Difference between revisions of "The King of Fighters '96"
From Sega Retro
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{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | {{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | ||
{{MoveListRow | Raijin Ken<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Benimaru jabs in front of him with an electrically charged fist, which hits up to three times and knocks down the opponent on impact. This move can be performed in midair.}} | {{MoveListRow | Raijin Ken<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Benimaru jabs in front of him with an electrically charged fist, which hits up to three times and knocks down the opponent on impact. This move can be performed in midair.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Iai Geri<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{QCF}} {{kick}} | Benimaru does a rapid knee strike. If the player presses {{down}} {{up}}+{{kick}} during the move, Benimaru follows up with a hopping side kick, then | + | {{MoveListRow | Iai Geri<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{QCF}} {{kick}} | Benimaru does a rapid knee strike. If the player presses {{down}} {{up}}+{{kick}} during the move, Benimaru follows up with a hopping side kick, then backflips into the air with an electrically charged kick that knocks his opponent over.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Shinku Kakate Goma<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCB}} {{kick}} | Benimaru stands on one hand and spins his body around, kicking with both hands, knocking his opponent far back on impact.}} | {{MoveListRow | Shinku Kakate Goma<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCB}} {{kick}} | Benimaru stands on one hand and spins his body around, kicking with both hands, knocking his opponent far back on impact.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Super Inazuma Kick<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{DPF}} {{kick}} | Benimaru backflips into the air with an electrically charged kick that knocks his opponent over.}} | {{MoveListRow | Super Inazuma Kick<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{DPF}} {{kick}} | Benimaru backflips into the air with an electrically charged kick that knocks his opponent over.}} | ||
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{{MoveListRow | Hishou Ken<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Andy throws a short-ranged burst of ki energy from his hand, which knocks the opponent back on impact. The burst is longer when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Hishou Ken<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Andy throws a short-ranged burst of ki energy from his hand, which knocks the opponent back on impact. The burst is longer when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Shouryuu Dan<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{DPF}} {{punch}} | Andy jumps into the air while fanning his arms around him, which knocks down his opponent on impact. He ascends higher when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Shouryuu Dan<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{DPF}} {{punch}} | Andy jumps into the air while fanning his arms around him, which knocks down his opponent on impact. He ascends higher when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Zan'ei Ken<br>(Special {{C}}) | Hold {{downleft}} for | + | {{MoveListRow | Zan'ei Ken<br>(Special {{C}}) | Hold {{downleft}} for 1 second, then {{right}}+{{punch}} | Andy charges forward while ramming with his shoulder and knee. If the player presses {{QCF}} {{punch}} during the move, Andy follows up with an additional strike that knocks the opponent back.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Kuuhaa Dan<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCF}} {{kick}} | Andy launches off the ground with his hands, flying feet-first toward his opponent. The move knocks the opponent down when performed with {{LK}} or hits twice when performed with {{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Kuuhaa Dan<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCF}} {{kick}} | Andy launches off the ground with his hands, flying feet-first toward his opponent. The move knocks the opponent down when performed with {{LK}} or hits twice when performed with {{HK}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Gen'ei Shiranui | {{QCF}} {{kick}} in midair | Andy dives quickly to the ground. The move does no damage by itself, but it can be followed up by a crouching palm thrust that knocks his opponent over with {{punch}} or a rolling kick with {{kick}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Gen'ei Shiranui | {{QCF}} {{kick}} in midair | Andy dives quickly to the ground. The move does no damage by itself, but it can be followed up by a crouching palm thrust that knocks his opponent over with {{punch}} or a rolling kick with {{kick}}.}} | ||
