'KOF ALLSTAR' Service to Conclude

The popular mobile beat 'em up ARPG, King of Fighters ALLSTAR, is slated for closure on October 30th, 2024. Netmarble, the game's developer, announced the shutdown on their official forums, simultaneously halting all in-app purchases.

This closure comes as a surprise, given the game's robust six-year run and numerous high-profile collaborations within the fighting game community. The game, based on SNK's King of Fighters franchise, unexpectedly reached its end.

According to a developer statement, a contributing factor to the shutdown appears to be the depletion of characters from the King of Fighters roster suitable for adaptation into the game. While not explicitly stated as the sole reason, this factor provides some context to the decision.

What's Next?

The shuttering of King of Fighters ALLSTAR unfortunately continues a concerning trend this year of long-running mobile live-service games closing their doors. This highlights the inherent challenges and risks associated with maintaining these titles, even within the thriving mobile gaming market. The business realities behind these closures remain a complex issue.

If you're looking for a new mobile game to fill the void, check out our list of the best mobile games of 2024 (so far)! Alternatively, explore our weekly roundup of the top five new mobile games to discover fresh titles across various genres. We're confident you'll find something to your liking.