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Series
Position in the series
Saga/Story Arc
Chapter
Is it canonical?
The King of Fighters
9th
NESTS Chronicles
Dream Match
No

"The system 3-on-3 is back, expanding the battle on who will be the next competitor! Seven fearsome figures from King of Fighters '96 to '98 take part in the fights! This year, the dream fight is guaranteed to heat up! The Dream Match is happening again. BE THE FIGHTER!"

-Tagline

The King of Fighters 2002: Challenge to Ultimate Battle (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ 2002ツーサウザンドツー チャレンジ トゥ アルティメットバトル) is the ninth game in The King of Fighters series, and is the second and final King of Fighters game produced by Eolith. Much like The King of Fighters '98, this game is more of a "Dream Match" for characters from all previous King of Fighters games, including killed-off characters. The series' canon storyline would resume in The King of Fighters 2003 - adapting, however, a character introduced in this game, Kusanagi.

It was later released for the Dreamcast, this time adding two characters absent from the original version, King and Shingo Yabuki. The PlayStation 2 version included Orochi Iori, Goenitz and Geese Howard. Characters were directly ripped from this game for use in The King of Fighters Neowave, which was a hardware test before the production of The King of Fighters XI.

An upgraded version of The King of Fighters 2002, known as The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, was eventually released in Japan on February 26, 2009. It later released on the Xbox 360, PlayStation Network, Steam, Humble Bundle, GOG and Prime Gaming, worldwide. The PlayStation 2 and GOG versions uses the Neo Geo mode in the remake.

Gameplay[]

The game brings back the team play composed by three characters each that was a tradition in previous games. The game has also several important changes in the gameplay, like the "Free Cancel System" or "Max Mode System", the "Quick Emergency Evasion" and "Quick MAX Mode Activation", aside from the countless changes in each character's special moves and their properties.

KOF 2002hsdmoroyashirovsralf

Orochi Yashiro using his HSDM against Ralf.

Max Mode compared to the previous games, while it enables Free Cancels (which use up a set duration of the mode), now halves the damage done at a cost for its duration. Normal DM's now no longer use up an extra gauge stock when performed, and now only instantly end Max Mode. SDM's instead use one extra stock while also ending Max Mode as well.

Images

Gameplay of Angel vs. Billy in arcade version

One of the most notable changes is the inclusion of MAX2 Desperation Moves (also known as Hidden Super Desperation Moves), which are DM's that can be used only with 3 stocks and at a certain threshold of low HP.

Kof 2002 ps

Gameplay of Orochi Iori vs. Chris in the console version.

Another notable changes are the allocations of both normal DM's and SDM's, as not all normal DM's have SDM versions and some SDM inputs may be completely different attacks depending on the character(s). Nearly all SDM commands end with 2 of the respective buttons for their inputs (A+C or B+D) due to the fact that Normal DM's can be used in Max Mode.

Characters[]

The roster consists of many key characters who were playable throughout the NESTS Chronicles Saga. Along with, certain Teams are represented by a prior game; for example, the K' Team (K', Maxima and Whip) are called the "KOF '99 Team", with its members debuting in The King of Fighters '99 representing that game. Additionally, characters who were present in the Orochi Saga appear in this game, such as the '97 Special Team (representing KOF '97) and the New Faces Team (representing KOF '98). Some of them appears as Strikers in the saga's past games.

The only new character added to the roster is:

Kusanagi-2002
Kusanagi, a mysterious and angry individual who looks like Kyo Kusanagi during the Orochi Saga. His moveset consists of Kyo's moveset in KOF '94~'95 (as well as EX Kyo in KOF '98/UM).

Official Team Roster[]

Note: Some parenthetical citations are sometimes Japanese team names, sometimes shortened team names.

K' Team[]

K-sprite1
K'
Maxima99
Maxima
Whip99
Whip

Japan Team[]

Kyo99
Kyo Kusanagi
Benimaru2000
Benimaru Nikaido
Gorodaimon96
Goro Daimon

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

Terry-sprite1
Terry Bogard
Andy2001
Andy Bogard
Joe99
Joe Higashi

Art of Fighting Team (A.K.A. Kyokugenryu Team)[]

Ryo2002
Ryo Sakazaki
Robert99
Robert Garcia
Takuma98
Takuma Sakazaki

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

Leona99
Leona Heidern
Ralf-kof2001-stance
Ralf Jones
Clark99
Clark Still
Alternate Version[]
Wildleona97
Orochi Leona (the Riot of Blood version of Leona appears as an Install DM from "Awakening" or "Dead End Inferno")

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

Athena2002
Athena Asamiya
Kensou98
Sie Kensou
Chin99
Chin Gentsai

Women Fighters Team[]

Mai96
Mai Shiranui
Yuri99
Yuri Sakazaki
May Lee Jinju (Standard Mode) May Lee Jinju (Hero Mode)
May Lee Jinju

