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Series
Position in the series
Saga/Story Arc
Chapter
Is it canonical?
The King of Fighters
7th
NESTS Chronicles
2nd
Yes

The battle against the enigmatic NESTS delves to a more dramatic turn! End the 20th century with a finale of fisticuffs!

-Tagline

The King of Fighters 2000 (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ 2000ツーサウザンド) is the seventh game in the The King of Fighters series by SNK.

This King of Fighters entry has the introduction of Active Striker characters that add an extra dimension of strategy to game play. It also features Another Strikers and/or Maniac Strikers that are characters from other franchises in the SNK World.

The game is the second chapter of the "NESTS Chronicles" story arc.

Story[]

The official story given by SNK is as follows:

"It has been a while since the existence of the mysterious secret syndicate NESTS was brought to light. Since then, however, their presence still remains a mystery and they've kept their activities well under wraps.

Meanwhile, in contrast to NESTS seeming lack of action, an increase in terrorist activities throughout the world has been taking place. Heidern and his band of mercenaries have determined that these events are the work of K' and Maxima.

Heidern and his band quickly begin pursuit of these two, but just as they begin their efforts, the invitations for the latest KOF tournament are sent....!

The fighters ready themselves for the tournament to begin in various venues throughout the world. Most remarkable among the invited teams is one in which K' and Maxima are listed as members! Moreover, NESTS whip into the second phase of their project, as if summoned into action by the two "terrorists."

Is the beginning of NESTS' activities a mere coincidence? Or, could it be...?

Once again a feeling of impending conflict stifles the air, and the curtain on the latest King of Fighters is about to rise...!!!"

After the KOF 1999 tournament, the commander of the Ikari Warriors, Heidern, is determined to figure out the objective of the NESTS cartel so that he can stop them from achieving their ruthless ambition. A fellow commander and long-time friend of Heidern, named Ling, tells the veteran fighter that K' and Maxima may hold the key to locating the whereabouts of the mysterious organization. Using this information, Heidern decides to focus his efforts on finding the duo so that they can be captured and interrogated for information. Meanwhile, the NESTS cartel sends Kula Diamond to investigate the tournament.

At the finals of the tournament, the Hero Team are taken to an underground mansion via a hidden elevator and are greeted by a mysterious but sinister-looking man. At the same time, Ling and a couple of his associates suddenly betray Heidern. In the underground mansion, the man known as Zero reveal he had the real Ling killed and replaced with a clone in disguise. Also, Zero tells the fighters that he was a former member of NESTS with plans to eliminate the cartel by using a powerful space-based weapon known as the Zero Cannon. To demonstrate his power, Zero fires a warm-up shot of the cannon towards Earth and wipes a city off the map.

The fighters battle against Zero not realizing that their energy powers the Zero Cannon. Zero is defeated and tries to fire the cannon again but it explodes. When K' and Maxima explore the ruined city above them, Whip appears and joins their cause to defeat NESTS.

Development[]

SNK began making plans for The King of Fighters 2000 in June 1999. Former producer Takashi Nishiyama was absent from the team for the first time in the series. Because previous regulars from The King of Fighters games were not playable, SNK took advantage of the striker system and give players the choice of using Goro Daimon among others as alternative assisting characters. SNK found the Bogard brothers, Terry and Andy, unbalanced in the previous game because one of them was overpowered as a striker; the company joked that this was also a result of the love between the siblings.

One of the game developers said the team originally wanted to use more of the characters from The King of Fighters '99 but due to licensing issues it was not possible. The arcade version was nearing completion in mid-2000, with the staff becoming excited at the quality of the game. Despite early negative thoughts about the game's state, SNK was pleased with the completed title, citing the arcade as an appealing game. Following its release, SNK thanked the fans for their support. During the game's development, SNK went bankrupt, leading to the designers of the game causing multiple glitches, extra animations, and balancing issues. Some of the developers left the company, which resulted in the team in charge of the game becoming smaller.

New characters were created to appeal to different audiences. Mexican wrestler Ramón was made to appeal to South Americans because Neo Geo's was very popular in South America. Ramón's designer loved pro-wrestling fighting moves but the character's techniques were made unrealistic. Vanessa and Seth were originally set to appear in The King of Fighters '99 but they debuted on its Dreamcast port as strikers, while becoming playable in 2000. Vanessa was created to appeal to women; she is slightly older than the other characters, which players found appealing. Both the debuting Lin and the unplayable Ron generated a major surprise to the SNK staff because their addition to the story was not overlooked. Kula Diamond was created to give a major expansion to the NESTS cartel, while Zero was made to contrast with the NESTS agent Krizalid from The King of Fighters '99, who had a darker personality. SNK, however, was disappointed with Zero, leading to the creation of stronger new character connected with him in the next game.

