King of Fighters 02/03 packs two installments of the
King of Fighters series into one package. The typical reaction to a combo like this usually isn’t good; and when taken at face value, it really doesn’t look like that great a deal since you’re essentially getting the same game twice, right? Normally this reasoning may be correct, but when it comes to
King of Fighters 02/03, the logic is flawed since the two games are actually drastically different from one another.
Both games present the same basic setup; a tournament brawl featuring fighters from assorted SNK fighting games. Where they differ is in gameplay. The 02 version of the game features a more standard setup where each player chooses three characters who duke it out in round-based matches. Be the first to eliminate all three of your opponent’s characters and you win. The 03 version, on the other hand, is a completely different beast altogether. It retains the three-on-three premise, but lets you “tag in” characters on the fly, adding an impressive amount of speed when compared to the pacing of 02.
The two also differ in the number of characters on each roster. The 02 line of fighters is very, very deep – so there’s sure to be someone to fit everyone’s gameplay style. 03 contains a smaller roster made up of some of the more popular fighters, rather than the “let’s include everyone” mentality found in 02. I personally preferred the shorter 03 roster, though others may disagree. As is the case between the two drastically different gameplay styles, the choice is yours. This fact alone makes KOF 02/03 a great purchase for 2D fighting fans since it gives the best of both worlds for a low, low price.
Both versions also come with online modes, an option that is sure to make KOF 02/03 a must have title for the SNK hardcore. The online experience for both is functional, though the 03 version seems to have latched onto the online play just a little better since games in 02 can get laggy at times.