How would you rank all King of Fighters games from best to worst?

Niko

Whip's Subordinate
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May 15, 2014
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KoF2k2 Unlimited Match
KoF98
KoF2k2
KoF97
KoF2k3
KoFXIII
KoF99
KoF2k
KoF NeoWave
KoF96
KoF95
KoFXI
KoF2k1
KoF94
KoFXII
 

Capitalistix

Edo Express Delivery Guy
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KoF2k2 Unlimited Match
KoF98
KoF2k2
KoF97
KoF2k3
KoFXIII
KoF99
KoF2k
KoF NeoWave
KoF96
KoF95
KoFXI
KoF2k1
KoF94
KoFXII

I used to be of the mindset that 2k2 and 98 were the only worthwhile ones. Since theyre the most legitimately taken in modern day (of the NG originals) however I started playing 97 the other day and I gotta say its pretty cool. I enjoy the creepy ambience of it. I was on the bali night stage, and it legitimately creeped me out. So Im kimda seeimg the appeal. Its cool to see its so high on your list!
 

Atro

Who?,
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When KOF94 makes it before last, the list can't be taken seriously.
 
Last edited:

kingcuckmelon1

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97 is definitely my top (I'm not sure why it get so much flack). I have a real soft spot for 94. 98 of course is probably technically the best. 95 was my first KOF so that gets near the top of my list

1. 97
2. 94
3. 98
4. 95
5. 99
6. 96
7. 00
8. 02
9. 01
10. 03
 

Capitalistix

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97 is definitely my top (I'm not sure why it get so much flack). I have a real soft spot for 94. 98 of course is probably technically the best. 95 was my first KOF so that gets near the top of my list

1. 97
2. 94
3. 98
4. 95
5. 99
6. 96
7. 00
8. 02
9. 01
10. 03

Dang, 02s that far down for you? Do you not like stylistically where the series went or?
 

Heinz

Parteizeit
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I like fishing and all but there's easier ways to catch a Saner.
 

Neo Alec

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I used to be of the mindset that 2k2 and 98 were the only worthwhile ones. Since theyre the most legitimately taken in modern day (of the NG originals) however I started playing 97 the other day and I gotta say its pretty cool. I enjoy the creepy ambience of it. I was on the bali night stage, and it legitimately creeped me out. So Im kimda seeimg the appeal. Its cool to see its so high on your list!
Ambiance is not the reason people prefer 98 and 2K2.
 

Tarma

Old Man
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I have to admit I've not played them all, but of those I have:

'97
'96
'98
'02
'94
'99
'95
'00
'01

'96 & '98 are pretty interchangable... but '97 has consistently been my favourite.
 

donluca

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Yeah I felt they went a bit "MUGEN" by that stage. Still love it though

Glad I'm not the only one who felt that way about the newer ones.

It's hard for me to make a proper list because I really like them all up to '99.
Afterwards I felt there had been a constant decline in quality and attention to details.

It would be easier for me to just group them in tiers

S tier - 98
A tier - 99, 97
B tier - 96, 95, 94
Mugen tier - 00, 01, 02 ,03
 

GohanX

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When KOF94 makes it before last, the list can't be taken seriously.

Nah, XII is the worst. It's barely even a game, it's really just a beta for XIII but SNKP needed money so they had to ship something.
 

SouthtownKid

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Ranking only the MVS releases:

2002
1998

After that, it has nothing to do with best or worst, just personal enjoyment.

2001
1994
2003
1995
2000
1996
1997
1999

'97 gets waaaaay too much love. It was a rush hack job. The first of the series where you could see the strain of trying to produce a new one every single year. They pulled it off in '95 and '96, but '97 is just unfinished and unpolished. They ran out of time and just released '97 that way. You can make legitimate complaints about how '02 looks or sounds, but at least it had the gameplay and roster to back it up. Not '97.
 

wataru330

Mr. Wrestling IV
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Of ‘yr’ releases:
2002
*because of nostalgia/playing in person w/ tsuka, eight-one, RBJakeSpecial, & rassillion, shortly after release.

Of ‘Roman numeral’ releases:
XI
*because Terry SuperCancel into Akira explosion, and eiji.
 

NexusX

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'97 gets waaaaay too much love. It was a rush hack job. The first of the series where you could see the strain of trying to produce a new one every single year. They pulled it off in '95 and '96, but '97 is just unfinished and unpolished.

I enjoy 97 for it's "broadcast sport" style and ideas. But I always felt that 98 was essentially a directors cut (in terms of gameplay and effort) of 97. They knew what they were going for in 97 but missed the mark having to cram in the story and balance. It looks like they built off of 97 as a base and just worked on a clean playing game with 98. It's non Canon right? Probably because they knew they needed time to put out another game with a storyline.
 
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is there a reason ppl arent ranking 14?

i only have 94 (which came with my aes) and 14 that i havent really played yet on the ps4...i played a little bit of 94, but preferred samurai spirits 2 which also came with the aes when i bought it
 

max 330 mega

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03 is pretty much fucking amazing if you'll take the time to relearn all your favorite characters moves, since they changed all the inputs for no good reason.
 

Capitalistix

Edo Express Delivery Guy
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03 is pretty much fucking amazing if you'll take the time to relearn all your favorite characters moves, since they changed all the inputs for no good reason.

03 Looks really cool to me, I love the fresh character designs and the roster
 

GohanX

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Jesus Christ, even I won't play KOF games on CD. 98 is pretty swell on Dreamcast though, goofy backgrounds and all.
 

Niko

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The only thing good on CD is the soundtracks. KoF 2k2 Unlimited Match has the best OST of them all.
 
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