King of Fighters 2002/2003
Score: 90% ESRB: Teen Publisher: SNK Playmore Developer: SNK Playmore Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Fighting
Graphics & Sound: When I was younger, I was really into fighting games. I still have fond memories of spending all of my weekly allowance at the local arcade dumping quarter after quarter into Samurai Showdown II, various iterations of Street Fighter II and even lesser-known games like Time Killers. However, as fighting games made the transition to 3D, I lost interest. It’s these memories that make offerings like King of Fighters 02/03 such great releases to old timers like myself. Both the 02 and 03 versions of King of Fighters aren’t exactly eye-poppers by current standards; but for their time they were some of the best looking games around. Both versions are near-perfect ports of the NeoGeo versions of the same game (at least as far as my eyes can tell), so they’re great for nostalgic gamers. All of the characters are smoothly animated and, while they’re not hi-res (as in the Guilty Gear series), they still look great. Backdrops are presented in the same art style as the cast of characters, but have a pseudo-3D thing going for them that gives a little depth to an otherwise flat game. Except for the music, which is as cheesy at they come, the audio in both games is pretty good. The cast of fighters can be pretty chatty during fights and the sound effects still pack some punch considering the “aged” technology behind them.
Gameplay: King of Fighters 02/03 packs two installments of the King of Fighters series into one package. The typical reaction to a combo like this usually isn’t good; and when taken at face value, it really doesn’t look like that great a deal since you’re essentially getting the same game twice, right? Normally this reasoning may be correct, but when it comes to King of Fighters 02/03, the logic is flawed since the two games are actually drastically different from one another. Both games present the same basic setup; a tournament brawl featuring fighters from assorted SNK fighting games. Where they differ is in gameplay. The 02 version of the game features a more standard setup where each player chooses three characters who duke it out in round-based matches. Be the first to eliminate all three of your opponent’s characters and you win. The 03 version, on the other hand, is a completely different beast altogether. It retains the three-on-three premise, but lets you “tag in” characters on the fly, adding an impressive amount of speed when compared to the pacing of 02. The two also differ in the number of characters on each roster. The 02 line of fighters is very, very deep – so there’s sure to be someone to fit everyone’s gameplay style. 03 contains a smaller roster made up of some of the more popular fighters, rather than the “let’s include everyone” mentality found in 02. I personally preferred the shorter 03 roster, though others may disagree. As is the case between the two drastically different gameplay styles, the choice is yours. This fact alone makes KOF 02/03 a great purchase for 2D fighting fans since it gives the best of both worlds for a low, low price. Both versions also come with online modes, an option that is sure to make KOF 02/03 a must have title for the SNK hardcore. The online experience for both is functional, though the 03 version seems to have latched onto the online play just a little better since games in 02 can get laggy at times.
Difficulty: Two different games means two different difficulty levels. The faster pacing of 03 makes it a little harder than 02, though the difference is more about getting used to the play mechanics rather than the fights themselves. Still, KOF 02/03 isn’t a cakewalk by any means. Getting good at either one takes a lot of practice. If you plan of going online, you’ll need all the practice you can get. The KOF games, or any SNK fighter for that matter, have a very loyal fanbase who can be very competitive. Some can be very helpful and will offer tips to newcomers; but for every “nice guy” there’s an equally cut-throat player.
Game Mechanics: While the flow of matches between the two games are completely different, each stick to the tried and true standards of tradition 2D fighting games, complete with special moves, meters and other assorted fun. The most “annoying” aspect of the controls is the number of special moves and combos that need to be memorized in order to get anywhere with any character. Neither of the two games lend themselves particularly well to button-mashers, so this group of players may have a slightly more difficult time getting far in the game. During matches, you’ll also have a meter that grows over time with each blow you land. Filling up the bar allows you to unleash super-moves that can knock out large chunks of an opponent’s life meter. Again, it’s all standard stuff and, except for the tagging mechanic in KOF 03, nothing here should throw anyone for a loop. King of Fighters 02/03 is a great deal for fight fans, especially those like myself who like to revel in a little nostalgia once in awhile. Though both may seem a little dated, they’re still among some of the best fighters in the genre and well worth the purchase, especially at the game’s low price.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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