Andy Bogard Revives Classic Rivalries as First Free DLC in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

If you grew up in arcades or spent your SNES years mastering quarter circles, SNK’s latest move with Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves should hit you right in the nostalgia center. Andy Bogard – a fighting game mainstay and brother to face-punching icon Terry Bogard – will be the first playable DLC character, coming June 24, and he’s free for all owners of City of the Wolves. For a genre with a checkered history of paid updates and nickeling-and-diming players, that is something that honestly caught my attention.

Andy Bogard headlines first free DLC in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves – Here’s why it matters

• Iconic comeback: Andy is a pillar of the Fatal Fury series, and his return as free DLC signals SNK’s respect for legacy fans.
• Fair approach to DLC: Making the first Season Pass fighter free undercuts FGC skepticism toward predatory DLC pricing.
• Franchise legacy in focus: This puts Fatal Fury’s classic rivalries and character connections back at the center of the reboot.
• Competitive shake-up: Expect Andy’s Shiranui-style to add depth to the already strong character roster and FGC meta.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	SNK CORPORATION
Release Date	April 24, 2025 (Base Game), June 24, 2025 (Andy DLC)
Genres	Fighting
Platforms	PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store

To put this in context, Andy Bogard hasn’t switched up his style much since the Neo Geo days, but there’s a reason fans have stuck by him for over thirty years. Sure, Terry gets the glory (and the hat memes), but Andy’s sleek Shiranui taijutsu and stoic rival energy have always been vital to Fatal Fury’s identity. After a 26-year hiatus that left Garou: Mark of the Wolves as the series’ last major entry, the return of Andy means more than just “another blond guy with kicks” – it’s about restoring the heart of the old-school SNK cast.

And let’s be real, fighting games in 2025 don’t exactly have the best record with DLC value. Tekken 8, Street Fighter 6, even Mortal Kombat 1 – all have had their share of backlash for expensive character passes or time-gated releases, sometimes tied to aggressive monetization. SNK making Andy free for anyone who owns the game (yes, including early adopters and not just Season Pass buyers) is a direct play for goodwill. Is it just the first hit for free? Maybe. But coming from a publisher that knows how to nurture old-school fandoms, it feels more genuine than most. Plus, having English and Japanese voice trailers at launch signals SNK’s awareness of their global playerbase – another area where other devs sometimes stumble.

For returning players or FGC veterans, Andy’s backstory carries added weight. The devs are banking on that historic rivalry with his brother Terry, but they also tease an in-universe legacy with his pupil Hokutomaru. It’s an easy win for both lore nerds and competitive players, since these relationships often inform fighting styles and balance tweaks over time. With City of the Wolves already praised for its comic-inspired visuals and energetic matches thanks to the new REV System, having a recognizable fighter like Andy join the roster only adds to the appeal for tournaments and casual lobbies alike.

Here’s my one note of skepticism: while Andy being free is great, it’s still Season Pass 1, so we know future characters will eventually cost you. The real test will be how SNK handles their ongoing content cadence and pricing. Will it stay reasonable, or will the publisher revert to FGC cash-grab patterns seen elsewhere? For now, though, credit where it’s due – this is exactly the kind of announcement that rekindles that old SNK loyalty, rather than eroding it.

What Andy’s comeback means for fighters – and why fans should care

If you’re new to Fatal Fury or returning after decades, Andy Bogard’s addition is more than a character drop. It’s a signal to the fighting game community that City of the Wolves isn’t just mining nostalgia but actively respecting its roots. In a year dominated by flashy new fighters and live-service models, SNK is doubling down on what made their legacy great: delivering fan-favorite fighters with fair value and a competitive edge. For those of us who remember slugging quarters into Neo Geo cabinets, Andy’s return is proof SNK still “gets it.”

So whether you’re looking to revisit old rivalries or just want to see what modern Fatal Fury brings to the table, June 24 means one thing: a major shake-up is on the way, and at least this time, your wallet gets a break.

TL;DR: Andy Bogard’s free arrival as the first playable DLC in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves feels like SNK honoring both old fans and modern FGC values. By leading with a fan-favorite character and skipping the usual paywall, SNK just set the bar for how legacy brawlers can treat the community in the reboot age.