The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

Overview

The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match is a 2009 fighting game developed by SNK Playmore. Like KOF '98 Ultimate Match before it, it expands upon a previous, well-received entry in the King of Fighters franchise (in this case, KOF 2002) by adding every character that appeared in the three games before it, adding moves to several characters, and making balance changes.

The game was initially released for the Playstation 2 in February 2009, but would eventually be rebalanced and ported to the arcade, where it has remained one of the top ten most profitable arcade games according to Arcadia. The arcade version was then re-ported to the Playstation 2 as "KOF 2002UM Tougeki Version," and was later released on the Xbox Live Marketplace where it became available to Western gamers for the first time.

Changes from The King of Fighters 2002

This game includes every character from The King of Fighters '99, 2000, 2001, and the home version of 2002, except for K9999 and Orochi Iori. For a myriad of reasons, K9999 is replaced by Nameless, an original character who looks different than but functions identically to his predecessor.

As in '98 Ultimate Match, most characters regain previously unavailable moves in Unlimited Match. Additionally, MAX and MAX2 Moves (also known as Super Desperation Moves and Hidden Super Desperation Moves, respectively) can be performed without entering MAX Mode; this comes at the cost of an extra stock of super meter.

Unlimited Match also improves upon the overall presentation of the game. There are new backgrounds and new audio tracks, and perhaps more importantly, a player's life bar changes color to indicate that a MAX2 move can be performed.

Playable Characters

Japan Team

• Kyo Kusanagi
• Benimaru Nikaido
• Goro Daimon

Yagami Team

• Iori Yagami
• Mature
• Vice

Fatal Fury Team

• Terry Bogard
• Andy Bogard
• Joe Higashi

Art of Fighting Team

• Ryo Sakazaki
• Robert Garcia
• Yuri Sakazaki

Ikari Warriors Team

• Ralf Jones
• Clark Steel
• Leona Heidern

Psycho Soldier Team

• Athena Asamiya
• Sie Kensou
• Bao

Kim Team

• Kim Kaphwan
• Chang Koehan
• Choi Bounge

Women Fighters Team

• King
• Mai Shiranui
• Kasumi Todoh

Pretty Girl Fighters Team

• Li Xiangfei
• Hinako Shijou
• "May" Lee Jinju

'97 Special Team

• Blue Mary
• Ryuji Yamazaki
• Billy Kane

Orochi Team

• Yashiro Nanakase
• Shermie
• Chris

Another Orochi Team

• Orochi Yashiro
• Orochi Shermie
• Orochi Chris

Masters Team

• Chin Gentsai
• Heidern
• Takuma Sakazaki

K' Team

• K'
• Maxima
• Whip

Jhun Team

• Jhun Hoon
• Shingo Yabuki
• Lin

Agents Team

• Vanessa
• Ramon
• Seth

NESTS Team

• Kula Diamond
• Foxy
• Angel

Clone Team

• Kyo-1
• Kyo-2
• Kusanagi

Single Entries

• Nameless

(None of the following characters are available in the arcade version)

• Krizalid
• Clone Zero
• Original Zero
• Igniz
• Omega Rugal
• Goenitz
• Geese Howard

Alternate Characters

• EX Robert ('99/2000 version)
• EX Takuma (Classic version)
• EX Kensou ('99 version)
• Nightmare Geese (Real Bout Fatal Fury Special version; not in arcade release)

Version Changes

Arcade vs. PS2

• All backgrounds are now rendered in high definition 2D rather than 3D.
• The camera no longer pans down at the start of every fight.
• Some minor balance changes.

XBLA vs. PS2

• The XBLA version, gameplay- and presentation-wise, is based on the Arcade version. Bosses are playable
• All of the dialog is in English (most win quotes are taken from the original 2002).
• Color Edit is removed.
• The original, NeoGeo KOF 2002 is no longer available.
• All cutscenes are now pre-rendered videos.
• Faster loading times.