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

Kimkaphwan2002
Kim Kaphwan
Chang2001
Chang Koehan
Choi96
Choi Bounge

Orochi Team (A.K.A. KOF '97 New Faces Team)[]

Yashiro2002
Yashiro Nanakase
Shermie2002
Shermie
Chris-sprite3
Chris

KOF '97 Team (A.K.A. '97 Special Team or Outlaw Team)[]

Yamazaki97
Ryuji Yamazaki
Bluemary98
Blue Mary
Billykane97
Billy Kane

KOF '96 Team (A.K.A. Yagami Team)[]

Iori2001
Iori Yagami
Mature98
Mature
Vice2002
Vice

KOF 2000 Team (A.K.A. Agents Team)[]

Vanessa2000
Vanessa
Seth2000
Seth
Ramon2000
Ramón

Hidden/Alternate Team[]

Awakened Orochi Team[]

Orochiyashiro98
Orochi Yashiro
Orochishermie2002
Orochi Shermie
Orochichris2002
Orochi Chris

Mid-Bosses[]

KOF 2001 Team (A.K.A. NESTS Team, Rivals Team or Deuteragonist Team)[]

Kula2000
Kula Diamond
K99992001
K9999
Angel2001
Ángel

Mid-Boss Solo Character[]

Note: This character is not playable by normal means in the original Arcade and MVS versions of The King of Fighters 2002, and must be selected with an input code, but is normally selectable on the home console versions. See the section Trivia for more info.
Kyokusanagi2002
Kusanagi

Boss[]

Omegarugal2002
Omega Rugal

Console Exclusive Characters[]

Note: All of these characters can also appear as mid-bosses.
Shingo98
Shingo Yabuki
Kingkof2000
King
Geesesvc
Geese Howard
Goenitz96
Goenitz
Wildiori97
Orochi Iori

NPC Characters[]

Characters who accompany the playable characters of the game.

  • Kogoro Daimon - appears in Daimon's round start intro and in his win screen; also in Daimon's artwork
  • Rock Howard (child) - appears in one of Terry's round win poses
  • Candy Diamond - appears in one of Kula's round win poses and two of her Desperation Moves
  • Diana - appears in one of Kula's round win poses and two of her Desperation Moves
  • Foxy - appears in one of Kula's round win poses and two of her Desperation Moves
  • Antonio - appears in Mary's intro and one of her win poses
  • Asuka and Maria - appears in one of Athena's intros and in one of her HSDMs

Stage Cameos[]

Original Characters[]

  • Bao (KOF '99) - in China Stage (Day)
  • Lin (KOF 2000) - in China Stage (Day)
  • Jhun Hoon (KOF '99) - in Korea Stage
  • Kang Bae Dal (KOF 2000) - in Cambodia Stage
  • Heidern (KOF '94) - in Mexico Stage (Day) and Italy Stage
  • Heavy D! (KOF '94) - in Japan Stage (Day)
  • Lucky Glauber (KOF '94) - in Mexico Stage (Day)
  • Brian Battler (KOF '94) - in Mexico Stage (Day)

Fatal Fury/MOTW series[]

Art of Fighting series[]

  • Eiji Kisaragi (AOF 2) - in Japan Stage (Evening); he also appears in the special intro Billy vs. Iori, and one of Billy win poses
  • Ryuhaku Todoh (AOF 1) - in Japan Stage (Day and Evening)
  • Kasumi Todoh (AOF 3) - in Japan Stage (Day and Evening)
  • Lee Pai Long (AOF 1) - in China Stage (Evening and Night)
  • Wang Koh-San (AOF 3) - in Holland Stage (Day)
  • King (AOF 1) - in Mexico Stage (Day), only in Arcade version
  • Mr. Big (AOF 1) - in Italy stage

Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter series[]

Stages[]

Note 1: In the PS2 and Xbox versions, the stages have been remodeled in 3D, although it is still possible to play with the 2D versions via the option menu. In all other versions, they are only available in their 2D forms.
Note 2: The NESTS Team/Kusanagi's and Omega Rugal's stages look very different in the PS2 and Xbox versions. The NESTS Team/Kusanagi's stage also appears immediately before the Final Boss in these versions, rather than before the last match against a regular team/character.
Note 3: In this game, the stage are randomly chosen by the game's system.
Warning: The sight of some stages can cause epilepsy.

