EVO 2020 game lineup revealed: Smash Ultimate, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, more

❘ Published: 2020-02-05T04:15:17

EVO

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 is making a surprise return to the fighting game mecca, Evolution Championship Series (EVO), in 2020, with Smash Ultimate, Tekken 7, and Street Fighter V headlining the major event.

Fighting game fans rejoice, fan favorite franchise Marvel vs. Capcom will be making a return to EVO alongside a host of usual mainstays in 2020.

The popular franchise was announced as a major event at EVO 2020 during the game lineup presentation on February 4, alongside eight other titles.

This is the #Evo2020 game lineup! Which games will you be competing in this year? pic.twitter.com/OgmaO9bUgG

— EVO (@EVO) February 5, 2020

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Smash Ultimate will once again be appearing at EVO, as well as Tekken 7, Street Fighter V, and Dragon Ball FighterZ. While these tournaments shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, players can now stop holding their breath in case something completely crazy was on the cards.

The 22nd rendition of the major fighting game event will also see the return of Soulcalibur VI, Samurai Shodown, and Under Night In-Birth from 2019’s event.

Marvel vs. Capcom’s inclusion after a three-year absence comes as a surprise to the game’s most dedicated players, including Justin Wong. “Wait MVC2,” he said on Twitter. “They didn’t tell me I’m in this tourney until just now.”

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The franchise will be making a return as a special eight-player invite-only tournament, Wong included, and it will be the Marvel vs. Capcom 2’s first appearance at EVO since 2010.

WHAT THEY DIDNT TELL ME IM IN THIS TOURNEY UNTIL JUST NOW LMFAO

— Justin Wong (@JWonggg) February 5, 2020

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Its inclusion does mean that one other major franchise was snubbed from EVO 2020 — Mortal Kombat 11. After the series made a return to EVO in 2019, it will be gone just as quickly as it came, with the game not included in the final list of nine.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle has also been removed from the games list, with the franchise not featuring at EVO 2020. It’s the first time a BlazBlue game won’t be at EVO since 2016. Instead, it will be replaced by the yet-to-be-released Granblue Fantasy: Versus.

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The latest game in the Granblue Fantasy franchise will be released in North America on March 3, giving players around five months to prep for the big event.

#Evo2020 will be the first event to host a preview GUILTY GEAR STRIVE tournament! Taking place the Friday of Evo 2020… we're excited to see how this upcoming title rocks the competition. Stay tuned to @ArcSystemWorksU & @ARCSY_Event for more details in the near future. pic.twitter.com/CY1o7TcSWM

— EVO (@EVO) February 5, 2020

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While not listed on the official event line-up, EVO will also play host to the opening tournament of Guilty Gear Strive. The latest release in the franchise is expected to hit shelves later in the year, but fans can get their first taste of the title at EVO 2020 in a preview tournament.

EVO 2020 will kick off in Las Vegas on July 31 and will run until August 2.