Evo Japan Dates and Titles Established at Evo 2017

Super Smash Bros Melee is a notable absence as well, despite what is now a solidly locked continual presence on the main Evo stage.

Japanese fighting game veteran Hajime "Tokido" Taniguchi won the Street Fighter 5 tournament last night, beating 18-year-old American Victor "Punk" Woodley.

When it comes to Icons: Combat Arena's gameplay, it's basically a platform-based fighter that is heavily influenced by Super Smash Bros.

Icons: Combat Arena, as the new game is known, is set to be free-to-play, and is the work of Wavedash Games, a studio consisting of both former Project M developers and new talent from all across the games industry.

Central Fiction, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Arms round out the rest of the Evo Japan lineup. Like Smash Bros., Icons will allow two to four players to duke it out with one another.

Not only does Japan have a strong presence in King of Fighters, but is also relatively close to China-the nation nearly universally believed to be the world's best in the game. While many fans of Smash Bros.do want more platform fighters, it would be nice if instead of cloning what is already established, Wavedash would create its own identity.

The full reveal trailer for the game can be seen above, but unfortunately for the Wavedash team, reception of the upcoming title hasn't been too stellar since it was revealed yesterday. Over on the official trailer that was uploaded to Wavedash's YouTube account, the comments have a resounding vibe of disappointment in the project. Organisers say they will be working closely with local fighting game communities and tournaments like Topanga and Godsgarden to ensure the event is a success.

There's no release date scheduled for Icons: Combat Arena, but the game is expected to have a closed beta for PC players soon.