The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood

"It isn't just a port, It's a true GBA sequel!"

Should you buy this game if you like KOF? I'll say ''Sure!'' if you own GBA. It doesn't matter if you already owned KOF EX Neo Blood for GBA, This sequel has much enhanced graphics in term of layout, more newcomers and follows traditional KOF battle system (3 vs 3). It is still worth to buy! The best fighting game for GBA if not Street Figther Alpha 3, which is the absolute port of its ps version plus downrated graphics.

Graphics 7/10
I'm happy with the layout graphics for this game. They are more enhanced and animated, utilising the GBA's maximum capabilities, making the game one of the GBA quality standard (unlike Star Wars Episode II and Jackie Chan if you want some examples). Trust me, you won't get bored with the game because of the cool character select screens etc. The characters however, are pretty the same in graphics quality and framerates compared to its previous game: KOF EX: Neo Blood. The newcomers seem to suffer alot as they are originally created for GBA and won't (if not more impossible than possible) appear in the arcade system and other nextgen consoles.

Gameplay 8/10
Like I said it isn't a port. There are many newcomers here! That includes the previous gba game KOF EX Neo Blood's newcamer Moe. This game's newcomers are: Jun, Miu & Reiji. Jun is a sexy woman. Miu is a high school student and Reiji is a man with passion. Other KOF characters in this game include: Kyo, Terry, Andy, Mai, Leona, Ralf, Clark, Kim, Choi, Chang, Athena, Kensou, Bao, Ryo, Yuri, Takuma and last but not least Iori. For those who like characters not listed above, well I'm sorry...hey but they are only starting characters anyway! I'm yet to discover any secret character....

How does Athena look? She's wearing her KOF2000 costume...(cuter)

The battle system is, well, 3 on 3. If you play KOF games before KOF 99 then you'll know what I mean. You choose 3 characters, preferably from the same row (which means the 3 characters are under the same team). Before you battle the opponents you will have to choose which of the three come first, second and the last. When your first character got beaten, the second character will kick in. Whose last character got beaten first is the loser...

There is story mode, where your characters have to battle through 8 battles to make it to the ending. There are single vs mode and team vs mode, continued by Record mode and Practice mode (practice mode is not included in KOF EX: NEO BLOOD if I am not mistaken. Another sign of improvement!). You'll need link cable to play the vs modes though.

Sound 7/10

It's better than KOF EX: Neo blood, if we were to exclude the character voices which appear to be of the same quality....some of the music are new.

Replayability ?/10

It really depends. I'm sure KOF fan like my brother will spend every free time of his to turn on the GBA and play KOF EX2 Howling Blood. Playing KOF on the move has never been so much fun! But gamers like me, who prefer action, will rather turn the game down after 2 or 3 months, for it's pure fighting game that does nothing but to fight.

Overall 8/10

One of the great GBA titles you should look out for! Playing those fighting games on arcade and PSone were no longer dreams....they came true in Neo Blood and they are much improved in Howling Blood! What's more, the battle system is classic, and KOF fans will enjoy it! If you hate Street Fighter Alpha 3 for GBA which is just an absolute port, here is your alternative!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/27/02, Updated 12/27/02