Home /
Neo Geo AES

The King of Fighters 2001

Neo Geo AES

Neo Geo AES

One of the very last U.S. releases for the console, this game brings a final round of 2D fighting action to the NEO GEO Advanced Entertainment System . Time has passed since most of Southtown was decimated by the now-destroyed Zero Cannon. Another KOF tournament is being held and this time, it's...

Download

0/5 Votes: 0

Report

Developer
Eolith

Released on
2002

Size
1–2 Players

Version
Neo Geo AES

Requirements
SNK Neo Geo AES

Downloads
Fighting

Publisher
SNK

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

Wikipedia
View article →

Report this app

Images

Description

One of the very last U.S. releases for the console, this game brings a final round of 2D fighting action to the NEO GEO Advanced Entertainment System .
Time has passed since most of Southtown was decimated by the now-destroyed Zero Cannon. Another KOF tournament is being held and this time, it’s hosted by the NESTS Organization, the group of antagonists behind the events of the previous two games.
Like in the previous game, the battles are once again between teams of four. Instead of a strict “three fighters and one striker” format, this installment introduces the Tactical Order System, which allows the player to select which characters will they control in combat and which characters will serve as strikers. Before each match, the player can form a team configuration of four fighters and no strikers, to one fighter and three strikers.

The King of Fighters 2001

Overview & History

Developed by Eolith and published by SNK after the original company's bankruptcy, The King of Fighters 2001 marks the dramatic conclusion of the NESTS Chronicle story arc. Players witness the final confrontation against the sinister NESTS cartel, culminating in the destruction of their aerial fortress and the downfall of the villainous Igniz. As the first game in the franchise not entirely coded by SNK's original internal team, it took bold risks with the visual and audio presentation, utilizing sharply shaded sprites and a distinctly industrial, apocalyptic aesthetic for its backgrounds.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Departing from the traditional fixed team ratios of previous iterations, The King of Fighters 2001 introduces a revolutionary tactical striker system. Players can freely allocate up to four characters across active combatants and supporting strikers. Choosing fewer fighters on the front lines grants the remaining team members increased offensive power, larger Super meter capacities, and higher health recovery rates. Combat relies heavily on the Super Cancel system and Wire Damage mechanics, which send opponents crashing into the screen borders for devastating combo extensions. Iconic fighters like K' and Kula Diamond return with revamped move sets, alongside newcomers like Angel, whose complex chain-punching unchained mechanics require precise input timing to execute her most punishing command grabs and super special moves.