Ignition Entertainment released the debut trailer for the US version of The King of Fighters XII earlier this morning, with the trailer only stating the PlayStation 3 as the designated platform. However, SNK and Ignition have now confirmed the game for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for release in July 2009.

“I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to commemorate The King of Fighter’s 15-Year Anniversary than with a gorgeously animated, high-definition installment that updates the KOF legacy for a new generation.” said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. “While other fighting games have abandoned the time-consuming process of creating beautiful 2D art, KOFXII fully embraces the refined aesthetic beauty that only human hands can produce.”

Hit the jump for the press release.

Ignition Entertainment and SNK Playmore Proudly Announce First-Ever Next Generation King of Fighters Game

THE KING OF FIGHTERS XII

Newly Hand-Drawn in High Resolution, The Fight is on in July 2009 on Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3

March 3, 2009

Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames and SNK Playmore announced today that The King of Fighters XII is releasing worldwide in July 2009 on the PLAYSTATION®3 and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The legendary 3-on-3 fighting game series that united rival brawlers from SNK Playmore’s classic arcade franchises celebrates its 15th Anniversary in style with the release of The King of Fighters XII. For the first time in its history, this epic martial arts showdown has undergone a complete graphical overhaul. The antiquated character sprites used over the past 14 years have been dropped in favour of all-new, high-resolution fighters fluidly animating across painstakingly detailed, 100% hand-drawn backgrounds.

“Our development slogan for KOFXII is “KOF Re-Birth” and we’ve aimed to create an entirely new King of Fighters game. To make this a truly unique fighting game, we’ve revolutionized the graphics by creating state of the art visuals – and made no compromises in that process whatsoever,” said Masaaki Kukino, SNK Playmore.

“I couldn’t think of a more appropriate way to commemorate The King of Fighter’s 15-Year Anniversary than with a gorgeously animated, high-definition installment that updates the KOF legacy for a new generation.” said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. “While other fighting games have abandoned the time-consuming process of creating beautiful 2D art, KOFXII fully embraces the refined aesthetic beauty that only human hands can produce.”

Stay tuned to Ignition Entertainment for more information, including screenshots, trailers, and loads of details on new game play features!