About The King of Fighters '97
The King of Fighters '97 (KOF ’97) is a landmark 2D fighting game released in 1997 by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade system (MVS), later ported to home consoles. It is the fourth entry in the main King of Fighters series, and it concludes the early “Orochi Saga” storyline that had been building since KOF ’95 and ’96.
The story focuses on the final stage of the Orochi arc, where fighters from across SNK’s universe gather again for a decisive tournament. The mysterious force of Orochi reaches its peak here, leading to major confrontations involving key characters like Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Chizuru Kagura. The tone of the game is darker and more intense compared to earlier entries, with a strong emphasis on the final showdown between human fighters and supernatural forces.
KOF ’97 continues the 3-on-3 team battle system, but refines the combat balance and introduces two selectable gameplay styles: Advanced Mode and Extra Mode, giving players different ways to manage power meters, movement, and defensive options. This added variety allows for more flexible playstyles depending on how aggressive or technical a player wants to be.
The roster is expanded again with returning characters and hidden team variations, many of which are tied directly to the Orochi storyline. Stage design and music also reflect the climactic nature of the arc, giving the game a more dramatic and atmospheric presentation.
KOF ’97 is widely seen as one of the most important entries in the series due to its story conclusion and its refined competitive mechanics that helped define future KOF titles.
How To Play
In The King of Fighters ’97, players form a team of three fighters and compete in a tournament-style series of 1v1 battles. Each defeated character is replaced by the next teammate until the entire team is eliminated.
Before starting, players choose between Advanced Mode and Extra Mode, which significantly changes how combat resources work. Advanced Mode focuses on aggressive play with a charge-based power system, while Extra Mode emphasizes traditional meter building and defensive tactics. This choice affects how players approach every match.
Combat uses standard fighting game controls: directional inputs combined with light and heavy attacks to perform combos, throws, and special moves. Players must manage spacing, timing, and reaction speed to break through opponent defenses.
Each fighter has unique abilities ranging from close-range rush attacks to long-distance projectile control. Team composition and order play an important role, as surviving fighters carry momentum and positioning advantages into later rounds.
Matches take place across varied international stages tied to the Orochi storyline, with increasing intensity as players progress through the tournament bracket.
Winning requires mastering both mechanical execution and strategic resource management, especially when choosing between the two different combat modes.
