The King of Fighters 2003

The King of Fighters 2003
Developer(s)	SNK NeoGeo
Publisher(s)	SNK Playmore
Series	The King of Fighters
Platform(s)	Arcade, Neo Geo, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release date(s)	December 12, 2003
Genre(s)	Versus Fighting
Mode(s)	3-on-3 Tag Battle; Up to 2 players simultaneously
Input methods	8-way Joystick, 4 Buttons
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	Neo Geo

The King of Fighters 2003 is a 2003 competitive fighting game produced by SNK Playmore for the Neo Geo arcade and home platform. It is the tenth game in The King of Fighters series and the first one produced by the company under the SNK Playmore name. It was also the final KOF game developed for Neo Geo hardware, which has been the primary platform for the series since the first game in the series, KOF '94. The game was ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. The PS2 and Xbox versions were released in North America in a two-in-one bundle with the preceding game in the series, KOF 2002.

Contents 1 Gameplay 2 Plot 3 Characters 4 External links

Gameplay

The 3-on-3 Team Battle Format is used once again, but instead of the round-based tournament-style format, in which one member of a team replaces a defeated teammate for the next round, the game uses a Multi-Shift format that allows player to change characters during the middle of battle. When "Change OK" sign is displayed above the Power Gauge, the player can do a Quick Shift and change characters immediately, or perform a Switch-Off Attack against the opponent, which will consume one Power Gauge stock.

The game also features a Tactical Leader System, in which one of member of the team is designated by the player to the Leader, giving the character access to an exclusive move known as the Leader Super Special Move (in addition to the regular Super Special Moves), which usually requires two Power Gauge stocks to perform.

As in the previous game in the series, the player's Power Gauge can hold up to three stocks at the beginning of a match. When one team loses one of its members, the maximum capacity of Power Gauge stocks is increased by one, giving the losing team a handicap against the opposing team.

Plot

KOF 2003 begins a new story arc following the conclusion of the NESTS arc in KOF 2001. This story arc centers around a new lead character named Ash Crimson. Unlike the previous protagonists of the series, Kyo Kusanagi and K′, Ash is a villainous character with a self-serving agenda, seeking to steal the powers of the Three Divine Vessels for himself. He is joined by Shen Woo, a brawler from Shanghai, and Duo Lon, a member of Flying Brigands, as the new Hero Team.

Several characters from past KOF games return, while some of them are gone and replaced by new characters (including characters from Garou: Mark of the Wolves, making their first appearances in the KOF series). Terry Bogard now wears his outfit from Mark of the Wolves, while Tizoc replaces Andy Bogard as a member of the Fatal Fury Team. The Outlaw Team is formed, composed of Gato and former '97 Special Team members Ryuji Yamazaki and Billy Kane. Jhun Hoon returns as a member of the Korean Team, replacing Choi Bounge, while King returns to the series as a member of the Women Fighters Team with Blue Mary and Mai Shiranui. Athena Asamiya participates without her usual Psycho Soldier teammates, this time as a member of the High School Girls Team with Hinako Shijo and new character Malin. And Benimaru Nikaido gets a new look and forms his own team composed of Goro Daimon and Shingo Yabuki. Kyo Kusanagi is also given a new look, and returns along with Iori Yagami and Chizuru Kagura as Three Sacred Treasures Team.

Characters

Hero Team

• Ash Crimson
• Duo Lon
• Shen Woo

Fatal Fury Team

• Terry Bogard
• Joe Higashi
• Tizoc

Art of Fighting Team

• Ryo Sakazaki
• Robert Garcia
• Yuri Sakazaki

Korea Team

• Kim Kaphwan
• Chang Koehan
• Jhun Hoon

Ikari Team

• Leona
• Ralf Jones
• Clark Still

Outlaw Team

• Gato
• Billy Kane
• Ryuji Yamazaki

Women Fighters Team

• King
• Mai Shiranui
• Blue Mary

Benimaru Team

• Benimaru Nikaido
• Shingo Yabuki
• Goro Daimon

High School Girls Team

• Athena Asamiya
• Hinako Shijou
• Malin

K′ Team

• K'
• Maxima
• Whip

Three Sacred Treasures Team

• Kyo Kusanagi
• Iori Yagami
• Chizuru Kagura

Mid-Boss

• Kusanagi

Alternate End Boss

• Adelheid

True End Bosses

• Maki Kagura (Sub Boss with Chizuru Kagura)
• Mukai (Main Boss)

External links

• Official Japanese Website
• Official English website

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