Just when things seemed gloomy for PlayStation 2 fans fearing they will never have the chance to enjoy more official SNK game releases on their console outside of Samurai Shodown V (Samurai Spirits Zero) next month comes good news from SNK NEOGEO USA itself today.  Last year's release of The King of Fighters 2000/2001 "combo pack" looks to be followed up by 2 more combo packs, one bundling The King of Fighters 2002 and 2003, and the other featuring both Metal Slug 4 and Metal Slug 5:

"The classic SNK franchises, THE KING OF FIGHTERS and METAL SLUG, will be launched during the second half of 2004 and the first half of 2005. THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002 & 2003 will ship in Winter 2004, and the popular METAL SLUG 4 & 5 Combo will follow in Spring 2005.  Each of these game combos feature full versions of each game.

“We are excited about offering these four great games for the PlayStation 2” commented Ben Herman, SNK NEOGEO USA CONSUMER CORPORATION president. “This is a chance for all gamers to learn of the rich SNK history by easily acquiring an SNK title library for their PlayStation 2.”"