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{{MoveListRow | Ko Ou Ken<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Yuri thrusts a short-ranged burst of ki energy from his hand, which knocks the opponent back on impact. He slides forward slightly when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Ko Ou Ken<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Yuri thrusts a short-ranged burst of ki energy from his hand, which knocks the opponent back on impact. He slides forward slightly when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Rai'oh Ken<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{QCF}} {{kick}} | Yuri jumps into the air and swings her arms downward with a burst of ki. She jumps higher when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Rai'oh Ken<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{QCF}} {{kick}} | Yuri jumps into the air and swings her arms downward with a burst of ki. She jumps higher when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Kuu Ga | {{DPF}} {{punch}} | Yuri jumps into the air while performing an uppercut, which knocks down her opponent on impact. | + | {{MoveListRow | Kuu Ga | {{DPF}} {{punch}} | Yuri jumps into the air while performing an uppercut, which knocks down her opponent on impact. When the move is performed with {{HP}}, she ascends higher, and the move can be followed up by a second jumping uppercut (Ura Kuu Ga) with {{DPF}} {{punch}} again.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Hien Senpuu Ken<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Yuri leaps forward with a flying punch that knocks her opponent over. She leaps farther when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Hien Senpuu Ken<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Yuri leaps forward with a flying punch that knocks her opponent over. She leaps farther when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Hien Senpuu Kyaku<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Yuri jumps into the air and rotates on an axis while kicking her leg out, which knocks down her opponent on impact. She jumps higher and farther when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Hien Senpuu Kyaku<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Yuri jumps into the air and rotates on an axis while kicking her leg out, which knocks down her opponent on impact. She jumps higher and farther when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | ||
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{{MoveListRow | Baltic Launcher<br>(Special {{L}}) | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{punch}} | Leona throws her hands back and generates a large energy sphere in front of her that can hit her opponent multiple times. She hovers in the air and the sphere moves forward a short distance when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Baltic Launcher<br>(Special {{L}}) | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{punch}} | Leona throws her hands back and generates a large energy sphere in front of her that can hit her opponent multiple times. She hovers in the air and the sphere moves forward a short distance when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Moon Slasher<br>(Special {{Z}}) | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{punch}} | Leona slashes the air around her in a circle, which knocks down her opponent on impact.}} | {{MoveListRow | Moon Slasher<br>(Special {{Z}}) | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{punch}} | Leona slashes the air around her in a circle, which knocks down her opponent on impact.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Grand Saber<br>(Special {{R}}) | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{kick}} | Leona runs forward while low to the ground, then slashes with her hand, knocking the opponent over on impact. | + | {{MoveListRow | Grand Saber<br>(Special {{R}}) | Hold {{left}} for 2 seconds, then {{right}}+{{kick}} | Leona runs forward while low to the ground, then slashes with her hand, knocking the opponent over on impact. When the move is performed with {{HK}}, it can be followed up by a somersault kick (Gliding Buster) with {{right}}+{{HK}}.}} |
{{MoveListRow | X-Calibur<br>(Special {{C}}) | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{kick}} | Leona flips into the air, then slashes her hands in an X pattern on the way down.}} | {{MoveListRow | X-Calibur<br>(Special {{C}}) | Hold {{down}} for 2 seconds, then {{up}}+{{kick}} | Leona flips into the air, then slashes her hands in an X pattern on the way down.}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
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}} | }} | ||
{{MoveListTable | desc=Desperation moves | | {{MoveListTable | desc=Desperation moves | | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Shining Crystal Bit | {{left}} {{HCB}} {{punch}} | Athena hovers in the air and channels psychic energy while orbs revolve around her. The move can be canceled by pressing {{LP}}+{{HP}}+{{LK}}+{{HK}}. If the player presses {{QCB}} {{punch}} during the move, Athena points forward and shoots an energy orb across the screen (Crystal Shoot). She throws the orb straight ahead with {{LP}} or at an upward angle with {{HP}}.}} | + | {{MoveListRow | Shining Crystal Bit | {{left}} {{HCB}} {{punch}} | Athena hovers in the air and channels psychic energy while orbs revolve around her. This move can be performed in midair. The move can be canceled by pressing {{LP}}+{{HP}}+{{LK}}+{{HK}}. If the player presses {{QCB}} {{punch}} during the move, Athena points forward and shoots an energy orb across the screen (Crystal Shoot). She throws the orb straight ahead with {{LP}} or at an upward angle with {{HP}}.}} |
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
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{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | {{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | ||
