertical space [[Fixed shooter|shooter]], and ''Safari Rally'' (1980), a maze game. Game quality improved over time, with SNK outsourcing development of the games ''[[Sasuke vs. Commander]]'' (1980) and ''[[Vanguard (video game)|Vanguard]]'' (1981) to then-inexperienced [[Tose (company)|Tose]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.tose.co.jp/en/company/history.html |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Tose Co., Ltd.}}</ref> SNK licensed various games to [[Centuri]] for distribution in North America, motivating it to start manufacturing and distributing games by itself when profits exceeded projections.<ref name="GameSpotHistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-history-of-snk/1100-6089278/ |title=The History of SNK |date=2004-02-14 |access-date=2014-10-03|website=GameSpot.com}}</ref> In part due to the success of ''Vanguard'', SNK began to gain fame and reputation. An American branch named '''SNK Electronics Corporation''' opened on October 20, 1981.<ref name="neogeospirit">{{cite web|url=http://www.neogeospirit.com/dossiers/snk/dossier_snk2.htm |title=Le premier succès |access-date=2019-01-15|website=Neo Geo Spirit}}</ref>

==={{anchor|1986–1999: SNK Corporation}}First Incarnation of SNK Corporation (1986–1999)===
In April 1986, the company name was changed to '''SNK Corporation''', adopting the [[initialism]] SNK as its trade name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/snk-history/history/index.html#sec1|title=1978-2024 ｜ 株式会社SNK|date=2024-04-04|access-date=2024-04-04|language=ja|website=SNK}}</ref><ref name="エス • エヌ • ケイ" /><ref name="株式会社エス • エヌ • ケイ" /><ref name="株式会社SNK" /><ref name="snkhomepage" /> This is because the [[Ministry of Justice (Japan)|Ministry of Justice]] at the time did not allow the registration of business names in [[alphabets]].{{efn|Game companies that followed the same path include [[ADK Corporation|ADK]] (formerly Alpha Denshi Corporation) and [[NMK (company)|NMK]] (formerly Nihon Maicon Kaihatsu), while companies in different industries include [[TDK]] (formerly Tokyo Denki Kagaku) and these include [[RKB Mainichi Broadcasting]] (former company name: RKB Mainichi Broadcasting), and [[KDDI]] (formerly known as International Telegraph and Telephone, currently known as KDDI).}} In November 1986, the American subsidiary '''SNK Corporation of America'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snkusa.com/ |title=Original site SNK Corporation of America.|website=snkusa.com |date=2023-07-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980418182545/http://snkusa.com/ |archive-date=April 18, 1998 }}</ref> was born in [[Sunnyvale, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snkusa.com/aboutus.html |title=About US at an archived version of the official SNK Corporation of America website|website=snkusa.com |date=2023-07-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991005104607/http://snkusa.com/aboutus.html |archive-date=October 5, 1999 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neogeospirit.com/dossiers/snk/dossier_snk4.htm |title=SNK devient un acteur majeur de l'arcade |access-date=2018-03-03|website=Neo-Geo Spirit}}</ref> In March 1988, SNK staff moved to a building in [[Suita]], [[Osaka]], Japan.<ref name="snkp">{{cite web|url=http://www.neo-geo.com/news/snkp-interview/Interview_with_SNKP.pdf |title=Photos of SNK's headquarters in Esaka (Suita, Ōsaka) |access-date=2017-02-12|website=Neo-Geo.com}}</ref>

At this point, the Japanese operations of SNK Corporation had shifted their focus solely toward developing and licensing video games for arcade use and later for early [[Video game console|consoles]]. Between 1979 and 1986, SNK produced 23 stand-alone arcade games. Highlights from this period include ''Mad Crasher'' (1984), ''[[Alpha Mission]]'' (1985), and ''[[Athena (video game)|Athena]]'' (1986), a game that gained a large following when it was ported to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1987. SNK's most successful game from this time was ''[[Ikari Warriors]]'', released in 1986. It was licensed and ported to the [[Atari 2600]], [[Atari 7800]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Apple II]], [[ZX Spectrum]], and NES. After ''Ikari Warriors'', SNK released two sequels: ''[[Victory Road (video game)|Victory Road]]'' (1986) and ''[[Ikari III: The Rescue]]'' (1989).<ref name=GameSpotHistory />

At the time, Japan was affected by the [[video game crash of 1983]]. The console manufacturer [[Nintendo]] remained in business throughout and after the crash. SNK became a third-party licensee for Nintendo's Famicom (known as the NES outside of Japan) system in 1985. It opened a second branch in the US, called SNK Home Entertainment, based in [[Torrance, California]]. The branch handled the North American distribution and marketing of the company's products for home consoles. John Rowe had already left the company to form [[Tradewest]], which went on to market the ''Ikari Warriors'' series in North America. Paul Jacobs took over Rowe's position over both halves of SNK America. He is known for having helped launch the company's Neo Geo system outside of Asia.<ref name=GameSpotHistory />

In response to strong sales of the company's NES ports, SNK began to dabble in the development of original software designed specifically for the NES console. Two games came out of this effort: ''[[Baseball Stars]]'' (1989) and ''[[Crystalis]]'' (1990; known as ''God Slayer'' in Japan). In 1989, two home video game consoles were released in North America: the [[Sega Genesis]], and [[NEC]] and [[Hudson Soft]]'s [[TurboGrafx-16]]. Nintendo followed suit with a new system in 1991, the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (Super NES, SNES). SNK as a whole did not become involved in the "system wars" of the early 1990s. Instead, it refocused its efforts on arcades. Other third parties, such as [[Romstar]] and [[Takara]], were left to license and port SNK's properties to the various home consoles of the time with help from SNK's American home entertainment division. With console ports mainly handled outside the company, it moved on to developing SNK-branded arcade equipment.<ref name=GameSpotHistory /> SNK also licensed [[Tiger Electronics]] to market [[handheld electronic game]]s from some of its brands.
[[File:Neo Geo logo.svg|thumb|Logo of [[Neo Geo]], which SNK released in 1990]]
In 1988, SNK created the idea of a modular cabinet for arcades. Up to that point, arcade cabinets typically contained only one game. When an arcade operator wanted to switch or replace that game, it would have to completely remove the internals of the existing cabinet or exchange the entire setup for another game. SNK's new system, called the [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo MVS]] (short for Multi Video System), developed by [[Fatal Fury]] and [[The King of Fighters]] director [[Takashi Nishiyama]], featured multiple games in a single cabinet and used a cartridge-based storage mechanism. The system debuted in 1990 and could contain one, two, four, or six separate games in a single cabinet. To swap in a new game, all the operator had to do was remove one cartridge and exchange it for another. The MVS was an immediate success. It greatly shortened the setup time needed for each game, minimized floor space for cabinets, and reduced costs for new cartridges to US$500—less than half of what a traditional arcade unit cost at the time.<ref name=GameSpotHistory />