The arcade version of the game was released on July 26, 2000, for the MVS Circuit Board. The game was then ported to the Neo Geo and released on December 21 of that year. The Sega Dreamcast port was released on August 8, 2002, while the PlayStation 2 version was made available on November 28 that year. The ports included new striker characters and new backgrounds. For the North American version, the game was not available to the public until 2003 and released the PlayStation 2 game alongside The King of Fighters 2001 was the one of the first games published by SNK Playmore USA. There has been censorship, including the removal of Whip's gun and the movement of Mai Shiranui's cleavage. The Neo-Geo and Sega Dreamcast versions of the game were included in The King of Fighters NESTS Hen, a compilation released for the Sony PlayStation 2 in Japan. The PlayStation 2 version was re-released on May 3, 2016, for the PlayStation 4 through the PlayStation Network. The game was later released on the Nintendo Switch through the Nintendo eShop service on August 10, 2017.

Gameplay[]

ACTIVE STRIKER SYSTEM[]

Kof2000whipvsleona

Gameplay of Mary vs. Leona

For this game, here was an improvement of the Striker System, the ACTIVE STRIKER SYSTEM. Before, you can't summon a Striker unless you are not doing anything. But now, you can summon a Striker whenever you want except during a DOA Drubbing, but you can still call him upon finishing the move. You can even call Strikers when under attack or being thrown!

Kof 2000

Gameplay of Mai vs. Chin

Another Easter Egg with the Striker System is that each character has 2 selectable Strikers: the normal Striker and Another Striker. This effectively doubles the number of Strikers available for the entire roster of fighters! Furthermore, certain characters even have a hidden choice called a Maniac Striker. Several Strikers hail from old school SNK classics as well as original or alternate characters, so be sure to discover their effects in battle!

As a bonus, as long as you have a stored power stock and you have less than the maximum amount of Strike Bombs carried, you can convert the power stock into a Strike Bomb by using the taunt. This can be a very good advantage in combat indeed. Take caution though, you can't cancel your way out of a taunt. Unlock the Maniac Striker by highlighting the character's Another Striker, then move the joystick Up, Left, Left, Left, Right, Right, Right and Down. Press any button to choose the Maniac Striker.

Striker Attacks & Effects[]

Team Character Strikers[]

Note: Kula Diamond and Clone Zero aren't used as Striker characters. Clone Zero does not use any Strikers.
Striker
Attack
Effect
K'
Narrow Spike
Offensive Attack
Maxima
Maxima Gallows
Immobilizes the opponent for a brief
Ramón
El Diablo Amarillo Ramón
Offensive Attack
Vanessa
Hard Puncher
Offensive Attack
Benimaru Nikaido
Electrigger
Immobilizes the opponent for a brief
Shingo Yabuki
Leg Grab
Immobilizes the opponent for a brief
Lin
Hirai Kyaku
Offensive Attack
Seth
Final Agent
Offensive Attack
Terry Bogard
Dunk Geyser
Offensive Attack
Andy Bogard
Wind Slicing Shadow Fist
Offensive Attack
Joe Higashi
Here! Here! Megaton Punch
Offensive Attack
Blue Mary
Rapid Spider
Offensive Throw
Ryo Sakazaki
Aerial Dragon Flame Punch
Offensive Attack
Robert Garcia
Tiger Rapid Rave
Offensive Attack
King
Trap Rush
Offensive Attack
Takuma Sakazaki
Deadly Demon Conqueror's Blast
Offensive Attack
Leona Heidern
Killer Touch
Offensive Attack
Ralf Jones
Regal Body Blow
Offensive Attack
Clark Still
Flashing Launcher
Offensive Throw
Whip
Valkyrie Killer
Offensive Attack
Athena Asamiya
Psychic Heal
Increase of Life
Sie Kensou
Meat Bun 4 U
Increase of Life and Power
Chin Gentsai
Willow Wallop
Offensive Attack
Bao
Paycho Ball MAX Striker Mix
Offensive Attack
Mai Shiranui
Blossom Storm
Offensive Attack/Increase of Power
Yuri Sakazaki
Scalding Steam Blast
Offensive Attack/Increase of Power
Kasumi Todoh
Victory
Offensive Throw/Decrease of opponent's power
Hinako Shijou
Hinako The Gunner
Offensive Attack
Kim Kaphwan
Flying Kick
Offensive Attack
Chang Koehan
Iron Ball Great Plumment
Offensive Attack
Choi Bounge
Triple Dancing Dis
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Jhun Hoon
Charging Tiger Raid
Offensive Attack
Kyo Kusanagi
Serpent Shear
Offensive Attack
Iori Yagami
Vessels of 8 Elixirs
Immobilizes the opponent for a brief

Another Strikers Attacks[]

