EVO 2025 has come and gone. The “Superbowl of Fighting Games” had a ton of really great moments, such as SonicFox winning his 6th overall EVO championship with Mortal Kombat 1, RedDitto resetting the bracket against Kshuewhatdamoo during the Guilty Gear Strive Grand Finals and newcomer Mickey from Hong Kong getting through not one, but two, former EVO champions to make it to 3rd place in the Street Fighter 6 tournament. I also have to mention the exhibition matches between Justin Wong and Betty as these were really good matches.

While the actual games and matches are generally the highlights of every EVO, I still can’t help but look forward to all of the big announcements they made during this three day event. This is the “Superbowl of Fighting Games” after all! So it’s only appropriate for the people who make fighting games to show us what they have for fans in the near future!

As there were quite a number of them, I can’t really talk about each and every one of these big reveals and announcements. So, rather than doing that, let me go talk about the five biggest ones to take note of that came out during EVO!

#1 Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls is having a closed beta test

There were a lot of eyes on Arc System Works all thanks to Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls. I heard the lines to try the game out during EVO, with some saying the wait was for around three hours! Well, it looks like, if you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll get to play it in September if Sony PlayStation Studios lets you!

This is really big news as Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls is shaping up to be the next big thing in the fighting game community. Unfortunately, this is a closed beta test so, even if you do register from their official website or even if you’re already part of the PlayStation Beta program, you’ll still need to be selected for this closed beta test. Also, this closed beta test is for the PlayStation 5 version of the game; no one from the PC Master Race are going to be eligible.

I’m pretty sure, even if I do register, I won’t be picked. But I’m fairly sure the more prominent fighting game streamers will be in it. So, while I won’t be playing the closed beta for Marvel TOKON: Fighting Souls, you can bet I’ll be actively looking for tips on how to play the game when the closed beta starts in September 5 to 7.

#2 New Virtua Fighter Project looks siiiiiick!

I really want to call this Virtua Fighter 6 but, as SEGA themselves refuse to do that, I won’t be doing it. Anyway, the original reveal teaser and the concept trailer looked incredible. But there was a part of me that really couldn’t believe SEGA would be able to make a fighter that detailed. Well, the official trailer didn’t exactly prove me wrong as they didn’t show off attack based blocking/parrying (yet?) like in the videos I mentioned. Still, the official first gameplay trailer showed off some really impressive stuff!

This was a no-frills look at the New Virtua Fighter Project’s gameplay. It was on the training stage as to not distract you from the actual fighting. The characters, Akira and Sarah, didn’t utter a single word even while smacking each other or getting smacked by the other. Still, we got a taste of what could be the game’s mechanics, such as targeting specific areas like the head to cause a stun as well as a better dodge mechanic to avoid specific strikes.

Of course, the thing that really caught my attention was the replay KO animations. This is a staple of the Virtua Fighter games but SEGA outdid themselves here, even including a slow-motion zoom in of Akira’s face getting caved in by Sarah’s spinning back roundhouse kick before dropping to the floor unconscious. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of looking at something like that!

#3 Armor King returns to the ring in Tekken 8

Now, I’m not really a Tekken guy so I don’t really know what’s the difference between Armor King and King as they’re both pro wrestlers who wear tiger masks. But with this gameplay reveal trailer for Armor King, even I can spot some major differences between their wrestling styles and I love it!

I kind of love how this version of Armor King really leans into the name as it honestly looks like he’s fighting in legit armor now! He’s also showing off his heel persona as he fights with a lot more brutal strikes instead of King’s chain wrestling. I also love how he has a poison mist and seemingly can buff his hands by breathing fire on them! That seems new! I personally won’t be playing him on Tekken 8 but, man! His trailer does make him look incredibly cool!

#4 Ken Masters is now available for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

I kind of feel sorry for SNK. They spent a lot of time and money developing and (poorly) promoting Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. They have a tournament for the game with the largest prize pool for any fighting game ever. Even with all of that, the game’s player numbers keep dropping. Well, I do have a feeling their numbers will, at the very least, get a temporary boost as they just announced Street Fighter 6’s Ken Masters just arrived at South Town!

The trailers do make it seem like Ken is going to be a good addition to Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Much like what Capcom did with Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui, it does look like SNK put in a lot of effort to make Street Fighter’s visiting fighter more than just a viable roster member. While we were fully expecting Ken to appear in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, to see him become available on the day of the finals of EVO was more than just a nice surprise.

#5 Street Fighter 6 is getting ready for the summer (and to grab our wallets) with the Summer Swimsuit DLC costumes

I do find it strange how I’m not talking about Capcom giving us our first look at C. Viper in Street Fighter 6. While that was a cool reveal, it’s something we all fully expected. As per usual with their EVO reveals, all we got was her World Tour intro and nothing more. No gameplay or a quick peek on how she’ll play. I guess Capcom already knew we would just give out a somewhat enthusiastic “meh” with this. So, they doubled down and put together a trailer for those who are getting Summer Swimsuit DLC costumes!

We all knew these new costumes were going to be awesome. Even when we first saw the concept art for them, we all knew they would look good. But seeing them on the actual character models just makes it feel more real. Honestly, I didn’t think Chun-Li‘s swimsuit looked all that good when I saw the concept art. But to see her in that new hairstyle and actually moving around in it? That changed my mind quick! I’m pretty sure Capcom will make a small mint with these.

What was your favorite reveal/trailer from EVO 2025? Let me know in the comments section below!