Recommend a KoF game

[MrPopo]

So it looks like you guys have continued to be a bad influence on me and have convinced me to buy a Neo so my collection will be complete. And I figure if I'm getting a Neo Geo then I'm going to want a King of Fighters game on it. However, I've never played a KoF game in my life, so it's very unlikely that I'll buy more than one. That being said, which edition of KoF would you recommend? I'm most likely going to only be playing the arcade mode against the CPU, so keep that in mind.

[the7k]

Well, KOFXI is my personal favorite, but since you are getting a Neo Geo, here ya go.

KOF98>2003>2002>2000>97>99>96>95>94>2001

I think that's everything. My opinion, of course. Also, 2003'll be higher on your list if you love SF vs MSH-type fighters.

[jackspicer]

if you are going to buy just one, get 98.... it has the bigest character roster, some of the best music and proly the most notorious among the gaming community. Its funny, when i bought an aes i only got 4 games for it, kof 98 was the most $. Then i consolized an mvs ''for under 100$'' and i got way more games for it then on the aes. Good games like LB2 RB2 WW7 ect... the only reason i keep the the aes is because its so sexy, and makes an awsome conversation peace

[Mozgus]

My favorites have always been 99, followed by 2002.

[marurun]

I have only played '94 on original NG hardware. I do love 98 and 99 for Dreamcast (known in DC terms as 99 and evolution) best of all the versions I've played across the DC, Saturn, and '94 on the NG.

95, 96, and 97 form one story arc. 99, 2000, and 2001 form a second story arc. 2003 on is yet another arc.

98 and 2002 are special titles. They don't really have a story per se. They're like all-stars games and have larger character rosters. I recommend 98 and 2002 for those reasons. They're good introductory games because you can just sit down and play.

[Mozgus]

I have only played '94 on original NG hardware. I do love 98 and 99 for Dreamcast (known in DC terms as 99 and evolution) best of all the versions I've played across the DC, Saturn, and '94 on the NG.

Yeah, it needs to be clarified that on Dreamcast, KOF Dream Match 1999 was actually a redo of 98, while Evolution was 99, with arranged music, and 3d stages, and other features. Evolution is a fantastic package.

[ThunderPrince]

I have always been fond of 98,99 and XI. however, KOF XII will be the golden boy when it comes out.

[MrPopo]

Yeah, 98 is sounding like my best bet based on your descriptions. I'd rather have all the characters than to try and pick up the whole series.

[DCsegaDH]

I agree with KoF 98',I have this game on Dreamcast, its a good one if you want a cheap fun KoF game and it has a big character selection.

[Ack]

Kinda surprised nobody's said Mark of the Wolves yet.

I haven't played more than two, '96 and XI, though both were enjoyable. Everybody seems to be recommending '98 though.