Character
Another Striker
Attack
Effect
K'
Another K'
Narrow Spike
Offensive Attack
Maxima
Rocky
Atomic Burn
Offensive Attack
Ramón
Duke Edwards
Submarine Screw
Offensive Attack
Vanessa
Fiolina Germi
Parachute Diving Practice
Offensive Attack
Benimaru Nikaido
Another Benimaru
Lightning Fist
Offensive Attack
Shingo Yabuki
Cosplayer Kyoko
75 Modified²
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Lin
Eiji Kisaragi
Mist Slash
Offensive Attack
Seth
Goro Daimon
Earth Mover Olympic Version
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Terry Bogard
Geese Howard
Vacuum Toss
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Andy Bogard
Billy Kane
Lethal Gyrating Cudgel
Offensive Attack
Joe Higashi
Duck King
Windmill
Offensive Attack
Blue Mary
Ryuji Yamazaki
Strangle Hold
Immobilizes the opponent for a brief/Offensive Attack
Ryo Sakazaki
Awakened Kaede
Ascending Dragon Spirit
Offensive Attack
Robert Garcia
Another Robert
Fist of Provocation
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
King
King Lion
King Straight
Offensive Attack
Takuma Sakazaki
Gai Tendo
Wheel Combo "Maxi Edge"
Offensive Attack
Leona Heidern
Goenitz
Nocturnal Gust
Offensive Attack
Ralf Jones
Yashiro Nanakase
Missile Might Bash
Offensive Attack
Clark Still
Shermie
Shermie Spiral Hold
Offensive Attack
Whip
Chris
Shooting Dancer
Offensive Attack
Athena Asamiya
Princess Athena
Fire Sword
Offensive Attack
Sie Kensou
Psycho Soldier Kensou
Psycho Crash
Offensive Attack
Chin Gentsai
Baitang
Panda Roll
Offensive Attack
Bao
Kaoru Watabe
Powerful Miracle Tackle
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Mai Shiranui
Chizuru Kagura
Fan King Fandango
Increase of Life and Power
Yuri Sakazaki
Nakoruru
Earth's Blessing
Offensive Attack
Kasumi Todoh
Li Xiangfei
Great Fierce Peach Tree
Decrease of opponent's power
Hinako Shijou
Lilly Kane
Lilly's Aid
Increase of Power
Kim Kaphwan
Kim Sue-il
Flying Flash Slice
Offensive Attack
Chang Koehan
Kim Dong Hwan
Purple Haze
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Choi Bounge
Kim Jae Hoon
Comet Cruncher
Offensive Attack
Jhun Hoon
Kang Bae Dal
Boiling Tiger Storm
Offensive Attack
Kyo Kusanagi
Syo Kirishima
Sexual Charisma Dynamite
Offensive Attack/Decrease of opponent's power
Iori Yagami
Mature & Vice
Da Cide
Offensive Attack
Kula Diamond
Candy Diamond & Foxy
Candy Spin (Candy) & Moon Silver (Foxy)
Offensive Attacks

Maniac Strikers Attacks[]

Character
Maniac Striker
Attack
Effect
K'
Krizalid
Desperate Moment
Immobilizes the opponent for a brief
Ramón
Neo & Geo
Final Countdown
Offensive Attack
Benimaru Nikaido
Orochi Iori
202 Dark Moon Slice
Offensive Attack
Terry Bogard
Brian Battler
Atomic Drop
Offensive Attack
Andy Bogard
Lucky Glauber
Death Bound
Offensive Attack
Joe Higashi
Heavy D!
D. Magnum
Offensive Attack
Ryo Sakazaki
G-Mantle
G-Mantle Shot
Offensive Attack
Takuma Sakazaki
Mr. Big
Drum Shot
Offensive Attack
Leona Heidern
Orochi
Ookami/Oomiwa
Offensive Attack/Immobilizes the opponent for a brief
Ralf Jones
Orochi Leona
V-Slasher
Offensive Attack
Whip
Heidern
Storm Bringer
Offensive Attack/Immobilizes the opponent for a brief
Mai Shiranui
Wolfgang Krauser
Leg Tomahawk
Offensive Attack
Kasumi Todoh
Unknown
Unknown
Offensive Attack
Chang Koehan
Smart Chang
Spinning Steel
Offensive Attack
Choi Bounge
Cool Choi
Runaway Slicer
Offensive Attack
Kyo Kusanagi
Saisyu Kusanagi
The Way of the Kusanagi
Offensive Attack
Iori Yagami
Another Iori
Killer Comb
Offensive Attack
Kula Diamond
Rugal Bernstein
Genocide Cutter
Offensive Attack

Characters & Strikers[]

Overview[]

The new characters added to the roster (all originals) are:

Ramon-2000
Ramón, one of the new members of the K' Team, is a Lucha Libre wrestler who is loved by his fans in the wrestling circle. He enters to the KOF tournament, along with Vanessa, to watch over K' and Maxima.
Vanessa-99
Vanessa, other new member of the K' Team, is a mercenary agent and a housewife in the free time. Working under the orders of commander Ling, her and fellow agent Seth are commissioned with the job of joining the KOF tournament, held by Ling himself, to investigate the NESTS cartel, and his fugitives, K' and Maxima.
Lin 2000
Lin, a ninja member of an assassin clan known as Hizoku. He enters to the KOF tournament in search of Ron, who betrayed the clan to ally himself with NESTS.
Seth2000
Seth, a mercenary agent and Vanessa's fellow, enters to the KOF tournament under Ling's orders, like Vanessa.
Hinako-2000
Hinako Shijou, the new member of the Women Fighters Team, is a high school student practicing sumo.
Kula-2000
Kula Diamond, the mid-boss of the game, a child who is part of Anti-K' project, which aims to kill the fugitive. Unlike K', she handles ice.
Zero-clone
Clone Zero, the boss of the game, is a NESTS member who disguised himself as Ling, Vanessa and Seth's chief military officer and Heidern's close friend. He begins to secretly build his own weapon from NESTS' technology called the "Zero Cannon", setting it to operate with the same technology found in Krizalid's battle armor.


The new formations of the teams are the following:
Kof2000teamheronew
K' and Maxima were joined by the mercenaries Vanessa and Ramón. They entered the tournament to discover the NESTS scheme, but both agents were really there to capture the cartel fugitives at the end of the tournament, since they were working for Ling and Heidern.
Kof2000teambenimarunew
After leaving the Hero Team, Benimaru Nikaido and Shingo Yabuki meets up with two new individuals: an agent/mercenary named Seth and an assassin ninja named Lin, from the Hizoku clan, forming a new entry led by the model. Shingo was nearly killed by Lin when he almost touched his band, but was saved at the last second by Benimaru.
Kof2000teamfatalfurynew
Terry Bogard is revealed to have survive the NESTS base collapse and returns back to South Town. The reason Terry didn't contact with any of his friends and/or loved ones in his time of absence between the previous and upcoming tournaments was because he discovered that Blue Mary is one of NESTS' primary targets to be disposed. He decides to help her out in her job by teaming up with her in tournament, along with his brother Andy Bogard and the Muay Thai champion Joe Higashi. She replaces the kunoichi Mai Shiranui, and remade the Fatal Fury Team.
Kof2000teamartoffightingnew
After Yuri Sakazaki's insistence, her brother Ryo Sakazaki welcomed King into the Art of Fighting Team, even though Robert Garcia's protests, as Yuri back to the Women Fighters Team, along with the kunoichi Mai Shiranui. Ryo and Yuri's father, Takuma Sakazaki, apparently noticed (and mistook) the respect the young fighters had for one another for love and presses his wishes for her to join whenever the time calls for it (something Robert and Yuri would eventually do too).
Kof2000teamwomenfightersnew
A few days prior to this tournament, Yuri and Mai calls Kasumi Todoh (Kyokugenryu's rival) to be a member of the Women Fighters Team in this year and gracefully accepts. The next day, they hold auditions for who would be their fourth member. A young girl named Hinako Shijo enters, with the three girls are surprised to see a girl like Hinako would enter a tournament. Mai deciding her worth by making Yuri and Hinako fight. Hinako succeeds in proving her worth by defeating Yuri in a mock match.
Kof2000teamikariwarriorsnew
The Ikari Warriors Team is once again tasked with investigating any shady activity during the tournament, targeting the NESTS scheme and under Heidern's orders. The team continues with the same formation of the prior tournament.
Kof2000teampsychosoldiernew.png
Prior to the events of the tournament, Chin Gentsai suspects that the Dragon Spirit is connected between the two boys. His theory is because Sie Kensou used the Dragon Spirit, its power was transferred to Bao, and completely drained Kensou of his Psycho Power. Despite this, Kensou decides to enter KOF regardless of if he has his Psycho Powers or not, with the Psycho Soldier Team, along with his loved Athena Asamiya, his master and his friend.
Kof2000teamkimnew
The Korea Justice Team continues their Rehabilitation Project, with Kim Kaphwan helping Chang Koehan, and Jhun Hoon training Choi Bounge.
Kyo-2000
Kof2000iorinew
Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami, once again, view the tournament events from the sidelines, without a team.