{{MoveListRow | Chou Kyuu Dan<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Kensou generates and throws a ball of psychic energy. The projectile moves faster when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Chou Kyuu Dan<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Kensou generates and throws a ball of psychic energy. The projectile moves faster when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Ren Ga Chi<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{HCF}} {{LP}} | Kensou leaps forward with an elbow strike | + | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Ren Ga Chi<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{HCF}} {{LP}} | Kensou leaps forward with an elbow strike, then follows up with a knee strike and a turning kick while moving forward.}} |
− | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Ren Ga Gen<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCF}} {{HP}} | Kensou leaps forward with an elbow strike | + | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Ren Ga Gen<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCF}} {{HP}} | Kensou leaps forward with an elbow strike, then follows up with a knee strike and a turning kick while moving diagonally up into the air.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Ryuu Sou Geki | {{QCB}} {{punch}} in midair | Kensou dives diagonally downwards with a palm strike that hits multiple times.}} | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Sou Geki | {{QCB}} {{punch}} in midair | Kensou dives diagonally downwards with a palm strike that hits multiple times.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Ryuu Gaku Sai<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{RDP}} {{kick}} | Kensou stands on his hands and propels himself into the air with a split-leg kick. He ascends higher when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Gaku Sai<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{RDP}} {{kick}} | Kensou stands on his hands and propels himself into the air with a split-leg kick. He ascends higher when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | ||
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{{MoveListRow | Ryuu Rin Hou Rai<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{DPF}} {{punch}} | Chin leaps through the air with a rolling body attack. He stumbles forward with multiple spinning elbow strikes before leaping when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu Rin Hou Rai<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{DPF}} {{punch}} | Chin leaps through the air with a rolling body attack. He stumbles forward with multiple spinning elbow strikes before leaping when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Suikan Kan Ou | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Chin leaps forward with a falling body attack.}} | {{MoveListRow | Suikan Kan Ou | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Chin leaps forward with a falling body attack.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Kaiten Tekikuu Totsu Ken<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{HCF}} {{kick}} | Chin rolls along the ground, then does an upward hand strike that knocks his opponent over.}} | + | {{MoveListRow | Kaiten Tekikuu Totsu Ken<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{HCF}} {{kick}} | Chin rolls along the ground, then does an upward hand strike that knocks his opponent over. He rolls farther when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Bugetsu Sui | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Chin falls back, flat on the ground, for a duration before standing back up again. While he is in this state, he can fly forward with a kick (Ryuu Ja Hanhou) with {{up}}+{{LK}}, cartwheel backward (Rigyo Hanhou) with {{up}}+{{HK}}, or roll forward with an upward hand strike (Kaiten Tekikuu Totsu Ken) with {{HCF}} {{kick}}. Or he can stand back up by pressing {{LP}}+{{HP}}+{{LK}}+{{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Bugetsu Sui | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Chin falls back, flat on the ground, for a duration before standing back up again. While he is in this state, he can fly forward with a kick (Ryuu Ja Hanhou) with {{up}}+{{LK}}, cartwheel backward (Rigyo Hanhou) with {{up}}+{{HK}}, or roll forward with an upward hand strike (Kaiten Tekikuu Totsu Ken) with {{HCF}} {{kick}}. Or he can stand back up by pressing {{LP}}+{{HP}}+{{LK}}+{{HK}}.}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
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{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | {{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | ||
{{MoveListRow | Ka Chou Sen<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Mai throws her folding fan at her opponent. The projectile moves faster when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Ka Chou Sen<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Mai throws her folding fan at her opponent. The projectile moves faster when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu En Bu<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Mai twirls around, whipping her opponent with the sash around her waist, which is set alight and knocks her opponent over on impact.}} | + | {{MoveListRow | Ryuu En Bu<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} | Mai twirls around, whipping her opponent with the sash around her waist, which is set alight and knocks her opponent over on impact. She steps forward slightly when the move is performed with {{HP}}.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Hishou Ryuu'en Jin<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{DPF}} {{kick}} | Mai does a backflip while tailed by the sash around her waist, which is set alight and knocks her opponent over on impact. She flips higher when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Hishou Ryuu'en Jin<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{DPF}} {{kick}} | Mai does a backflip while tailed by the sash around her waist, which is set alight and knocks her opponent over on impact. She flips higher when the move is performed with {{HK}}.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCF}} {{kick}} | Mai performs a cartwheel, then drops to the ground with an elbow strike. The move travels more distance when it is performed with {{HK}}.}} | {{MoveListRow | Hissatsu Shinobi Bachi<br>(Special {{L}}) | {{HCF}} {{kick}} | Mai performs a cartwheel, then drops to the ground with an elbow strike. The move travels more distance when it is performed with {{HK}}.}} | ||
