The King of Fighters 2002
Three-on-three, no story to get in the way, just who rules the arcade.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 2002
- Manufacturer
- Eolith / SNK Playmore
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Fighting games
- Decade
- 2000s arcade games
The King of Fighters 2002 was a permanent fixture in a lot of arcades for years, especially in Latin America, where regulars knew every combo by heart. If you were the new kid stepping up to that cabinet, you were in for a long night.
It's not playable in our arcade yet, but it's on the UsuArcade wish list, and your votes can bring it in sooner.
History
It came out in 2002 on the Neo Geo, developed by Eolith with SNK Playmore. After a couple of entries that added assist characters, this one went back to classic three-on-three teams with no strikers and treated the tournament as a dream match, with no storyline limiting who could show up.
That let it pack in fan favorites from across the series, which is a big reason it became one of the most played KOF games ever. Years later it got a revised version, The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match.
How to play
Pick three fighters and the order they go in. The team that knocks out all three opponents wins; whoever wins a round stays in with whatever health is left. It's a four-button layout, light and heavy punch and kick, plus dashes, short hops and dodge rolls.
Your power gauge carries over between rounds and lets you trigger MAX mode, where you can chain special moves together much more freely. Spend even more gauge and each character's most devastating supers open up.
Fun facts
- It went back to three-person teams with no assist characters.
- Its dream match setup brings together fighters from many entries.
- A revised version called Unlimited Match came out years later.
In the arcade
The King of Fighters 2002 is on the wish list: coming soon to UsuArcade. Vote with the “I Want to Play It” button to move it up the line of games to add.
In the meantime, if you want a one-on-one fight, you can challenge a friend in Street Fighter II right now, and Neo Geo fans can team up in Metal Slug 5 or Super Sidekicks 2, all with spectators, chat and arcade high scores.
Once The King of Fighters 2002 lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play KOF 2002 on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list and you can vote with “I Want to Play It.” Meanwhile, try Street Fighter II in the arcade.
What year did The King of Fighters 2002 come out?
2002, on the Neo Geo, from Eolith and SNK Playmore.
How many players is KOF 2002?
Two players at once, head-to-head, each with a team of three fighters.
What is MAX mode in KOF 2002?
A state you activate by spending power gauge that lets you chain special moves together for a limited time.
