:: orochinagi

I'm interested in learning how to play KoF in a local arcade, but I don't how to start as I have zero skills with those machines. My place has all the KoF versions except for 94, 95 and XI. So, which is the easiest game for a newbie like me, please?

'98 or 2K.

2001 is easy to play.

I wouldn't suggest 98, 2k or 2k1:

-98 is too refined and complex, compared to other chapters.
-2k relies a lot on strikers and the modes.
-2k1 is crap.


Best one to begin with KOF may be 97. It isn't as complex as other titles and it's fun to play, even if you know shit about the gameplay

96 was too experimental, so... play it at your own risk

I suggested '98 because it's the KOF that pretty much set the tone for everything that came after it (with the exception of '99), in terms of mobility, systems, etc.

IIRC '97 has some pretty broken crap in it...I remember Vishema showing me some pretty messed up stuff, .

No, no. I'm talking about simplicity, and in that field, KOF97 takes the lead on 98.

I don't think so, I'm with SS here, 98 is better. 97 may be simple, but it also has lots of slowdown and a lot of messed up stuff, as SS said. 98 is too technical for a person who's played it a lot, but for a beginner it's about the best thing you can aproach. It's way more "balanced" than 97.

in pre-98 you can't whiff special throws, that's a pretty notable missing feature if i may say, expecially if you're going to play a grappler.

98 is what I learned on, so I'd suggest it too. Though it was the latest one out (on console) at the time, and I still don't feel too comfortable with newer systems. I'd blame that on me overplaying it though. I guess what I'm saying is learn the basics on 98 until you are comfortable, then move on to what you really want to learn. No point in spending the time to master 98 when you plan on playing a later title more. You can learn the basics without thinking about doing (or being punished by) complicated strikers, tags, cancel combos or super cancels.

98 for real. No question. Either it's that or 95 or 97. 95 for something on the lines of Super Turbo. 97,98 for that alpha feel. It doesn't get any better. A majority of the moves per character is in 98, so it's probably the reason why it's a better starter game.

94 is too old, might as well learn by playing sf2.
95 the same, plus cpu is very tricky here
96 is still too far apart from the current gameplay
97 has messed up controls, overlapping , etc

98 and 2K are the most friendly.. I vote for 2k without strikers.

'98 easily. Although I started with '95, I learned more from '98.

KOF 2000 I'd say, even though it has strikers, but that shouldn't detract from it too much saying as it's easiness to play you're looking for.

Although, I find KOF 2003 to be really easy to play too.

denieru wrote:94 is too old, might as well learn by playing sf2.
95 the same, plus cpu is very tricky here

WTH? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Sorry, but have you actually played the 2 of them to death in the arcades (vs humans) (back then and present)

There's such a big improvement in 95, omg, how can you say they are the same....

Kof 95 over Sf2 any day.

Derrick wrote:

denieru wrote:94 is too old, might as well learn by playing sf2.
95 the same, plus cpu is very tricky here

WTH? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Sorry, but have you actually played the 2 of them to death in the arcades (vs humans) (back then and present)

There's such a big improvement in 95, omg, how can you say they are the same....

Kof 95 over Sf2 any day.

em, the same as 94 as best kof for beginners (not good)... NOT that the games are the same.

i read my comment a 2nd time and yes it sounds like im saying '94 and 95 is the same game...