The King of Fighters '98: The Slugfest

"38+ Characters?! No Clones?! WHAT ARE YOU, CRAZY??!!"

The King of Fighter series is SNK's answer to many of Capcom's attempts to try to take over the video game business. Where Capcom gains its power from it's characters and it's bouts with characters from Marvel; SNK hits everyone with original characters, better ways to perform grapples, and more personality than different types of insects on this planet.

Gameplay-wise, it's nothing new. Two punches, two kicks, a knock-down attack, roll/avoid, super-jump, dash/run-jumpback, and 2/3 super moves. Though, comboing has just been added to the '98 game. It was fine without it.

Some old characters have returned: The Sports Team; Mature and Vice (found one time beating the crap out of Iori); Takuma, Heidern, and Saishu (now in the group called the Uncle Team); and good ol' Rugal, the guy who's still trying to become God.

Despite the war between "Joke" characters, there's no laughing matter. Shingo may not produce fire, but he'll give Dan a run for his money. Yuri, whose antics doesn't even refraim from making fun of Misato and Asuka (EVA), is also a good fighter when used effectively.

There's even some discussion going on before the fight commences. The Sports Team say "Hello" to each other, as does the Band Team. The Ikari Team salute Heidern, The Kokyugen Team sweatdrops as Takuma acts stupid, Sie blows kisses to Athena, King is not happy with Joe's antics, and there's some new dialogue between Kyo and Iori ("I'm better now, really. ^_^; ")

There have been complaints that the final boss, Omega Rugal, is a horrible brick wall to go through. SNK does have it's problems with making the final bosses a bit too "final." And lastly, when you continue there's a roulette feature that gives you some choices to have before you go back into the fight. Pick one, (Half power for opponents, full energy bar, skip to next battle (??!!)) and it could be used to your advantage. Fan Service? I don't know.

All and all, KOF is a nice series to have for your Saturn. It'll even be better when it gets to the Dreamcast. Nothing but love for SNK!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99