SNK wanted to bring arcade games to people's homes without making [[Central processing unit|CPU]] and [[Computer data storage|memory]] performance compromises that typical home consoles were forced to make. In 1990, the Neo Geo family was created. The company released a home version of the MVS, a single cartridge unit called the [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System]] (Neo Geo AES). Initially, the AES was only available for rent or for use in hotel settings, but SNK quickly began selling the system through stores when customer response indicated that people were willing to spend money on home versions. Several franchises of games derived from it, including ''[[Sengoku (1991 video game)|Sengoku]]'', ''[[The King of Fighters]]'', ''[[The Last Blade]]'', ''[[Super Sidekicks]]'', ''[[Art of Fighting]]'', ''[[Metal Slug]]'', ''[[Burning Fight]]'', ''[[Savage Reign]]'', ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'', and ''[[Fatal Fury]]''. The ''King of Fighters'', ''Samurai Shodown'', and ''Metal Slug'' series were continued on later consoles. SNK also helped publish third-party Neo Geo games such as [[ADK (company)|ADK's]] ''[[World Heroes]]'' and ''[[Aggressors of Dark Kombat]]'', [[Visco Corporation|Visco]]'s ''[[Breakers (1996 video game)|Breakers]]'' and ''[[Ganryu (video game)|Ganryu]]'', Noise Factory's ''[[Rage of the Dragons]]'' and ''[[Sengoku 3]]'', [[Sunsoft]]'s ''[[Galaxy Fight: Universal Warriors]]'' and ''[[Waku Waku 7]]'', [[Sammy Corporation|Sammy]]'s ''[[Viewpoint (video game)|Viewpoint]]'', [[NMK (company)|NMK]]'s ''[[Zed Blade]]'', [[Psikyo]]'s ''[[Strikers 1945 Plus]]'', [[Compile (company)|Aiky]]/[[Taito]]'s ''[[Pochi and Nyaa]]'', [[Paon DP|Paon]]/Eleven/Gavaking's ''[[Nightmare in the Dark]]'', Face's ''[[Money Puzzle Exchanger]]'', [[Data East]]'s ''[[Spinmaster]]'' and ''[[Street Slam]]'', and [[Technōs Japan]]'s [[Double Dragon (Neo Geo)|''Double Dragon'']] and ''[[Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer]]''. During this time, SNK also released stand-alone arcade games, some of which were ported to home consoles, including ''[[Vanguard (video game)|Vanguard]]'', ''[[Alpha Mission]]'', ''[[Athena (video game)|Athena]]'', ''[[Ikari Warriors]]'', ''[[Psycho Soldier]]'', ''[[Touch Down Fever]]'', ''[[Time Soldiers]]'', ''[[P.O.W.: Prisoners of War]]'', ''[[Beast Busters]]'', and ''[[Street Smart (video game)|Street Smart]]''.<ref name=GameSpotHistory />

Compared to other consoles at the time, the Neo Geo AES had much better graphics and sound;<ref name=GameSpotHistory /> It debuted at $599 ({{inflation|US|599|1991|fmt=eq}}), sold with two joystick controllers and a game (either ''[[Baseball Stars Professional]]'' or ''[[NAM-1975]]''). Within a few months of the system's introduction in North America, SNK increased the cost to $649 and changed the pack-in game to ''[[Magician Lord]]''. Alternatively, the console could be bought for $399 with one control stick and without an accompanying game. Other games cost at least $200 each. Joystick controllers contained the same four-button layout as the arcade MVS cabinet. The quality of AES games varied. Some, such as the ''[[Super Sidekicks]]'' series, were all-new creations, while others were updated versions of earlier successes, such as ''Baseball Stars Professional''. SNK games were graphically bold and bright. Games such as ''[[Top Hunter: Roddy & Cathy]]'' and the famous ''Metal Slug'' series were distinctive and instantly recognizable, contributing to the system's success in arcades.

SNK also produced the [[Neo Geo CD]] home console, the [[Hyper Neo-Geo 64]] arcade system, and two [[handheld game console]]s, the [[Neo Geo Pocket]] and [[Neo Geo Pocket Color|Pocket Color]]. Several more famous franchise titles, originally created for the MVS and AES systems, have been ported to other consoles such as the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] and [[Dreamcast]]; SNES; [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] and [[PlayStation 2]]; [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]; and [[Wii]].

The Neo Geo Pocket was SNK's original handheld system. It was released in Japan in late 1998 and featured a [[monochrome]] (one-color) display. Because its sales were fewer than the expected number, it was discontinued in 1999 in favor of the Neo Geo Pocket Color, which was later released in North America and Europe.

In 1999, SNK opened the Neo Geo World Tokyo Bayside [[amusement park]] as part of the [[Palette Town]] entertainment complex in [[Odaiba]], Tokyo equipped with attractions such as Ferris wheels and roller coasters. A large-scale [[tie-in]] was established with the [[Fujisankei Communications Group]], owners of the nearby television station [[Fuji TV]], and was frequently promoted in various media.

However, by the late 1990s, the 2D fighting game boom, which had been behind much of SNK's recent success, had come to an end, and both the Neo Geo CD and Hyper Neo Geo 64 failed to meet sales expectations. At the same time, the Neo Geo Pocket, while initially selling well, began to fall behind in the market after the release of the [[Game Boy Color]], and Neo Geo World Tokyo Bayside quickly lost attendance after the re-opening of [[Yokohama Cosmo World]] a few months later, with the park considered to be a massive failure. In addition, the arcade game magazine ''[[Gamest]]'', one of the biggest promoters of SNK titles, ceased publication after its publisher [[Shinseisha]] declared bankruptcy in 1999.

