SNK has confirmed the exciting return of Marco Rodrigues to the roster of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, marking his first appearance in nearly a quarter of a century. The revival of the Fatal Fury series has been long-awaited, given that it has been dormant for over twenty years. This resurgence was initially announced at EVO 2022 and later teased at the 2023 EVO tournament before SNK finally revealed the game as Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, introducing a few members of its roster and setting a release window for 2025. With the series being out of the spotlight for nearly 25 years, returning characters like Marco Rodrigues are generating significant buzz.

Marco Rodrigues first appeared in SNK's Garou: Mark of the Wolves in 1999. While some fans may recognize him as Khushnood Butt due to early English localization efforts by SNK, recent games have reverted to his original name. As a practitioner of Kyokugen Karate in Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Marco shares familiar moves with Ryo Sakazaki. Despite making cameo appearances in other SNK titles like The King of Fighters series, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves marks his first playable role since his debut.

Following the grand finals of The King of Fighters 15 at the EVO Japan 2024 tournament, SNK released a trailer showcasing Marco Rodrigues' return in City of the Wolves. The trailer highlights iconic moves from his appearance in the original Garou: Mark of the Wolves, such as Kohouken, Hienshippukyaku, and Ryuusenken, with his Zanretsuken transformed into the 'REV Blow' mechanic in City of the Wolves. The footage depicts him sparring with Tizoc, who featured in the game's reveal trailer.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves - Marco Rodrigues Reveal and Gameplay Trailer

SNK also shared a glimpse of Marco's backstory in City of the Wolves, portraying him as the assistant instructor at the Kyokugen Karate dojo under the mentorship of the renowned Ryo Sakazaki from the King of Fighters series. When his dojo's sign is stolen, Marco relocates his training to Yuri Sakazaki's Fitness Club. In the game, Marco Rodrigues is voiced by Kenichirou Matsuda in Japanese and Earl Baylon in English.

Marco Rodrigues' inclusion in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has been highly anticipated by fans eager to witness his distinctive pompadour and dynamic karate techniques. With his return confirmed, enthusiasts are hopeful that SNK will reintroduce other beloved fighters from the original Mark of the Wolves game, such as B. Jenet and Hotaru Futaba.