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PS2
King
of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match -
New Import,
Rstk Mon. |
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NCS Game Synopsis
«©NCSX»
A
decade has passed since the original KOF '98 graced
the gaming world with its presence. We still play it
every once in a while to test fighting strategies
and admire its perfect balance before shuttling it
back into storage. KOF '98 is one of those rare
fighting games where any fighter featured in the
character roster can become a tournament level
champion if the player is good enough.
The Taito Type-X coin-op version of KOF '98 Ultimate Match was
released earlier this year in Japan but SNK quickly
transitions the game for the home with a Playstation
2 conversion this week. The new game features
updated 3D backgrounds, new moves for the
characters, 13 additional fighters, a revised Extra
Mode, and an entirely new mode dubbed Ultimate Mode.
An online mode is also available so gamers can link
up online and bout it out against each other.
Bonus Scwag
SNK Playmore is giving away a bonus KOF '98 cell phone strap in 50%
ratio for early preorders and we'll send them out
accordingly. Photos of the fan strap may be viewed
somewhere up there^.
Jan Code: 4964808301096
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NCS Game Notes
» There's a nifty new intro in the game to view in
case you haven't played the coin-op version yet.
It's short but sweet. The title song is called
"Cipher '08" and the lyrics refer to the early KOF
games.
» Press Start on the title screen and the following
options pop up:
Arcade Play / 2P VS / CPU VS
Single Play / 2P VS / CPU VS
Endless - Fight a continuous procession of
challengers in 1-round bouts
Practice - Test your skills and moves against
dummy opponents that you can render inactive or
combative
Gallery - View illustrations from the PS2,
PS1, and Dreamcast versions of KOF 98 and watch
demos/movies
Challenge - Accomplish various objectives in
a bout as specified before each of 30 challenges (in
Japanese)
Game Option - Adjust Battle Setting, Key
Setting, Sound Setting, Character Setting, Graphic
Setting, View Ranking
Network Match - Go online and look for
opponents
Neo Geo Mode - Play the original version of
King of Fighters '98
» After choosing any of the modes including
Practice, you'll select a MODE from Advanced, Extra,
or Ultimate.
» In the Sound Setting, you can toggle the BGM from
Arcade original to Arrange variant. All of the music
tracks may be played in the BGM Check.
» The Character Setting under Game Option allows you
to repaint any of the fighters in the game with a
custom color scheme.
» The game features 19 stages to fight upon
including one where the bout takes place on a creaky
boat as it sails across a body of water. The early
morning Middle East stage shows a nearly empty
market street but a burro or donkey may be seen
chewing something on the ground while a single
bystander watches the fight. A shopkeeper on the
left of the screen also seems interested. The
afternoon Middle East stage is livelier with a
larger crowd checking out the fight. The burro is
still there... chewing something on the ground. If
you look at the building in the background, you can
see someone in the window smacking a mat against the
side of the building.
» During the game, pressing START will bring up the
following menu options:
Continue - Resume fighting
Skill List - Check out the moves available to
your fighter
Key Setting - Change controller configuration
and toggle vibration (default is off)
Game End - Quit game and exit to main menu
» A total of 43 characters are selectable in the
fighter roster.
» There was one point this morning when we were
playing as Terry Bogard and we executed a roll move.
The animation jumped from roll to Terry standing on
his feet again within 2 frames. We haven't been able
to recreate it.
» Since someone's going to ask later anyway - Yes,
there is red blood in the game. They ain't censoring
our Japanese KOF... yet. To see it for yourself,
just use Choi Bunge since his "Wolverine" claws draw
blood like there's no tomorrow.
» When using a Dual Shock 2, either the D-pad or
L-Analog stick may be used for control. As usual
however, NCS recommends playing the game with a Hori
Real Arcade Pro. It's a beautiful thing to be able
to play KOF '98 UM on one of our ancient PS2
consoles and a arcade quality joystick without
switching on one of our cabs. The conversion quality
is top notch and we're slightly surprised that SNK
pulled it off so well. The controls are responsive
and the animation quality is snappy. This one's a
keeper and the market overseas seems to agree
because the game sold out in Hong Kong already and
supplies in Japan are running low.
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This document is ©NCSX 2008. All rights reserved. No
reproduction in whole or in part of this document
may be made without express written consent of
National Console Support, Inc.
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