In the gaming industry there are some series that simply won't die, no matter what happens. After 13 installments (not counting all spin-offs or re-releases) the King of Fighters franchise can be considered as such a series. Even though the original SNK went bankrupt in the year 2000, the successing company Playmore didn't desist from producing another King of Fighters game on the trusted Neo Geo hardware. This time Playmore hired a Korean company called Eolith (later renamed to Digital Entertainment Group) to develop the newest King of Fighters title based on the NESTS saga.
The result was quite controversial among KoF fans. Although some players were already happy with it that the series didn't die with KoF 2000 and was actually continued, most reviewers disliked the dull artwork or the graphical and accoustic presentation.
Another quality sequel of a legendary franchise? Or just a bland, lifeless attempt to make some money? I'll let you be the judge.
The King of Fighters 2001
Genre: Fighting Players: 2 Size: 681 MEGS Released on: MVS, AES, DC, PS2
Brief Description:
The King of Fighters 2001 is the eighth game in The King of Fighters series. It is the first of two King of Fighters games published by Korean company Eolith after Aruze put SNK into bankruptcy.
King of Fighters 2001 kept the Striker assist system from the previous two KOF games, but added a new twist to it - the ability to adjust how many Strikers a team could have. While teams in 1999 and 2000 were limited to selecting one teammate as an assist, now teams could have up to 3 assist characters, or none at all.
High Score Challenges for the KoF series were always quite popular, so why not this time? Please leave a post or a PM if you are interested in conducting one. Priest would arrange one in no time.
This was the first KOF game that I really did not enjoy... not sure what it was, but maybe I should try it again. I know that I'll own this game some day.
The best bit about this game is the cinematic intro.
I just felt the colours were very bland and graphics a bit blotchy.
Game play was ok though
Was only playing it the other day and just looking at the flat race cars in the back ground made me think i was playing it on the master system.
KOF '01 has its moments, some good, some bad, but everyone would like to love/hate Igniz, the most broken SBS character ever, right next to Rugal...>_>
I didn't find 2001 as flawed as many others have. Still, it does come up short in a few areas. I'll admit that the portrait art is stylistically handicapped. While a fair number of stages are, IMO, decent, several backgrounds are visually dead on arrival: grainy, drab, flat, and uninspired (just like the mixed bag featured in KOF 2000). And it'd be irresponsible to review this game without mentioning its lifeless soundtrack which is arguably the worst of the series.
On the positive side, 2001's gameplay is rock solid and easily the game's greatest strength. Eolith succeeded in getting just enough right in their first KOF entry to prove it worthy of the bearing the franchise's name and pedigree.
Well, my Neo-Geo is packed away ready for my move... only I just bought a control pad off of eBay and I finally get to see what they are like and I also purchased KOF 2001 so I'll be able to give it a full 100% go to see how I really like it.
DarakuTenshi wrote:
....also purchased KOF 2001 so I'll be able to give it a full 100% go to see how I really like it.
Anyway, I can't wait.
Now that was fast, not bad! Back then I bought it for about $90, I think that was quite a good price for it. Still don't regret that acquisition.
As for KoF 2k1: I don't hate it that much as others do, in fact I really appreciate it when I get my hands on it once for a while. The graphics and soundtrack may have their downsides, yes, but some themes and background stages aren't that bad as well. Still like the Venice stage or the Psychic Guys theme. The Striker system is kinda refined as well, despite the possiblites of making insane infinites. If I'd choose between 2k and this one, I'd still go for 2k1.
priest wrote:
Murikov: Just wanted to say that you´re doing a solid job when it comes to the GOTW, keep it up
Thanks dude, we appreciate your job on the HSC as well (although there isn't such a high demand at the moment)!
KOF '01 has its moments, some good, some bad, but everyone would like to love/hate Igniz, the most broken SBS character ever, right next to Rugal...>_>
^ This! That bastard almost drove me insane back then. You can't find a cheaper bastard than him. He's so cheap that you're almost are forced to use dirty tricks against him.
When I remembered that 2001 was the one that had K9999 I had to jump on it. I've only played 2001 a couple times and I remember loving that character because of Akira. So yeah I found several of them but didn't want to take time on a bidding war so I bought it with a "Buy It Now" option for $115. I didn't think that was too bad of a price because it was in really good condition.
The thing is... after buying all these KOF games I still have not picked up my favorite. 2000! I think that may be the next one on my list.
Meh! I lied...
KOF 2K was not next on my list. I have been watching an eBay auction for KOF97 and I just bought it today for a pretty good price, that I couldn't pass up.
Regarding 2K, I'm still divided over which KOF is my least favorite: 2K or 2K1. Bear in mind that "least favorite" within a series as legendary as KOF is still gonna be better than 90% of what its respective genre has to offer!
I guess for me 2k1 was bitter sweet. I was relieved that the series was not "dead " I've not really played enough to say if its good or bad overall but I know 2k2 is much better in my opinion.
Late to the party on this one, but I do have a soft-spot for 2001.
I don't know what it is, but aside the broken nature of the ratio systems etc, I liked the darker theming if this title if I'm honest - right down to the grimy soundtrack, which, when I first heard it - I didn't like, but I do now. It also contains the real Zero, who I happen to think is very cool vs his 2000 counterpart.
I voted "Solid Entry" as I think it is. Not perfect, but enjoyable nonetheless and VERY playable too imo...
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