==={{anchor|2000–2001: Bankruptcy}}Bankruptcy (2000–2001)===
SNK had focused on the booming arcade industry for the 1990s, but as interest in arcades fell in favor of home and portable consoles going into the 2000s, as well as the move to 3D, they were unable to adjust to the changing market. Their newer 3D hardware [[Hyper Neo Geo 64]] was a large failure and the amusement parks opened in Japan also proved to be failing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donohoo |first=Timothy Blake |date=2023-08-17 |title=SNK: What Happened to Gaming's Biggest Fighting Game Developer? |url=https://www.cbr.com/what-happened-to-snk/ |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>

SNK tried to develop more titles for the third-party home console market, such as ''[[Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidō Retsuden]]'', ''[[Athena: Awakening from the Ordinary Life]]'', ''[[Koudelka]]'', and ''[[Cool Cool Toon]]'', but as none of them sold well it left the company's financial situation in a dire state. In January 2000, SNK's poor financial status led to its acquisition by [[Universal Entertainment|Aruze]], a company known for its [[pachinko]] machines and the parent company of its competitor [[SETA Corporation|SETA]]. Instead of developing video games using SNK's intellectual properties, Aruze manufactured pachinko machines that featured popular series such as ''King of Fighters''. SNK saw little success in the video game market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Provo |first=Frank |date=2004-07-11 |title=The History of SNK |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-history-of-snk/1100-6089278/ |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>

The same year, [[Capcom]] agreed to create a series of fighting games featuring both companies' fighting game characters. The ''[[SNK vs. Capcom|Capcom vs. SNK]]'' games were a success, however most of the profits went to Capcom because it developed and published the games. SNK released ''[[SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium]]'' and ''[[SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters' Clash]]'' on the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Combined, the two games sold around 50,000 copies.

SNK closed all American, Canadian and European operations, on June 13, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/10/snk-closing-its-doors|title=SNK Closing Its Doors|date=2000-06-09|access-date=2023-06-19|language=en|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|website=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/14/snk-confirms-us-closure|title=SNK Confirms US Closure|date=2000-06-13|access-date=2023-06-19|language=en|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|website=IGN}}</ref> The company sold rights to distribution in North America for MVS arcade systems and Neo Print photo systems. It licensed North American localizations of some console releases to outside companies. With low morale and an unclear future, many of the company's employees left their jobs.<ref name="会社概要" /> Some joined rivals [[Capcom]] and [[Arc System Works]], and others moved on to found the developer [[Dimps]]. Kawasaki, along with five other former SNK executives, funded the formation of BrezzaSoft, which continued to develop Neo Geo games such as ''[[The King of Fighters 2001]]''.<ref name="GameSpotHistory" />

With a total debt of about 38 billion yen, SNK gave up on voluntary reconstruction, and on April 2, 2001, SNK applied for the application of the Civil Rehabilitation Law to the Osaka District Court.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/4/2/c14c1884c2f4d49cba016410225f2b7a.html|title=エス • エヌ • ケイが大阪地裁に民事再生手続きを申請！|date=2001-04-02|access-date=2024-03-14|language=ja|website=電撃オンライン}}</ref> The application was accepted, and the revitalization procedures were once proceeded, and the head office returned to Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20010402/snk.htm|title=SNK applies for the start of civil rehabilitation proceedings and abandons voluntary reconstruction|last=Funatsu|first=Minoru|date=2001-04-02|access-date=2024-03-14|language=ja|website=Impress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/snk-files-for-bankruptcy/1100-2703940/|title=SNK files for bankruptcy|date=2001-04-03|access-date=2024-03-14|language=en|website=GameSpot}}</ref> The district court decided to abolish the civil rehabilitation proceedings on October 1, of the same year,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20011004/snk.htm|title=SNK abandons civil rehabilitation proceedings and releases "KOF2001" with a different distributor|last=Kitamura|first=Takakazu|date=2001-10-04|access-date=2023-08-30|language=ja|website=Impress}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2001/10/5/28c1328d2c4291d598c92b2187d02808.html|title=SNKが再建を断念。発売間近の『ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ2001』はどうなる？|date=2001-10-05|access-date=2024-05-21|language=ja|website=電撃オンライン}}</ref> and declared [[bankruptcy]] on October 30.<ref name="goodbyesnk">{{cite web|url=http://www.neogeo.co.jp/bye_index.html|title=SNK FOR EVER|date=2001-10-29|access-date=2025-04-14|website=SNK}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.personal.triticom.com/~erm/www.neogeo.co.jp/bye_index.html|title=エス・エヌ・ケイ フォーエバー|date=2001-10-29|access-date=2023-10-29|website=エス・エヌ・ケイ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602104927/http://www.personal.triticom.com/~erm/www.neogeo.co.jp/bye_index.html|archive-date=June 2, 2002 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.co.jp/gamespot/gsnews/0111/02/news12.html|title=SNKが大阪地裁から破産宣告|date=2001-11-02|access-date=2024-03-14|language=ja|website=ZDNet JAPAN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011119190840/http://www.zdnet.co.jp/gamespot/gsnews/0111/02/news12.html |archive-date=November 19, 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gpara.com/news/01/11/news200111020001_et.htm|title=アルゼがSNK株主より損害賠償請求|date=2001-11-02|access-date=2024-03-14|language=ja|website=ジーパラドットコム|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011224050613/http://www.gpara.com/news/01/11/news200111020001_et.htm |archive-date=December 24, 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://spong.com/article/2420/SNK-issues-cryptic-bankruptcy-statement|title=SNK issues cryptic bankruptcy statement|date=2001-10-29|access-date=2024-05-15|website=Spong}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2821015,00.html/|title=SNK Corporation closes its doors|date=2001-10-29|access-date=2023-07-10|last=Seyoon Park|first=Andrew|website=GameSpot|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011102031404/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2821015,00.html/ |archive-date=2001-11-02 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.angelfire.com/ga/engallo/copy_of_evil.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806093925/https://www.angelfire.com/ga/engallo/copy_of_evil.html|date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> Licenses for SNK's game production and development rights to its franchises were sold to several other companies. These included BrezzaSoft, which produced ''The King of Fighters 2001'', such as South Korean-based [[Eolith (company)|Eolith]], which produced ''The King of Fighters'' franchise between 2001 and [[The King of Fighters 2002|2002]], and [[Mega Enterprise]], which produced ''[[Metal Slug 4]]''.<ref name="GameSpotHistory" />