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| desc=A member of the Hakkesshu brotherhood who was assigned to watch over Rugal, taking the role of one of his assistants. She has now been ordered by Goenitz to assist Iori to ensure that he progresses to the championship finals. She fights with her sharp nails. | | desc=A member of the Hakkesshu brotherhood who was assigned to watch over Rugal, taking the role of one of his assistants. She has now been ordered by Goenitz to assist Iori to ensure that he progresses to the championship finals. She fights with her sharp nails. | ||
{{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | {{MoveListTable | desc=Special moves | | ||
− | {{MoveListRow | Despair<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Mature flips forward | + | {{MoveListRow | Despair<br>(Special {{Z}}) | {{QCF}} {{punch}} | Mature flips forward while slashing the air with her nails. The move covers more horizontal distance when it is performed with {{HP}}.}} |
{{MoveListRow | Death Row<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} (up to 3 times) | Mature advances with an upward hand swipe. The motion can be repeated up to three times, in which case she follows up with two lateral swipes.}} | {{MoveListRow | Death Row<br>(Special {{R}}) | {{QCB}} {{punch}} (up to 3 times) | Mature advances with an upward hand swipe. The motion can be repeated up to three times, in which case she follows up with two lateral swipes.}} | ||
{{MoveListRow | Metal Massacre<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Mature runs forward, then does a lateral hand swipe when she is near her opponent.}} | {{MoveListRow | Metal Massacre<br>(Special {{C}}) | {{QCB}} {{kick}} | Mature runs forward, then does a lateral hand swipe when she is near her opponent.}} |
Revision as of 00:10, 11 April 2024
The King of Fighters '96 | |||||||||||||||
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System(s): Sega Saturn | |||||||||||||||
Publisher: SNK | |||||||||||||||
Developer: TUG[1], Yumekobo[2] | |||||||||||||||
Original system(s): Neo Geo | |||||||||||||||
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (32 tracks) | |||||||||||||||
Peripherals supported: Extended RAM Cartridge (1MB only) | |||||||||||||||
Genre: Fighting Action/Kakutou Action (格闘アクション)[3], Action[4] | |||||||||||||||
Number of players: 1-2 | |||||||||||||||
Official in-game languages: | |||||||||||||||
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The King of Fighters '96 (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ’96) is an entry in SNK's The King of Fighters series. It is the third in the series, and the sequel to The King of Fighters '95. It was brought to the Sega Saturn in 1996.
The Saturn version was released late on the 31st of December, almost missing 1996 altogether. Though this version was released exclusively in Japan, it supports all the languages of the Neo Geo versions (Japanese, English, Spanish and Portuguese).
The King of Fighters '96 requires a 1MB Extended RAM Cartridge in order to function correctly. The later 4MB cartridge is incompatible; while the game will boot, graphics will be corrupted.
Contents
Story
A new King of Fighters tournament is announced. Since the previous year, the tournament's fame has grown immensely, turning it into a major international event. Huge corporations transform the King of Fighters tournament into a widely televised, commercialized, and celebrated event, drawing crowds from around the world. The tournament is now held by Chizuru Kagura, a descendant of the ancient Yata clan responsible for sealing the snake demon Orochi, along with the Kusanagi and Yasanaki clans. Each clan possesses one of the Three Sacred Treasures, ancient relics (based on the Imperial Regalia of Japan) that were used to seal Orochi. Chizuru uses the tournament in hopes of finding and recruiting Kyo and Iori in order to stop the upcoming Orochi threat.
Gameplay
The game is a team fighting game featuring characters from multiple SNK franchises. This entry adds increased maneuverability techniques, replacing the forward hop with the ability to run, replacing the dodge mechanic of the previous games with a new roll, and adding short hops. Command normals have been removed, most projectile attacks have been weakened, the inputs for many special moves have been simplified, throw escapes have been added, and "Super Desperation" moves have been introduced. Most of the sprites for returning characters have been redrawn or revised, some of the teams were rearranged, and several new characters were added (and some characters were removed). The new characters from other SNK games are Kasumi Todoh from Art of Fighting 3 and a new Boss Team consisting of Geese Howard from Fatal Fury, Wolfgang Krauser from Fatal Fury 2, and Mr. Big from Art of Fighting. The new original characters are Leona, an amnesiac raised by Heidern who is linked to the Orochi plotline, Mature and Vice, Rugal's secretaries who are now playable, and Chizuru and Goenitz, the two bosses.
