Review: “King of Fighters-i 002″ (iOS)



by Jason Young, staff editor, Inside AX- Anime Expo

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As the first iOS entry into the long-running 2D fighting game series from SNK/Playmore, King of Fighters-i 002 is the perfect way to wet your appetite while you wait for its upcoming Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 brethren, King of Fighters XIII. Why you ask? Simple. It’s literally the best and most in-depth fighting game available on Apple’s iTunes store to date.

Running at a fluid 30 frames per second, in hi-def for those with iPads and iPhone 4s, the game has been faithfully created on the iOS, meaning that all of the gorgeous hand-drawn sprites and features that you’ve come to expect from the series makes its appearance on the mobile device. Each of the game’s initial selection of fourteen fighters, more are currently being planned as future updates later this year, control the way that you expect them to control along with simplified user-friendly controls for beginners or people who may find the user interface itself to be a bit clunky as with most iOS fighters. I for one didn’t find the controls to be too obtrusive or compact, and having played the game for about eight hours now, feel right at home executing combos just like on the home console iterations thanks in large part to the game’s customizable drag-and-drop arcade buttons.

The game’s current roster includes:

  • Kyo (KOF)
  • Benimaru (KOF)
  • Daimon (KOF)
  • K’ (KOF)
  • Maxima (KOF)
  • Kula (KOF)
  • Yuri (Art of Fighting)
  • Mai (Fatal Fury)
  • King (Art of Fighting)
  • Terry Bogard (Fatal Fury)
  • Andy Bogard (Fatal Fury)
  • Joe Higashi (Fatal Fury)
  • Billy Kane (Fatal Fury)
  • Ash (KOF)

A new feature to the series is the game’s Hyper Drive gauge which will let players cancel out into other moves and extended combos to belittle your opponent. The Hyper Drive gauge can also be used to perform as many drive cancels as you want until your bar is depleted. Neo Max Supers, the character’s strongest attack, is executed simply by tapping your character’s portrait once you have filled both your Hyper Drive and three levels of your super meter. EX special attacks, stronger versions of special attacks, are activated by simply using your character’s standard special attack motion + S. Although these features will more than likely be a lot more complicated in KoF XIII, the simplicity of only having to tap a few buttons adds to the game’s overall fast-paced action that would have been otherwise cumbersome in the mobile game.

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For anyone worried that they may not be getting the best “bang” for their buck, fear not as the game has tons of modes including team battle, single battle, endless and training to keep the experience fresh. In addition to being able to record matches for replay purposes later on. Also included are a number of unlockable collectibles such as costumes, illustrations, cards and a mini-novel illustrating the motivations for why each team is participating in the King of Fighters tournament. Although it’s not Shakespeare by any standards, it’s a nice and welcomed feature that adds a touch of personality to each and every character in the game. The only feature the game is lacking? A viable Wi-Fi mode.

Although the developers did include a multiplayer option via Bluetooth, the fact that you need to be close-by to another player, along with being limited to versus, card trade and replay trade, means that you won’t be able to play your fellow KOF-obsessed friend across the country like you will be able to on PSN and Xbox Live with King of Fighters XIII.

Other than that however, King of Fighters-i is easily one of the best purchases that you could make if you’re looking for a fighter on the go even with its rather hefty price tag for an app. With a myriad of modes, a robust character selection and tons of collectibles to unlock the game should keep you plenty busy until KoF XIII is finally out.

Pros:

  • The King of Fighters is faithfully ported onto the iOS,, making it easily one of the best fighters available on the mobile device.
  • Tons of modes and unlockables to keep you busy for hours.
  • A gorgeous 2D fighting experience.

Cons:

  • No Wi-Fi mode.
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