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The best SNK games

The 21 best games from SNK, ranked from 1,358 critic and player ratings.

The best SNK game is Metal Slug 3, with a critic score of 82/100. Updated October 2026.

  • Ranked releases span 1986 to 2019.
  • Average critic score across the 21 ranked games: 71/100.
  • 1,358 critic and player ratings behind this ranking.

How this ranking is built
  • Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
  • A game only enters the ranking with at least 30 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
  • Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
  • Release window covered: 1970 to 2026.
  • 21 games are listed on this page, carrying 1,358 ratings between them.
  • Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 11 October 2026.

Top 21

01 Metal Slug 3 Metal Slug 3 2000 · 195 ratings “METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls! 82 /100
02 METAL SLUG 2 METAL SLUG 2 1998 · 179 ratings “METAL SLUG 2”, the 2nd entry in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game returns to the battlefield on the Steam gaming platform! 82 /100
03 THE KING OF FIGHTERS '97 THE KING OF FIGHTERS '97 1997 · 72 ratings The King of Fighters '97 is a 1997 fighting game produced by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home console. It is the fourth game in The King of Fighters series. It was ported to the Neo-Geo CD, as well as the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn in Japan only. 81 /100
04 Metal Slug X Metal Slug X 1999 · 141 ratings Metal Slug X is upgraded version of Metal Slug 2 (Metal Slug 2: Super Vehicle-001/I), which was released in March 1999 for the Neo Geo MVS. It fixed slowdown problems from the original game, and increased the difficulty. Metal Slug X also introduced some new elements to the game system. 80 /100
05 Garou: Mark of the Wolves Garou: Mark of the Wolves 1999 · 66 ratings If you thought you'd seen the last of the incredible Garou: Mark of The Wolves series, you were sorely mistaken. Join classic brawlers and fresh finds (there are 11 new additions in all) for the fighting experience of the decade. The game's three unique modes of play include Offensive, Defensive, and Tactical, and there are plenty of Super Moves and Hidden Abilities to unlock. The realm of 2D fighting has rarely been this exciting, and it gets even more addicting when you play against a friend. 80 /100
06 SAMURAI SHODOWN (2020) SAMURAI SHODOWN (2020) 2019 · 35 ratings "A brand new title from SNK! A new Samurai Shodown is on the horizon! Since its birth in 1993, the Samurai Shodown series has been known as the premier weapon based versus fighting games, and was essential in cultivating the weapon based fighting game genre. As the first new release in the series in more than 10 years, Samurai Shodown is aiming to yet again push boundaries and deliver some serious samurai action! Developed using Unreal Engine 4 and utilizing a unique brushstroke graphical style to match the Japanese roots of the series, Haohmaru, Nakoruru, Galford and a whole cast of other popular characters will battle once again for victory!" 81 /100
07 SAMURAI SHODOWN II SAMURAI SHODOWN II 1994 · 36 ratings One of SNK's legendary fighting game series has made a return! In Samurai Shodown II, you can take on one of the roles of 15 warriors as you fight your way through the land to defeat the evil Mizuki! Slash, kick, and slice your opponents in half...do whatever it takes...live by the sword, and die by its blade. 80 /100
08 The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle 1999 · 47 ratings "The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle" is the sixth game in The King of Fighters series by SNK. Unlike in previous games of the series, there are four characters per team instead of three, with the fourth serving as a "Striker", a fighter whose function is only to enter a match, attack the opponent and leave without replacing their teammates. In total, there are seven teams, each containing four characters, four Team Edit characters and a boss. 76 /100
09 THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2000 THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2000 2000 · 43 ratings The final King of Fighters game released by SNK in its original state, The King of Fighters 2000 expands on the story and gameplay presented in The King of Fighters '99. This year's tournament is sponsored by the Ikari Warriors in an attempt to discover more about the NESTS organization, and to derail the plans of potential NESTS agents K' and Maxima. Not everything is as straight-forward as it usually is, however, and even the Ikari Warriors themselves are at risk of being betrayed from within by the end of the tournament. The King of Fighters 2000 features an improved Striker call system with the Active Striker System, which allows the player to call his Striker character in any situation, whether he is attacking or being attacked by the opponent, allowing him to use their strikers in combos. Moreover, in addition to the numerous nostalgic SNK characters returning as Another and Maniac Strikers, KOF 2000 welcomes newcomers such as Ramon, Vanessa, Seth, Lin, Hinako Shijo, and Kula Diamond. 75 /100
10 Metal Slug Anthology Metal Slug Anthology 2006 · 42 ratings A compilation of the successful side-scrolling arcade games as a result of the series 10th anniversary. A upgraded PS4 version with trophy support and 1080p visuals was launched July 5th 2016 as part of the PS2-PS4 program. 75 /100
11 METAL SLUG XX METAL SLUG XX 2009 · 30 ratings 73 /100
12 The King of Fighters '96 The King of Fighters '96 1996 · 50 ratings 72 /100
13 Fatal Fury Special Fatal Fury Special 1993 · 39 ratings 70 /100
14 Fatal Fury 2 (1992) Fatal Fury 2 (1992) 1992 · 40 ratings 68 /100
15 THE KING OF FIGHTERS '94 THE KING OF FIGHTERS '94 1994 · 44 ratings 68 /100
16 Fatal Fury: King of Fighters Fatal Fury: King of Fighters 1991 · 40 ratings 63 /100
17 The King of Fighters '95 The King of Fighters '95 1995 · 55 ratings 63 /100
18 THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98 THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98 1998 · 77 ratings 60 /100
19 Art of Fighting (1992) Art of Fighting (1992) 1992 · 39 ratings 60 /100
20 Ikari Warriors (1986) Ikari Warriors (1986) 1986 · 31 ratings 52 /100
21 Samurai Shodown Samurai Shodown 1993 · 57 ratings 43 /100
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Frequently asked questions

What is the best SNK game?

Metal Slug 3 currently tops the ranking with a score of 82/100 across 195 ratings. Ranking updated October 2026.

How is this ranking built?

Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.