As before, the playable characters are divided into multiple teams of three. The player can freely mix and match characters from different teams to form a custom team, but choosing characters from one of the canonical teams gives special endings in the arcade modes. Before each match, players arrange the team members in any order. For the first round of the match, the first member of each team fights. When a character is defeated, the following member of the team takes his or her place in the next round, while the character on the opposing team continues to fight and has a small portion of health restored (more health is restored if the round is completed faster). The other members of the team stand in the background of the stage during the fight. The match ends when all three members of either team are defeated.
Characters move with and and crouch with . They backstep or run with or . They jump upward with and jump behind and ahead with or . They can perform short hops by pressing , , or , followed by quickly. They can "super jump" (a faster and farther jump, trailed by afterimages) by pressing , then , , or quickly. Characters can perform a weak punch with , a strong punch with , a weak kick with , or a strong kick with . Each character has a set of basic, unique, and special moves that can be performed by the player with a specific series of button inputs.
Characters have knockdown attacks, which knock the opponent over, that are performed with +. This can be done while standing or jumping. Characters can perform evasive rolls with + to roll backward or ++ to roll forward (or ++ when facing left). Characters are invulnerable during most of the roll, though they can still be grabbed and thrown. They can roll through opponents when they are close.
When stunned or grabbed, characters can call an undefeated team member in for a special assist attack with +++ if they are visible in frame in that moment. Most team members have a 50% chance of helping, but some always help or never help, depending on the relationships between the characters. For example, Ryo always helps his sister Yuri, but Kyo never helps his rival Iori.
Blocking can be done by holding the D-Pad in the opposite direction of the opponent while standing or crouching. Characters can also block special moves and aerial attacks (but not grounded normal moves or Desperation moves) in midair from a neutral or backwards jump (but not a forwards jump). Throws can be performed by holding or and pressing a strong punch or kick button when next to the opponent. Different characters have different throws available to them. Throws cannot be blocked, but they can be escaped by pressing + at the start of the grab. Characters can also recover from a knockdown by rolling away quickly by pressing + upon landing.
Each player has a power gauge at the bottom of the screen which charges when the character is blocking or taking attacks. It can also be filled manually, although it leaves the character vulnerable to an attack, by holding ++, which can only be done while standing. Once the power gauge is filled, the character enters "MAX mode," and basic attacks become stronger for a short period as the gauge drains. When characters are in this state, players can perform a Desperation move that immediately consumes the entire power gauge. Characters can perform Desperation moves indefinitely when the health gauge is nearly empty and flashing red. If both requirements are fulfilled (the character's health gauge is flashing red and the character's power gauge is full), the character can perform a Super Desperation move instead that does more damage. Characters in "MAX mode" can also cancel into a roll while blocking, but this costs the contents of the power gauge.
Characters can taunt with +, which is a short animation during which the character is vulnerable to attack. Taunting an opponent can reduce their power gauge, slow down their manual charging, and stop them from reaching the maximum level.
Modes
The game has the following modes:
- Team Play: A single-player mode where the player forms a team of any three characters and fights three-on-three elimination matches against all of the teams in the game (ending with the bosses Chizuru Kagura and Goenitz), for a total of 11 matches. There are storyline intermissions throughout the game. This is the main mode.
- Team Vs: A two-player mode where each player forms a team of any three characters and fights a three-on-three elimination match. Players can choose a different team after each match, and the game keeps track of each player's wins and losses.
- Single Play: A single-player mode where the player chooses a character and then fights one-on-one matches against one character from every team (ending with the bosses Chizuru Kagura and Goenitz), for a total of 11 matches. Matches are fought to the best of three rounds. There are storyline intermissions throughout the game.
- Single Vs: A two-player mode where each player chooses a single character and fights a one-on-one match to the best of three rounds. Players can choose a different character after each match, and the game keeps track of each player's wins and losses.
- Survivor: A single-player mode where the player chooses a character and then fights one-on-three matches against all of the teams in the game (ending with the bosses Chizuru Kagura and Goenitz), for a total of 11 matches. The character does not have any health restored between matches aside from the amount partially restored after each round (depending on the player's performance).
