2016 has been quite the dream year for fighting game fans. Street Fighter is on its 5th main iteration, Mortal Kombat X has thrown Hollywood horrors onto its roster, Pokken Tournament has sprung up as a surprise hit etc.
Once August 23 finally graces us, fighting game fans will receive a gift from SNK that keeps on giving: The King of Fighters XIV. Longtime fans were disappointed by the game’s reveal trailer and its PS2-quality visuals. But over time, we’ve gotten a better look at it and seen just how far graphically it’s coming along. The roster is massive, which means newcomers and veterans alike will have a variety of personalities to take on as main’s. KOF 14 is preparing to bring SNK’s biggest fighter back to the main stage of fighting games.
Before you all get down to learning about KOF 14 through hours of training play, check out all these facts about August 2016’s return of “The King.”
1. The King of Fighters Series Has Enjoyed a Successful Run Since 1994
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SNK’s beloved KOF franchise got its start in 1994. Ever since that introduction to the series, fans have gotten a taste of several main franchise sequels, 3D spinoffs, mobile games and crossover fighters with company competitors. You can view the video above to see each and every game that fell under The King of Fighters banner. To see all of the main games that built up to KOF 14, make sure you take a look at the list posted below:
– The King of Fighters ’94
– The King of Fighters ’95
– The King of Fighters ’96
– The King of Fighters ’97
– The King of Fighters ’98
– The King of Fighters ’99
– The King of Fighters 2000
– The King of Fighters 2001
– The King of Fighters 2002
– The King of Fighters 2003
– The King of Fighters XI
– The King of Fighters XII
– The King of Fighters XIII
Head on over to this link to get a breakdown of every character’s moveset and how to perform all their best maneuvers.
2. This Brand New Chapter in KOF is Full of Game Modes
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If you’ve kept up with the KOF saga since its inception, you probably have a clear understanding of all the main story arcs: “Orochi,” “Nests,” and “Ash.” A new tale is about to unfold during this brand new KOF tournament, which can be fully experienced during the game’s Story Mode. The other modes you can experience includes Versus, Mission, Training, Tutorial, Online and Gallery.
The Online Mode suite comes in a nice variety of play styles: Team VS, Single VS and Party VS. The Party Battle mode is the most exciting feature to ever be added to a KOF game. A total of six players (three players on each team) will be able to do battle online through this much hyped up feature. Beginners can practice their bread ‘n butter combos within the Online Training feature, plus it’s easier to communicate with the KOF 14 community through the Online Profile and Comment mechanics.
3. Three Main Mechanics are Being Featured Heavily: Climax Cancel, Max Mode and the Rush Combo Skill
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From a visual standpoint, KOF 14 looks similar to the Maximum Impact spinoff games. However, this entry won’t employ 3D fighting game mechanics and instead harken back to its 2D mechanical roots. All the fights you’ll embroil yourself within takes place on a 2D plane. For those who’ve grown accustomed to the feel of KOF 13, you’ll feel right at home with the overall feel of this sequel. Beginners can hop right into the battles at hand thanks to the “Rush Combo” feature, which lets anyone pull off automatic/simple combos with the Light Punch Button.
The combo-heavy gameplay seen in the game’s many trailers can be performed through the “Climax Cancel” system. Players can link their characters’ special attacks together, then choose to pull off a “Super Special Move” right into a “Climax Super Special Move.” The familiar “Max Mode” returns as well. When activated, characters will be able to pull off all sorts of EX Special Moves for a short period of time. The “Neomax Super Special Move” can only be activated during Max Mode.
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4. 50 Fighters Will Join the Fray
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What makes KOF 14 such a supreme sequel is its amazingly huge roster. The final count of characters available in the game comes in at 50 fighters, with 16 teams of three characters. A ton of series regulars are back for some more tournament fun, plus there’s been more of a concerned effort from SNK to include several new faces. You can check out the entire team lineups below (click on any one of them to see the team’s main trailer):
– Japan Team: Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon
– Official Invitation Team: Sylvie Paula Paula, Kukri and Mian
– South America Team: Nelson, Zarina and Bandeiras Hattori
– Yagami Team: Iori Yagami, Mature and Vice
– Kim Team: Kim Kaphwan, Gang-Il and Luong
– Mexico Team: Ramon, Angel and King of Dinosaurs
– Another World Team: Nakoruru, Mui Mui and Love Heart
– Villains Team: Xanadu, Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge
– China Team: Shun’Ei, Tung Fu Rue and Meitenkun
– K’ Team: K’, Kula Diamond and Maxima
– Ikari Team: Ralf Jones, Clark Still and Leona Heidern
– South Town Team: Geese Howard, Billy Kane and Hein
– Fatal Fury Team: Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi
– Women Fighters Team: King, Mai Shiranui and Alice
– Psycho Soldier Team: Athena Asamiya, Sie Kensou and Chin Gentsai
– Art of Fighting Team: Ryo Sakazaki, Robert Garcia and Yuri Sakazaki
– Bosses: Antonov and ???
Buy the HORI Real Arcade Pro 4 Kai Fight Stick King of Fighters XIV Edition for PS4 & PS3 here.
5. You Can Pre-Order the Standard Edition, SteelBook Launch Edition or Premium Edition
There’s three main ways to get in on The King of Fighters XIV. The game’s Standard Edition will be available, but there’s a special SteelBook Launch Edition that’s available for those who want their copy contained in a special casing. The “Burn to Fight” Premium Edition is truly a collector’s item for KOF’s biggest fans. That combo package includes:
– a Collector’s Box
– a SteelBook case
– a physical copy of KOF 14
– a 144-page art book
– a 3-disc soundtrack
During the game’s launch period, everyone will be able to download a classic costume for Kyo that harkens back to his early KOF days.
Buy The King of Fighters XIV here.
Buy The King of Fighters XIV: SteelBook Launch Edition here.
Buy The King of Fighters XIV: Burn to Fight Premium Edition here.
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Elton Jones is a senior contributor to Heavy who covers gaming, pro wrestling, movies and pop culture. He lives in New York City.July 5, 2016 2:31 am
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