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Post by Daaren on Aug 7, 2003 12:10:48 GMT -5
From www.snk-capcom.comThere is been much speculation inside and out of the gaming community on what the status of King of Fighters 2003 is. With SNK vs. Capcom Chaos raising the bar in the graphics department, what should we expect from the aging, but never dying NEO GEO MVS for KOF 2003? As we reported earlier this year, SNK Playmore is releasing titles as it once did in the older days, multiple titles in one year. More importantly, quality titles are being released, not mediocre ones. After Samurai Shodown Zero (Japanese Title, U.S. Title not yet determined), follow that up with Slug 5 (expected to be released in October), and finally, expect the King of Fighters 2003 to follow in December. Whew! What a line-up. I hope NEO GEO gamers/collectors out there don't have to buy so many presents this Christmas, because all your money is going to be sent FED EX to SNK Playmore for those titles. So, yes, KOF 2003 is coming to the NEO GEO MVS, not skipping a year, not being released on another system as some may have thought. There's nothing like another KOF on the system it was born on. -------------------------------------------------------------------- There's SVC coming, SS0 after and a new KOF God knowed what we wanted and i made it happen Life is good (for now) |
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Post by BoriquaSNK on Aug 7, 2003 16:46:40 GMT -5
I'd like to see who the new lead is
::hopes to GOD it isn't Bao::
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Post by RoninBuddha on Aug 8, 2003 4:30:33 GMT -5
i have a feeling that these WILL be released in jamma sets... not MVS carts (like SVC).... damn..  still, if i cant afford them, ill wait for ports on PS2 (please!), which might turn out to be better (e.g. kof2000 on ps2 rocks!) |
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Post by Candycab on Aug 8, 2003 5:54:17 GMT -5
Im not really a fan of the KOF series so this like another installment of Madden Football to me  same shit different year. Just wanted to toss my 2 cents in anyway, I wouldnt be suprised to see this released on a stamdalone PCB ,but I doubt they will take that route just yet,due to tooling costs if for no other reason. I dont think they are ready to drop the MVS hardware yet since that has always been the product SNK was known for and its has such a huge operator base at this point. I do however think that day will be rapidly approachng in the future since the MVS can in no way compete graphicially with just about every other coin op manufacturer hardware out there, and thats what gets the money these days and Playmore knows this. Im not sure how long they can survive as a company nowdays bye just pumping out new fighting games and Im sure at some point they will have to try creating something other than fighters so Im sure thats when we will see the hardware change. Otherwise Im sure the MVS will still be around for a long while due to its installed userbase, relatively low cost hardware { new board/conversion kit } and Im sure bye now its fairly simple to program for the developers that have been with SNK for any period of time. The MVS has proven to be pretty damn good 2D hardware for what it is, but Playmore will most likely have to move out of the 2D market to stay afloat in the coming years. Of course they may only take that route in the console market. I really wouldnt be suprised if they left the arcade market all together in favor of the console market ,unless they come up with better hardware than the MVS and the Hyper boards thay may have to. |
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Post by cellsr on Aug 8, 2003 9:17:06 GMT -5
Im not really a fan of the KOF series so this like another installment of Madden Football to me same shit different year. Just wanted to toss my 2 cents in anyway, I wouldnt be suprised to see this released on a stamdalone PCB ,but I doubt they will take that route just yet,due to tooling costs if for no other reason. I dont think they are ready to drop the MVS hardware yet since that has always been the product SNK was known for and its has such a huge operator base at this point. I do however think that day will be rapidly approachng in the future since the MVS can in no way compete graphicially with just about every other coin op manufacturer hardware out there, and thats what gets the money these days and Playmore knows this. Im not sure how long they can survive as a company nowdays bye just pumping out new fighting games and Im sure at some point they will have to try creating something other than fighters so Im sure thats when we will see the hardware change. Otherwise Im sure the MVS will still be around for a long while due to its installed userbase, relatively low cost hardware { new board/conversion kit } and Im sure bye now its fairly simple to program for the developers that have been with SNK for any period of time. The MVS has proven to be pretty damn good 2D hardware for what it is, but Playmore will most likely have to move out of the 2D market to stay afloat in the coming years. Of course they may only take that route in the console market. I really wouldnt be suprised if they left the arcade market all together in favor of the console market ,unless they come up with better hardware than the MVS and the Hyper boards thay may have to. you read my mind with what you said about madden,which i am still getting because of the online voice chat.maybe i will play you one day, and oh ya i Taunt. |
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Post by BoriquaSNK on Aug 8, 2003 13:36:36 GMT -5
I hope to God playmore does SOMETHING new. IF they decide to support atomiswave that might do something over in japland but it'll do shit over here.