In any of the single-player modes, a second player can enter the game for a challenge match by pressing START on a second control pad. There are eight difficulty levels (Beginner, Easy, Normal, MVS, Hard, Very Hard, Hardest, Expert). This is the last King of Fighters game where the player fights every team in the single-player mode.
Characters
Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.
P | Any punch button |
LP | Light punch |
HP | Hard punch |
K | Any kick button |
LK | Light kick |
HK | Hard kick |
In the options, players can set the function of the extra buttons on the Saturn control pad under the "Play Style" setting. Normal leaves them unassigned (which is the default setting), Simple assigns special mechanics to them that usually take multiple button presses (similar to the default assignments in King of Fighters '95), and Special assigns special moves to them (which vary by character). The assignments for the Simple control scheme are for evasive rolls, for knockdown attacks, for taunting, and to power up or for a support attack.
Shujinkou Team
A Japanese team consisting of Kyo Kusanagi, the main character of the Orochi Saga, and his allies, who have banded together again to fight Goenitz.
Garou Densetsu Team
A team representing characters from the Fatal Fury series of fighting games. They join the tournament after learning that Geese Howard is an invited guest.
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Terry Bogard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The protagonist of the Fatal Fury series. He enters the tournament to once again face his nemesis Geese Howard.
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Andy Bogard | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Terry's brother and a ninja of the Shiranui-ryuu style.
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Joe Higashi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Muay Thai kickboxing champion and a good friend of the Bogard brothers.
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Ryuuko no Ken Team
A team representing characters from the Art of Fighting series of fighting games. Yuri Sakazaki takes the place of her father, Takuma, after his retirement.
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Ryo Sakazaki | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The protagonist of the Art of Fighting series. He is a practitioner of Kyokugen-ryuu, a style of karate created by his father.
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Robert Garcia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ryo's best friend and friendly rival who fights using a kick-heavy version of Kyokugen-ryuu. He comes from a wealthy family.
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Yuri Sakazaki | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The younger sister of Ryo, who fights with an unorthodox take on Kyokugen-ryuu.
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Shin Ikari Team
A new team representing characters from the Ikari Warriors series of run-and-gun games. Heidern has decided not to participate this year, having fulfilled his goal of killing Rugal, so his adopted daughter Leona takes his place.
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Leona | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A new recruit to the squad. She was found and adopted by Heidern, who found her after her village was destroyed and her family was murdered by the Hakkesshu. She has lost her memory but resolves to take revenge upon Goenitz.
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Ralf Jones | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The protagonist of the Ikari Warriors series. He is a mercenary whose fighting style is based on hard punches.
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Clark Still | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ralf's best friend and a former spy before joining the Ikari Warriors. He fights with a wrestling-based fighting style.
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Psycho Soldier Team
A team representing characters from the Psycho Soldier series of platforming games. They join the tournament to put their powers and training to the test.
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Athena Asamiya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The protagonist of Psycho Soldier. She is a pop idol with powerful psychic abilities and kung fu training (with a greater emphasis on the former).
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Sie Kensou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The self-proclaimed love interest of Athena, who has the same psychic abilities and kung fu training as Athena (though his fighting style emphasizes the latter).
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Chin Gentsai | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The master of Athena and Kensou and a master of various styles of kung fu, though he fights primarily with drunken boxing.
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Kim Team
A Korean team consisting of Kim Kaphwan (from Fatal Fury) and two original characters. They join the tournament so Kim can prove the effectiveness of his criminal rehabilitation program.
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Kim Kaphwan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A taekwondo master with a strong sense of justice who formed the Korea Justice Team in order to rehabilitate the two criminals on his team.
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Chang Koehan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A very large criminal who fights with a big metal ball attached to a chain.
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Choi Bounge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A very small criminal who fights with two clawed hands (resembling the horror movie villain Freddy Krueger).
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Shin Josei Kakutouka Team
A new Women Fighters Team, with Kasumi Todoh (from Art of Fighting 3) taking the place of Yuri Sakazaki, who joined her brother's team.
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Kasumi Todoh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
An Aikido student who is searching for her father, Ryuhaku Todoh (from the first Art of Fighting game).
