The King of Fighters XIII

The King of Fighters XIII is the next installment in The King of Fighters series and will conclude the Ash saga which started in The King of Fighters 2003. The theme for this title is "KOF-ism" or getting back to the heart of the series. The main objective of the game's new features is to appeal to the audience that prefers quick combos. Eisuke Ogura returns to do the character illustrations.

Known Info

 * Specials can have a "normal" or "stronger" version for each character. The stronger version of special attacks is called EX Special Move and EX Super Special Move respectively. EX attacks can perform tasks such as adding an extra frame of invincibility, boosting the normal attack speed, adding more hits, and can add other factors to a character's techniques. The cost for this technique is a partial drain of their power gauge.
 * A feature called the "Triple Cancel" allows players to unlimitedly cancel their character's moves to their whim. The ability to do so relies on the "Hyper Drive Gauge" that's above the power gauge, gradually draining it as the players cancel their moves.
 * "Hyper Drive Mode" is a tricky feature that can only be done once the Hyper Drive Gauge is at maximum. It's possible for players to perform an unlimited amount of Triple Cancels at the precise moment the gauge is filled. Although the effect is short and temporary, the feature allows otherwise un-linkable techniques to be used in one combo. Triple Cancels and Hyper Drive Mode are both callbacks to the system introduced in The King of Fighters 2002.
 * When a player is in Hyper Drive Mode and has three power stocks, they can perform a powerful technique or a "Neo Max Desperation Move". Players can also link a Neo Max technique into a combo, which is dubbed "Max Cancel".
 * The Story Mode returns with a scoring system. When fighting against a CPU opponent, players are challenged to complete a random objective during stages, or Target Actions. Completing these can award bonus points at the scoring screen. Meeting certain actions can also reward players the next round by filling up their power guage or Hyper Drive Guage. Objectives include goals such as completing a certain amount of hits within one combo, successfully hitting the CPU with a desperation technique (including EX and Neo Max desperation moves or specials), or being asked to perform a certain attack within 10 seconds.
 * A complete story is eight stages, six being spent against other teams and two stages are saved for the finale.
 * During a fight against a CPU opponent, players can be awarded a big boost of extra points if they end a match with a EX or Neo Max desperation move. It also triggers a special splash screen for their victory blow.
 * The "zoom" effect as seen in The King of Fighters XII has been removed and the general gameplay speed has been improved greatly.
 * Five new stages have been revealed and changes to old stages from King of Fighters XII are listed below as follows:
 * Japan stage - In front, sumo wrestlers with the Miyajima island in the background.
 * India stage - Yellow colored stage with the Taj Mahal in the background.
 * Britain stage - 1994 type Britain stage with the Big Ben in the background.
 * Brazil stage - Lush-green colored jungle stage that was intended to be in The King of Fighters XII.
 * Egypt stage - Now green/yellow colored in an unknown area.
 * China stage - Night time setting with glowing amber lamps.
 * France stage - Sunset setting with the Arc de Triumph and the Eiffel tower in the background.
 * Stadium stage - Orange/brown colored coliseum with a blue rose bed in the middle and some castles in the background.
 * America stage - Caged area above a city with speakers, monitors, and caution tape scattered around; a red, white, and blue sign reading THE KING OF FIGHTERS sits above the fighting area.
 * There is a color select feature on the character select screen. There are nine color options for each character, including Kyo's NESTS and Iori's pre-KOF XII color schemes. There are also cosplay-type colors, such as Robert's color scheme for Terry and K's color scheme for Iori.
 * Pre-fight exchanges similar to Garou: Mark of the Wolves are also present in the game. These unique conversations also exist in mirror matches (when two players play the same character), and they only appear in Single Player mode.

Characters
The entire roster from The King of Fighters XII (including the two console exclusive characters) return in The King of Fighters XIII, arranged in the usual teams of three. K's team still has one more character to be revealed. In the opening scenes, new characters have been seen but it is still not known who they are.

Various shots of opening scenes reveal that Mukai and Rose Bernstein are returning. "R" is handing out the year's invitations, but it is not confirmed on who uses the "R" initial. All the remaining members from Those from the Past will also have their faces revealed.

Elisabeth Team

 * Elisabeth Blanctorche
 * Duo Lon
 * Shen Woo

Japan Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Benimaru Nikaido
 * Goro Daimon

Yagami Team

 * Iori Yagami
 * Mature
 * Vice - KOF '96 stance, KOF '94 outfit, no major moveset changes

Fatal Fury Team

 * Terry Bogard
 * Andy Bogard
 * Joe Higashi

Kim Team

 * Kim Kaphwan
 * Hwa Jai - Joe's stance, new different moveset, slightly new outfit
 * Raiden

Psycho Soldier Team

 * Athena Asamiya - Reverted to XI color scheme
 * Sie Kensou
 * Chin Gentsai

Art of Fighting Team

 * Ryo Sakazaki
 * Robert Garcia
 * Takuma Sakazaki - New stance, no major moveset changes

Ikari Warriors Team

 * Ralf Jones
 * Clark Still
 * Leona Heidern

Women Fighters Team

 * Mai Shiranui - New stance, no major moveset changes, slightly new outfit
 * Yuri Sakazaki - Art of Fighting stance, no major moveset changes, slight appearance change
 * King - Art of Fighting stance, Art of Fighting moveset, Art of Fighting outfit

K' Team

 * K' - renewed stance with sunglasses, no major moveset changes
 * Maxima - now with an aerial vapor cannon and double vapor cannon DM

Single entry

 * Ash Crimson