==={{anchor|2001–2016: Playmore and SNK Playmore}}Playmore and SNK Playmore (2001–2016)===
Established as '''Playmore Corporation''' on August 1, 2001.<ref name="aboutsnkp">{{cite web|url=https://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/company/profile|title=Corporate Information|website=SNK|access-date=2016-11-30|archive-date=2019-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217000822/https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/profile/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/press/2013/20131108.php|title=Press Release - SNK Playmore|date=2013-11-08|website=SNK Playmore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201025605/http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/press/2013/20131108.php|archive-date=2013-12-01|url-status=dead|access-date=2023-10-25}}</ref> It was originally an affiliate of the former SNK. Initially, it was a legal company specializing in copyright management services, and it would be incorrect to refer to the former SNK as its predecessor company. On October 30, of the same year, the company won the company's [[intellectual property rights]] in a bid made during the bankruptcy of the former SNK.

To re-establish its presence in the gaming market, Playmore acquired BrezzaSoft and its former SNK developers, as well as Japan-based Neo Geo developer Noise Factory. Sun Amusement, a Japanese commercial games distributor, was acquired by SNK to provide the company with an arcade distribution outlet in Japan. International offices were established in South Korea, Hong Kong, and the United States under the name SNK NeoGeo for commercial and, later, consumer gaming distribution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snkneogeo.co.jp/company/group.html |title=Neo Geo Group Company Info |access-date=2016-05-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021006131950/http://www.snkneogeo.co.jp/company/group.html |archive-date=2002-10-06 }}</ref> In July 2003, with the permission of Eikichi Kawasaki, the founder of the former SNK company, and after it reacquired the rights to SNK trademark from Aruze, the company changed its name to '''SNK Playmore Corporation'''.<ref name="playmorenamechange">{{cite web|url=http://www.snkplaymore.jp/information/press12.html/|title=社名変更のお知らせ|website=SNK Playmore|language=ja|date=July 2003|access-date=2023-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125123915/http://www.snkplaymore.jp/information/press12.html/|archive-date=2005-11-25|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snkplaymore.jp/information/en_press12.html|title=Change of our Company Name|date=2003-07-07|website=SNK Playmore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030804033817/http://www.snkplaymore.jp/information/en_press12.html|archive-date=2003-08-04|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-05-01}}</ref> In the same year, SNK purchased [[ADK (company)|ADK]] shortly after it filed for bankruptcy. Previously, ADK was a third-party company that had been heavily associated with SNK since the late 1980s. SNK Playmore's operations in Japan already largely resembled the original company: SNK employed many employees who left after its bankruptcy filing and occupied its former building.<ref name=GameSpotHistory />

In October 2002, Kawasaki sued Aruze for copyright infringement, claiming 6.2&nbsp;billion [[Japanese yen]] (US${{Formatnum:{{to USD|6200000000|JPN|year=2002|round=yes}}}}) in damages. He cited that Aruze had continued to use SNK's intellectual properties after Playmore re-acquired them. A preliminary decision in January 2004 by the Osaka District Court favored SNK Playmore, awarding it 5.64&nbsp;billion yen (US${{Formatnum:{{to USD|5640000000|JPN|year=2002|round=yes}}}}).{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

[[File:SNK Playmore logo.svg|thumb|250px|left|SNK Playmore logo from 2003 to 2016 (Green Playmore color used from 2003 to 2014)]]
In the fall and winter of 2003, SNK Playmore obtained an injunction against a group of four different companies, causing hundreds of AES cartridges to be seized. In the following year, SNK Playmore struck a compromise with two of the companies. The two were allowed to sell AES cartridges, under the conditions that the cartridges would not be modified again and that any legitimate materials would be returned to SNK Playmore.

Within the same year, SNK Playmore would discontinue the AES system, preferring to publish video games in cooperation with [[Sammy Corporation|Sammy]]. Using its arcade board [[Atomiswave]], SNK Playmore gained a more secure and modern platform for new arcade releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/20/snk-to-atomiswave|title=SNK to Atomiswave: Company puts an end to the Neo Geo|publisher=IGN |date=2004-02-20 |access-date=2016-05-01}}</ref> In 2004, SNK Playmore officially became licensed to manufacture [[pachislot]] machines (Japanese slot machines played in pachinko parlors). The company released its first two machines that year: ''Metal Slug'' and ''Dragon Gal''. Pachislots would be more heavily featured in SNK Playmore's product lineup for the next decade.<ref name="パチスロ – 株式会社SNKプレイモア">{{cite web|url=http://slot.snkplaymore.co.jp/|title=パチスロ – 株式会社SNKプレイモア|website=slot.snkplaymore.co.jp|access-date=2016-03-26|language=ja|archive-date=2008-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205052919/http://slot.snkplaymore.co.jp/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In September 2006 at the [[Tokyo Game Show]] (TGS), SNK Playmore announced that it had ceased producing games on the Atomiswave, favoring [[Taito]]'s Type X2 arcade platform. To counter the decline in the commercial gaming industry, the company shifted some of its development focus to consumer games, including original games for the PlayStation 2, [[Nintendo DS]], [[mobile phones]], and other platforms. Games continued to be ported to the PlayStation 2, mostly in Europe because [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony Computer Entertainment America]] (SCEA) did not approve most SNK Playmore games, and more rarely to the Xbox. In Japan, SNK Playmore released the ''[[NeoGeo Online Collection]]'' for the PlayStation 2, which contained some of its older games. It featured emulations, and online play was available through the [[KDDI]] matching service. The company also released original titles based on existing franchises such as ''[[Metal Slug (2006 video game)|Metal Slug]]'' and the ''[[KOF: Maximum Impact]]'' series.

