The annual EVO tournament will be coming up in the summer of 2020, and while fighting game enthusiasts will have no doubt been planning for the event, one question still lingered: what games are being featured at EVO 2020?
Well on February 4th, a live show announced the official EVO roster for 2020. Check out the games that will be featured as the most prestigious fighting game tournament in the world!
The Official EVO 2020 Games Roster
1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The incredibly popular Smash title and the best selling fighting game of all-time, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will be making its return to EVO for the second year. Last featured an amazing run by MKLeo but will he be able to defend his throne? Or will players such as Samsora, Nairo, Marss or Tweek be able to keep him at bay?
2. Tekken 7
Tekken has always been a game popular among spectators, and Tekken 7 continues that trend. Tekken 7 will be featured at EVO again. Last year’s tournament featured almost 1,900 entrants; we shall see if even more come to challenge the defending champion, Arslan Ash!
3. Street Fighter V: Champion Edition
The flagship title of EVO, Street Fighter V will once again return to EVO. This summer will be the first to feature the Champion Edition of the game; with new characters and patches added, the field could open up a bit for challengers.
4. DragonBall FighterZ
SonicFox vs. Go1 in DragonBall FighterZ has become a rivalry at EVO and this year might be more of the same. Will one of them be able to pull ahead with one more EVO title, or will new blood rise up to break tradition? DragonBall FighterZ is sure to have an interesting and hype event.
5. Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown, or SamSho for short, is making its grand debut at EVO. Released in the summer of 2019, the game is a reboot of the 90s series and has grabbed fighting game fanatics with its gameplay and art style. It’ll be a tough fight to see who will be crowned the first SamSho EVO champion.
6. Granblue Fantasy Versus
The 2.5D anime fighter had a bracket in the BYOC (bring your own console) room last year, and now it’s been upgraded to the main stage! The game hasn’t been released yet; it debuts on March 3rd in North America. This means that predictions for who could win EVO are up in the air, and the competitive field is more open than you’d think. Just who will rise up and achieve glory?
7. Soul Calibur 6
Soul Calibur 6 will return to EVO again in 2020. Last year saw Japanese legend Yuttoto win the tournament without dropping a set, but will the competition rise up even further to make things interesting? Bluegod from the U.S. recently won EVO Japan over Yuttoto and got 2nd to him at EVO 2019, meaning the stage may be set for the ultimate showdown.
8. Under Night In-Birth (UNICLR)
Under Night In-Birth, which commonly goes by UNICLR, is getting another revision, which will be released early in 2020. Revealed at EVO 2019, this update will freshen up the 2012 game, enough so that it will take up a spot on the official EVO roster for 2020.
9. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 Invitational Tournament
Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 will make a grand return to EVO in an interesting way; it will only be an 8-player bracket. Four of the players will be past EVO winners such as Justin Wong and Yipes, and the other four will be determined later on through compendiums and the like. Having such a small bracket for an older game as a main event is an unusual move, but the reception has been very positive.
Noticeably missing from this roster is Mortal Kombat 11, which missed the cut. There was also the vocal Super Smash Bros. Melee fanbase hoping the game would return, but after last year’s omission, it seems clear that Melee and EVO have parted ways.
EVO will be hosted from July 31st through August 2nd in Las Vegas, Nevada.