Update: June 26, 2008
«©NCSX» A decade has passed since the original KOF '98 graced the gaming world with its presence. We still play it every once in a while to test fighting strategies and admire its perfect balance before shuttling it back into storage. KOF '98 is one of those rare fighting games where any fighter featured in the character roster can become a tournament level champion if the player is good enough.
The Taito Type-X coin-op version of KOF '98 Ultimate Match was released in April in Japan but SNK releases the PS2 version this week. The new game features updated 3D backgrounds, new moves for the characters, 13 additional fighters, a revised Extra Mode, and an entirely new mode dubbed Ultimate Mode. An online mode is also available so gamers can link up online and bout it out against each other.
View the back cover and photos of the bonus strap on the main NCSX website..
Region Lock-out
Please note Japanese Playstation 2 games will not boot on USA or European PS2 consoles due to the inherent region-lockout on Playstation 2 game discs.
NCS Game Notes
» There's a nifty new intro in the game to view in case you haven't played the coin-op version yet. It's short but sweet. The title song is called "Cipher '08" and the lyrics refer to the early KOF games.
» Press Start on the title screen and the following options pop up:
Arcade Play / 2P VS / CPU VS
Single Play / 2P VS / CPU VS
Endless - Fight a continuous procession of challengers in 1-round bouts
Practice - Test your skills and moves against dummy opponents that you can render inactive or combative
Gallery - View illustrations from the PS2, PS1, and Dreamcast versions of KOF 98 and watch demos/movies
Challenge - Accomplish various objectives in a bout as specified before each of 30 challenges (in Japanese)
Game Option - Adjust Battle Setting, Key Setting, Sound Setting, Character Setting, Graphic Setting, View Ranking
Network Match - Go online and look for opponents
Neo Geo Mode - Play the original version of King of Fighters '98
» After choosing any of the modes including Practice, you'll select a MODE from Advanced, Extra, or Ultimate.
» In the Sound Setting, you can toggle the BGM from Arcade original to Arrange variant. All of the music tracks may be played in the BGM Check.
» The Character Setting under Game Option allows you to repaint any of the fighters in the game with a custom color scheme.
» The game features 19 stages to fight upon including one where the bout takes place on a creaky boat as it sails across a body of water. The early morning Middle East stage shows a nearly empty market street but a burro or donkey may be seen chewing something on the ground while a single bystander watches the fight. A shopkeeper on the left of the screen also seems interested. The afternoon Middle East stage is livelier with a larger crowd checking out the fight. The burro is still there... chewing something on the ground. If you look at the building in the background, you can see someone in the window smacking a mat against the side of the building.
» During the game, pressing START will bring up the following menu options:
Continue - Resume fighting
Skill List - Check out the moves available to your fighter
Key Setting - Change controller configuration and toggle vibration (default is off)
Game End - Quit game and exit to main menu
» A total of 43 characters are selectable in the fighter roster.
» There was one point this morning when we were playing as Terry Bogard and we executed a roll move. The animation jumped from roll to Terry standing on his feet again within 2 frames. We haven't been able to recreate it.
» Since someone's going to ask later anyway - Yes, there is red blood in the game. They ain't censoring our Japanese KOF... yet. To see it for yourself, just use Choi Bunge since his "Wolverine" claws draw blood like there's no tomorrow.
» When using a Dual Shock 2, either the D-pad or L-Analog stick may be used for control. As usual however, NCS recommends playing the game with a Hori Real Arcade Pro. It's a beautiful thing to be able to play KOF '98 UM on one of our ancient PS2 consoles and a arcade quality joystick without switching on one of our cabs. The conversion quality is top notch and we're slightly surprised that SNK pulled it off so well. The controls are responsive and the animation quality is snappy. This one's a keeper and the market overseas seems to agree because the game sold out in Hong Kong already and supplies in Japan are running low.
This document is ©NCSX 2008. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.