Marvel vs. Capcom 2 returns, Mortal Kombat out for EVO 2020

The lineup of main tournaments for EVO 2020 has been revealed and it has inspired a mixed response from the various fighting game fandoms.

For the most part, the lineup of games is quite similar to that of 2019. Only two games were swapped, but those two mark the end of an era for their respective series. The list of main tournament titles for EVO 2020 is:

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• Soulcalibur VI
• Samurai Showdown
• Granblue Fantasy Versus
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2
• Tekken 7
• Street Fighter V Champion Edition
• Dragon Ball FighterZ

The most surprising name on that list is undoubtedly Marvel vs. Capcom 2. The three-on-three fighter was one of EVO’s staple games in the past, with a history at the event actually extending prior to the EVO name. It appeared annually from 2000 to 2010 before being replaced in 2011 by sequel Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds.

EVO is looking to celebrate MvC2’s 20th birthday with a special eight-man tournament featuring some of the top stars from the game’s past. It is unclear which players will be a part of this, though early rumors indicate that past EVO champions will be included in the mix. The tournament will feature a $10,000 prize pool funded by EVO with the possibility of crowdfunding mechanisms to raise this even higher.

The most surprising omission is likely Mortal Kombat 11, which functionally lost its spot to Marvel vs. Capcom 2. NetherRealm Studios has been a consistent part of EVO for a long while, with their most recent console fighting game appearing each year since 2012 with Mortal Kombat 9.

The other big addition is Granblue Fantasy Versus. The Arc System Works game hasn’t actually launched on consoles yet, but is set to give fans the sort of action they’ve come to expect from the company. Granblue Fantasy Versus functionally takes the spot previously held by BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle.

Past that, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH and Samurai Showdown both return. The two series were surprise additions to the lineup in 2019, but the response was apparently strong enough to warrant a second run at EVO.

Finally, Super Smash Bros. Melee finds itself on the outside looking in once again. Despite being one of the biggest games at EVO each year since being added to the lineup in 2013, the game was abruptly cut in 2019. Some were hoping for a return in 2020, but Ultimate will be the only Nintendo title on the main stage.

EVO 2020 will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada and run from July 31 to August 2. Participants can register now.