King of Fighters Maximum Impact - Latest screens!

3D fighting games are something of a mixed bag. Some, like Virtua Fighter or Tekken, work very well. Others, such as Capcom and Arika's awful Street Fighter EX series, simply do not.

So it was with much trepidation that news of a PlayStation 2 exclusive 3D version of SNK's seminal King of Fighters series was received by one of the most dedicated fanbases in the industry.

As of this point in time, nothing is known as to the play system of the Maximum Impact, though it would appear that the essential 2D move input system will remain, with characters able to move in and out of the screen - ominously similar to the EX series.

Essentially, it would appear that in order to appease Sony Computer Entertainment America's stringent QA demands, the series was forced into making this dimensional leap. As to whether it will enhance or detract from the underpinning King of Fighters gameplay remains to be seen.

With the Japanese version hitting at the end of July, expect European and American versions to land sometime before Christmas.