Official Teams & Strikers Roster[]

Hero Team (A.K.A. K' Team or Protagonist Team)[]

Members
Strikers
K-sprite1
K'
Anotherkdash2000
Another K' (original character)
Maxima99
Maxima
Rocky2000
Rocky from Robo Army
Ramon2000
Ramón
Duke2000
Duke Edwards from Burning Fight
Vanessa2000
Vanessa
Fio2000
Fiolina "Fio" Germi from Metal Slug series

Benimaru Team[]

Members
Strikers
Benimaru2000
Benimaru Nikaido
Anotherbenimaru2000
Another Benimaru (original character)
Shingo98
Shingo Yabuki
Cosplayerkyoko2000
Cosplayer Kyoko (original character)
Lin2000
Lin
Eiji95
Eiji Kisaragi from Art of Fighting series
Seth2000
Seth
Gorodaimon2000
Goro Daimon from The King of Fighters '94

Fatal Fury Team (A.K.A. Garou Densetsu Team)[]

Members
Strikers
Terry-sprite1
Terry Bogard
Geese2000
Geese Howard from Fatal Fury series
Andy98
Andy Bogard
Billykane97
Billy Kane from Fatal Fury series
Joe99
Joe Higashi
Duckking2000
Duck King from Fatal Fury series
Bluemary98
Blue Mary
Yamazaki97
Ryuji Yamazaki from Fatal Fury series

Art of Fighting Team (A.K.A. Ryuku no Ken Team)[]

Members
Strikers
Ryo-stance98
Ryo Sakazaki
Kaede00
Awakened Kaede from The Last Blade series
Robert99
Robert Garcia
Anotherrobert2000
Another Robert (original character)
Kingkof2000
King
Kinglion2000
King Lion from Savage Reign series
Takuma98
Takuma Sakazaki
Gai2000
Gai Tendo from Buriki One

Ikari Warriors Team (A.K.A. Ikari Team)[]

Members
Strikers
Leona99
Leona Heidern
Goenitz96

Goenitz from The King of Fighters '96

Ralf2000
Ralf Jones
Yashiro97
Yashiro Nanakase from The King of Fighters '97
Clark99
Clark Still
Shermie2000
Shermie from The King of Fighters '97
Whip99
Whip
Chris-sprite3
Chris from The King of Fighters '97

Psycho Soldier Team (A.K.A. Athena Team)[]

Members
Strikers
Athena2000
Athena Asamiya
Anotherathena2000
Goddess Athena from Athena
Kensou98
Sie Kensou
Anotherkensou2000
Psycho Soldier Kensou
Chin99
Chin Gentsai
Baitang2000
Baitang (original character)
Bao99
Bao
Kaoru2000
Kaoru Watabe (cameo character)

Women Fighters Team[]

Members
Strikers
Mai96
Mai Shiranui
Chizuru96
Chizuru Kagura from The King of Fighters '96
Yuri2000
Yuri Sakazaki
Nakoruru2000
Nakoruru from Samurai Shodown series
Kasumi99
Kasumi Todoh
Lixiangfei2000
Li Xiangfei from Real Bout Fatal Fury 2
Hinako2000
Hinako Shijo
Lillykane2000
Lilly Kane from Fatal Fury series

Korea Justice Team (A.K.A. Kim Team)[]

Members
Strikers
Kimkaphwan99
Kim Kaphwan
Kimsueil2000
Kim Sue Il from Kizuna Encounter
Chang96
Chang Koehan
Kimdonghwan2000
Kim Dong Hwan from Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Choi96
Choi Bounge
Kimjaehoon2000
Kim Jae Hoon from Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Jhun99
Jhun Hoon
Baedal2000
Kang Bae Dal (original character)

Single Entries[]

Characters
Strikers
Kyo99
Kyo Kusanagi
Syo2000
Syo Kirishima (original character)
Iori99
Iori Yagami
Mature98 Vice98
Mature & Vice from The King of Fighters '96

Hidden Character & Mid-Boss[]

Character
Strikers
Kula2000
Kula Diamond
Candy2000 Foxy2000
Candy Diamond & Foxy (original characters)

Boss[]

Note: Clone Zero does not use any Strikers.
Zero2000
Clone Zero (Playable in Console versions)

Maniac Strikers[]

Available in All Versions[]

Character
Striker (s)
Ramon2000
Ramón
Neo&geo2000
Neo & Geo from Quiz Dai Sousa-sen series
Ryo-stance98
Ryo Sakazaki
Gmantle2000
G-Mantle (SNK Mascot)
Kasumi99
Kasumi Todoh
Ryuhaku2000
Unknown from Art of Fighting series
Chang96
Chang Koehan
Smartchang2000
Smart Chang (original character)
Choi96
Choi Bounge
Coolchoi
Cool Choi (original character)
Kyo99
Kyo Kusanagi
Saisyu98
Saisyu Kusanagi from The King of Fighters '95
Iori99
Iori Yagami
Anotheriori2000
Another Iori (original character)
Kula2000
Kula Diamond
Rugal98
Rugal Bernstein from The King of Fighters '94

Available Only in PlayStation 2 Version[]

