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Playmore Corporation
Publisher

Playmore Corporation

A Japanese video game publisher established to succeed SNK, known for managing the Metal Slug, King of Fighters, and Samurai Shodown franchises.
Founded
2001
Acquired
2016
HQ
Osaka, Japan
Parent
Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund
Known for
Fighting / Arcade / Action
19
Games
1993–2003
Years
6
Platforms
$33.20
Ø CIB
+4.7%
24M change

About

Playmore Corporation was established to acquire the intellectual properties of the bankrupt SNK, subsequently publishing key titles in their flagship series. The company oversaw the release and distribution of fighting games like King of Fighters 2002, Rage of the Dragons, and Samurai Shodown III, as well as multiple entries and re-releases in the Metal Slug run-and-gun franchise. It was later renamed SNK Playmore to fully reclaim the legacy of its predecessor.
During its transitional operations, the publisher collaborated with external developers to sustain SNK's signature franchises on the Neo Geo hardware. For the run-and-gun genre, this involved managing the distribution of Metal Slug and its sequel Metal Slug 3, alongside later compilations like Metal Slug [SNK Best Collection]. These releases preserved the detailed, hand-drawn sprite aesthetics and high-difficulty gameplay that defined the military-themed series.
In the fighting game sector, the company maintained the competitive legacy of its core intellectual properties. It facilitated the release of King of Fighters 2002 and the weapon-based fighter Samurai Shodown III, ensuring these franchises remained active in arcades and on home consoles. Additionally, the publisher expanded its fighting portfolio by backing newer collaborative projects, such as the tag-team fighting game Rage of the Dragons, developed in partnership with Evoga. Through these specific releases, the entity bridged the gap between the original SNK era and its modern incarnation, keeping these highly specialized arcade franchises viable during a period of intense industry transition toward 3D graphics.

Key People

Eikichi Kawasaki
Founder
Yasuo Matsumoto
President
Mitsuo Matsumoto
CEO

Company History

Former names
Shin Nihon Kikaku
SNK
Playmore Corporation
SNK Playmore Corporation

Connections

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Games featuring Playmore Corporation (19)

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