The King of Fighters '97

King of Fighters '97 is the fourth game in The King of Fighters series. This King of Fighters has the introduction of two special modes-Advance Mode (based on KOF '96) and Extra Mode (based on KOF '94 & '95). It concludes the three part 'Orochi Saga' story-line begun King of Fighters '95 (and continued in KOF '96).

Fans were asked to vote for their favorite characters to add into the series through three game magazines: Famitsu, Gamest, and Neo Geo Freak. The three winners form the '97 Special Team. The magazines also created their own special edit teams to include in the game.

Story
The official story given by SNK is as follows:

"KOF '96 tournament drew to a close with an incident that occurred right after the tournament's end."

The incident itself and the subsequent accident it caused were officially reported as the result of terrorist activity by an unknown group, but the details concerning the identity, motives, and subsequent whereabouts of the terrorists remained a mystery.

In spite of this incident, however, the KOF '96 tournament was an overwhelming commercial success. A few months after, the event triggered a fighting craze and various large corporations, expressing interest in the fad, offered to sponsor subsequent tournaments, leading to a demand for an eagerly awaited KOF '97. The fad reached all over the globe and in no time KOF '97 came into being.

With the decision to hold the tournament, fighters began to gather at various venues for the preliminary matches and approached the tournament with various motives, some came to test their abilities while others entered for wealth and fame. Word of the tournament came through all forms of the media, and fans from far and wide gathered to witness the white-hot preliminary battles. Concomitant to the preliminary matches, came the construction of various KOF stadiums throughout the world. Naturally the anticipation for the KOF '97 tournament exceeded historical precedent and it soon became obvious to everyone that the current tournament, as with the previous one, would reach a remarkable climax.

What team will win the tournament that the eyes of the whole world will look on and wear the KOF crown of victory? And does an incident similar to the unexpected accident of last year's tournament threaten to mar the festivities? All of the world's attention is focused on this year's tournament. KOF '97 is here!"

Japan Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Benimaru Nikaido
 * Goro Daimon

Fatal Fury Team

 * Terry Bogard
 * Andy Bogard
 * Joe Higashi

Art of Fighting Team

 * Ryo Sakazaki
 * Robert Garcia
 * Yuri Sakazaki

Ikari Warriors Team

 * Leona Heidern
 * Ralf Jones
 * Clark Still

Psycho Soldier Team

 * Athena Asamiya
 * Sie Kensou
 * Chin Gentsai

Women Fighters Team

 * Chizuru Kagura
 * Mai Shiranui
 * King

Korea Team

 * Kim Kaphwan
 * Chang Koehan
 * Choi Bounge

New Faces Team

 * Yashiro Nanakase
 * Shermie
 * Chris

Special Team

 * Ryuji Yamazaki
 * Blue Mary
 * Billy Kane

Singles Entry

 * Iori Yagami
 * Shingo Yabuki

Alternate Character

 * Kyo Kusanagi '94 version

Mid-Boss Characters

 * Wild Iori
 * Wild Leona

Sub-Boss Team (3 Orochi Kings Team)

 * Orochi Yashiro
 * Orochi Shermie
 * Orochi Chris

Final Boss

 * Orochi

3 Sacred Weapons Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Iori Yagami
 * Chizuru Kagura

Kyo and Shingo Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Shingo Yabuki
 * Any character (except Iori)

SNK Heroes Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Terry Bogard
 * Ryo Sakazaki

Secondary Hero Team

 * Benimaru Nikaido
 * Joe Higashi
 * Kim Kaphwan

'94 Womens Team

 * King
 * Mai Shiranui
 * Yuri Sakazaki

Old Team

 * Ralf Jones
 * Clark Still
 * Athena Asamiya

Japanese Version Only

Neo Geo Freak Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Billy Kane
 * Mai Shiranui

Gamest Team

 * Terry Bogard
 * Blue Mary
 * Joe Higashi

Famitsu Team

 * Chang Koehan
 * Choi Bounge
 * Ryuji Yamazaki