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Mai Shiranui | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A kunoichi who practices her family's own martial art, Shiranui-ryuu Ninjutsu.
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King | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A bar owner who fights with her own kick-heavy take on Muay Thai.
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Yagami Team
A new team consisting of Iori Yagami, rival to protagonist Kyo Kusanagi, and Rugal's former secretaries Mature and Vice. They enter the tournament with the goal of killing Kyo. It is always the second-to-last team fought before facing the bosses in the arcade modes.
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Iori Yagami | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The last heir to the Yagami clan (formerly known as the Yasakani Clan) one of the three clans that sealed away Orochi, and the rival of Kyo. His clan possesses the Yasakani Jewel (八尺瓊曲玉).
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Mature | |||||||||||||||||||||||
A member of the Hakkesshu brotherhood who was assigned to watch over Rugal, taking the role of one of his assistants. She has now been ordered by Goenitz to assist Iori to ensure that he progresses to the championship finals. She fights with her sharp nails.
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Vice | |||||||||||||||||||||||
A member of the Hakkesshu brotherhood who was assigned to watch over Rugal, taking the role of one of his assistants. She has now been ordered by Goenitz to assist Iori to ensure that he progresses to the championship finals. She fights with her monstrous strength.
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Boss Team
A new team consisting of the bosses of three games: Geese Howard (Fatal Fury), Wolfgang Krauser (Fatal Fury 2), and Mr. Big (Art of Fighting). It is always the last team fought before facing the bosses in the arcade modes.
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Geese Howard | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The nemesis of the Bogard brothers. He enters the tournament under the guise of seeking revenge against Terry Bogard, but he really wants to learn more about Orochi's power.
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Wolfgang Krauser | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Geese's half-brother, who enters the tournament to test his strength.
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Mr. Big | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A crime boss who enters the tournament to try to expand the influence of his criminal organization.
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Bosses
Both bosses are new characters and can be played using a cheat code.
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Chizuru Kagura | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The heiress of the Yata clan, one of the three clans to seal away Orochi. She hosts the tournament in order to bring the descendants of the three clans together to prevent Orochi from being revived by the Hakkesshu. Her clan possesses the Yata Mirror (八汰鏡). She fights with dance-like motions and open-handed strikes and can create mirror images of herself. She is harmed if one of her mirror images is attacked. She is the sub-boss of the game.
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Goenitz | |||||||||||||||||||||||
A priest of the Hakkesshu, a cult of Orochi's devoted followers. He seeks to revive his master. It is revealed that he is the one who gave Rugal a small portion of Orochi's blood in The King of Fighters '95. He is the final boss of the game.
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Special Edit Teams
The game is the first in the series to introduce the concept of Special Edit Teams, which are custom teams that the player can form that have their own endings. There are only two Special Edit Teams in this game.
The first is the Three Sacred Treasures Team, formed by choosing Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and (with a cheat code) Chizuru Kagura. These are the descendants of the three clans that sealed away Orochi in the past. The canonical ending to the game is only seen when the game is completed with this team. Chizuru asks Kyo and Iori to work together in order to prevent Orochi from being resurrected, but because of the longstanding feud between their clans, they refuse.
The second is the Goenitz Team, formed by putting Goenitz (using a cheat code) on a team with any other characters. In the ending, Chizuru appears and explains that the Goenitz on the player's team was an illusion.
Stages
Every team has their own stage where they are faced. The stage is chosen based on the first member of the opposing team when facing a mixed team.
Versions
The Saturn version of The King of Fighters '96 stems from the Neo Geo CD and shares its arranged CD audio soundtrack. Loading times are faster on the Saturn than on the Neo Geo CD, though sound effects have been lowered in quality and some stage introduction special effects are missing. Animations on the character selection screen are missing in all CD versions of the game, as are team reactions when the player is slammed into the ground during a fight.
The Saturn compares favourably to its PlayStation counterpart, which in addition to the aforementioned cuts, lacks many character and background animations. The PlayStation port also manages to load slower than the Neo Geo CD at times, despite its disc drive being twice as fast.
