SNK’s City of the Wolves is keeping things “interesting” with its roster, but the new character in Fatal Fury has left fans scratching their heads. Sure, one can argue the inclusion of world-renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as a masterstroke, but Salvatore Ganacci!? Unlike Floyd in Mortal Kombat 1, the arrival of this Bosnian-Swedish DJ with an Italian stage name feels like a bad April Fools joke.
While crossovers are nothing new in fighting games, this one has sparked controversy, with many fans questioning the decision.
Who is This New Character in Fatal Fury?
Salvatore Ganacci is a DJ and music producer known for his eccentric music videos and bizarre stage antics. He’s not only contributed 11 songs to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves but is also appearing as a playable character. According to the game’s lore, Salvatore heard about an upcoming King of Fighters tournament from his friend and fellow DJ, Duck King. Hoping to find inspiration for his next anime music video, he heads to South Town to join the action.
While the backstory is quirky, SNK may as well have given us Duck King instead but no, we some SNK executive really loved listening to “Step-Grandma” and so here we are.
Salvatore Ganacci Moves
Salvatore’s moveset is inspired by his over-the-top music videos, which often feature bizarre and unhinged antics. While this makes for a unique fighting style, it hasn’t been enough to win over fans. Many feel that his inclusion is more about promoting his music and less about adding a meaningful character to the game.
Why This Feels Like a Bad Idea
The reaction to Salvatore Ganacci’s reveal has been overwhelmingly negative, and it’s not just because he’s a niche figure. Here’s why:
A VERY Niche Celebrity
Unlike Cristiano Ronaldo is a global icon with billions of fans, Salvatore Ganacci has hardly around 400k Instagram followers and 520k YouTube subscribers.
Saudi Arabian Connection
Salvatore Ganacci is signed to MDLBeast, a Saudi Arabian record label, and his current music tour includes a performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the game’s release. This has led to speculation that his inclusion in the game is tied to SNK’s ownership by a Saudi Arabian organization. While SNK has stated that they retain creative control, fans smell something fishy.
Missed Opportunities
Established characters like Duck King were overlooked in favor of a guest character. This decision feels like a missed opportunity to bring back a fan-favorite while staying true to the series’ roots.
Trying Too Hard to Make New Fans
Many fans feel that Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is prioritizing celebrity crossovers over its core fanbase. This sentiment has led some players to cancel their pre-orders, as they feel the game is moving away from what made the series special.
With City of the Wolves set to release on April 24 for PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, we’ll have to wait and see whether this new character in Fatal Fury wins over the hardcore SNK fans.
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