[[File:SNK Playmore promotional models at Tokyo Game Show 20070921 1.jpg|thumb|250px|SNK Playmore exposition at the [[Tokyo Game Show|TGS]] in 2007, including two [[Promotional model|promotional models]] dressed as the company mascot, [[Mai Shiranui]] (far left) and other ]]

In 2007, SNK Playmore USA released its first game on the [[Xbox Live Arcade]], titled ''Fatal Fury Special''.<ref>[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/f/fatalfuryspecialxboxlivearcade/default.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909221236/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/f/fatalfuryspecialxboxlivearcade/default.htm|date=September 9, 2007}}</ref> SNK Playmore also began supporting Nintendo's [[Virtual Console]] service on the Wii in the US with ''Fatal Fury'', ''Art of Fighting'', and ''World Heroes''. In 2007, ''[[The King of Fighters XI]]'' and ''[[NeoGeo Battle Coliseum|Neo Geo Battle Coliseum]]'' were released. SNK Playmore also released its first adult-themed game franchise, ''[[Doki Doki Majo Shinpan!]]'', the first for any handheld console. In 2009, the company released ''[[The King of Fighters XII]]'', which was not well-received by the public and critics alike due to polemic changes in the game's graphics and structure. In 2010, SNK Playmore released a sequel, ''[[The King of Fighters XIII]]'', which was considered a much better game than its immediate predecessor. It either won or was nominated to multiple [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] awards.

SNK has developed a great number of [[mobile game]]s since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/press/single.php?num=230|title=ＳＮＫプレイモア、iPhone/iPod touch向けゲームアプリ第一弾『メタルスラッグ タッチ』を配信開始！|date=2009-12-18|access-date=2016-03-26|language=ja}}</ref> It has licensed its characters for Chinese and other Asian games, mostly mobile.

In December 2012, SNK Playmore released the [[Neo Geo X]], a relaunched mobile Neo Geo console. On October 2, 2013, SNK Playmore terminated its licensing agreement with the console's manufacturer, [[Tommo]], effectively ending production of the Neo Geo X less than a year after its release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snkplaymoreusa.com/termination-of-the-license-agreement-between-tommo-inc-and-snk-playmore-usa-corp |title=Termination of the License Agreement between Tommo and SNK Playmore USA Corp. |publisher=SNK Playmore USA |access-date=2013-10-07 |archive-date=2013-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006043559/http://www.snkplaymoreusa.com/termination-of-the-license-agreement-between-tommo-inc-and-snk-playmore-usa-corp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/snk-orders-neogeo-x-maker-to-end-production-and-stop-se-1441541889 |title=SNK Orders NeoGeo X Maker to End Production and Stop Selling It |date=5 October 2013 |publisher=Kotaku.com |access-date=2013-10-07}}</ref> Tommo disputed the termination, stating that its contract was extended until 2016 and that it performed every obligation of the licensing agreement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tommo.com/press-release/tommo-responds-to-wrongful-termination-claim-by-snk-playmore/ |title=Tommo Responds to the Wrongful Termination Claim by SNK Playmore USA Corp |publisher=Tommo Inc |access-date=2013-10-13 |archive-date=2013-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011100300/http://tommo.com/press-release/tommo-responds-to-wrongful-termination-claim-by-snk-playmore/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In June 2013, the [[VIGAMUS]], a museum of video games in Rome,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vigamus.com/chi-siamo/partner-e-sponsor |title=Partner & Sponsor &#124; Vigamus, Museo del videogioco di Roma |publisher=Vigamus.com |language=it |access-date=2013-10-05 |archive-date=2013-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928145942/http://www.vigamus.com/chi-siamo/partner-e-sponsor |url-status=dead }}</ref> hosted an event dedicated to the history of SNK, tracing back the origins of the company and explaining the evolution of its games. Yamamoto Kei, Kiyoji Tomita, and Ogura Eisuke participated at the event and were interviewed. Ogura also drew two original illustrations to exhibit at the museum.<ref name="EIR">{{cite web | author=Eleonora L. | date=July 1, 2013 | title=SNK Legends at Italian Museum of Videogames, Vigamus! | url=http://www.eirgames.com/5631/snk-legends-italian-museum-videogames-vigamus/ | publisher=EIirgames.com | access-date=2013-10-05 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002161049/http://www.eirgames.com/5631/snk-legends-italian-museum-videogames-vigamus/ | archive-date=October 2, 2013 }}</ref>

==={{anchor|2016–2019: Leyou acquisition and second incarnation of SNK Corporation}} Leyou acquisition and second incarnation of SNK Corporation (2016–2019)===
In March 2015, [[Leyou|Leyou Technologies Holdings]] submitted a disclosure of interest document to the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]], highlighting a "possible investment in a renowned Japanese video game developer".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dreamcancel.com/2015/04/04/rumor-snk-playmore-acquired-by-chinese-company/|title=Rumor: SNK Playmore acquired by Chinese Company – Dream Cancel|website=dreamcancel.com|date=5 April 2015|access-date=2016-03-26}}</ref> Later in August, it was announced that Chinese web and mobile game giant [[37Games]], and asset management firm Orient Securities had formed a joint venture to invest in Ledo Millennium, a subsidiary of Leyou. Through Ledo, the venture acquired Kawasaki's 81.25% stake in SNK Playmore for $63.5&nbsp;million. The reason given for the acquisition was to gain rights to SNK Playmore's intellectual property, and further develop them by following [[Marvel Entertainment]]'s approach to mass media. The joint venture planned to integrate games, comics, film, and television in a media franchise.<ref name=ANN37Games>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-08-06/chinese-company-buys-majority-stake-in-japanese-game-developer-snk-playmore/.91390|title=Chinese Company Buys Majority Stake in Japanese Game Developer SNK Playmore|date=6 August 2015|website=Anime News Network|access-date=2016-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://dreamcancel.com/2015/08/06/snk-playmore-acquired-by-chinese-company/|title=SNK Playmore acquired by Chinese Company – Dream Cancel|website=dreamcancel.com|date=6 August 2015|access-date=2016-03-26}}</ref>