Character
Striker (s)
K-sprite1
K'
Krizalid99alt
Krizalid from The King of Fighters '99
Benimaru2000
Benimaru Nikaido
Wildiori97
Orochi Iori from The King of Fighters '97
Terry-sprite1
Terry Bogard
Brian98
Brian Battler from The King of Fighters '94
Andy98
Andy Bogard
Lucky98
Lucky Glauber from The King of Fighters '94
Joe99
Joe Higashi
Heavyd98
Heavy D! from The King of Fighters '94
Takuma98
Takuma Sakazaki
Mrbig96
Mr. Big from Art of Fighting series
Leona99
Leona Heidern
Orochi97
Orochi from The King of Fighters '97
Ralf2000
Ralf Jones
Wildleona97
Orochi Leona from The King of Fighters '97
Whip99
Whip
Heidern98
Heidern from The King of Fighters '94
Mai96
Mai Shiranui
Krauser96
Wolfgang Krauser from Fatal Fury series

NPC Characters[]

Candy2000
Candy Diamond
Diana2000
Diana

Alternate Colors[]

The Following characters have an alternate third colored sprite which can be selected by pressing C+D at the same time: K', Benimaru, Terry, Mary, Ryo, Whip, Kensou, Mai, Choi and Kyo.

Stages[]

Note 1: The Factory and Wharf stages have frozen versions, both associated with Kula, and can be seen only in Team Play.
Note 2: The Boss Stage is also available in The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, with some changes.
Note 3: In this game, the stages are randomly chosen by the game's system.
Warning: The sight of some stages can cause epilepsy.

Normal Stages[]

Stage
Description
Notes
Aquarium Stage
A big aquarium. Can be seen people watching, workers cheering children and guards seeing over the aquarium, besides a plaid floor. In the aquarium, can be spotted algae and marine vegetation, a diver and manatees.
None
Dump Stage
A dump next to an abandoned residential complex. Can be seen debris, a car and old tires, crates, stones, a brass barrel, a wall and a fence, two dead trees and abandoned houses, in the background. From the second round, a tractor appears and knocks down virtually the entire wall.
None
Egypt Stage
The city of Giza. Can be seen the pyramids, in the center, and ancient buildings. A sandstorm occurs in the 1st round, ceasing in the 2nd round and returning from the 3rd Round.
None
Korea Stage
A commercial center in a street with puddles of water, in the night. The battle takes place near a fruit shop, a clothing store and a pottery shop. Can be seen plaques with Hangul, people, clay pots and air conditioning units.
The puddles start to swing when a character passes them. A woman can be seen watching the fight, and that she starts moving her body when a fighter moves in her field of vision.

Mid-Boss & Boss Stages[]

Stage
Description
Notes
Wharf Stage (Normal Version)Wharf Stage (Frozen Version)
A pier next to various ships and the ocean. The fight takes next to the one of them. Can be seen chains, propellers, ship debris, a boat, small buoys and a crane in the background.
In Arcade Mode, Kula can be fought here early if the player earns at least 240 Ability Points (any default Team), 220 Ability Points (with Team Benimaru), or 300 Ability Points (Any Edit Team that doesn't have Kula). If this fight occurs, Kula will freeze the stage, giving it an icy appearance.
Factory Stage (Normal Version)Factory Stage (Frozen Version)
The fight occurs in a balcony of a factory. Can be seen pipes, a propeller, chains, hooks, a control panel, cardboard boxes and sparks, probably coming out of a boiler. A giant fan, with rays of sunlight coming seeping through it, can be seen in the background.
In Arcade Mode, Kula can be fought here early if the player fails to fight her by Stage 4. If this fight occurs, Kula will freeze the stage, giving it an icy appearance.
Underground 00 (Clone Zero's Stage First Version)Underground 00 (Clone Zero's Stage Second Version)
The stage has three versions. In the first, the stage is green and features a chandelier, statues of skeletons dressed as secret society members, skulls carved on the walls, torches in the background and a blue stained-glassed window shaped like an arrow. In the 2nd round, the stage changes to blue. From the 3rd round, it changes to purple, the stained-glass window becomes yellow, blue flames appear at the statues' feet and the chandelier falls down before the round begins. Associated with Clone Zero.
In The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, the stage is the same as the first version, but wider. Can be spotted the statues holding something, more windows and skull and bones torches all over the stage.

