The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999

"“Lost in translation” takes a whole new meaning…"

It’s the year 2000, autumn of that year to be precise. The news of the demise of SNK of America has rocked the fighting game community. The goose that has laid such golden eggs as King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury and more was simply no more in the states. And I realized something: I never really gave SNK much of a chance back when these games were fresh. So with notable urgency I headed out to my local Best Buy, and grabbed the last remaining copy of King of Fighters Dream Match 1999 for the Dreamcast, which I later learned was the re-named version of KoF ’98. Thus was the genesis of my fandom of SNK’s fighting franchises, as this was the game that gave me my first look at Terry, Kyo, Iori, King, Kim, Ryo, Chizuru, Athena, Billy, Yuri, Rugal, and a cast of dozens that would take hold of my imagination…

This review is going to mostly examine how this game compares to the original Neo Geo version. The usual KoF standards of teams of 3 fighting until there’s no one left to fight apply as they always have. Extra and Advanced modes, introduced in KoF 97, are here, as are all of the teams from 97, plus 3 more that flashback to games past.

The first thing you see after the SNK logo, however, is a stunning anime introduction, showcasing a fight between archrivals Kyo and Iori, and also showing everyone else who’s in the game. It’s a tantalizing and well-done intro that makes one (or at least me) wonder what shape an actual KoF anime would actually take. After that, you’re prompted to press start, taking you to the menu.

There are two primary play modes here, the arcade mode which is the KoF 98 that arcade goers are familier with, and Survivor Mode, which takes you through the entire cast using only one preferred character. When you lose the regular arcade game and choose not to continue, you’re given the choice to save the game. I’ve actually found this pretty useful if I just want to go right to Rugal as opposed to going through the other fighters.

Especially since somehow, someway, Rugal has gotten a lot harder in this version. Yes, I know, you Neo Geo die-hards are saying to yourself “He’s an SNK boss, he’s supposed to be hard.” Well, directly comparing the Neo Geo boss Rugal to the one found here, this one seems a lot smarter. Either that or he’s channeling Mega Man bosses with the way he uses his techniques in a seeming pattern. (Electric shield, Electric shield, Genocide Cutter, Electric Shield…)

Okay, so the boss has gone from tough to cheesy and tough. What else is up with this game? Well, the controls are mostly all there. The Neo Geo’s four button set-up is really ideal for the Dreamcast as opposed to Capcom’s six button fighters, since those triggers aren’t quite as nice as I’m sure Sega had hoped. Said triggers are pre-set to be the taunts here, by the way. As with any home fighting port, you can adjust this however you like.

Graphically, the characters look as good as they did in the arcade, but the stages have been changed to a more 3D look but retaining some of the 2D sprites from the old ones. It looks pretty good in execution, since the backgrounds don’t move that much other than the sprites in them. However, unlike the Neo Geo game, the backgrounds also don’t shift time, so you won’t see day turn into night or vice versa if it’s applicable. Kind of a bummer, but nothing too hampering.

The music is not direct from the arcade version, either. Instead, we have here edited versions of the Arranged soundtracks that are available for purchase in Japan. They sound great, but when the game loads the next character, they stop. Kind of breaks up the flow, especially if you’re used to the music continuing through the game. Regardless, all the voices have made it intact, and the sound effects all sound just fine.

Okay, so a few things got lost. What else is there? Neo Geo Pocket Color Communication Connector Cable compatibility with the title King of Fighters R2, that’s what. This allows the characters in Dream Match to gain new skills, and also to view hidden images. Not a bad use of the accessory, to be certain.

All in all, this port could have been more, but it was an early game for a new system. If you see it in the discount bins, give it a shot, because it’s not a completely unworthy game. Otherwise, I’d stick to KoF Evolution, the port of the real 1999 game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/27/02, Updated 09/27/02