So with KOF13 looking awesome I want to give this series a shot; mainly a sf/tekken player. So which KOF game is best to pick up for some training before 13 gets here?
I did read about certain features being dropped and new ones being introduced etc and finding a kof exactly like 13 is unlikely.
opinions…
It might help first to tell us exactly what you like in fighting games, to narrow down that question. But really, different KOFs are different unless its like 97 - 98 or 2K3 - XI which is improving on the same system. So, you shouldn’t really play another KOF to “train” for another KOF. That’s my opinion.
I suppose KOF 2002 is closest to KOFXIII from what I’ve seen so far.
By the looks of how 13 is going get a hold of 2002/2002UM. Cancel mode combos seem similar so try practicing and learning how it works. I would suggest the original kof 2002 because even though the original has a bunch of characters, UM will be overwhelming IMO.
Have fun and search for high level play videos to get an idea of the pacing of the game, and each character(from the start) look like they wont do much but they’re all crazy trust me so try them out 
Speaking of KOF watch this first OP
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then read this
http://www.shoryuken.com/entry.php?b=880
and for high level play videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/game3talk
When you say picking up games, what do ya have in mind? Any particular systems you have? If you have a Dreamcast, you can rock King of Fighters 98, 99, 2000, 2001, and 2002 to get a vast feel for many of them.
Or you could pick up some of the collections on PS2, or Xbox, etc. Also, apparently 2002 Ultimate Match will be hitting Xbox live sometime relatively soon.
Also, I recommend checking out King of Fighters XII on ps3 or 360. It’s pretty inexpensive now, especially used, and while XIII is dropping some aspects of it, there will still be a lot of similarities between the two games.
Are either of the games for the 360 any good? I just wanna get my foot in the door and start learning the feel of the characters. I’m not sure about all of different fight systems but have read of people having bad opinions of certain ones.
Also, I saw 12 had ok reviews via paid journalists but the scenes say different. I know my options are limited with this gen (360) and the better KOF games, trying to stay away from something with glitches so bad that it would affect my opinion on the series.
I’d say acquire an online emulator and obtain roms (by whatever means, I encourage legal) of King of Fighters 2002 and King of Fighters '98. At least you know you’re playing the games “arcade-perfectly” and that they have Training/Practice modes in each if you have an AES bios in your Neogeo.zip.
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Watching these guides are also pretty helpful. That’s how I got my feet wet with KOF.
Another thing to note with getting the roms for your computer is that you’re able to have access to play those games on GGPO. So you’re able to have competition to play against without hassle of trying to find people and further develop your skills.
I’d say go for King of Fighters XII on 360, despite its shortcomings I do enjoy it, and it’ll probably serve your purpose. I’ve been playing it tonight actually.
Also, 2002 Ultimate Match should be downloadable for 360 on Xbox live sometime this Spring, definitely grab that when that happens.
k w/e u do didn’t play 12… it’s not really going to teach u anything and rather give u bad habits… i suggest only playing 2k2 or 2k2:um if u wanna learn kof for kofxiii… but if ur intention is to learn different kofs in general then 98/2k2/XI r the best choices… 98 is old school with advanced and extra modes… 2k2 is old school advanced only plus super cancel and max mode… and XI is all about tag and controlling the whole team at once in harmony…
The main reason not to play KOFXII is because Clarks sucks in that game.
They took away his grab priority, stripped his movelist…did I mention the grab priority? My boy Clark losing his good shit totally ruined the experience.
Fuck that.
I’d agree with 2002 being the closest. If you really want to get something on console, wait until 2002um comes out on XBLA.
ya man… same here… trust me i tried my best to like kofxii but having my main character being turned from the best grappler to exist in the series kofXI to the pile of garbage in kofxii did it for me…
I think you should play all of them or at least as many as you can. That way you can get a grasp of kof from beginning to end. I mean it seems more logical to form your own opinion rather than basing one from other peoples perspective, no offense to any of you guys.
I would agree with that sentiment, however there are WAAAAY too many KOFs, and well, too many bad KOFs for versus play.
You can’t just throw everything out there and expect new people to know what to play.
The main KOFs people are into are: KOF 98(UM), KOF 2002(UM), XI, and to a lesser extent, 97 and MIRA.
Also, if you do not have a PS2 capable of running imports, you will be missing out on a lot because MIRA and 2002 UM are currently PS2 Import only, and the US versions of 2002 and XI have problems–2002 has serious input issues and XI has lag and wonky stuff all around.
The US 98UM is good and can be found for cheap–$20 or less at Amazon, Gamestop, Play n’ Trade, etc. 98UM also has the original 98 on it as well but I heard there were some problems with it or something.
You can also try the US KOF Orochi Collection which has 94-98, basically all the old KOFs.
For competition, you’ll find great players on GGPO or 2df for 98 and 2002.
98 Easily. GGPO (2DF is no more, and barely anyone is on Supercade) is filled with top players. After that XI, than 02.
Where the hell is the competitive scene for MIRA? I hear Shiki and Webster talk about it, but I doubt anyone touches that game in Japan, much less America.
I said people are into it–as in it’s touted to be one of the better KOF games. I never said it had a competitive scene.
Are any of the DC ports worth learning on if I want to get into KoF? I know that '98 and 2002 are typically the biggest ones, but are those any good on DC?
I only have one more blank CD-R with me… so I’m either going to go with KoF or Project Justice… your call, SRK!
Don’t play any of the Dreamcast versions. Just play it via emulator.
I always thought the 2K2 port for DC was pretty good. Superior to the PS2 one in just about every way. I’ve heard good things about DC 98 as well.
What people are into it? Who touts it as one of the better KOF games?
I haven’t heard of these people, save for you and Webster.