Extra Stages (Only on Dreamcast)[]

In addition to the above, the Dreamcast version also features 20 past stages from other SNK games, which can be accessed by selecting the following Strikers on Player 2's team in the Versus and Practice modes:

Stage
Related Game/Series
Striker/Maniac Strikers
Main Street
Burning Fight
Duke Edwards
GeeseTower FF

Geese Tower

Fatal Fury series
Geese Howard
Ff 7

South Town Bridge

Fatal Fury: King of Fighters
Kane Brothers (Billy/Lilly)
Fatal Fury Special - Duck's Stage

San Francisco Bay Area Club

Fatal Fury Special
Duck King
Rbffschina

Hubei Mountains

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special
Baitang
Rbff2lixiangfeibglite

China Town

Real Bout Fatal Fury 2
Li Xiangfei
Garoujaehoonbg

Yok Chong Market

Garou: Mark of the Wolves
Kim Jae Hoon
Kof94chinabglite

China Stage (Team Psycho Soldier Stage)

The King of Fighters '94
Goddess Athena/Psycho Soldier Kensou/Kaoru Watabe
Kof95japanbg

Neo Geo Land

The King of Fighters '95
Cosplayer Kyoko/Another Benimaru/Neo & Geo/G-Mantle
Kof95mexicobg

Kyokugenryu Dojo (Mexico Stage)

The King of Fighters '95
Saisyu Kusanagi/Rugal
Kof96chizurubg

Kagura Stadium

The King of Fighters '96
Chizuru Kagura/Mature & Vice/Goenitz
Kof97usabg

Adventureland, USA

The King of Fighters '97
Goro Daimon/Another Iori/Ryuji Yamazaki/Eiji Kisaragi
KOF-'97-Orochi-Stage

Altar of Orochi

The King of Fighters '97
Team Orochi (Yashiro Nanakase/Shermie/Chris)
Kof98japantemplebg

Japan Temple

The King of Fighters '98
Gai Tendo/Another Robert/Unknown
Kof99park1bglite

Park

The King of Fighters '99
Syo Kirishima/Rocky/Another K'/Smart Chang/Cool Choi
Kof99krizalid1bg

Site Vector 70599

The King of Fighters '99
Foxy/Kang Bae Dal
Construction Site
Kizuna Encounter
Kim Sue Il/King Lion
Lbkaedebg

Maple Gate

The Last Blade
Awakened Kaede
Villeneuve Mountains
Metal Slug: Super Vehicle-001
Fiolina Germi
Ss3rimururu2bg

Kamui Kotan, Winter

Samurai Shodown III
Nakoruru

Critical Reception[]

Overview[]

In Japan, Game Machine listed The King of Fighters 2000 on their September 1, 2000, issue as being the second-most-successful arcade game of the month.

The PlayStation 2 port of The King of Fighters 2000 sold 37,316 units in Japan during 2002. In 2017, it became one of the most downloaded games of the PlayStation Classic collection.

The critical reception for the game's fighting system has been mostly positive. GameSpot said SNK improved most of the problems of its predecessor The King of Fighters '99 by adding more gameplay features such as new attacks and new additions to the Striker system. The reviewer said fans might either like or dislike the new characters based on the differences between them and the characters from The King of Fighters '99, and said the boss Zero is less overpowered than Krizalid but lacks his appeal. IGN agreed with GameSpot in terms of the Striker system and liked the additional characters, making it one of the best games of the franchise. In another review, IGN stated that the game offered many good new characters, particularly Lin. Nintendo Life also liked the addition of the Striker system because of the newly possible combos but said the game did not live up to the previous games. Pure Nintendo compared it negatively with Capcom's fighting game Street Fighter II but still said The King of Fighters 2000 provided enough depth thanks to its character roster and gameplay mechanics, making it a good addition to Nintendo Switch's games. Bonus Stage regarded it as one of the best games from SNK, saying it might appeal to gamers who previously enjoyed the predecessor and Garou: Mark of the Wolves.

The game's presentation drew mixed reactions. While Pure Nintendo enjoyed the character designs, backgrounds, and theme songs, IGN said these elements appeared dated due to similarities with those of previous installments and the improved graphics of new consoles. GameSpot said while SNK attempted to improve the designs of the characters, the quality was still not as appealing as it should have been and that the background stages felt hollow. Echoing IGN's comments, Bonus Stage stated that despite being a fighting game, the plot amazed fans because of the further exploration of NESTS organization, which is briefly explored in The King of Fighters '99, and said the game's storyline offers such an appealing dark ending that most of the fans wanted to play the following and final game from the NESTS saga to see its conclusion. HardcoreGaming found the PlayStation 2 port of the game superior to the Dreamcast version because the former fixed some slowdown issues and said Kyo Kusnagai's theme "Goodbye Esaka" was one of the best themes performed by SNK.

An audio drama CD was released by Scitron Digital Contents on September 20, 2000. It features two storylines: one exploring the first encounter between K' and Kula Diamond; the second story focuses on Athena Asamiya as she meets rivals in an airport. Series' writer Akihiko Ureshino wrote two light novels published by Kadokawa Shoten. The first novel, Strikers Strike Back, acts as a self-parody of the game's storyline and was released on February 19, 2001. The second novel, Icicle Doll, was released on December 20 the same year and features a more serious storyline.

