''(KOF 2002, or KOF '02)'' is a fighting game produced by

Eolith An eolith (from Greek "''eos''", dawn, and "''lithos''", stone) is a knapped flint nodule. Eoliths were once thought to have been artifacts, the earliest stone tools, but are now believed to be geofacts (stone fragments produced by fully natur ...

and

Playmore is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. It is the successor to the company Shin Nihon Kikaku and presently owns the SNK video game brand and the Neo Geo video game platform. SNK's predecessor Shin Nihon Kikaku was founded in 1978 ...

for the

Neo Geo Neo Geo is a family of video game hardware developed by SNK. On the market from 1990 to 2004, the brand originated with the release of an arcade system, the Neo Geo MVS and its home console counterpart, the Neo Geo AES. The Neo Geo MVS was ...

in 2002. It is the ninth game in ''

The King of Fighters ''The King of Fighters'' (''KOF'') is a series of fighting games by SNK that began with the release of '' The King of Fighters '94'' in 1994. The series was developed originally for SNK's Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware. This served as the main p ...

'' series and the second one to be produced by Eolith and developed by

(formerly Brezzasoft). The game was ported to the

Dreamcast The is a home video game console released by Sega on November 27, 1998, in Japan; September 9, 1999, in North America; and October 14, 1999, in Europe. It was the first sixth-generation video game console, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Nint ...

, PlayStation 2, and the

Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The brand consists of five video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming services, an online service by the name of Xbox network, and the development arm by the ...

, where in the PS2 and Xbox versions were released in North America in a two-in-one bundle with the following game in the series, ''

The King of Fighters 2003 ''(KOF 2003, or KOF '03)'', also known by fans as is a fighting game produced by SNK Playmore for the Neo Geo arcade and home platforms in 2003. It is the tenth game in ''The King of Fighters'' series and the last one released for the Neo Geo, ...

''. The Dreamcast port was released only in Japan, it was also the last game in the series to be officially released for the Japanese Dreamcast. SNK Playmore produced a remake titled ''The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match (KOF 2002UM)'' for the PlayStation 2, which was released on February 26, 2009, in Japan only, the last in the series for the Japanese PlayStation 2, and the game later received its first worldwide release on

Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) is a digital video game download service available through the Xbox Games Store, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360. It focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent ...

on November 3, 2010. A port of the Xbox Live Arcade release was later released on Steam on February 27, 2015.

Gameplay

''The King of Fighters 2002'' discards the 4-on-4 "Striker Match" format used in the previous three games in the series and returns to the 3-on-3 Battle format originally used in the series up until '' KOF '98''. The game also revamps the Power Gauge system into a format similar to the one used in ''The King of Fighters '97''. Like the previous games in the series, the Power Gauge is filled as the player attacks the opponent or performs Special Moves during a battle. The number of Power Gauges the player can stock up is increased by one with each member of the team. For example, the first member of the team can stock up to three Power Gauges, while the third member can stock up to five. A single Power Gauge stock can be used to either perform a Counterattack and Evasion technique while guarding an opponent's attack, use a Super Special Move, or initiate the MAX Activation state. The same case also applies to the 1-on-1 format, where the Power Gauge the player can stock up is also increased by one with each round loss. For example, on the first round, the player can stock up to three Power Gauges, while losing two rounds allows the player to stock up to five. During MAX Activation, the player's offensive and defensive strength is increased for a short period and can cancel any attack into another player. In this state, a Super Special Move can be used without consuming a Power Gauge stock. There are also MAX Super Special Moves, which are Super moves that can only be performed during MAX Activation with one Power Gauge stock, and MAX2 moves that require two stocks while low on health.

Characters

Just like ''The King of Fighters '98'', the game has no storyline since the NESTS story arc has already concluded in the previous game, ''

The King of Fighters 2001 ''(KOF 2001, or KOF '01)'' is a fighting game produced by Eolith (company), Eolith for the Neo Geo (console), Neo Geo. It is the eighth game in ''The King of Fighters'' series, the third and final part of the "NESTS Chronicles" story arc, and the ...

''. Instead, a "Dream Match" is included featuring characters from all the previous games in the series. In addition to the recurring teams from the series, including the original Japan Team, the game also features a series of teams representing each of the previous game series from ''

The King of Fighters '96 ''(KOF '96)'' is a fighting game released by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home consoles in 1996. It is the third game in ''The King of Fighters'' series, following ''The King of Fighters '95''. Like its predecessor, the game was ported to the N ...

'' to ''The King of Fighters 2001''.

Omega Rugal ''The King of Fighters'' fighting game series, produced by SNK, includes a wide cast of characters, some of which are taken from other SNK games. The story takes place in a fictional universe in which an annual series of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 fightin ...

returns as the final boss as well. However, not all the characters from the previous games are featured, and series' regulars such as

King King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king. *In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...

and Shingo Yabuki are absent from the Neo Geo version for the first time since their first appearance. The Dreamcast version of the game, nevertheless, features King and Shingo, while three additional characters from '' SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom'', namely

Geese Howard is a fictional boss character and the main villain in SNK's '' Fatal Fury'' fighting game series. Debuting in '' Fatal Fury: King of Fighters'', Geese is the local crime boss of the fictional city of South Town. Geese created and hosts a fight ...

