Taking to heart the complaints over the lack of any
decent '98 updates, King of Fighters '99 feels like an entirely new
game… almost. The addition of the striker, a fourth character added to the squad to
jump in when needed, is a refreshing change. New combatants round off the roster, and old
ones make a return, perfect fits for this entry.
To be honest, the striker system addition isn't that big. You could still
play through the entire game and never use the fourth pick. However, doing so is of course
advantageous. It adds a lesser hardcore feel, giving the game the tone of other fighters
like the Capcom Vs. series. It also adds a bit of unpredictability, and with a
series that has built itself on changing so little, this is welcome switch regardless of
the negative impact.
The power meters have been changed again, and this time it's drastic. They still charge as
moves are performed, and now the Extra (i.e. charge) mode is gone. You can store up to
three levels, the final one bringing a brutal, life-sapping death move with it. That's not
it though, as you also have the choice of increasing your defense or offense for a short
time. In addition, if a round is lost, anything stored is taken away when the next fighter
enters.
This prevents players for keeping that full strength special for the final round. It
balances the fights, without giving too much of an advantage to the winner. It is a tough
punishment though, leaving the opposing force with limited options. The choice is one that
is both right and wrong; depending on which side of the game you're on.
As is the norm, most of the roster looks the same, including those characters
that have returned from a long absence (like Takuma). The new additions show a shift in
design, to a decidedly new-age anime look. Backgrounds remain incredible, including a
stage where a thunderstorm slowly moves in as rounds pass. When it comes, rain drips and
puddles everywhere, incredible for a console supposedly showing its age against a new
generation of consoles.
While it's always preferable to play the original, both the Playstation and Dreamcast
version have two extra characters NOT in the AES/MVS version. That's a slap in the face to
those die-hard SNK fanatics who spend $300+ for each new addition. Otherwise, this is a
brilliant edition, one that finally changes the gameplay significantly to make it a new
game. The new tweaks may not be completely without issues, but they're a sign someone knew
these had to be implemented.
