The King of Fighters '97

''They're back to the heat for an answer they've long been searching. Is it their fate or just a bloody coincidence? It shall be cleared as three powers will beat as one. And now, the fourth phase is about to begin.''

-Intro

The King of Fighters '97, the story moves toward violent destiny.

-Tagline

The King of Fighters '97 is the fourth game in The King of Fighters series. It's also the final chapter of the story arc "Orochi Saga". This game has the introduction of two special modes: Advance Mode with a stock-based power meter along with running and rolling (based on KOF '96) and Extra Mode with the classic charge-based meter in tandem with sidestepping and quick-step-dashing (based on KOF '94 & '95).

This game was released on Arcade, Neo Geo, PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Neo Geo CD. This game was also released on iOS and Android in November 14, 2013. 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.

A new version, called Global Match, was released for PlayStation Network (PS4/Vita) and for PC (Steam) in April 3, 2018.

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!"

Gameplay
This game has two systems: ADVANCED and EXTRA.

ADVANCED MODE
This mode employs aggressive tactics and the gameplay from The King of Fighters '96. Can be used the new rolling sidesteps to quickly rout the enemy and build up your POW Gauge using your special moves. As the fighter performs special moves and takes damage, the POW Gauge builds up, depending on the special moves used. Using multi-hit attacks increases the gauge faster. Once the gauge is filled up, one power stock is stored, indicated by a green flashing orb. A player can store up to 3 stocks at a time. The player can then use Desperation Moves at the cost of one stock.

In addition, with at least one stock stored, the player can activate MAX Mode where he is granted extra damage to his attacks and suffers less damage from the opponent. A timer indicates the elapsed time while the mode remains active. If the player also has more stocks stored while in this mode, he can pull off a more powerful Super Desperation Move which deals up to twice the damage of the normal version! It's a great way to turn the tides of battle! Once the mode ends, the character's attributes revert to normal, keeping any stocks he has stored.

When Advanced Mode users lose team members, the new Advantage System awards the player by increasing the maximum amount of stocks that can be stored. The 1st member can store 3 stocks, the 2nd can store 4 stocks, while the last member can have the maximum of 5 stocks stored at a time.

EXTRA MODE
This mode employs defensive tactics and the gameplay from The King of Fighters '94 to '95. Can be used the classic dodge move to evade enemy attacks and Power Charge to build up your POW Gauge. As the fighter takes damage and blocks attacks, the POW Gauge builds up, depending on the intensity of the hit. Being struck by multi-hit attacks increases the gauge faster. However, you can manually store power with the Power Charger move, but leaves you very vulnerable. Once the gauge is filled up, it flashes MAXIMUM and your fighter's offensive power increases for a short while. During this maxed-out state, you can also perform your character's unique Desperation Move for devastating damage.

The gauge remains at max for a limited time only, so make good use of the extra attack power and don't be afraid to use your Desperation Move before the gauge drains away. Once your character's life gauge drops below 20%, the gauge flashes orange. In this time of peril, your character can perform Desperation Moves indefinitely without the maximum POW Gauge requirement. If your life flashes orange AND you have your POW Gauge filled-up, you can pull off a Super Desperation Move which deals up to twice the damage of the normal version.

It's a great way to turn the tides of battle! Certain situations during the fight may even allow you to perform Super Desperation Moves just by having a full POW Gauge. In addition, the POW Gauge drains much faster when it is filled up to the max by blocking attacks or taking damage. Using the Power Charger to store power grants you more time in Max Mode before it completely empties. When Extra Mode users lose team members, the new Advantage System awards the player by decreasing the length of the gauge to fill it up faster. The 1st member has the gauge at 100%, the 2nd has a 75% length, while the last member can charge up to Max Level fastest at 50%.

Social Relations
Following the footsteps of its predecessor for teammate social relations, can be selected the order your characters will fight.

In the Order Select Screen, hold down the START button to see the smiley icons that depict partner relationships. These icons identify how POW stocks are affected between rounds (when in Advanced Mode), and if your teammates will help you by calling off a Back-Up Attack (both Advanced and Extra Modes). The icons do not affect your Power Gauge, only your current POW stocks. The character relations specifically reflect on the order you have designated.

Characters
The new characters added to the roster (between originals and of other franchises) are:
 * Yashiro Nanakase, a Japanese young man, leader of the New Faces Team and musician of CYS, a music band formed by him and his comrades, Shermie and Chris, has a rivalry with Iori Yagami. He is also one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the loyal Orochi's servants;


 * Shermie, a young French girl and member of New Faces Team, is a fashion designer and keyboardist of CYS. She is also one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the loyal Orochi's servants;


 * Chris, a young Swiss child and member of the New Faces Team, has a mysterious past. He is also one of the Four Heavenly Kings, the loyal Orochi's servants;


 * Ryuji Yamazaki, from Fatal Fury series, enters to the KOF tournament at Billy Kane's invitation, and leads the Special Team. He also is a servant of Orochi, but, unlike the other servants, he isn't interested in the resurrection of his master;


 * Blue Mary, from Fatal Fury series, is a secret agent and member of the Special Team. She enters to the KOF Tournament under orders of a mysterious benefactor;


 * Shingo Yabuki, a huge fan of Kyo Kusanagi, enters to the KOF tournament alone to closely follow his idol, after watching him in the past tournament;


 * Orochi Iori, an aggressive version of Iori Yagami, due to his Orochi blood, inherited from a pact between his clan and the evil entity;


 * Orochi Leona, an agressive version of Leona Heidern, due to her Orochi blood, inherited from her biological father, Gaidel, killed by her when she was only a child, under Goenitz's influence;


 * Orochi, the boss of the game, a divine being who calls itself "Gaia's Will", was supposedly born from the Earth itself, manifested through floating emotions and substances of nature. It also was inspired by the legend Yamata no Orochi, the Japanese eight-headed snake.