Goenitz ''The King of Fighters'' fighting game series, produced by SNK, includes a wide cast of characters, some of which are taken from other SNK games. The story takes place in a fictional universe in which an annual series of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 fight ...

, and Orochi Iori, are included in the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions. Several characters have been redrawn, most notably the Orochi Team, representing ''

The King of Fighters '98 ''The King of Fighters '98: The Slugfest'', known in Japan as ''The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (KOF '98)'', is a fighting game released by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home consoles in 1998. It is the fifth game in ''The Kin ...

''.

Japan Team *

Kyo Kusanagi is a fictional character in SNK's ''The King of Fighters'' series of fighting games. The character was first introduced in the 1994 video game ''The King of Fighters '94'' as the leader of the Japanese team from the series' title tournament. K ...

* Benimaru Nikaido * Goro Daimon Fatal Fury Team *

Terry Bogard is a video game character created by SNK as the protagonist of their ''Fatal Fury'' series. Introduced in '' Fatal Fury: King of Fighters'' in 1991, he is an American fighter who enters the worldwide "The King of Fighters" tournaments to comba ...

Andy Bogard The following is a list of video game characters featured in the ''Fatal Fury'' fighting game series developed by SNK. The series consists of the original ''Fatal Fury'', ''Fatal Fury 2'', '' Fatal Fury Special'', '' Fatal Fury 3'', '' Real Bo ...

Joe Higashi is a video game character created by SNK. He makes his first appearance in the fighting game '' Fatal Fury: King of Fighters'' as one of the three playable characters from the game. The ''Fatal Fury'' series introduce Joe as a goofy Muay Thai fi ...

Art of Fighting Team *

Ryo Sakazaki is a video game character developed for the 1992 fighting game ''Art of Fighting'' from SNK. His name is most often written in kana, although in some games, kanji is used to write parts of his name. In the series, Ryo is a skilled martial arti ...

* Robert Garcia * Takuma Sakazaki Ikari Team * Leona Heidern *

Ralf Jones is a video game character created by SNK. Ralf has made appearance in several games from the company, premiering in '' TNK III'' as a military tank driver. The '' Ikari Warriors'' series also emphasized Ralf's role as a soldier with him becomin ...

* Clark Still Psycho Soldier Team * Athena Asamiya * Sie Kensou * Chin Gentsai Women Fighters Team *

Mai Shiranui (alternatively written しらぬいまい) is a fictional character in the ''Fatal Fury'' and ''The King of Fighters'' series of fighting games by SNK. She has also appeared in other media of these franchises and in a number of other games since ...

* Yuri Sakazaki * May Lee Korea Team *

Kim Kaphwan Kim Kap-Hwan (, ''Kimu Kaffan'', sometimes written as (''Kim Kap-hwan'')), usually written as Kim Kaphwan, is a fictional character in both the ''Fatal Fury'' and ''The King of Fighters'' series created by SNK. He is credited as the first ever ...

* Chang Koehan * Choi Bounge Yagami Team *

Iori Yagami is a fictional character from SNK's ''The King of Fighters'' video game series. The character first appeared in ''The King of Fighters '95'' as the leader of the Rivals Team, as the initial enemy and later rival of Kyo Kusanagi. Iori is the he ...

* Mature *

Vice A vice is a practice, behaviour, or habit generally considered immoral, sinful, criminal, rude, taboo, depraved, degrading, deviant or perverted in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a negative character t ...

Outlaw Team ('97 Special Team) *

Ryuji Yamazaki The following is a list of player character, video game characters featured in the ''Fatal Fury'' fighting game series developed by SNK. The series consists of the original ''Fatal Fury: King of Fighters, Fatal Fury'', ''Fatal Fury 2'', ''Fatal F ...

Blue Mary , better known as , is a fictional character in SNK's ''Fatal Fury'' and ''The King of Fighters'' series. She made her first appearance in '' Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory'' which introduced her as a special agent who investigates two cr ...

Billy Kane is a video game character created by SNK. He makes first appearance in the fighting game '' Fatal Fury: King of Fighters'' as the sub-boss from the game. In the ''Fatal Fury'' series Billy is the right-hand man from Geese Howard, the crime lord ...

Orochi Team / Awakened Orochi Team * Yashiro Nanakase / Orochi Yashiro * Shermie / Orochi Shermie * Chris / Orochi Chris K' Team *

K′ , is a Player character, video game character from ''The King of Fighters'' fighting game series developed by SNK. He debuted as the leader of the Hero Team in ''The King of Fighters '99'', released in 1999. He often stars as the reluctant he ...

* Maxima * Whip Agent Team *

Vanessa Vanessa may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Vanessa'' (Millais painting), an 1868 painting by Pre-Raphaelite artist John Everett Millais * ''Vanessa'', a 1933 novel by Hugh Walpole * ''Vanessa'', a 1952 instrumental song written by Bernie ...

