Short answer: on Nintendo Switch 2, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves launches on October 22, 2026 with two very different digital purchases. The Standard Edition costs $19.99/€19.99 and includes only the base game. The Starter Edition costs $29.99/€29.99 and bundles the base game with Season Passes 1, 2 and 3. The announced difference is therefore $10/€10 for the package of additional characters already released or scheduled, including Manjiro “Mikey” Sano and Ken “Draken” Ryuguji from Tokyo Revengers.
Starter vs Standard: what each edition includes
| Item | Standard Edition | Starter Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Announced digital price | $19.99 / €19.99 | $29.99 / €29.99 |
| Base game | Yes | Yes |
| Season Pass 1 | Not included | Included |
| Season Pass 2 | Not included | Included |
| Season Pass 3 | Not included | Included |
| Mikey and Draken | Not included in the base game | Included through Season Pass 3 |
| Format at the October 22, 2026 launch | Digital | Digital |
| Announced physical edition | Not announced | Yes, with a Japanese release on January 21, 2027; other regions still undated |
The prices above are the dollar and euro figures published by SNK. In its September 9 announcement, the company did not provide an equivalent Brazilian price. The final Nintendo eShop price may therefore vary by region.
What is inside the Starter Edition's three Season Passes
The Starter Edition concentrates the extra content into one package. According to SNK, the lineup is:
Season Pass 1
- Andy Bogard
- Ken
- Joe Higashi
- Chun-Li
- Mr. Big
Season Pass 2
- Kim Jae Hoon
- Nightmare Geese
- Blue Mary
- Wolfgang Krauser
- Mr. Karate
- Kenshiro
Season Pass 3
- Rick Strowd
- Duck King
- Kim Kaphwan
- Manjiro Sano
- Ken Ryuguji
- Laocorn
- one still-unrevealed character
The official Season Pass 3 schedule places Rick Strowd in July, Duck King in August, Kim Kaphwan in September, Mikey and Draken in October, Laocorn in November and the still-secret character in December 2026. That matters for Starter buyers: the package includes the full pass, but not every piece of Season 3 content will be available on the Switch 2's first day.
Mikey and Draken arrive alongside the Switch 2 version
Manjiro “Mikey” Sano and Ken “Draken” Ryuguji will be released on October 22, 2026, the same date as the Nintendo Switch 2 version. SNK confirmed that they are two independent playable fighters rather than a duo sharing one slot. It is also the first time two City of the Wolves DLC characters are being released simultaneously.
The collaboration does not change the game's core. SNK says both fighters were adapted to City of the Wolves' own systems, with moves, animations and special intros inspired by Tokyo Revengers. In Starter, both are already part of Season Pass 3. In Standard, they are not part of the base game.
Can the Standard Edition receive DLC later?
Yes. Nintendo Store pages list Switch 2 DLC characters, including Ken Ryuguji and other fighters, as content that requires the Standard Edition to play. This shows that buying Standard does not prevent later expansion; the difference is that the season-pass package is not included in the initial purchase.
For players who only want to try the base game or prefer to buy fighters selectively, Standard is the cheaper entry point. For anyone who already knows they want to follow the additional roster across all three passes, Starter bundles that content for an announced $10/€10 premium over Standard.
What does not change between the editions
Starter and Standard are editions of the same Switch 2 game. SNK does not present the combat system, modes or main control options as different between them. Both share:
- the REV System, with REV Arts, REV Accel, REV Blows and REV Meter management;
- Smart Style, designed around simplified inputs and faster access to special moves and combos;
- Arcade Style, with traditional inputs for players who prefer more manual control;
- local play for 1–2 players and network play for 2–12 participants, according to Nintendo's listing;
- TV, tabletop and handheld modes on Nintendo Switch 2;
- announced HDR support on compatible TVs.
So the Standard-versus-Starter choice is primarily about included content, not different combat rules, REV System behavior or control schemes.
Physical edition and preorder bonus
SNK announced a physical Starter Edition for January 21, 2027 in Japan. In the same release, the company said physical-release details for other regions would be announced later. No equivalent physical Standard Edition was announced in the official material reviewed.
For the Switch 2 version, SNK also announced a classic Mai Shiranui costume as a preorder bonus. The company notes that the outfit may be sold separately as paid DLC in the future. Because bonuses and retail availability can change by store and region, buyers should check the Nintendo eShop at purchase time.
Which edition makes more sense?
Standard makes more sense for players who want the base game at the lowest initial price and do not consider the entire additional roster essential. Starter is the more complete purchase for players who already intend to use the characters from all three passes, especially the Season 3 guests and returning fighters.
The deciding point is straightforward: for $10/€10 more at the announced prices, Starter adds Season Passes 1–3 to the same base game. That includes Mikey and Draken as well as the rest of the three-pass roster. Part of Season Pass 3 follows a schedule beyond the Switch 2 launch, so “included” does not necessarily mean “available immediately” for every item.
What is still unconfirmed
- official Brazilian pricing for both editions;
- the date and price of the physical Starter Edition outside Japan;
- the identity of the final Season Pass 3 character scheduled for December 2026;
- any additional Switch 2-specific technical details not specified in the initial announcement.
Official sources consulted: SNK — Nintendo Switch 2 version announcement, SNK — Tokyo Revengers collaboration, SNK — products and Season Passes and Nintendo — Starter Edition for Switch 2.
