The fact that you can’t pick your teams makes it very hard to enjoy. You can have one or two guys you know how to play but you’re stuck with some schlub you’ll forced to master even if you can’t stand him. This isn’t a problem for Japan or Mexico but it completely shitcans Korea unless you’re one of the %2 of KOF fandom that doesn’t absolutely hate Choi. This is exactly how I felt in 94 and nothing has changed.
I like KOF 94 for its presentation, the way the backgrounds are, things that seemed to be forgotten as the series went on. KOF 95 is like the full release version of 94. So much better even though it’s still mostly the same “old” game with little animation. 95 also has the more interesting old fashioned sort of BGs, Kings stage in particular rules. To me 94 and 2001 are the least of the KOFs. Most days I’d rather play 2001. Not all days, but most.
Obviously “epitome” has a bunch of definitions. I didn’t even consider that some may take that as simply “when SNK was most popular”. To me that seems totally irrelevant since I never worked for them. Many many many system have their best games come out when the system is dying. Yoshi’s Island, Sapphire, FC Kunio and DQ games, etc. If industry ruling popularity and profit make a game the epitome then that game on Neo is Fatal Fury Special.