As for the MVS, those days are definately numbered...I see it as a puzzle game machine for its remaining life span.
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Post by Daaren on Aug 8, 2003 14:13:31 GMT -5
Nah, noami would be better
Think about it, KOF with awsome sprites and animations, what can you ask more ?
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Post by Goukistar on Aug 8, 2003 14:59:52 GMT -5
Agreed.
Here's where our views differ. SNK has a sizeable cult fan base, the vast majority of whom are also firmly attached to the MVS format; five minutes spent in the forums at neo-geo.com should provide amply proof. This is both a blessing and a curse as the style and format demanded from the company’s fans prevent expansion, and deviation risks alienation of their existing user base with no guarantee of reaching new audiences – catch 22. This also accounts for the "sameness" of much of their output - KoF being the prime example of this - zealots expect SNK to produce much the same game year after year. To the casual player they seem almost identical, which in many respects they are, whilst fans seem to love nothing more than bitching to each other about which minor adjustment is the best/worst addition ever whilst condemning anyone insolent enough to disagree with them as "teh FAG lol!".
This overlong and roundabout collection of points leads me to my conclusion that the large existing user base in combination with the hardcore fan base and cheap production costs will keep the MVS in service for a while yet. At the same time, this will also ensure SNK is kept relegated in the "special interest" league. However, forthcoming (and very recent) titles hold much promise and may well provide part of the revenue needed for SNK to advance themselves - assuming that is, that they wish to do so (in the arcades).
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Post by Daaren on Aug 8, 2003 15:11:48 GMT -5
True, True.....
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Post by Candycab on Aug 8, 2003 19:11:54 GMT -5
Agreed. Here's where our views differ. SNK has a sizeable cult fan base, the vast majority of whom are also firmly attached to the MVS format; five minutes spent in the forums at neo-geo.com should provide amply proof. This is both a blessing and a curse as the style and format demanded from the company’s fans prevent expansion, and deviation risks alienation of their existing user base with no guarantee of reaching new audiences – catch 22. This also accounts for the "sameness" of much of their output - KoF being the prime example of this - zealots expect SNK to produce much the same game year after year. To the casual player they seem almost identical, which in many respects they are, whilst fans seem to love nothing more than bitching to each other about which minor adjustment is the best/worst addition ever whilst condemning anyone insolent enough to disagree with them as "teh FAG lol!". This overlong and roundabout collection of points leads me to my conclusion that the large existing user base in combination with the hardcore fan base and cheap production costs will keep the MVS in service for a while yet. At the same time, this will also ensure SNK is kept relegated in the "special interest" league. However, forthcoming (and very recent) titles hold much promise and may well provide part of the revenue needed for SNK to advance themselves - assuming that is, that they wish to do so (in the arcades). Yes very good points there ;D I would love to see the MVS format stick with us a few more years my self. I would also like to see some new puzzle games like Ghost Lop get released ,looking at the movies Vihn has at Snk-Cap it looks like it would be a blast to play But I think something will have to give ,at least here in the U.S. arcade market since what is left of the arcade market for the most part is corporate run places like Game Works and Dave & Busters and there are far less mom and pop arcades left here in the U.S and they are dwindling more every year. If anything will keep the MVS market alive it will be the Japanese and Latin markets { Mexico & Brazil/South America } as it does appear to be dwindling rapidly here as it has been for several years now. I seriously question what kind of impact web sites like NG and SNK-Cap have on manufacturers like SNK/Playmore since its a very small number of fanatics { maybe a few thousand at the most combined }compared to the world arcade market. Without a doubt it does show there is a large "cult following" but at what point and how does this influence SNK/Playmore is the real question ? They definitly arent going to do a production run of anything just for a few thousand people. Sadly I think the only way they are going to stay in business is to leave the arcade market for the console market ,but who knows ? anything can happen nowdays, and the arcade market is a totall mess at the moment. I dont thnik any of the main players in the arcade market really know what to do since the console market is now surpassing them in terms of kick ass hardware per dollar. It used to be the complete opposite ,its kind of spooky to think that very soon every arcade may well be some corporate piece of crap like Dave & Busters ! That would definitly spell the end of a good thing  |
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Post by Raiken on Aug 8, 2003 20:28:17 GMT -5
KOF 2k2 was somewhat of a return to it's older roots in the mid 90's. Even if it was for just one more year I'd really like a KOF that is a straight up fighter like 96-98, but with at least the graphical improvements of the latter years if not better.
