Review: King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

Choose 3 fighters from 66 characters from the King of Fighters game series and battle your opponents in martial arts battles with super powers. King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match is the latest iteration of the very good fighting game released more than 18 years ago.

Replayability

The game is virtually infinite with opponents of its level.

Difficulty

Very difficult to master. However, it is possible to have fun by reducing the difficulty and with the basic strokes.

Violence, fear, nudity?

A fighting game with lots of punches and kicks. Special powers of fire, ice, electricity and wind.

Language level used

Very little dialogue, with only provocations between the fighters.

Positive message

Just fighting. The selection of characters is very varied. Fighters have all shapes and colors.

Minimum reading level required

Many text menus.

Additional costs ?

None.

Minimum level of execution on the controller required

Very difficult to execute, and very difficult to learn. Nevertheless, the fun comes from the right execution of the shots at the right time and to be able to triumph over his opponent by thwarting his actions.

Principle of the game

The King of Fighters series has been a classic of combat games since 1994. The 2002 episode is one of the best and most appreciated by fans. The current version mainly enhances the online mode and makes it very efficient. This is essential for a demanding game.

This is 1 vs 1 vs 1 in 2d combat with various and varied fighters. These punches and kicks and make a whole bunch of special moves, sometimes with effects of fire, ice, wind, or electricity. 66 characters are selectable and come for the vast majority of previous episodes and other games of the publisher (SNK).

It is also possible to compose teams of 3 characters per player and to take turns to face the fighters.

If the game is playable with the controller, it was first and foremost thought for an arcade controller. As seen in the arcades, a lever and 4 large buttons. It is possible to set up shortcuts of combinations of buttons on the handler’s gachettes.

Local game modes

3 characters mode:

in a series of fights against the computer
against a human adversary
in a unique fight against the computer

1 character mode:

in a series of fights against the computer
against a human adversary
in a unique fight against the computer

Endless Mode: Fight the computer and try to survive as long as possible

Challenge Mode: Fight with special conditions

Training mode

Online gaming modes

Requires a Playstation Plus subscription to play on the Internet on Playstation 5 or 4.
No subscription required on PC, on Steam.

Classed and unclassified party mode: with 1 or 3 characters.

Conclusion

King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match is an excellent game, still updated to current quality standards in terms of network performance.

Unfortunately it is still far too elitist and very difficult to handle for beginners.

Those who are looking to train and improve will be rewarded with manoeuvrability, a selection of fabulous characters and sumptuous graphics.

More information about the game: Official game page

Recommendations

If you like this game, you will also like: King of Fighters XV

This episode is much more current and easy to play.

_Age	₃₊	₇₊	₁₂₊	₁₆₊	₁₈₊	_Comments
_{New players}						_{Very difficult to learn but once mastered, the game is fabulous.}
_{Intermediate players}
_{Experienced players}