Production credits
- Producer: T・Nishiyama
- Chief Director: Kuwayan
- System Director: Toyochan
- Sub Director: Toyochan, Haruo Tomita, Namaan-Hiroto, T.Hosokawa
- System Editor: K・Mac・Nagashima
- Front Designer: Tatsuru-Man, C・Yamasaki, Goro Hamada, Akihiko Nasu, Kyow!Iori?Hiraki, Shagiko Hagihara, Naisyo・・・・, M・Asakura, Joe・Terry Sato, Toba, ・・・・・, Miho Uematsu, Akiko Yukawa, S.Yamamoto, Kal-Mizuno, Mitsuru Kawasaki, Kohrin, (Mika) Nisida, I-no-u-e, 44Oka, Aska Tahara
- Back Designer: Etosan, Manoru, Bibidebabidebu, Tsugumi.A, Eri Koujitani, [214 Kusu], Souji Takamori, M.Yokoyama, Raishi
- Program: Shinchan-R32, S・Fujinuki, Cyber・Kondo
- Sound: Sha-V, Konny, Papaya, Shimizm, Yamapy-1, Tate-Norio, Brother-Hige, Ackey, Miwa
- Voice: Masahiro Nonaka, Monster Maetsuka, Masaki Usui, S・Hashimoto, Keiichi Nanba, Nobuyuki Hiyama, Koichi Mantaro, Kaori Horie, Masae Yumi, Yoshinori Shima, Tamao Sato, Eiji Yano, T・Nishimura, Hiroyuki Arita, Harumi Ikoma, Akoya Sogi, Kunihiko Yasui, Yuko Tuji, Kong Kuwata, BJ Love, Masaru Naka, Akiko Saito
- Special Thanks to: Y・Inui, Team Pow, Team Syunsuke 96, M.Yasuda, Kazu,Takinaka, and All SNK Staff
- Produced by: SNK
- (有)TUG
- プログラマー: 林 高志, 小島 卓也, 村岡 敬, 黒川 昌昭
- (株)夢工房
- 赤池 光雄, 井上 和俊, 近藤 和夫, 渋谷 麻紀夫
- ミュージックスタジオ: ファースト・サークル
- サウンド: 藤田 靖明
Magazine articles
- Main article: The King of Fighters '96/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
Physical scans
Sega Retro Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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86 | |
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Based on 9 reviews |
Technical information
- Main article: The King of Fighters '96/Technical information.
References
- ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/TUG
- ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Yumekobo
- ↑ File:KoF96 Saturn JP Box Back.jpg
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-20 23:05)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-21 (1996-12-13)" (JP; 1996-11-22), page 11
- ↑ File:KOF96 Saturn JP SSEnding.pdf
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1997" (UK; 1997-04-11), page 12
- ↑ Famitsu, "1997-01-10,17" (JP; 1996-12-27), page 1
- ↑ GameFan, "Volume 5, Issue 4: April 1997" (US; 1997-xx-xx), page 26
- ↑ MAN!AC, "03/97" (DE; 1997-02-12), page 42
- ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 1" (JP; 1996-12-27), page 199
- ↑ Saturn Fan, "1997 No. 4" (JP; 1997-02-14), page 110
- ↑ Saturn Power, "August 1997" (UK; 1997-06-25), page 86
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1997-01 (1997-01-17)" (JP; 1996-12-27), page 231
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 11
The King of Fighters '96 | |
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Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Technical information | Bootlegs
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The King of Fighters games for Sega systems or published by Sega | |
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The King of Fighters '95 (1996) | The King of Fighters '96 (1996) | The King of Fighters '96 + '95: Gentei KOF Double Pack ( ?) | The King of Fighters '97 (1998) | The King of Fighters Best Collection (1998) | |
The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 (1999) | The King of Fighters: Evolution (2000) | The King of Fighters 2000 (2002) | The King of Fighters 2001 (2002) | The King of Fighters 2002 (2003) | |
The King of Fighters Neowave (2004) | The King of Fighters XI (2005) | |
The King of Fighters XIV (2016) | |
Unlicensed The King of Fighters games for Sega systems | |
King of Fighters 98' (1998) | The King of Fighters '99 (1999) | |
Related games | |
Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000 (2000) | Capcom vs. SNK Millennium Fight 2000 Pro (2000) | Capcom vs. SNK 2 Millionaire Fighting 2001 (2001) | NeoGeo Battle Coliseum (2005) | SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy (2018) |