Best introduction to the King of Fighters series?

[angrycoder]

What do you guys think is the most accessable King of Fighters game for someone new to the series? Any recommendations on starting characters? Do any of the home versions feature extended single player features along the lines of Street Fighter Alpha 3 or VF4?

[BulletMagnet]

I'm not much of a fighting game expert, but as such I liked KoF 98 (released as "Dream Match 99" on the DC)...it's got a big (and at least relatively balanced) cast, lots of moves and such to tinker around with, and nothing TOO complicated as far as the fighting engine goes. It can also be found pretty cheaply. The graphics are pretty awful and the story is pretty much nonexistant, but I still like it a lot.

[judesalmon]

I'd second the motion for KOF '98 - most fans' favourite in the series.

[BrianC]

If you have a Dreamcast, KoF '98/Dream Match 1999 is the KoF game to get. It has more characters than KoF '99/KoF Evoloution, but it's actually better balanced. I like the choice of two different power bars too.

[Kiken]

I have to disagree with the above and say go with 95'. It was the first year to introduce Iori, the first year to feature Team Edit, has some of the best music in the series and has a really good character roster (still the only year to feature Kisaragi Eiji as a playable character).

[it290]

Yeah, I second '95, although it feels very different from the newer games.

As for beginning characters, it depends on your playing style, but Kyo, Iori, Terry, Mai, Robert, Ryo, Yuri, Rolf, Kim, and Benimaru are all solid choices. They're all available in KOF '95 IIRC (can't remember if Yuri is). Which characters do you like in other 2d fighters?

[BulletMagnet]

Which characters do you like in other 2d fighters?

Gotta take this opportunity to sneak in a Dan Hibiki plug. Oyajiiiiii!

[SheSaidDutch]

KOF98 although I rather the older titles for music and bg's as some of it's music and bg's are abit bland and lacklustre

KOF95-Team edit,Iori,music
KOF96-I haven't heard all the music, but from what I have heard it's rather good and the boss team!

[thegreathopper]

KOF98 although I rather the older titles for music and bg's as some of it's music and bg's are abit bland and lacklustre

KOF95-Team edit,Iori,music
KOF96-I haven't heard all the music, but from what I have heard it's rather good and the boss team!

I would say 98 or 97 are great games..pre 97 are a little bit clunky and harder to play...

[LoneSage]

96, fo sho. It should turn you into a fan.

If not that, then 03.

[Specineff]

I agree with Kiken. 95 seems to be the one that got everything right. Not to mention the graphics make 94 look like a bad SNES game.

I don't see why 97 doesnt' get any love. I found it to be the most accessible, and fair. (Not counting Orochi Yashiro, Chris and Shermie. Cheapo basts...)

[it290]

I love Shermie, she's just so fun to mess around with your opponent with. I do have a hard time pulling off her DMs though.

[Moogs]

KoF '98 has everything about the series that was great up until that point, right before it all started to go to tits up.

And I love '97; the Orochi saga is awesome.

[alpha5099]

I'm glad to see both 96 and 97 are being mentioned in this thread. I've been dicking around with them in MAME, trying to decide which to get for my Saturn. Can't play 95 yet until I get a Japanese Saturn. The games are kind of intimidating, dozens of characters I'm not at all familiar with. It's hard to figure out who to play as.

[thegreathopper]

I'm glad to see both 96 and 97 are being mentioned in this thread. I've been dicking around with them in MAME, trying to decide which to get for my Saturn. Can't play 95 yet until I get a Japanese Saturn. The games are kind of intimidating, dozens of characters I'm not at all familiar with. It's hard to figure out who to play as.

The Saturn ports are bad ports..the music and voices are wrong..you are better with the mame roms unless you have a Neo Geo...

[Ord]

I've been playing KOF 2003 a lot recently and it's ok, but not as good as 98 & 99. Bit of a shame really as it was the last one on the neo.

[JBC]

My first KOF was 94'. I suppose it's best to start at the beginning and work your way up. Let me tell you - KOF games are not the easiest to master all the moves in. No where near as easy as Street Fighter.