Is their object, perhaps, to do away with the Bogard brothers or the disciples of Kyokugen karate? If that weren't enough to surprise...Iori Yagami appears once again, teamed up with a pair of mysterious women. How will the rivalry between Iori and Kyo Kusanagi that has cursed their two families since ancient time play out this time around? This is KOF '96, held as an official recognized sporting event, over which dark clouds have already started to gather...."
 

 
REVIEW:  The King of Fighters '96 introduced a couple new faces to the series: Mature and Vice, as well as hosting the debut of the badass "dream boss team" consisting of Geese Howard, Krauser, and Mr. Big. The newcomers increase the growing KOF roster to an impressive 27 combatants. A few returning characters were updated visually with re-drawn sprites and new animations. Following series tradition, brand new hand-drawn backgrounds were implemented, keeping the crisp 2D visuals looking fresh. Worth mentioning, KOF '96's stages were definitely the best-looking stages of the KOF series upon their arrival.

 

As returning players would expect... KOF '96 features the same core gameplay mechanics as the most recent prequels. However, there are some interesting new gameplay mechanics added in KOF '96 that would later become a staple in the series. The "Dodge" technique from the previous two games was replaced with the "Emergency Evasion" technique, which allows fighters to "Roll" away or towards the opponent. (This gameplay element would be a returning mechanic in many future KOF games.)
 
Players can also perform "Small Jumps" as well as high jumps, enabling a variety of new ways to mix up / cross up your opponents! These two gameplay elements alone helped to speed up KOF's gameplay system, keeping it competitive with other popular 2D fighters of the time period.
 

In addition to classic super moves, characters can now perform a more powerful MAX version of their regular super move if the character has low energy and Maximum level power gauge. Along with several new attacks being added, command inputs for several classic special and super moves were changed for a variety of characters. Overall, KOF '96 was an important stepping stone... paving the way for many exciting KOF sequels to come!
 
 

Page Updated: July 20th, 2024 Developer(s): SNK Publisher(s): SNK Artwork by: Shinkiro Platform(s): Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Game Boy, PSN Release Date(s): July 30th, 1996              Arcade Sept. 27th, 1996         /   NeoGeo Sept. 27th, 1996          Saturn Oct. 25th, 1996           /   NeoGeo CD July 4th, 1997                 PlayStation Aug. 8th, 1997               Game Boy Characters:  Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Vice, Mature, 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, Geese Howard, Chizuru Kagura, Mr. Big, Kasumi, Chang Koehan, Kim Kaphwan, Choi Bounge, Goenitz, Wolfgang Krauser Featured Video: Related Games: KOF '94, KOF '94: Re-bout, KOF '95, KOF '96, KOF '97, KOF '98, KOF '98: Ultimate Match, KOF '99, KOF 2000, KOF 2001, KOF 2002, KOF 2002: Unlimited Match, 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, KOF Collection: Orochi Saga , Street Fighter Alpha 2, Street Fighter Alpha 3    Gameplay Engine  7.5 / 10 Story / Theme  8.0 / 10 Overall Graphics  7.5 / 10 Animation  6.5 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  6.5 / 10 Innovation  7.5 / 10 Art Direction  9.0 / 10 Customization  7.0 / 10 Options / Extras  6.5 / 10 Intro / Presentation  7.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  7.5 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  7.5 / 10 Characters  8.0 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  7.8 / 10  Review based on Arcade version        Final Words: KOF 96's new gameplay elements nicely sped up the classic gameplay. Emergency Evasion and Small Jumps definitely improved KOF's overall replayability and fun. Presentation-wise, KOF' 96 also made a bigger and bolder statement over the prequels. One of the game's coolest visual aspects might be the character win poses, as the 2D sprites perfectly match the win portraits (drawn by Shinkiro). FUN FACT: This technique even inspired Capcom - as they used the same technique in Street Fighter Alpha 3. KOF '96 made solid progress for the series with great new characters, new moves, and beautifully hand-drawn stages (easily some of the best in the series to date). Even so, KOF '96 still felt slightly behind the times in terms of visuals and overall presentation, in some ways. However... the sequel, KOF '97, was a title that would truly put KOF on the map. ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen            Click Here for all Posters / Box Art! Click Here for all Animated Stages! Click Here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES