THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV is the first title to take to the stage on the brand-new arena experience at Evo 2024. The tournament is the third stop for the SNK World Championship 2025. XIAOHAI, SCORE, TAMAGO, VIOLENTKAIN, KOFEROHONESTO, and E.T. headlined the Top 6, bringing the ultimate competition to earn the third Evo Championship title.

Returning Evo Champion XIAOHAI and SCORE face off at the start of Evo 2024 Day 2 using Geese, Benimaru, and Isla, against Orochi Yashiro, CHizuru, and Heidern. XIAOHAI came to win with intense precision. After a swift 2:0 victory, XIAOHAI sent SCORE to losers quarterfinals to face off against E.T.

Next, VIOLENTKAIN faced off against TAMAGO using Rock, Iori, and Ryo and Rock, Blue Mary, and Benimaru respectively. The two players were neck and neck the entire match, ending each game with a single character each. Ultimately, TAMAGO took the win and proceeded to winners final while sending VIOLENTKAIN to losers quarterfinal.

The first losers quarterfinal featured E.T. and SCORE playing with Orochi Yashiro, Chizuru, and Heidern, and Sylvie, Geese, and Isla, respectively. E.T. won over SCORE with a smile on his face and took the first losers quarterfinal with an electrifying start. E.T. was determined to make their way back to the top.

The next losers quarterfinal featured VIOLENTKAIN and KOFEROHONESTO using Kyo, Rock, and Ryo, and Ryo, Yamazaki, and Goenitz, respectively. VIOLENTKAIN pulled off a phenomenal combo to end the first game that nearly took out KOFEROHONESTO’s entire health bar. After a beautiful cross-up, VIOLENTKAIN’s Kyo defeated KOFEROHONESTO’s Ryo. KOFEROHONESTO’s Yamazaki made solid work of VIOLENTKAIN’s Rock, evening their health, but could not defeat their opponent. Next, KOFEROHONESTO’s Goenitz brought both players to their final character. While KOFEROHONESTO brought VIOLENTKAIN to a sliver of health, VIOLENTKAIN reached for victory and moved forward to the losers semifinals against E.T.

Following up on the next phase of the Top 6, XIAOHAI and TAMAGO started with Kyo, Benimaru, Isla, and Blue Mary, Rock, and Benimaru, respectively. XIAOHAI quickly works on TAMAGO’s first two characters, going into overtime to bring Benimaru to near death. Still, XIAOHAI had plenty of resources available, including their own Benimaru, to win the first game.

For Game 2, TAMAGO took control with their Blue Mary at the start of the round. Their Rock wasn’t strong enough to defeat XIAOHAI’s Benimaru, who maintained momentum to win Game 2. Game 3 started in a familiar fashion, with TAMAGO’s Blue Mary knocking out XIAOHAI’s Kyo. TAMAGO earned their first win in the set. While putting forth a valiant effort, XIAOHAI took the victory against TAMAGO, sending them to the losers final.

VIOLENTKAIN and E.T. complete the next phase of the Top 6 in the losers semifinal. VIOLENT KAIN uses Rock, Ryo, and Iori, and E.T. uses Geese, Benimaru, and Isla. E.T.. With two characters at nearly full health, E.T. took Game 1. Things start more evenly in Game 2, with VIOLENTKAIN’s Rock taking out E.T.’s fearsome Benimaru. E.T. was forced into Isla, their third character, for the first time in the set. A near-perfect with VIOLENTKAIN’s Iori brings the two competitors to 1:1.

E.T. changes up their lineup, bringing Heidern in place of Benimaru. VIOLENTKAIN builds up momentum, bringing E.T. to their final fighter, Isla, with just one character. Still, E.T.’s mastery of the character quickly evened the playing field. E.T. defeats all three of VIOLENTKAIN’s characters with Isla, winning the losers semifinal as they move on to the losers final.

E.T. and TAMAGO start off strong during their last chance to stay in the tournament. For Game 2, TAMAGO leads with Benimaru, which is an interesting choice since most players save that character for second in their lineup. The switch seemed to give TAMAGO the momentum they needed to bring things close for Game 2, but ultimately, E.T. won after an incredibly close final round with multiple jabs from each opponent. Game 3 was a definitive win for E.T. to move forward to the Grand Final against three-time Evo event Champion XIAOHAI.

E.T. and XIAOHAI have constantly competed against each other over the years in various games. Making quick work of XIAOHAI’s Benimaru, who’s been a significant difficulty for much of the tournament, E.T. overwhelms with their Clark. Clark wasn’t enough to take out XIAOHAI’s Geese, which took us to a Geese mirror match, with E.T. emerging the victor. Spectators can’t count XIAOHAI out, with their masterful demonstration with Isla, bringing us to another mirror match, leading Game 1 to go to XIAOHAI. Determined not to let E.T. advance, XIAOHAI returned with a vengeance, shutting down their every move. 

XIAOHAI only needs one more victory to become a four-time Evo event Champion. E.T. nearly eliminated XIAOHAI’s Geese with their Clark, but their efforts weren’t be enough, as XIAOHAI evened the character count. E.T. wouldn’t let that be the end, with the two players finishing Game 3 in a mirror match with Isla. XIAOHAI clutched to victory and became the first Evo 2024 Champion.

Evo 2024 Top 6 Results:

1. XIAOHAI

2. E.T.

3. TAMAGO

4. VIOLENTKAIN

5. KOFEROHONESTO

5. SCORE

The first Top 6 tournament concludes with an incredible showing from all players. Congratulations to XIAOHAI for your victory, your third Evo Championship, and your fourth Evo event win.

After the tournament, SNK shared three announcements. First, they reminded players of the upcoming Vice and Mature release in THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV. Next, they announced a shadow drop of SNK vs. Capcom: SVC CHAOS. Finally, SNK showed off the next character in FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES, Kevin Ryan.

Mortal Kombat 1 is up next in the Evo 2024 arena. Tune into the tournament live at www.twitch.tv. We’ve got seven more Top 6 tournaments left, so the hype has only just begun.