With the purchase completed, SNK Playmore signaled a shift in the company's strategy, which had previously been focused more on the production of pachislot and mobile games than its traditional area, console and arcade games. In November 2015, SNK Playmore announced that it was withdrawing from the pachislot market,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/pdf/151102_01.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106002651/http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/pdf/151102_01.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-11-06|title=ゲーム事業の体制強化とパチスロ事業の撤退に関するお知らせ|publisher=SNK Playmore|date=2015-11-02|accessdate=2024-03-12}}</ref> choosing instead to focus on console and mobile gaming, as well as character licensing<ref name="ANNPachislot">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-11-03/snk-playmore-drops-slot-machines-focuses-on-smartphone-consumer-games/.94940|title=SNK Playmore Drops Slot Machines, Focuses on Smartphone/Consumer Games|date=2015-11-03|website=Anime News Network|access-date=2016-04-30}}</ref> using its popular characters such as [[Mai Shiranui]], Ukyou Tachibana, [[Nakoruru]], and [[Haohmaru]]. Additionally, all of the aforementioned characters made their appearance as guest characters in a mobile [[multiplayer online battle arena]] (MOBA), ''Wangzhe Rongyao'', roughly translated to English as ''[[Honor of Kings]]'', which is the world highest-grossing game of all time as well as the most downloaded mobile app globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stock.591hx.com/article/2019-05-08/0001086131s.shtml|title=SNK创纪录IPO背后：政策暖风拂热游戏行业，君创基金回报可观 _股票频道_华讯财经_华讯投资|website=stock.591hx.com|access-date=2019-05-30|archive-date=2019-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530132920/http://stock.591hx.com/article/2019-05-08/0001086131s.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 25, 2016, SNK officially dropped the "Playmore" name from its corporate logo and reintroduced its old slogan, "The Future Is Now", to signify "a return to SNK's rich gaming history".<ref name="logochange">{{cite web|url=http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/press/pdf/160425_1.pdf|title=Announcement regarding SNK Playmore's Corporate Logo & Slogan changes|website=www.snkplaymore.co.jp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603120950/http://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/press/pdf/160425_1.pdf|archive-date=2016-06-03|url-status=dead|access-date=2016-04-29}}</ref> A legal name change from SNK Playmore Corporation to SNK Corporation followed on December 1, 2016,<ref name="dec1name" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snkplaymore.co.jp/us/press/2016/110101/|title=Announcement regarding SNK Playmore's company name change.|website=SNK Playmore|date=November 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref> to more firmly establish SNK Playmore as the successor to the old SNK brand and legacy.<ref name="playmorenamechange" /> ''[[The King of Fighters XIV]]'', the first entry in its series in more than half a decade, was released in 2016. In July 2018, SNK released the NEOGEO Mini, a miniature console based on the design of the company's Japanese arcade machines. It was pre-loaded with forty classic Neo Geo games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/neogeomini/|title=NEOGEO Mini|website=snk-corp.co.jp|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref>

In June 2019, the 12th entry in the ''Samurai Shodown''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://br.ign.com/samurai-shodown/74716/review/review-samurai-shodown|title=Review: Samurai Shodown|date=2019-07-01|website=IGN Brasil|language=pt|access-date=2019-11-18}}</ref> series was released for the [[PlayStation 4]] and [[Xbox One]], followed by an arcade version in October and a [[Nintendo Switch]] version later in the year.

On September 4, 2019, Nintendo announced that ''Fatal Fury'' protagonist and ''The King of Fighters'' character [[Terry Bogard]] would be added as a downloadable, playable character to ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', with a planned release in November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/fatal-furys-terry-is-coming-to-super-smash-bros-1837883642|title=Fatal Fury's Terry Is Coming To Super Smash Bros.|last=D'Anastasio|first=Cecilia|website=Kotaku|date=4 September 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=September 5, 2019}}</ref> Terry was made available on November 6, alongside a ''The King of Fighters''-based stage and 50 songs from various SNK series.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martinez |first1=Phillip |title='Smash Ultimate' Terry Bogard Release Date and Specials Revealed |url=https://www.newsweek.com/smash-ultimate-terry-bogard-dlc-release-date-update-reveal-stream-1470117 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106193554/https://www.newsweek.com/smash-ultimate-terry-bogard-dlc-release-date-update-reveal-stream-1470117 |website=NewsWeek |date=6 November 2019 |access-date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=6 November 2019}}</ref>

==={{anchor|2020–present: Misk Foundation acquisition}} Misk Foundation acquisition (2020–present)===
In November 2020, the [[MiSK Foundation]], a non-profit organization owned by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, [[Mohammed bin Salman]], acquired a 33.3% share of SNK from the Chinese company Ledo Millenium through its subsidiary, Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), with the intention to acquire a further 17.7% share at a later time as to gain controlling interest in the company.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Maldonado|first=Lawrence|title=Saudi Arabia & SNK Corp: Why Fans Are Upset With The Game Dev's New Owner|website=[[Screen Rant]] |url=https://screenrant.com/snk-video-games-saudi-arabia-buyout-controversy-explained/|date=2020-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first = Chris | last = Kerr | title = Saudi Arabian charity Misk acquires 33.3% stake in SNK | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/374424/ | date = November 27, 2020 | access-date = January 7, 2021 | archive-date = January 9, 2021 | work = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210109224846/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/374424/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