Reception table[]

Review scores[]

Publication
Info
GameSpot
7.8
IGN
7.4/10
Nintendo Life
7/10
BonusStage
9/10
PureNintendo
7.5/10

Trivia[]

  • This would be the last King of Fighters game produced by the original incarnation of SNK before the company's bankruptcy and later revival as SNK Playmore (in 2001) and re-renaming back as her original name (in 2016). It was also the only game in the original series (KOF '94-KOF 2003) not to receive a physical AES port in the US despite being primed in the ROM image. The reason for this is unknown.

Box Art[]

See also[]

External links[]

The King of Fighters series
Mainline '94'95'96'97'98'992000200120022003XIXIIXIIIXIVXV
Remakes Dream Match 1999'99 Evolution'94 Re-Bout'98 Ultimate Match2002 Unlimited Match'98 Ultimate Match Final Edition
Offshoots R-1R-2EX: Neo BloodEX2: Howling BloodNeowave
Spin-offs Quiz King of FightersThe King of Fighters: KyoBattle de ParadiseKOF Maximum ImpactKOF Maximum Impact 2KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A"KOF Sky StageOnline'98 Ultimate Match WebSNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy
Mobile The King of Fighters -Mobile- / R-2-Volleyball-KOF Gals MahjongThe King of MillionaireThe King of ReversiMahjongKOF Kentei - Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!Moeyo! KOF DaiundokaiKOF x Garou DensetsuBattle Festa-i/AndroidEncounterThe Rhythm of Fighters'98 Ultimate Match OnlineBeast Busters featuring KOFWorldDestinyAll StarOrochi GoM: Fighting Stars AssemblyKOF: Chroniclefor GirlsArena
Pachinko The King of FightersChapter of NESTSMaximum ImpactIIICR The King of Fighters
Compilations Orochi CollectionThe Orochi SagaNESTS Collection
Films/Animations Another DayThe King of Fighters (movie)DestinyAwaken
Mangas/Comics/Novels/Manhwas The King of Fighters: Kyo (Manga)The King of Fighters: A New BeginningThe King of Fantasy (Manga)The King of Fighters Side Story: The Origin of Flame - Shingo Travels Through Time! Let's Go!The King of Fantasy (Novel)The King of Fighters: R's Letter
Cancelled Online (UnoTechnology)Fighters' WorldKOF MI "A2"KOF: Maximum Impact 360Online (DragonFly/Triple A Games)
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The King of Fighters games
Prologue KOF '94 Logo Sprite
Orochi Saga KOF '95 Logo Sprite KOF '96 Logo Sprite KOF '97 Logo Sprite KOF '98 ENG Logo Sprite
NESTS Chronicles KOF '99 Logo Sprite KOF 2000 Logo Sprite KOF 2001 Logo Sprite KOF 2002 Logo Sprite
Tales of Ash KOF 2003 Logo Sprite KOF XI Logo Sprite KOF XII Logo KOF XIII Logo
New Age Saga KOF XIV Logo The King of Fighters XV Logo
Remakes KOF Dream Match 1999 Logo KOF '99 Evolution Logo KOF '94 Re-Bout Logo KOF '98UM Logo KOF 2002UM Logo KOF '98UMFE Logo
Maximum Impact series KOF MI Logo KOF MI2 Logo KOF MIRA Logo
Offshoots Kofr1logo Kofr2logo KOF EX Logo KOF EX2 Logo KOF Neowave Logo
Spin-offs Quiz King of Fighters Logo Sprite KOF Kyo Logo KOF Battle de Paradise Logo Sprite KOF Sky Stage Logo The King of Fighters Online (MOBA) KOF '98 UM WEB Logo SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy ENG Logo
Mobile The King of Fighters -Mobile- / R-2The King of Fighters -Volleyball-KOF Gals MahjongThe King of MillionaireThe King of ReversiMahjongKOF Kentei - Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!Moeyo! KOF Daiundokai KOF x FF logoBattle FestaKOF-i 2012 LogoEncounter ROF logo KOF98UMOL logo Beast Busters KOF logo The King of Fighters: World The King of Fighters Destiny (拳皇命運) KOF All Star LogoOrochi GoSNK All Star Logo KOF Chronicle (Logo) The King of Fighters for Girls (Logo) KOF Arena Logo KOFSC Logo
Pachinko The King of FightersChapter of NESTSMaximum Impact Kof3 logo CR KOF Logo
Compilations The King of Fighters Orochi Collection KOF Collection -The Orochi Saga- LogoThe King of Fighters NESTS Collection
Cancelled The King of Fighters Online (UnoTechnology)The King of Fighters' WorldKOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A2"KOF: Maximum Impact 360The King of Fighters Online (Cancelled)
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