The “The King of Fighters” franchise has been one of the pillars of fighting games since its debut in 1994. Developed by SNK, the series quickly stood out by gathering characters from various franchises of the company in a unique fighting tournament, introducing the innovative team battle system in three fighter teams.
Over the years, Kof has won a legion of fans, thanks to his refined gameplay, engaging plots and a charismatic cast of characters like Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami and Terry Bogard.
With over three decades of history, the series has gone through ups and downs, presenting titles that became classics and others that divided opinions. In this list we have separated the top five and the five worst games in the franchise, highlighting what makes them memorable or forgetable.
The 5 worst games in the franchise The King of Fighters
The King of Fighters 2003
Launched in 2003, “KOF 2003” introduced the real -time team battle system, similar to that seen in “Marvel vs. Capcom”.
Although innovative, this system did not please all fans, who felt that the traditional essence of the series was lost. In addition, the game suffered from balancing problems and an artistic direction that did not please everyone, being considered by some as one of the low points of the series.
The King of Fighters 2001
Developed during a troubled period for SNK, “KOF 2001” is often cited as the worst franchise title. The game featured lower graphics, repetitive soundtrack and an excessively exploited strike system, resulting in unbalanced combos. The art of the characters was also criticized, contributing to a disappointing general experience.
The King of Fighters XII
“Kof XII”, released in 2009, promised to be a visual revolution in the series, with redesigned sprites and detailed animations. However, the game was released with a limited cast, absence of essential game modes and balancing problems. Lack of content and polishing has led many fans to consider this title as one of the weak of the franchise.
The King of Fighters XIV
Although it was an important step in the transition to 3D charts, “Kof XIV”, released in 2016, faced criticism of visual quality and lack of refinement.
Despite solid gameplay and extensive cast, the game could not capture the essence that made previous titles so dear, resulting in a warm reception by the community.
The King of Fighters: Sky Stage
Unlike anything the series had ever presented, “Sky Stage” is a vertical shot game released in 2010, where characters like Kyo and Mai fly and face “Bullet Hell” style enemies. The unusual proposal and the gameplay disconnected with the rest of the franchise made this title widely criticized and considered a forgettable experience.
Also read:
5 best games in the franchise The King of Fighters
The King of Fighters XI
“Kof XI”, released in 2005, is often remembered as an underestimated jewel of the series. The game introduced the tag system, allowing characters exchanges during the fights, and presented a fluid and strategic gameplay. With a diverse cast and refined mechanics, “Kof XI” is considered by many to be one of the franchise’s most solid titles.
The King of Fighters XIII
After criticism of his predecessor, “Kof XIII”, released in 2010, was a triumphant return. The game featured impressive 2D graphics, soft animations and a balanced gameplay. With an engaging narrative and a robust cast, “Kof XIII” is widely considered one of the best fighting games of his generation.
The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
This enhanced version of “KOF 2002”, released in 2009, is celebrated by its vast cast of characters and refined gameplay. With balancing improvements and new game modes, Unlimited Match is often cited as one of the most complete and fun titles in the series.
The King of Fighters ’98
Considered by many to be the height of the series, “Kof ’98” is a “Dream Match” that brings together characters from different timelines without being attached to the continuity of the story. With a balanced gameplay, memorable soundtrack and an iconic cast, this title is often remembered as a timeless classic of fighting games.
The King of Fighters ’99
“Kof ’99” marked a new era for the franchise, introducing the strike system and new characters who became fan favorites. With an engaging narrative and innovative mechanics, the game was able to renew the series without losing its essence, being widely acclaimed as the best title in the franchise.