The King Of Fighters 97 - Character List

GAME SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

Introducing the new Advanced mode, KoF 97 stood apart from it's predecessor very much because of it's aggressive Advanced mode. The aggressiveness of KoF 97 was evident as the computer controlled characters frequently rolled and MAX powered up all the time.

SELECTING MODES

This year, unlike previous years, you must select between two modes. The two modes are EXTRA and ADVANCED. The default mode is ADVANCED and push the joystick in a direction to switch modes. To switch back, push the joystick in the opposite direction. The two modes are vastly different, one an offensive mode (ADVANCED) and one a sneaky defensive mode (EXTRA). Below I'll list the differences between the two modes. By the way, each mode has different colour schemes for the characters. Unfortunately, the better colours are the Extra mode colours. Too bad nearly everyone plays Advanced mode.

ADVANCED MODE:

*Players have numerous more abilities and capabilities. Players can:

Roll/Backwards Roll
Hold 3 DM stocks
Escape Normal Throws
Access to FOUR types of jumps
No need for Manual Charge
Have access to SDM's (req. at least 2 DM stocks)
Run forwards

EXTRA MODE

*Likewise, Extra mode players have access to unique abilities and disabilities.

Dodge Technique
Manual charge using ABC
Unable to escape throws.
Flashing red energy bar, allowing unlimited DM usage
Hop Forwards

The mode selection ultimately depends on your preferred style of fighting. Are you a defensive turtler, in the Ryu-Ken mould, tending to fireball then uppercut? Or are you an aggressive, attacking player that likes skill over cheese?

SELECTING CHARACTERS

As with previous KoF games, you must select three characters to control. All characters that can be controlled are displayed on the screen or accessed via secret codes (See FAQ's). To select characters you move the joystick around to each character and the character's portrait will be enlarged. A blue highlight around a character signifies that character is highlighted by player one, a red highlight means player two. Select a character by using A (for normal default colour) and D (for alternate colour palette).

CHARACTER LIST

As with all KoF games, this year SNK had no shortage of characters on hand for us to control in this epic battle. With no less than 29 normal characters (contained within 9 teams and two edit characters) and adding 5 secret Orochi characters, this game was huge. Totaling 36 characters, the game was impressive.

Now, after you have chosen your mode and characters, you will proceed to the character order screen. Here you must select the order your characters will face the opponent. You select from first fighter to last fighter. To see player-relationships (relationships determine if stocked DM's will be passed on. Angry Red means no, White Neutral and Yellow Happy mean yes) hold the C button. You select character order with the A button or D button.

As You can see, each player has selected one character each in the first fighter slot. (Marked with a "1"). The yellow triangle below the character means that character is highlighted to be selected next. After the second character is selected, the remaining character is locked into the 3rd fighter position and then the game continues into the intro sequence and then fight introduction between the first two fighters. When selecting your character order remember you CANNOT undo any selections and that there is no pause button so you must select you characters and order them quickly as the time will run out and you are locked into a formation you do not wish to have or a formation that could be disadvantageous to you considering the opponents battle formation. Remember, choose carefully but quickly.

Certain characters have special introductions and some are very humorous. Classics include Iori and Kyo's Final Showdown sequence, Andy and Mai's hilarious "Wedding...time to pay the taxes" intro and of course the unforgettable laugh-fest "Cross-Changer" from Clark and Ralf. See it for the most stupidity-laced animation ever. Anyway, after the intros occur, prepare to fight!

Right here I'm going to dissect the battle screen to the right. Player One is using Advanced Mode and Player Two is using Extra mode. I'll list the unique differences between both modes first.

Both modes have a "MAX" mode but they are activated differently. In Advanced mode, you must have at least One DM stock and press ABC. Once in MAX mode, Advanced characters gain a 25% power increase and SDM's can be executed instead of normal DM's. In Extra mode, you must charge the POW meter with ABC until it flashes MAX. Once MAX, the character receives an amazing 50% power boost and can use the remaining decreasing meter energy to execute a DM. If MAX when bar is flashing yellow, the player can execute a SDM.

As you can see above, Player two in frame one (is charging using ABC), then shortly after, he is in MAX mode. (Frame 2).

As you can see above, Player One MAXes out in frame one (using ABC) then a bar appears over the POW meter to show remaining time in MAX mode left.

Both modes have a form of evading opponents. Advanced features the "Roll" that passes backwards or forwards. This technique gives some invincibility while performing and allows the player to slide through or around projectiles, attacks and the opponent. It can be used to step around an opponent then hit them out of a move.

Extra mode players however, have the famous KoF94 "dodge" which makes the character step "away" from the screen, stepping onto a 3rd plane which makes any attacks (except command throws) miss. It can also be referred to as "sidestepping" as the character steps to the side and avoids attacks momentarily. Both have temporary invincibility but can be command thrown while in this motion and also a recovery lag (slight) occurs after the technique.

On the left (frame one) you can see that player two "sidesteps" or dodges away from the screen in Extra mode and in frame 2, Player One "rolls" towards his opponent.