On August 1, 2021, SNK appointed {{ill|Kenji Matsubara|ja|松原健二}}, the former chief executive officer of [[Zynga]] Japan and president of [[Sega]], as its CEO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/07/snk-appoints-kenji-matsubara-as-new-ceo|title = SNK appoints Kenji Matsubara as new CEO|date = 29 July 2021}}</ref> On April 6, 2021, MiSK Foundation CEO Badr bin Hamoud AlBadr, Executive Vice President of [[Activision Blizzard]] Philip Earl, and former [[Electronic Arts]] studio director and executive producer Jeff Peters were appointed as directors of the company.<ref name="snk-corp1">{{cite web|last=Seoul|first=Riyadh|url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/ir/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ir-news_20210407_jp.pdf|title=Appointment of Three Board Members from the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (MiSK Foundation) Announced at Shareholder Meeting of Japanese Gaming Company SNK|website=SNK|date=2021-04-07|accessdate=2023-09-05}}</ref> EGDC announced its intention to acquire 51% through additional purchases.<ref name="snk-corp1"/> In February 2022, EGDC's ownership share was increased to 96.18%.<ref name="koreandepositoryreceipts">{{cite web|url=https://snk-corp.co.jp/kr/ir/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Results_of_Tender_Offer_Korea_220210_English-2.pdf|title=Results of Tender Offer for the Korean Depository Receipts of SNK Corporation by Electronic Gaming Development Company|website=SNK|language=en|date=2022-02-15|accessdate=2023-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=KSA|first1=Riyadh|title=The Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation (Misk) Announces Completion Of Strategic Investment In Japanese Gaming Company SNK|url=https://misk.org.sa/en/the-mohammed-bin-salman-foundation-misk-announces-completion-of-strategic-investment-in-japanese-gaming-company-snk-en/|website=Misk Foundation|date=May 18, 2022|access-date=August 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Peters|first1=Jay|title=SNK is now almost entirely owned by the Saudi crown prince's foundation |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/5/23011757/snk-corporation-mohammed-bin-salman-misk-foundation |website=[[The Verge]] |date= April 5, 2022 }}</ref> In May, of the same year, SNK notifies the delisting of its shares on the [[Korea Exchange]] ([[KOSDAQ]]) and EGDC's future plans to acquire all of the company's shares becoming its wholly owned subsidiary.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/ir/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/377c7bcea1b40ae20eb1f58fd161e4bf.pdf |title=Notice regarding delisting of SNK shares on the Korea Exchange (KOSDAQ) |website=SNK |language=ja |date=2022-05-18 |accessdate=2023-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530235018/https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/ir/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/377c7bcea1b40ae20eb1f58fd161e4bf.pdf |archivedate=2022-05-30 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 20, 2023, SNK relocated its main headquarters to [[Yodogawa-ku, Osaka]].<ref>{{cite news|title=本社移転のお知らせ |url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/press/2023/030102/ |website=SNK-Corp.co.jp |language=ja |date= March 1, 2023 |accessdate= September 6, 2023 }}</ref>

In June 28, 2024, SNK opened a [[Singaporean]] branch called '''SNK Games Singapore''', and is currently re-expanding its global reach.<ref>{{cite news|title=SNK Announces Grand Opening of SNK Games Singapore, Expanding Its Global Reach |url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2024/062801/ |website=SNK-Corp.co.jp |language=ja |date= June 28, 2024|accessdate= June 28, 2024 }}</ref>

On December 30, 2024, SNK announced the establishment of a new division known as KOF Studio to develop future projects in their fighting game franchises.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-12-29/snk-establishes-kof-studio/.219582|title=SNK Establishes KOF Studio|first=Adriana|last=Harza|date=2024-12-29|work=Anime News Network}}</ref>

On May 12, 2025, SNK announced that CEO Kenji Matsubara would step down and assume an advisory role, with the Chairman of the Board appointed as interim CEO.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Denzer |first1=TJ |title=SNK Corporation CEO Kenji Matsubara transitions to advisory role |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/144283/snk-corporation-ceo-kenji-matsubara-steps-down |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=Shacknews |date=14 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=May 12th 2025 SNK Corporation Announces Leadership Transition and Advisory Role for Mr. Kenji Matsubara｜PRESS RELEASE｜SNK Corporation |url=https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2025/051302/ |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=SNK Corporation |date=13 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

== Products ==
{{Expand section|date=February 2025}}

=== Franchises and video games ===
{{See also|List of SNK games}}
SNK is best recognized for its 2D [[Fighting game|fighting]] [[Arcade video game|arcade games]], most of which were released during the 1990s on their own [[Neo Geo]] arcade system. The first of these was 1991's ''[[Fatal Fury: King of Fighters]]'' — the first title of the ''[[Fatal Fury]]'' series — after which numerous other fighting games were released including ''[[World Heroes]]'', ''[[Art of Fighting]]'', ''[[Aggressors of Dark Kombat]]'', and the popular [[Samurai Shodown (1993 video game)|''Samurai Shodown'']]. This then led to what is often seen as the company's most famous franchise, ''[[The King of Fighters]]'' — the first title in this series was 1994's ''[[The King of Fighters '94]]''.<ref name="GameSpotHistory" /> These franchises also consist of numerous notable characters that have since become icons of SNK, such as [[Terry Bogard]], [[Kyo Kusanagi]] and [[Mai Shiranui]]. In other genres, the ''[[Metal Slug]]'' [[run and gun video game|run and gun]] series is also one of SNK's most well known franchises.

=== Neo Geo and other hardware ===
[[File:Neo Geo MVS-1 mini cabinet (2872455043).jpg|thumb|Neo Geo MVS-1 mini cabinet, developed by SNK]]
SNK designed and released the [[Neo Geo]] (stylized NEOGEO) on April 26, 1990,<ref>{{Cite web |title=おめでとう20周年！ アーケードゲームが辿り着いた「新たなる大地」ネオジオを振り返る |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/1003/01/news098.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=ねとらぼ |language=ja}}</ref> an [[arcade cabinet]] that could store multiple games in one. It used swappable cartridges as opposed to other arcade machines at the time, and this was a factor in its popularity, a key economic consideration for operators with limited floorspace. The system, known as MVS (Multi Video System), was a big success for SNK and it was the platform from which many of SNK's big franchises originated from.<ref name="GameSpotHistory" /> The hardware features comparatively colorful [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[Computer graphics|graphics]]. The hardware was in part designed by [[ADK (company)|Alpha Denshi]] (later ADK).<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2002 |title=ADK |url=http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?148-ADK&p=1975&viewfull=1#post1975 |access-date=2017-03-26 |website=www.neo-geo.com |language=en}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Neo-Geo-AES-Console-Set.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Neo Geo AES]]
The Neo Geo also had a [[video game console]] variant, often named the AES (Advanced Entertainment System), using the same cartridge media. Initially, the home system was only available for [[Renting|rent]] to commercial establishments, such as hotel chains, bars and restaurants, and other venues. When customer response indicated that some gamers were willing to buy a US$650 console, SNK expanded sales and marketing into the home console market. A [[CD]]-based equivalent home console was later released, called [[Neo Geo CD]]. SNK produced the Neo Geo until 1997 while new software continued to be released for it until 2004.<ref name="GameSpotHistory" /> Reincarnations of the Neo Geo continue to be made to this day both by SNK and officially licensed third-parties; the first of these was the [[Neo Geo X]] handheld released in 2012,<ref name="GR">{{Cite magazine |date=December 18, 2012 |title=New console out today as NEO GEO X hits EU/US |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/new-console-out-today-europe-and-us-neo-geo-x-gold-go/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810122211/https://www.gamesradar.com/new-console-out-today-europe-and-us-neo-geo-x-gold-go/ |archive-date=10 August 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2013 |magazine=Games Radar |publisher=Future Publishing}}</ref> followed by the Neo Geo Mini in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-10 |title=SNK Officially Announces The Neo Geo Mini, An Adorable Arcade Throwback |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/05/snk_officially_announces_the_neo_geo_mini_an_adorable_arcade_throwback |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[File:Neo-Geo Pocket Color.JPG|thumb|[[Neo Geo Pocket Color]]]]
The company developed and produced a number of other hardware during the 1990s after the Neo Geo, all of which were short-lived and commercially unsuccessful. The [[Hyper Neo Geo 64]] arcade board, released in 1997, was designed to be a modern follow-up to Neo Geo with [[3D computer graphics|3D]] graphical capabilties, however it was a significant failure and few games were made for the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Extension |first=Time |date=2022-07-14 |title=Fighting Game Fan Goes To Insane Lengths To Play Obscure Neo Geo 64 Game |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2022/07/fighting-game-fan-goes-to-insane-lengths-to-play-obscure-neo-geo-64-game |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Time Extension |language=en-GB}}</ref> SNK then developed and released the handheld game device Neo Geo Pocket for the Japanese market, and its follow-up [[Neo Geo Pocket Color]] with a color display, released globally; both of these were discontinued by 2000 in the West, and then in 2001 when the original SNK went bankrupt.

