KING OF FIGHTERS
MAXIMUM IMPACT










This one released last week ($90rrp). To mark the 10th year anniversary of this much loved fighting franchise, SNK/Playmore have opted to go 3D. With mixed results, but still a must have for KoF fans.

The game comes with a special sleeve that houses the game case, a large manual and also includes a special bonus disc (in game case) with making of movie, character bio's, stories, combo vids and art. Which is a very nice bonus, especially for KoF fans. Lot's of geeky stuff in here and some dodgy narration provide a B movie effect. Hehe.

The game itself is still 2D at heart. In fact it plays just like the old KoF games with the addition of dial a combo's and the ability to "otg" (off the ground hit) opponents for some massive combo's and juggles. Basically if you know how to play KoF, you can play this. It's not like the huge leap from the 2D Mortal Kombat's to the recent 3D versions of it. This one stays in it's roots, with the dial a combo's worked in to add spice and that 3D style fighting flavour. Combining both results in some feindish looking combo's. Although I worry about the ease at which you can otg opponents. The supers are intact and so are the rolls guard rolling etc etc. New to the series is the guard impact. Block hits and your guard gauge will go down. When it empties you cannot block for a limited time.

Graphically, it looks ok. It's running on the Renderware engine and there aain't much textures ont he characters or even that high of a poly count. BUT! The characters do look exactly just like their 2D coutnerparts. Not only in looks but also in their stances and their moves. It's exactly how you would expect to see their familiar moves in 3D. For this I congratulate SNK/Playmore on such a great job. Arika struggled to make Street Fighter EX familiar, all the old 2D characters looked wrong and moved even stranger. The graphics remain at 60fps with nice effects on projectiles and such. Just take a gander at Mai's bounciness in glorious 3D, or Maxima's girth, K's supercool demeanor etc etc. It is all intact.

The music and sound is very good. Music is high quality and is very remeniscent of the older KoF music. Sounds are also great but I'd advise people to switch to Japanese voices for the authentic deal. The english voices are simply horrid. The Jap voices are the same actors who voiced the characters in previous KoF games.

Now for the important bit. Seeing as this game is more a tribute to fans with their old favorites being rendered in glorious 3D, character selections must be done right. There are over 50 characters in the KoF canon and they could only fit so much (space and dev time) but they got the main favorites in here. All up there are 20 characters. 6 of which are new. Not only that every character has alternate costumes with most characters having a wildly different look (Iori and Mai).

- Kyo
- Iori
- Ryo
- Terry (with MotW alt costume)
- K'
- Rock (woohoo!)
- Leona
- Mai
- Athena
- Yuri
- Ralf
- Clark
- Seth
- Maxima

And the newcomers...

- Alba
- Soiree
- Mignon (dig that bunny alt outfit)
- Lien (oh my Ivy-like!)
- Chae Lim (Kim clone)
- Duke (boss)

Very impressive cast list, with the popular favorites making an appearance otherwise you'd have EVERYONE asking "why is K' not in this game." I'm surprised Seth made it in, could have thought of someone else instead of him. I wanted Chang just to see his big fat belly in 3D. But they included Rock! So this is all good! The newcomers are all well done. Mignon and Lien are great and the two brothers are fantastic, although I'm not sure on Alba's look though.

Well thats my impressions. It's not too bad and it's not excellent. It's good. Worthy to be in a 2d fighters collection and mandatory for a KoF fan just to see their favorite character in 3D. I look forward to a sequel with more characters and perhaps less Tekken style juggling and combo's.

Before I go....


BOOBS!

-Stompy

This game never really interested me at all, and KOF is my favourite 2D fighting game. I've had the Jap version here for around 2 months now but can't play it because my console isn't modded.

I would have loved a 2D KoF. This looks good though, nice boobs.

Does Rock have teh angel wings??

Sounds alright I guess, better than SFEX anyway. I just hope that SNK/PLAYMORE don't think 3D is replacing 2D because they are each entitled to their respective dimensions, pros and cons and all that stuff.

I personally would love to see something a little more complete and developed hit the 3D fighting scene, with the respect that SC2 attained. That was a few years ago so maybe we'll hear something at E3. Tekken 5 is out on PS2 now so SC3 must be in development.

*Goes and plays 3S and DOA:U online* :P

OOH, boobies. :D
But they don't look as round as these attached ones. ;)

Seriously, it doesn't look bad. I'm not a huge KOF fan, but i might give it a rent.

UC1:

Yes! Rock does have the wings! Only get to see it during his win pose and his qcb+LK move. In fact all the old characters have all their moves, winpose and taunts intact, but now in 3D. It was absolutely orgasmic to see K' in full 3D walking around with his hands in his pocket. I had one of those "moments." You know.... mastercard like moments lol. And the game isn't really 3D. It's still 2D but with some dial a combo's thrown in to I guess differentiate this to the other KoF games. And stuff you with the 3S online. >:@ :P

[DZ]:

There is a 2D KoF game available already. KoF 00/01 has been out for a while now. Retailing for $50. Or you can wait for KoF 02/03 if you want the latest ones.

Civ:

You should see Mai now! She was the queen of bounce! Not these DoA tarts ;p. Mai harkens back to 12 years ago! And yes, this is definately for KoF fans or fighting fans in general. You cannot go wrong with the special case, bonus disk and special manual. I think Target or Big W is selling it for $69 for those after it for cheap.

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The only thing I dislike is that I have to remember some dial a combo's. :/

-Stompy

Yeah, I've played those 2D Kof's, they're awesome. Like someone pointed out above, SFEX sux ass. SF and KoF should remain 2D, just like Castlevania should. ;)

[DZ] who's your team in KOF? I use K', Terry, King, and Kim as a striker. 2000 is my prefered edition.