커뮤니티 게시판 글상세

Hi everyone! I'm Yuna.

I'm excited to share a game review from our very own CM Flint - a passionate Korean gamer known for his detailed analyzes and deep love for games. His insights are always so helpful, so I hope you'll enjoy reading his thoughts on [THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002] 😊

[THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2002]: Reviewed by CM Flint

Please note that the screenshots may contain Korean text.

The classic dot graphics of the era, unchanged

Enjoy The King of Fighters 2002 on PC

💎 First Impressions

In the previous SNK 40th Anniversary Collection review, the focus was not placed heavily on SNK’s flagship titles due to the nature of that collection.

However, when people think of SNK, they usually remember the company through two major series:

• The Metal Slug series
• The The King of Fighters series

Both are also known for their reputation as masterpieces of pixel art.

The game reviewed today is one of the most beloved entries in the KOF series, released in 2002. It represents the latter half of the year-numbered KOF titles and is known as The King of Fighters 2002 (hereafter KOF 2002), in its officially ported Stove PC version.

⌚ Gameplay

A masterpiece remains a masterpiece, no matter when you play it
Build your own dream team

(The year-numbered KOF series lasted quite a long time, until the company’s situation changed dramatically.)

The King of Fighters series is such a famous fighting game IP that it hardly needs explanation. Starting with KOF ’94 and continuing through KOF 2003, the series spans nine year-numbered titles. If you include its parent series, Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting, as well as later numbered entries like KOF XI, the franchise boasts over 30 years of history. This longevity reflects the series’ enduring popularity and its deeply rooted fanbase.

Until recently, playing KOF at home typically meant console versions on platforms like the PlayStation 2 or Dreamcast. To play KOF 2002 on PC, users had no choice but to rely on emulators, that is, until its official release on Stove.

(Some characters, such as KUSANAGI, can only be selected through special methods.)

KOF 2002 serves as the conclusion to the NESTS storyline, which began with KOF ’99, and is also the second Dream Match title in the series. As such, many characters from earlier titles, such as Fatal Fury and KOF ’96, return to the roster.

Personally, the inclusion of the Orochi Team (Yashiro, Shermie, Chris) stood out the most. Given that the game’s boss, Omega Rugal, is closely tied to Orochi’s power, their return makes sense.

Hidden characters, now a long-standing KOF tradition, also remain:

• KUSANAGI, an original character introduced in this title
• “Awakened” versions of Yashiro, Shermie, and Chris

These characters can only be selected through specific methods, making it fun to discover which hidden fighters are available.

(The Striker system from KOF 2001 (left) was replaced by the classic 3-on-3 format (right).)

The battle format returns to classic 3-on-3

In KOF 2001, the game introduced a 4-on-4 Striker system. Players selected four characters and designated some as Strikers, who could be called in by consuming gauge. However, due to issues such as certain characters being favored exclusively as Strikers. As a result, KOF 2002 reverted to the traditional 3-on-3 team battle system.

(MAX2 Super Moves can be used after activating MAX Mode. The conditions are strict, but if they land...)

KOF 2002 introduces a new system: MAX2 Super Special Moves.

To use them, the following conditions must be met:

• HP at 25% or lower
• MAX Mode activated (B + C buttons)

These moves consume a large amount of MAX gauge and typically require difficult command inputs. However, they can completely turn the tide of a match and dramatically shift momentum. Above all, the visual presentation is spectacular, making MAX2 moves enjoyable regardless of pure practicality.

※ Postscript: It turns out the GIF used was not actually a MAX2 move...

(Rugal Bernstein, the series’ first boss, returns, but expectations for story should be kept low.)

As for the story, it is fair to say that it is nearly nonexistent. During CPU matches, players simply progress through fights until reaching the boss stage. Short cutscenes appear only when entering or clearing the boss fight.

There is no further narrative beyond this, but for players who prefer pure competitive gameplay, this may actually be a positive.

That said, the ending credits include several entertaining scenes, such as:

• Choi Bounge flying alongside a pigeon
• Rugal appearing together with other bosses

These moments are worth discovering firsthand.

(Even a single hit can be fatal. If it feels too difficult, try using the coin service.)

As someone who is not particularly skilled at fighting games, the boss battles were challenging. However, overall, the game feels relatively forgiving. In many difficult fighting games, it is common to fail before even reaching the boss. In KOF 2002, the AI is not overly oppressive, making it easy to enjoy casually.

The AI isn’t overly difficult
If it feels too hard, make full use of available advantages

The final stage, however, still posed significant difficulty. Omega Rugal deals extremely high damage and has strong defense, meaning a single mistake can quickly result in a lost character. That said, players who find the challenge overwhelming can select various advantages when retrying, reducing the overall burden.

The game uses the same emulator-based execution method seen in Samurai Shodown II.

Launching the game from the Stove client opens the emulator, from which the game starts. Before launch, players can adjust settings such as game difficulty.

However, previously noted key configuration issues persist:

• Solo play with a gamepad is possible, but input is treated as Player 2
• Button remapping is not possible within the emulator

These discrepancies can cause confusion and require caution.

※ Update (2025.01.03):
Keyboard control descriptions have been updated to match actual inputs.

📌 Final Verdict

The flash and satisfying feel remain intact
A PC port with lingering shortcomings

(Whether you’re skilled or not, it’s still fun to play.)

Despite being over 20 years old, KOF 2002 remains thoroughly enjoyable. Although it took roughly an hour to clear all CPU matches even on Level 1 difficulty, the flashy special moves and signature combat feel of the series remain timeless.

A game where you can experience flashy combos and satisfying combat with your own dream team: The King of Fighters 2002.

▶ Go to Store Page

How did you like today's game review? We'd love to help you enjoy your gaming life.

If you're curious, definitely check it out - and let us know your thoughts, too! 😊

We'll see you around.

Explore STOVE Game