The King of Fighters 2000

"King of Fighters 2000, SNK Says Farewell With a Golden Game"

SNK, the company behind the Neo-Geo Advanced Enertainment System closed its doors in 2001, not long after releasing The King of Fighters 2000. Of course we all know SNK has been resurrected, but this game was the last KOF by the original SNK company. What a tribute to the company this game is. KOF 2000 brings the best out in every character included in the game, with some surprises along for the ride. This game is huge, weighing in at 688 megs, and features a solid lineup of fighters, (a huge cast is included in this game)... flawless gameplay and excellent graphics round this fighter out. This game is truly off the hook. This may just be the closest KOF has ever gotten to perfection. SNK really put a lot of effort into creating this game, and it shows. The excellent gameplay, perfect graphics, awesome sound, and high replay value makes this a Neo-Geo game that must be played to be believed. I am going to go ahead and say it, this game has now surpassed KOF '99 as my all-time favorite KOF. KOF '99 is a perfect game. KOF 2000 somehow did the impossible and proved itself to be better in every way imaginable. This game is silky smooth and a thrill to play. If you own any Neo-Geo system, besides the CD (which this game wasn't released on) buy KOF 2000, there isn't another game in the Neo stable that can beat it. This is perfection.

(gameplay - 10)
The gameplay is nothing shy of perfection. Pulling off the moves is very easy, and moving your character from one end of the screen to the other is 'like butta'... KOF 2000 tops KOF '98 in terms of gameplay, and most SNK fans say that KOF '98 is the best, but I'm here to tell you they're wrong. SNK pulled out everything they had to make this game control as close to perfect as it possibly could. The controls remain the same, with two punch and two kick buttons, plus Super Desparation Moves, Super Moves, special attacks, striker attacks, this game is loaded to the gills. Controlling your team has never been easier. Controlling an arcade fighter doesn't get any better than this. A perfect 10 for a perfect control scheme.

(story - 10)
This is a tournament where the best fighters in the world compete. Their is a background plot to the game, which is that the Nests Cartel is hell-bent on world domination and have sent Zero (the final boss) to carry out their evil scheme. Fight your way through the tournament to be declared the king of fighters, and earn yourself a shot at Zero in the process. Be prepared though because this has got to be one of the toughest end bosses a game has ever had.

(graphics - 10, sound - 10)
With each KOF release SNK seemingly outdoes themselves in this category. The graphics are more polished than ever, as each character is highly detailed and superbly animated. Check out the purple liquids that seep out of Iori's veins, or the flames that Kyo Kusanagi controls with his bare fists! The characters are large and colorful, and very life-like. The special moves are breathtaking, and very impressive. The backgrounds are some of the best KOF has ever had. Swirling winds make it hard to see in the desert, and icy frost covers a factory in pure visual bliss. The details in the backgrounds are great, and the scrolling scenery is pure Neo goodness. The backgrounds are bustling with animation and tons of action. The graphics are amazing and simply outstanding for a piece of hardware this old. The soundtrack is very good. The music is excellent and really sets the tone for the fights. Really this is one of the best soundtracks KOF has ever had. The sound effects are on-target as well. With each step, punch, and kick accounted for. The masters at SNK raised the bar for excellence with KOF 2000, and they did so with flying colors.

(replayability - 10)
With so many characters to choose from the possiblities seem to go on and on and on. Picking your team of 4 fighters has never been so difficult because all the characters are powerful and well-represented. Try to find your perfect team, it may take you a while. The difficulty is up there but this game is not impossible to beat by any means. Putting down the final boss may take you some time, but it's definately worth the effort. A game with a cast this large should have high replay value, and when you consider that the graphics, sound, gameplay, and story are all excellent, the task before you of becoming the king of fighters no longer seems like a chore but rather a pleasure as every moment you spend playing this game will be moments spent enraptured in pure awe and excitement.

(recommendation)
This game is the definitive KOF and if you own only one KOF, this is the one to own. SNK really pushed the envelope with KOF 2000 and did a fine job of creating a perfect fighting game. There is not one weakness to be found in this game, everything is top-notch and as solid as can be. Play KOF 2000 for the sentimental value that this is the last original SNK KOF, or play it for the pure pleasure of playing something so damn close to perfection. Either way, KOF 2000 is sure to please.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/05/04