Ah, the sweet feel of nostalgia, when the
world was simpler and gameplay was quick and easy to learn.
Perhaps that is the intention of the 10th
anniversary release of The King of Fighters 2002/2003 by SNK NEOGEO for the
PlayStation 2 console system. Perhaps it is not only a tribute to the
two-dimensional side-scrolling arcade-style fighters of yesterday, but serves as
a springboard foundation for what is to come.
On its own, KOF 2002/KOF 2003 cannot compare
graphically to the current crop of fighters, but there is a certain degree of
charm nonetheless here. GameZone was fortunate enough to get a preview build of
the title, which is slated for release in February.
This is truly an amalgam of the best of the
series. KOF 2002 was the 8th title in the storied franchise and the
disk here holds 39 of the fighters featured in the game from 1996 through 2001,
while there are 33 characters on the 2003 disk, fighting before 10 backdrops.
Comparatively speaking, the options for the
2002 disk are quite limited. Modes of play include Team Play, Team Vs., Single
Play, Single Vs., Practice and Challenge. The 2003 disk features those modes
plus Arcade Play, Arcade Vs., T-Survival, and S-Survival.
Both games feature unlockables, but the true
measure of the game lies in the combat, which is fast and furious. There is some
strategy involved, which can negate constant button mashing by an opponent in
head-to-head play, but for the most part this is purely reflexive combat.
Each of the fighters comes with unique skills,
and you can power up in the 2003 version for a timed outburst. Taunts are also
available.
The language of the fighters is Japanese, with
a little English thrown in occasionally. The musical score is best turned way
down. While not grating, it reflects the arcade nature of the games.
Graphically these games are throwbacks. Both
are reminiscent of the arcade origins, and on the PS2 give the look and feel of
the original PlayStation machine. There is some pixilized animation, and the
fighters do seem to move in a rather jerky fashion at times. And in the version
received, there were times when, unintentionally, some of the colors shifted –
notably in the hair.
Players will be able to create their own teams
of fighters here and challenge either console-generated teams or the teams of
other fighters. The team fighting comes in two flavors – one pits each member of
the fighting team in head-to-head competition with one member of another team
until defeated. Once the entire team is down, the battle is over. The other way
allows players to switch team members on the fly during battle, almost tag-team
style. In the latter, a bit of strategy pops into play as you try to counter
certain combat styles.
The characters do have attitude, and
individual flair – some of which is overtly suggestive. There is also a fair
amount of wiggle and jiggle in the female characters.
The one player-versus-one player aspect of
this game is a great deal of fun. The battles do not last overly long, and are
both entertaining and challenging.
The King of Fighters 2002/2003 is not the type
of title that Soul Caliber, Dead or Alive or even (the upcoming) Iron Phoenix
fans are likely to run out, buy and spend hours playing. Comparing this title to
those (graphically) is like comparing apples and oranges. But if not for the KOF
series, those titles may not be the stalwart fighting titles they are. KOF
2002/2003 is a two-dimensional, side-scrolling arcade fighter that will remind
gamers of the roots of the genre. Playing this title alone was not nearly as
enjoyable as playing it against another human opponent, and therein lies the
most important part of the game’s fun factor.
