The King of Fighters '97 (Game)

The King of Fighters '97

GAME » on July 28, 1997

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The fourth installment in SNK's tag-team fighting game series, bringing the "Orochi Saga" to its climax. It's known for introducing the short-lived "Command Mode" system, allowing players to choose from two distinct playstyles.

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Overview

The King of Fighters '97 is a 2D tag-team fighting game developed and released by SNK for arcades (running Neo Geo MVS hardware) on July 28, 1997. It was subsequently released for the Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo CD later that year. The fourth installment of the King of Fighters series (and the sequel to The King of Fighters '96), King of Fighters '97 features the addition of selectable playstyles (where players can choose from two distinct "Command Modes" that change certain gameplay mechanics). The third and final part of the series' "Orochi Saga" arc, the game's story takes place a year after the defeat and demise of Goenitz (Character) (the leader of the followers of the divine being Orochi (Character)). Despite the incident (which destroyed the main stadium), the tournament's success triggered a worldwide phenomenon leading the new King of Fighters tournament. While there is no mysterious benefactor, it is later revealed that the tournament is being used to strengthen the power to resurrect Orochi itself. As the game hints at the tournament being a worldwide phenomenon, some changes were made in the game's presentation (stylized like a television broadcast). Unlike previous games in the series, where each team has their own represented stage that are lightly populated, all of the game's six main stages are densely populated and "festival" in nature. Teams also no longer have their own specific theme song in the background, with some characters having their theme song played when fought against and others being restricted to the stage's general ambience. While the series continued to use stages that are not team-specific, King of Fighters '97 is the only entry to have ambience for fights instead of music.

Gameplay

The King of Fighters '97 plays like a traditional 2D fighting game, using four buttons (Light Punch, Light Kick, Strong Punch, and Strong Kick). Most of the gameplay remains the same as its predecessor, with some new additions and changes (including updated movelists for all characters). In addition to the traditional match condition of best-of-three rounds between two fighters (which can be enabled by the arcade operator or in the home version), the game's main match condition is having teams of three competing against each-other in single-elimination rounds. The winner of each fight receives some of their vitality back and goes on to fight the next person on the opposing team, continuing until all fighters from one team are eliminated.

Main Changes from King of Fighters '96

Players can now choose between two "Command Modes": Advanced and Extra. Both have unique Power Gauges and Avoidance Attacks along with some minor gameplay changes.
Taunting (Concept) is changed to the Player Start button and can no longer be used to deplete enemy Power Gauges.
Each character now has hidden Teammate Affinities.

Advanced Techniques (Both Modes)

Holding forward or backwards on the joystick wile pressing a Strong button at a close distance can make the fighter perform an unblockable throw. Strong Punch performs a forwards throw, while Strong Kick performs a backwards throw.
Double-tapping the joystick backwards can make the fighter perform a hopping backwards dash, allowing players to widen the gap between both fighters.
Pressing Down on the joystick quickly before jumping (or jumping during a forwards run) performs a more effective jump (as shown with the fighter leaving an "afterimage" trail).
Pressing both Strong buttons simultaneously can make the fighter perform a knockdown attack (called a "Body Toss Attack") that pushes away opponents (knocking them down in the process). While stronger than normal Strong attacks, it has a lengthy animation that leaves the fighter vulnerable to attacks.
When in a dizzied state (after being damaged by numerous consecutive attacks), repeatedly tapping Light Kick and both Punch buttons simultaneously while close to the fighter's allies (and that fighter is not the last teammate standing) can make that fighter perform an assist attack, where the ally that's next-to-fight jumps in for a knockdown strike (buying the fighter time to recover). The chance to perform the attack is based on the ally's Affinity with the fighter (positive Affinity gives a higher chance, negative Affinity gives a lower chance).
Each fighter has a hidden Teammate Affinity with all other fighters in the roster, determining their success rate in assist attacks and how much of the Advanced Power Gauge is retained when the previous fighter is defeated. While it's hidden at first glance, players can preview the Affinity between the highlighted fighter and the previously selected fighter by holding down Strong Punch in the Character Select and Order Select screens.

Command Modes

One new gameplay mechanic unique to this game (and its sequel) is the ability to choose between two distinct playstyles, or "Command Modes", each with their own unique techniques and power gauges:

Advanced Mode

For those who prefer a newer-style Power Gauge and the more offensive avoidance attack of The King of Fighters '96. Pressing both Light buttons simultaneously can make the fighter perform a forwards rolling dodge used for avoiding attacks (including projectiles) and cross-up opportunities (as one fighter can roll past the other, forcing them to adapt). While holding backwards on the joystick, this uses a backwards rolling dodge instead. It can also be used to escape standard throws. In addition, dashing forward uses the running dash from The King of Fighters '95. While it's slower than normal dashes, it can be held down and released for better control. Tapping Up on the joystick (rather than holding Up) performs a shorter hop for quicker recovery.