Normal Stages[]

Stage
Stage Name
Description
Stage Changes
Japan Stage (Morning)

Japan Stage (Evening)

Japan Stage (Night)
Japan
The garden of the Ryoanji Temple, in Kyoto. The fight occurs in a balcony. Can be seen some people cheering, the other side of the temple, trees and shrubs, two geishas, a small lake and two giant fans, one of them with tiger print, a sun umbrella and two flags. The game's name can be spotted on the floor of the temple and on one of the flags.
In the 1st and 2nd round, it's afternoon; in the 3rd round, sunset; from the 4th round, night of full moon and the stage partially empty.
Korea Stage (Morning)

Korea Stage (Evening)

Korea Stage (Night)
Korea
A boat in the front to the 63 Building and the Hangang Railway Bridge, in Seoul. Many people can be spotted cheering, and other buildings, bridges, flags can be found here. Seagulls can also be spotted flying over the stage and tires.
In the 1st and 2nd round, it's afternoon; in the 3rd round, sunset; from the 4th round, night.
China Stage (Day)

China Stage (Morning) China Stage (Evening)

China Stage (Night)
China
A ring near the Nanhu Garden and the Quanfu Temple, in the city of Kunshan. Many SNK characters can be seen people cheering and holding plaques with Chin's name, a bridge, a sign with the Athena's name and balconies in the background, a gate next to the courtyard and a big vase in the left, besides the famous logo in the doors.
In the 1st round, the gate is closed; in the 2nd round, the gate opens; in the 3rd, it's sunset; from the 4th round, night.
Holland Stage (Day) Holland Stage (Evening)
Holland
The village of Zaanse Schans, in the city of Zaandam. In the first two first rounds, windmills (one with the franchise's name), a hot air balloon with the game's name, a man coughing, people cheering and photographing, a fence, giant clogs, sheep with the initials of the game and barns can be seen. Giant clogs can also be seen throughout the whole match.
From the 3rd round, it's sunset and the stage is partially empty. The only changes among the 3rd and 4th round is the animals: can be seen dogs and sheep in one, and crows in the other.
Cambodia Stage
Cambodia
The fight takes next to the Angkor Wat Temple. Can be seen a tree, shrubs, stones and a electric post. The weather in the stage is cloudy and lightings can be seen in the sky.
None.
Mexico Stage (Day)

Mexico Stage (Evening)

Mexico Stage (Night)
Mexico
The Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan. The fight takes outside of an ancient building. Can be seen people cheering, a screen with Heidern, plaques with the game's name with the inscription MEXICO-TV by IO-NET, an antenna, the Mexican flag, a river and the Quetzalcoatl Temple, in the background.
In the two first rounds, it's day; in the 3rd round, it's sunset, the stage is empty and the screen it's off; from the 4th round, it's night and a torch is on.

Mid-Boss & Boss Stages[]

Stage
Stage Name
Description
Stage Changes
Italy Stage 1

Italy Stage 2

Italy Stage 3
Italy
An aerial platform next to the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Mr. Big and Krauser can be seen in the background. A screen showing Heidern, a cameraman and the Italian flag, can also be seen in the left and right corners of the stage. This stage is the last of Team/Single Play Mode.
Starting from the 2nd round, the platform will slowly rise, and stop at a certain point. A blue flag with game's short name can be found in the tower; from the 4th round, one more rise until the top of the tower, where can be spotted the two villains and a sign "FINAL: THE KING OF FIGHTERS".
NESTS Stage
NESTS
In the Arcade version, the Italy stage in a dark and empty version. In the PS2 and Xbox versions, the fight takes in a military airplane, next to a helicopter. Can be seen obstacles, a military jeep and a war tank. There's a little turbulence and things start to fall. Home stage of NESTS Team (Kula, Angel, K9999) & Kusanagi.
None.
Omega Rugal's Stage
Unknown Airship
In the Arcade version, a heap of debris, possibly military aircraft. Can be seen a control panel screen in the background. In the PS2 and Xbox versions, is a version of Sky Noah stage. Can be seen control panels, screens and ladders. Associated with Omega Rugal.
None.

Music Themes[]

Some music themes of this game are versions rearranged of some old themes in SNK past games. Below, the list:

Music Theme
Team/Character
Game/Series' Source
KD-0079
K' Team
The King of Fighters '99 (Hero Team Theme)
Kurikinton (Chestnuts & Mashed Potatoes)
Fatal Fury Team
Fatal Fury 2/Special (Terry's Theme)
Beauty and the Beast
Art of Fighting Team
The King of Fighters 2000 (Art of Fighting Team Theme)
Jungle Bouncer
Ikari Warriors Team
The King of Fighters '94 (Ikari Warriors Team Theme)
Diet
Women Fighters Team
Art of Fighting 2 (Yuri's Theme)
Bloody
New Faces Team
The King of Fighters '97 (New Faces Team Theme)
Violet Fire, Lightning, Earth
Orochi Team
The King of Fighters '97 (All the Orochi Team Themes Mixed)
Arashi no Saxophone 2
Yagami Team
The King of Fighters '96 (Yagami Team Theme)
KD-0084
Agents Team
The King of Fighters 2000 (Hero Team Theme)
Tears
Kyo Kusanagi
The King of Fighters '99 (Kyo's Theme)
Psycho Soldier "K.O.F. Version
Athena Asamiya
Psycho Soldier (Athena's Theme)
Seoul ni Ikou! (Let's Go to Seoul!)
Kim Kaphwan
Fatal Fury 2/Special (Kim's Theme)
ESAKA?
Kusanagi
The King of Fighters '96 (Hero Team Theme)

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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