==Subsidiaries and related corporations==
===Current===
* SNK Entertainment – founded in February 2016 to contract and develop new digital entertainment including video games. It ramps up activity that surrounds SNK's library of intellectual properties with "new and exciting sublicensing opportunities and collaborations".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-02-24-snk-playmore-establishes-snk-entertainment|title=SNK Playmore establishes SNK Entertainment|website=GamesIndustry.biz|date=24 February 2016 }}</ref>
* SNK Beijing<ref name=aboutsnkp/>
* SNK H.K., Ltd. – handles character licensing, as well as hardware and software sales in East Asia (except for Japan)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weibo.com/snkplaymorecorp |title=Sina Visitor System |publisher=Weibo.com |access-date=2019-05-30}}</ref>
* SNK USA Corporation – publisher of software and animation in America. Formerly known as "SNK Corporation of America", which originally handled publishing software sales in America from 1981 to 2000.
* Playmore Entertainment – developer of SNK's [[Pachinko]] machines and [[Metal Slug]] series.
* KOF Studio - video game development studio and developer of ''[[The King of Fighters]]'', ''[[Fatal Fury]]'', ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'' and SNK's other games.

===Former===
* [[ADK (company)|ADK]] – former game developer for the Neo Geo. SNK purchased its intellectual property assets when the company became bankrupt in 2003. Developed ''[[Aggressors of Dark Kombat]]'', the ''[[Crossed Swords (video game)|Crossed Swords]]'' series, ''[[Gang Wars (video game)|Gang Wars]]'', ''[[Ninja Combat]]'', ''[[Ninja Commando]]'', ''[[Ninja Master's|Ninja Master's: Haō Ninpō Chō]]'', ''[[Over Top]]'', ''[[Shōgi no Tatsujin: Master of Syougi]]'', ''[[Sky Soldiers]]'', ''Sky Adventure'', ''Super Champion Baseball'', ''[[Time Soldiers]]'', ''[[Twinkle Star Sprites]]'', and the ''[[World Heroes]]'' series.
* BrezzaSoft – co-developer of ''[[The King of Fighters 2001]]'' with Eolith.
* [[Eolith (company)|Eolith]] – co-developer of ''The King of Fighters 2001'' with BrezzaSoft, co-developer of ''[[The King of Fighters 2002]]'' with Playmore.
* Face Co. Ltd. – developer of ''[[Gururin]]'', ''[[Money Puzzle Exchanger]],'' and ''[[ZuPaPa!]]''.
* [[Mega Enterprise]] – co-developer of ''[[Metal Slug 4]]'' and ''[[Metal Slug 5]]'' with Noise Factory.
* [[Nazca Corporation]] – former game developer for the Neo Geo (''[[Metal Slug (1996 video game)|Metal Slug]]'' and ''[[Neo Turf Masters]]''), later acquired by SNK
* Neo Geo do Brasil – handled hardware and software sales in Brazil from 1993 to 1998
* Noise Factory – co-developer of ''Metal Slug 4'' and ''Metal Slug 5'' with Mega Enterprise, formerly owned by SNK
* Pallas – developed ''[[Eight Man (video game)|Eight Man]]'' and ''[[Super Baseball 2020]]''.
* [[Sacnoth]] – developed ''[[Dive Alert]]'', ''[[Koudelka]]'', and ''[[Faselei!]]''.
* Saurus – developed ''[[Ironclad (video game)|Ironclad]]'', ''[[Pleasure Goal: 5 on 5 Mini Soccer]]'', the ''[[Shock Troopers]]'' series, the ''[[Stakes Winner]]'' series, and ''The Irritating Maze''. Co-developed ''[[Prehistoric Isle 2]]'' with Yumekobo, co-developed ''Quiz King of Fighters'' with SNK, and co-developed ''[[Ragnagard]]'' with System Vision.
* SNK Playmore Europe Corporation – handled software sales in Europe
* Sun Amusement – published ''Metal Slug 4'' and ''The King of Fighters 2001.''
* Viccom – developed ''[[Fight Fever]]''.
* [[Aicom|Yumekobo]] – developed ''[[Blazing Star]],'' co-developed ''Prehistoric Isle 2'' with Saurus.

==See also==
*[[List of SNK games]]
*[[SETA Corporation]], former sister company

==Annotation==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|SNK}}
*{{Official website|https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/}}

{{SNK}}
{{Electronics industry in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Amusement companies of Japan]]
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[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Japanese companies disestablished in 2001]]
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[[Category:Video game companies established in 2001]]
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