This year’s Evo fighting game tournament lineup has some surprises

Organizers for the Evolution Championship Series (aka Evo, the major annual fighting game tournament that’s been running for more than 20 years) announced the lineup for this year’s event, and it’s got a few surprises. One of those surprises is the return of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, the Dreamcast version from 2000, as part of the event.

There are, of course, the usual suspects at Evo 2020: Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition, Tekken 7, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. There’s also the return of Dragon Ball FighterZ, Samurai Shodown, and Soulcalibur 6. And somewhat surprisingly, there will be no NetherRealm Studios game at Evo 2020; Mortal Kombat 11 will not return this year as part of the main competition. It’s the first time NetherRealm hasn’t had a Mortal Kombat or Injustice game at Evo since 2011.

Here’s the full list of official tournament games appearing at Evo 2020:

• Dragon Ball FighterZ
• Granblue Fantasy Versus
• Samurai Shodown
• Soulcalibur 6
• Street Fighter 5: Champion Edition
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• Tekken 7
• Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]

Evo organizers will also hold a special invitational tournament featuring Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for the fighting game’s 20th anniversary. Eight players, including four former Evo champs, will take part in what Evo organizers are calling the “20urnament of Champions.”

Evo 2020 will take place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from July 31 to Aug. 2. Registration for the event is now open.