Best King of Fighters game?

[courtesi1]

So far my research has pointed to specifically KOF98 and KOF2002.

What say you?

[moggles]

'98. It is perfection.

[ScourDX]

98 is still my favorite. 2000 is close 2nd.

[Damaramu]

Definitely 98.

[Tron 2.0]

KOF 98 all the way.

Runner ups would be this.

KOF 96,97

[Wraith Storm]

My favorites are the ones on the Dreamcast.

KOF: Dream Match 99. Despite the 99 in the title the game is actually an upgraded version of 98 (Which most people consider the best installment).

KOF Evolution (99), 2000 and 2001. These installments established the "Striker" system. I know some people did not like the striker system, but I really enjoyed it. I thought it spiced things up and got me quite engaged.

I also spent a bit of time with KOF XI on PS2. I really enjoyed it but I would say the best KOF games were during the Dreamcast era. So basically KOF 98 - 2001 are my favorites.

[Aussie2B]

Anything after 2000 ranges from awful to "meh", if you want my opinion. My favorite is '99 because I really like using K'.

[kedawa]

I'd have to say KoF98UM and KoF2002UM re the best so far. KoF XIII might turn out to be an even better game, but I've had very little experience with the arcade version.

[A Black Falcon]

2002 and XI are my favorites, of the ones I've played. XI's pretty good really...

Oh, and it's not one of the best games in the series, but I did like 2003, because it tried to be different within the series and succeeded, and was still a fun game anyway even if it wasn't like past titles. 2003 might be my second favorite of the ten Neo-Geo titles in the series actually, after 2002.

[Colorado Rockies]

I know most will disagree but KOF 2003 is my favorite.
Runner up is KOF 2000

[courtesi1]

Will most of the character moves in 98 transfer to XIII?

[skaar]

My vote is for KOF99. We bought a candy cabinet just to play it more, as emulation and finding perfect controllers was too difficult.

After so many hours in 99, I couldn't go back to 98.

[kedawa]

Will most of the character moves in 98 transfer to XIII?
It really depends on the character. The trademark specials are the same for most characters throughout the series, but there are always differences from year to year. And of course, the properties of special moves are often radically different, even if the command is the same. If you've played more than one game in the series, you'll have no trouble adjusting.

[skaar]

Was there fading in 98? I can't remember.

[Ze_ro]

'98 gets my vote too. 2002 is a runner up. I never cared for the "striker" mechanic that was added in '99.

--Zero

[courtesi1]

It looks like 98 wins. The most easily accessible option for myself would be KOF Orochi collection on the Wii. Can anyone recommend a joystick for this?

Also I'd still like an answer on whether the moves in KOF98 transfer to the newer games also. If I'm going to invest the time to learn the moves I want to get my moneys worth out of it. Basically CvS, KOFXI, KOFXIII.

Thanks.

[Famidrive-16]

Also I'd still like an answer on whether the moves in KOF98 transfer to the newer games also. If I'm going to invest the time to learn the moves I want to get my moneys worth out of it. Basically CvS, KOFXI, KOFXIII.

Don't count too much on it. Most of the 98 moves transferred over to CvS but it gets a bit tricky with the later KOF games. Benimaru doesn't have spinning kick and Terry doesn't have the upper slam in 13 for instance.

[Ze_ro]

It looks like 98 wins. The most easily accessible option for myself would be KOF Orochi collection on the Wii. Can anyone recommend a joystick for this?
I have one of these Hori sticks (http://www.amazon.com/Wii-Fighting-Stick-Nintendo/dp/B000SKLUXS), and it's served me well so far and was affordable. I haven't tried it with Orochi Collection yet though, so I can't comment specifically on it's KOFness.


Also I'd still like an answer on whether the moves in KOF98 transfer to the newer games also. If I'm going to invest the time to learn the moves I want to get my moneys worth out of it. Basically CvS, KOFXI, KOFXIII.
Well, there's some stuff that changes around... but for the most part, if you learn a character, it should be easy enough to keep up. I always get confused with Terry's Rising Tackle myself... in some games it's a charge move, in some games it's a motion.

--Zero

[Atariguy]

For some reason, '96 always clicked the most for me. '97 and '98 are pretty damn solid as well (though I give the edge to the former due to me being the kind of weirdo who actually likes it when fighting games have endings), though I'd say my second favorite is probably '95. That game feels like the pinnacle of an older style of fighter, and I feel that it's quite underrated.

[csgx1]

KOF '98 is my favorite. I haven't swapped it out of my 1 slot arcade for about a year now.

[Ackman]

I would say between Kof2002(gameplay) Ultimate Match and KofXIII(gameplay and graphics).

XI seemed a bit bland for me. specifically for single player, but it is better with friends. Neowave is pretty cool because young Geese but it's just an update of KOF2002, KOF2002 is awesome but it takes a hit in the looks department. I really like 2000 but I can see why some people don't. 99 has a silly comeback mechanic and isn't a solid game but I still like it, 98 is great but the gameplay just isn't as good as KOF2002UM it's lacking on so many fronts in lots of departments, just lacks that extra depth and streamlining that KOF2002UM has.