King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga for Wii Reviews by Gamers

SNK has released many compilations based off their arcade classics such as Fatal Fury Archives Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, & Art of Fighting Anthology. The King of Fighters is SNK’s biggest fighting game series, and possibly their best game series next to Metal Slug. Now on to the Review.

Compilation: The KOF Collection contains 5 KOF games, which are KOF ’94-‘98. They all play out to be like their arcade classics, and they remain true to the classics with the Neo-Geo intro for each game. There is also a challenge mode where the player has to fight with certain requirements in the game to unlock music, art, etc. in the extra mode.

Controls: The games all use a 4 button control scheme, with 2 punches , & 2 kicks. In KOF ’94-’96, you can charge your character’s super bar by holding down both strong buttons. In KOF ’94, the controls felt a little clunky, and somewhat unresponsive. However, in KOF ’95-’98, the controls felt fluid and right. Also, on the Wii version, you are given 4 ways to use a controller. The player may use the Wiimote, Wiimote/Nunchucks, Classic Controller, or the Gamecube controller to play. The best way to play hands down is the Classic Controller because it is fitting to the games’ 4 button control scheme.

Characters: The characters in the games span across three different games from SNK, which are Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, and Ikari Warriors. There are also original characters made for the KOF series such as Kyo, Iori, and Rugal.

Gameplay: Other than KOF ‘94, before playing, the player can create a 3 man team. Before each fight, the player can select the order of each character, and they switch out when the fighter before them gets knocked out. The 4 button control scheme works very well, and the special moves come naturally once you manage to master them.

Overall: KOF Collection: Orochi Saga maintains to be very fun and enjoyable. Grab your friends and huddle around the Wii. You can now even pick it up for only $10.

Score: 9.0

I love SNK games. I particularly love SNK fighting games. I've been playing them constantly for years. No-one will even play me at them because I am so experienced they can't win. So, it kind of sucks this game has no internet. It would be nice to play that way.

Anyway, I think the reviews on this site have been unfair to this game and to the KOF series. If you grew up on it like I did, you will love the sprites and know that they are not "ugly" but rather very effective and well done for their time in many of the games. Also, the gameplay is flawless... especially if, like me, you own the Wii Arcade Fight Stick by Hori.

I also like hwo they threw in the challenge mode where you can fight matches with special (often very difficult) conditions in order to unlock in-game music, artwork, and other goodies.

Overall if you don't like 2-d fighters and can't appreciate SNK games you shouldn't play it. But, if you have yet to experience SNK or if you love them like I do, you will enjoy this game.