SNK of America closes its doors

[06.08.00] » Time to start calling the Game Boy Color "killer."

    In a somewhat surprising move, SNK of America has announced that they will permanently pull out of the American and European markets effective June 13th. With this, SNK will completely cut off the Neo Geo Pocket Color from the two markets, as well as pull all American and European Dreamcast and PlayStation support. Furthermore, SNK seems intent on making the Neo Geo Pocket Color vanish silently - all currently available NGPC hardware and software will be recalled, and all upcoming titles, including those already completed for release, will be canceled. From the GIA's realm of coverage, this includes Faselei!, Evolution, and even Ogre Battle Gaiden.

    The decision to close their American and European offices is one of many current issues for the veteran company. SNK of Japan isn't in top condition either - rumors last week began pouring out of Japan that entire teams had chose to leave the company. Included was the team responsible for King of Fighters, a highly acclaimed fighting game series with a very strong cult following. SNK had also just signed a 5 year lease for a new building in America, which they had just began to move their offices to. These numerous unfinished ventures will undoubtedly hurt the company as a whole, and only time will tell if SNK can manage to pull out of this sticky situation.