Power Gauge

The Advanced Power Gauge's main draw is the option to store up to three charges, or "stocks" of the gauge to use later. After filling the main gauge, it depletes and one Stock lights up. After three Stocks are lit, the gauge cannot be filled at all until a Stock is used. The gauge is charged mainly by performing special moves, but is also charged at a slower pace by both giving and receiving damage. Each Stock can be used up to activate one of four things: a Super Special Move, a Guard Cancel Dodge, a Guard Cancel Attack, and a "MAX" state. The MAX state (as indicated by the fighter flashing bright) is similar to that of previous games, where the fighter's basic attacks become stronger (by +25%) for 20 seconds. While players can use additional Stocks for the other three attacks in MAX state (with the Super Special Move changed to a flashier, more powerful "MAX" version of it), players can not fill the gauge while in MAX state and can not end the MAX state prematurely to perform the other techniques for free. Unlike the Extra Power Gauge, the Advanced Power Gauge does not fully reset between each round. If the player won the previous round, their gauge remains the same. Otherwise, the gauge itself is fully depleted and their Stocks remain the same. In the game's Team Mode, players gain an addition Stock if the current character has a positive Affinity with the previous character and lose all Stocks if the current character has a negative Affinity with the previous character. Unlike in previous games, players with the Advanced Power Gauge can not perform a Super Special Move at any time while their vitality is low.

Extra Mode

For those who prefer the classic Power Gauge and the more defensive avoidance attack of The King of Fighters '95. Rather than a rolling dodge, pressing both Light buttons simultaneously can make the fighter perform a side-step dodge (called an "Avoid"), shifting the player's fighter to the background to avoid attacks (including projectiles). However, it leaves them vulnerable to throws. Rolling dodges are still used in certain situations, though (such as Guard Cancel Dodges and using the command to instantly recover from a knockdown). In addition, dashing forward uses the hopping dash from The King of Fighters '95. While it is less controllable, it can be a faster maneuver for closing the gap.

Power Gauge

The Extra Power Gauge's main draw is the added ability to charge the gauge manually. By holding down Light Kick and both Punch buttons simultaneously, the fighter can begin charging up (while leaving themselves vulnerable to attacks). It is also charged automatically at a slower pace by blocking attacks and receiving damage. It also resets between each round. Once the Power Gauge is filled, the player enters a "MAX" state (as indicated by the fighter flashing bright) where their basic attacks become stronger (by +50%) for 20 seconds. After that time elapses, the MAX state ends and their Power Gauge is fully depleted. However, players can end the MAX state prematurely by performing either a Super Special Move, a Guard Cancel Dodge, or a Guard Cancel Attack. Like in previous games, players with the Extra Power Gauge can perform a Super Special Move at any time when their vitality is low (as shown by a blinking life bar). However, performing this technique while in the MAX state at low vitality changes it to a flashier, more powerful "MAX" version of it. In addition, activating MAX state with a low vitality increases the duration to 25 seconds (as shown by a larger timer bar).

Characters

The game's roster is mostly unchanged from The King of Fighters '96, including 29 playable fighters split into nine teams (with two characters as their own single entries). The game includes 7 new playable characters, 1 returning character, and 7 removed characters (Kasumi Todoh (Character), Mature (Character), Vice (Character), Geese Howard (Character), Wolfgang Krauser (Character), and Mr. Big) Changes made to the roster include newcomer Shingo Yabuki (Character) (a joke character similar to Kyo Kusanagi (Character)) making his debut without any team affiliation. Iori Yagami (Character), having disbanded his second team, is also playable without any team affiliation. Chizuru Kagura (Character), the previous game's sub-boss, takes Kasumi's role in the Women Fighters Team. The game features two newcomer teams, one of which features characters from the Real Bout Fatal Fury series (including the return of Billy Kane (Character)). Rather than have one fighter be the game's main sub-boss, the game features a sub-boss team (as one of the game's newcomer teams become "unlocked" when they are revealed to be the last remaining followers of the divine being Orochi (Character)). The game's final boss is Orochi itself, possessing the body of the newcomer Chris (Character).

Hero Team

Kyo Kusanagi (Character) (also has an alternate EX version based on his gameplay style in The King of Fighters '95)
Benimaru Nikaido (Character)
Goro Daimon (Character)

' ' ' ' Fatal Fury Team

' ' ' ' Art of Fighting Team

' ' ' ' Ikari Warriors Team

Leona (also has a cursed "Orochi" version as a hidden mid-boss, which is playable with a cheat code)
Ralf Jones (Character)
Clark Steel (Character)

Psycho Soldier Team

Women Fighters Team

' ' ' ' Kim Team

New Faces Team

Yashiro Nanakase (Character) (new addition, with an unlocked "Orochi" version as a sub-boss and hidden playable character)
Shermie (Character) new addition, with an unlocked "Orochi" version as a sub-boss and hidden playable character)
Chris (Character) (new addition, with an unlocked "Orochi" version as a sub-boss and hidden playable character)

'97 Special Team

Ryuji Yamazaki (Character) (new addition, originally from the Fatal Fury series)
Blue Mary (Character) (new addition, originally from the Fatal Fury series)
Billy Kane (Character) (returning from The King of Fighters '95)

Other

Iori Yagami (Character) (hidden final boss for Kyo, also has a cursed "Orochi" version as a mid-boss and hidden playable character)
Shingo Yabuki (Character) (new addition)
Orochi (Character) (final boss and new addition, playable in console versions with a cheat code)

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