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Post by Candycab on Aug 8, 2003 21:14:08 GMT -5
Ive been around the Neo since its inception and have owned my share of MVS cabs and games over the years as well as Gold AES when they launched it. However as I had stated before I never really got into the KOF series and was curious to hear from you guys that love this game and have played most or all of them. Which KOF would be a good starter for a KOF noob ? and which one is the best to own overall ? I do have KOF 94 and I think it pretty much sucks overall. It's just so damn stiff controll wise that it isnt very fun to play. I know thats probably considered the worst of the series bye most KOF fans ,but for $12.00 I figured what the hell ;D I dont need a whole lot of detail as to why one KOF is better than another { we have Kaz's reviews for that  } just curious to know which one you guys prefer  |
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Post by Raiken on Aug 8, 2003 23:29:17 GMT -5
Oh man. Thats a tough one. I'm a KOF nut so I just like them all. But 96-98 were total classics IMHO. But if I had to choose one to start with if I was a noob I'd pick 98 because it has a very nice character roster and excellent graphics.
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Post by Candycab on Aug 9, 2003 4:40:46 GMT -5
Thanks Raiken ;D I appreciate the feedback and hope others will let me know their opinions on this too Kaz I would definitly like to know youre thoughts on this aswell I had heard in the past that 98 was the one to buy for its all around appeal { nice mix of graphics and game play } I will be picking a new KOF soon and want to go with what is considered the best of the bunch to try and get into the series with ;D Clearly 94 does not appear to be the correct choice in this matter  |
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Post by Kazuya_UK on Aug 9, 2003 17:06:25 GMT -5
I apologise in advance for any typos, it's late and I've had a little to drink This is a tough one for me. I know you don't like them but I personally love KOF 94-95, as I like the "old-school" feel that they have, and it does help that I used to play them regularly in the arcade back when they first came out. I still really like some of the backgrounds/music in those games too. Not everybody enjoys playing them (especially people that got into KOF later on), but I still regularly put these carts into my MVS when I feel like a change. I also love Omega Rugal in KOF 95, as he is a very cool boss (Kyo's dad is cool too). KOF '96 was where the series changed and became more modern. It's funny because I never got into '96 all that much "back in the day", but after buying the MVS cart some time ago I became addicted to it and really appreciated it for what it was. It definitely has some of the best backgrounds and music in any KOF game, and also the best boss encounters (the boss team with Krauser/Geese/Mr Big is awesome), so it's very cool imho. KOF '97 is damn nice too, although I'm not the biggest fan of the TV style atmosphere... many stages don't have music, and instead just have ambient sound. This is cool in many ways, but personally I prefer a really good soundtrack with some great music. The game is still very good though, and many people say it is the best in the series. KOF '98 is excellent, and the best overall in terms of character roster and gameplay. Almost everything you could want in a KOF game is in there, and it is the best for vs play imho. Good soundtrack, good backgrounds and overall... just great fun KOF '99 is the prettiest and best sounding KOF game. The stages and music in this one are awesome I think... especially the rainy courtyard stage which ranks as my favourite fighting game good, although a lot of people hate the striker system. Although it wasn't really needed, SNK tried to add something fresh to the gameplay, but it didn't seem to please the majority of the fans. I didn't mind it at first, but by the time KOF 2002 came out I was actually glad that they had removed it. While it might not be as much fun in the long term as KOF '98, it is still a great game in its own right, and I'd still recommend picking up the MVS cart as it is well worth it if you are a fan of the series. As for the rest of the KOF games, 2000 is ok but feels rushed to me (it probably was as it was the last KOF before the old SNK's demise), and it also has a questionable striker system. 2001 is not too bad gameplay wise, it's just a shame that the atmosphere is ruined by terrible music and shabby backgrounds. 2002 is damn cool although it did try to fill KOF 98's shoes and fell a little short of the mark. Definitely worth having I think, but I'd get KOF '98 instead as it is better and probably a much cheaper MVS cart So... overall if you are only going to buy one KOF game, I'd get '98, as the MVS cart is reasonably priced and you'll have a lot of fun with it. Otherwise, if you fancy getting a few of them, I'd grab 96, 97, 98 and 99 as that 4 year period is the best in the series history and they are all worth owning in my opinion. I actually am starting to get a good feeling about KOF 2003 as well (I don't know why), I just hope that Playmore is not going to disappoint us Kaz |
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