The
King of Fighters: R-1
REVIEW: The King of Fighters: Round 1
marks SNK's first time bringing the KOF series onto a handheld.... What better system than their own Neo Geo Pocket to do just that? 14
of the most well known KOF characters make their appearance in KOF: R-1, featuring recognizable backgrounds, charming 8-bit character theme songs, and classic gameplay elements based on The
King of
Fighters '97. Players can choose from "Extra" &
"Advance" play modes similar to KOF '97, with most characters playing pretty closely to their original versions.
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Chibi-style all the way.
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KOF: R-1 released before the
Neo Geo Pocket Color launched, so the game's graphics were limited to an arguably dreary black & white.
Instead of the traditional KOF series sprites with human proportions, all returning characters are redrawn "chibi style". The super deformed art style gives the characters a
charmingly cute & cuddly big-headed look. It works especially will since the Neo Geo Pocket
system itself is an equally cute
system. 
...Ahh, I love my good old NGPC. The system's clciky d-pad makes classic moves
especially fun to pull off.
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You can see the pain on
Kyo's face...
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Overall, King of Fighters: R1 is a straight forward
2D fighting game and will be a familiar gameplay experience if you're familiar with prior games of the series. There's plenty fan service thrown in for old school fans as well,
including some decent endings and artwork. Possibly my favorite part of the game is the soundtrack. Hearing the classic KOF character themes in the game's catchy 8-bit style is something that any returning SNK fan can appreciate. NEOGEO Pocket sound effects and music is definitely something special... and reminds me of some of my past favorite eras of
gaming.
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Mai is so cute.
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| Page Updated: |
August
20th, 2022 |
| Developer(s): |
SNK |
| Publisher(s): |
SNK |
| Platform(s): |
Neo Geo Pocket
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| Release Date(s): |
October
28, 1998 |
| Characters: |
Kyo
Kusanagi,
Iori Yagami,
Ryo Sakazaki,
Terry Bogard,
Chizuru Kagura,
Yashiro Nanakase,
Shingo Yabuki,
Shermie,
Chris,
Mai Shiranui,
Kim Kaphwan,
Athena Asamiya,
Leona Heidern,
Orochi, Orochi
Chris, Orochi Shermie, Orochi
Yashiro |
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Featured Video:
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| Related Games: |
The
King of Fighters R2,
King of Fighters '97, Fatal
Fury: 1st Contact, Gals Fighters, SNK
Vs. Capcom: The Match
of the Millennium, Samurai
Shodown!: Pocket, Samurai Shodown! 2: Pocket |
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Gameplay
Engine
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6.5 / 10
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Story
/ Theme
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6.5 / 10
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Overall
Graphics
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7.0 / 10
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Animation
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6.0 / 10
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Music
/ Sound Effects
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8.5 / 10
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Innovation
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5.0 / 10
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Art Direction
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7.5 / 10
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Customization
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4.0 / 10
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Options / Extras
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3.0 / 10
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Intro / Presentation
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5.0 / 10
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Replayability / Fun
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5.0 / 10
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"Ouch" Factor
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6.0 / 10
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Characters
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6.5 / 10
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BOTTOM LINE
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6.3
/
10
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| Final
Words: |
KOF: R-1 is a clever tribute to the KOF
series and a respectably decent handheld fighter for 1998. Flaws? The
character count was a bit low considering series history, and the gameplay system
& speed could use some polish. Once again, probably the main flaw of R-1 is
that it's in black & white... but it's excusable and still visually enjoyable.
Once again, the soundtrack is excellent and easily one of the strongest aspects of the game, along with the catchy 2D sprite animations. Thankfully, the sequel
King of Fighters R-2 improved on all of these factors.
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
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