* Seth * Ramón NESTS Team * Kula Diamond *

K9999 ''The King of Fighters'' fighting game series, produced by SNK, includes a wide cast of characters, some of which are taken from other SNK games. The story takes place in a fictional universe in which an annual series of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 fightin ...

* Ángel Boss *

Alternate *

Kusanagi is a legendary Japanese sword and one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan. It was originally called , but its name was later changed to the more popular ("Grass-Cutting Sword"). In folklore, the sword represents the virtue of valor. Legend ...

Console exclusives * Shingo Yabuki (Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox versions) *

(Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox versions) *

(PS2, Xbox versions) *

(PS2, Xbox versions) * Orochi Iori (PS2, Xbox versions)

''Unlimited Match''

A remake of ''KOF 2002'', ''The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match (KOF 2002UM)'' was released on February 26, 2009 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan and on November 3, 2010 for

. The PlayStation 2 version also includes a port of the original ''The King of Fighters 2002'' Neo Geo version. The game was later ported to Steam on February 27, 2015, and PlayStation 4 on February 8, 2021. A physical release was set for late Spring 2021. This remake features new characters, stages, music and artwork, as well as system and roster rebalancing. ''Unlimited Match'' has 66 characters in total, making it the series' largest roster to date. There are 44 characters from ''The King of Fighters 2002'', 16 characters from the NESTS arc, including King and Shingo, and 6 hidden characters, including additional characters from the previous console versions with the exception of Orochi Iori and particularly K9999, which is a character conceived as a pastiche of Tetsuo Shima from the manga '' Akira''. Instead, a new character called was designed to take his place in the game and features most of K9999's special techniques with altered effects. In November 2020, the Steam version of the game was updated with rollback netcode, allowing for higher quality online play. The PlayStation 4 version was released with this same rollback netcode. In January 2022, the PC version was patched with spectating lobbies and additional improvements. Unlimited Match Exclusives * Nameless * Foxy * Hinako Shijo *

Lin Lin or LIN may refer to: People *Lin (surname) (normally ), a Chinese surname *Lin (surname) (normally 蔺), a Chinese surname * Lin (''The King of Fighters''), Chinese assassin character *Lin Chow Bang, character in Fat Pizza Places *Lin, Iran, ...

* Jhun Hoon * Li Xiangfei * Bao * Kyo-1 * Kyo-2 * Kasumi Todoh * Heidern New and Re-Arranged Teams

Art of Fighting Team * Ryo Sakazaki * Robert Garcia * Yuri Sakazaki Psycho Soldier Team * Athena Asamiya * Sie Kensou * Bao Women Fighters Team * King * Mai Shiranui * Kasumi Todoh Masters Team * Heidern * Takuma Sakazaki * Chin Gentsai Bosses *

Krizalid ''The King of Fighters'' fighting game series, produced by SNK, includes a wide cast of characters, some of which are taken from other SNK games. The story takes place in a fictional universe in which an annual series of 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 fightin ...

* Cloned Zero * Original Zero * Igniz

NESTS Team * Kula Diamond * Ángel * Foxy East Asian Triple Alliance Team * Jhun Hoon * Shingo Yabuki *

Pretty Girl Fighters Team * May Lee Jinju * Hinako Shijo * Li Xiangfei Cloned Kyo Team * Kusanagi * Kyo-1 * Kyo-2 Exclusive Secret Characters * Sie Kensou (99 - 2000'' "Psychic Powerless" version) * Takuma Sakazaki (99 - 2001'' "Classic" version) * Robert Garcia (99 - 2000'' "Charge" version) * Nightmare Geese

Reception and legacy

During its release week, the game sold 19,000 copies in Japan. In Issue 114 from ''Arcadia'', the game was featured at ninth in its ''Top Ten Video Games'' list. Critical reception to the game was positive due to its large number of playable characters, although mixed opinions were given to its aging graphics. In addition, despite lacking a plot, the large interaction between characters was praised for adding depth to the game. The game has generally been considered one of the most popular games in the franchise in

Latin America Latin America or * french: Amérique Latine, link=no * ht, Amerik Latin, link=no * pt, América Latina, link=no, name=a, sometimes referred to as LatAm is a large cultural region in the Americas where Romance languages — languages derived f ...

Notes

References

External links

*
''The King of Fighters 2002''
at GameFAQs
''The King of Fighters 2002''
at

Giant Bomb ''Giant Bomb'' is an American video game website and wiki that includes personality-driven gaming videos, commentary, news, and reviews, created by former ''GameSpot'' editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis. The website was voted by '' Time' ...

''The King of Fighters 2002''
at

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''The King of Fighters 2002''
at MobyGames
''The King of Fighters 2002/2003''
at MobyGames
''The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match''

SNK Playmore is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. It is the successor to the company Shin Nihon Kikaku and presently owns the SNK video game brand and the Neo Geo video game platform. SNK's predecessor Shin Nihon Kikaku was founded in 197 ...