The King of Fighters 2002/2003 Preview

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 10^th 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 8^th 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.