The
King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match
STORY:
In terms of plot, KOF '98: Ultimate March does not have a
story and was developed as a "dream match" with characters from all
previous installments of King of Fighters.
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The definitive version of King
of Fighters '98.
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REVIEW:
Originally featuring a total of 38 characters, The
King of Fighters '98 was no doubt a surprise hit and a fan favorite installment to the series,
thanks in part to the large roster of colorful characters and timeless 2D gameplay.
Ten years after its original release, SNK re-released KOF '98 under the
new title - Ultimate Match. This enhanced version adds 7 new playable
characters to roster, including special
EX versions of characters not featured in the original version, along with several new
stages and modes.
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If you
squint, it almost looks like that one game from 1998.
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Along with the "Advance" & "Extra" play options from the original, a new "Ultimate" mode is now selectable,
which is a customizable style that lets players choose between features from
Advance or Extra mode, such as which kind of power gauge to use. A "Neo
Geo"
mode is also available in the package, which is a direct port of the original
Neo Geo console version. The home installment of Ultimate Match also includes
Gallery Mode with a variety of classic artwork to browse through.
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Eiji is so
ninja... he
wasn't in the original KOF '98!
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The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match Final Edition was released in Japanese arcades in January 2011 and on PC via Steam on December
16th, 2014. This version features several balance tweaks to characters and game
mechanics. In Winter 2021 and June 2022, an updated version of the game
featuring rollback netcode was released on Steam and PlayStation 4,
respectively.
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| Page Updated: |
June
27th, 2022 |
| Developer(s): |
SNK |
| Publisher(s): |
SNK |
| Artwork
By: |
Hiroaki,
Shinkiro Poster Artwork |
| Platform(s): |
Arcade,
PS4, PS2, PSN,
Xbox 360, PC
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| Release Date(s): |
Mar.
18th, 2008
 Arcade
June 26th, 2008
PS2
Mar. 3rd,
2009
 PS2
July 1st,
2009
Xbox 360
Jan. 24th, 2011
Arcade - as KOF '98: UM Final
Edition
Dec. 16th, 2014
Steam - as KOF '98: UM Final Edition
Winter 2021
Steam - Rollback Netcode update
June 21st, 2022
PS4 - Rollback Netcode update
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| Characters: |
Kyo Kusanagi,
Benimaru Nikaido, Goro Daimon,
Andy Bogard,
Terry Bogard,
Joe Higashi,
Ryo Sakazaki,
Robert Garcia,
Mai Shiranui,
King,
Yuri Sakazaki,
Ralf Jones,
Leona Heidern,
Clark Still,
Athena Asamiya, Sie Kensou,
Chin Gentsai,
Chizuru Kagura,
Yashiro Nanakase,
Shermie,
Chris,
Mature,
Vice,
Iori Yagami,
Chang Koehan,
Kim Kaphwan,
Choi Bounge, Ryuji Yamazaki,
Blue
Mary, Billy Kane, Heidern,
Takuma,
Saisyu Kusanagi,
Heavy
D, Lucky Glauber,
Brian Battler,
Shingo Yabuki, Eiji Kisaragi,
Kasumi Todo,
Geese Howard, Wolfgang Krauser,
Mr.
Big, Goenitz,
Orochi, Orochi
Chris, Orochi Shermie, Orochi
Yashiro,
Rugal, Omega
Rugal |
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Featured Video:
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| Related Games: |
The King of Fighters '98,
KOF 2002: Unlimited
Match, KOF Collection: Orochi Saga, KOF
'94, KOF '94: Re-bout,
KOF '95,
KOF '96, KOF '97, KOF '99, KOF 2000, KOF 2001,
KOF 2002, KOF 2003,
KOF XI, KOF XII, KOF XIII,
KOF XIV,
KOF XV, KOF: Maximum Impact, KOF: Maximum Impact MANIAX, KOF: Maximum Impact 2, KOF:
Maximum Impact Regulation A, KOF:
Neowave, KOF
EX Neo Blood,
KOF EX2 Howling Blood,
KOF R1, KOF R2 |
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Gameplay
Engine
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7.5 / 10
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Story
/ Theme
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7.5 / 10
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Overall
Graphics
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6.0 / 10
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Animation
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6.0 / 10
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Music
/ Sound Effects
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6.5 / 10
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Innovation
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6.0 / 10
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Art Direction
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7.0 / 10
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Customization
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8.0 / 10
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Options / Extras
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8.5 / 10
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Intro / Presentation
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8.0 / 10
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Replayability / Fun
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7.0 / 10
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"Ouch" Factor
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7.5 / 10
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Characters
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8.5 / 10
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BOTTOM LINE
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7.8 /
10
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Review based on PS2
version
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| Final
Words: |
For a decade-old 2D fighting game from the arcade glory days... KOF '98
still holds up rather well. In some
ways, it does look, sound, and play its age in this modern era of high-def
fighting
games. For fighting
game fans looking to be "wowed" by graphics, animation, or
"new" gameplay mechanics... KOF '98: Ultimate Match might not
keep your interest for long.
However, if you've never put that many hours into the original KOF '98... this updated version is a great way to
experience the classic title and get you acquainted with some of the
most iconic characters of the KOF series.
For hardcore KOF players... it's a no brainer. KOF '98: UM Final Edition breaths new life into SNK's classic with new playable
characters, features, and modes. While a bit bare bones, the online mode, new stages and
character updates keep the game fresh and exciting in a new era.
~TFG
Webmaster |
@Fighters_Gen
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