 * Note 1: In his awakened form, the New Faces Team becomes Orochi Team, the sub bosses of the game.


 * Note 2: The new formations of some teams are the following:


 * Chizuru Kagura replaces Kasumi Todoh, and becomes the new leader of the Women Fighters Team;


 * Billy Kane returns to the game (after two tournaments off) and joins with Yamazaki and Mary in the Special Team;


 * Furthermore, Iori Yagami, like Shingo, enters the tournament alone, after killing his two teammates in the previous tournament.


 * Note 3: The other teams remain with the same formations.

Official Team Roster=

Hero 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 Justice Team

 * Kim Kaphwan
 * Chang Koehan
 * Choi Bounge

New Faces Team (A.K.A. Orochi Team)

 * Yashiro Nanakase
 * Shermie
 * Chris

Special Team

 * Ryuji Yamazaki
 * Blue Mary
 * Billy Kane


 * -|Single Entries=
 * Iori Yagami
 * Shingo Yabuki


 * -|Alternate Character=
 * Kyo Kusanagi '94 Version


 * -|Mid-Bosses=
 * Orochi Iori
 * Orochi Leona


 * -|Sub-Bosses=

Sub-Boss Team (A.K.A. Awakened Orochi Team)

 * Orochi Yashiro
 * Orochi Shermie
 * Orochi Chris


 * -|Boss=
 * Orochi


 * -|Special Edit Teams=

3 Sacred Treasures Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Iori Yagami
 * Chizuru Kagura

Kusanagi Team

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

SNK Heroes Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Terry Bogard
 * Ryo Sakazaki

Ego Team

 * Benimaru Nikaido
 * Joe Higashi
 * Kim Kaphwan

KOF '94~95 Women Fighters Team

 * King
 * Mai Shiranui
 * Yuri Sakazaki

Classic Heroes Team

 * Athena Asamiya
 * Ralf Jones
 * Clark Still


 * -|Japanese Version Teams=

Neo Geo Freak Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Mai Shiranui
 * Billy Kane

Gamest Team

 * Terry Bogard
 * Blue Mary
 * Joe Higashi

Famitsu Team

 * Ryuji Yamazaki
 * Chang Koehan
 * Choi Bounge

Stages

 * Note 1: This game is the first of the series in which all stages (except Mid-Bosses, Sub-Bosses and Boss) aren't associated with any team.


 * Note 2: The featured stages also are available in KOF '98: Ultimate Match, with some changes.


 * Note 3: The series logo, with the exception of the Mid-Boss Team and Boss stages, can be seen in the floor of the stages.


 * Note 4: The Monaco Stage doesn't appear in Versus Mode, except when chosen in the game settings.


 * Note 5: In this game, in the Mid-Boss Team and Boss stages, the characters aren't waiting to fight in the background, unlike in KOF '98 UM, when they appears.


 * Warning: The sight of some stages can cause epilepsy.

Normal Stages=


 * The Altar of Orochi's Heavenly Kings — Orochi Team: A fortress with big pillars, a hole in the center and moutains in the background. The stage varies according to the active character in the fight: for Orochi Chris, it's covered by purple flames; for Orochi Shermie, lightning bolts can be seen breaking the hole and the pillars, striking at random intervals; and for Orochi Yashiro, the mountains, the hole and the remaining pillars are full of lava while an earthquake strikes the now apocalyptic area.
 * Note: in KOF '98: Ultimate Match, in Versus mode, the stage follows the order described earlier, no matter who's fighting. In Team Play, in addition to the familiar order in which characters appear (Chris/Shermie/Yashiro), the another order is: (Chris/Yashiro/Shermie).
 * The Altar of Orochi: The same fortress, but without the mountains and light beams coming out of the pillars, besides light effects. Associated with Orochi.

Trivia

 * This game differs from other games in the series in that aside from the New Faces Team and the Orochi Team, no team has a theme song. Instead, only certain characters have a theme song and if the player fights a character who does not have a theme song, only stage ambience will play.
 * The Special Team is the second team in the series (first one being Bosses Team in The King of Fighters '96) where each member of the team has their own theme song. All of their theme songs are taken from Real Bout Fatal Fury Special.
 * This is the first game in the series to have a playable section after the final boss. If the player plays as the Hero Team, the player will fight Iori Yagami as Kyo Kusanagi after the final boss. This is also the first 1v1 fight in the regular arcade mode.