"The system 3-on-3 is back, expanding the battle on who will be the next competitor! Sevenfearsomefigures from King of Fighters '96to'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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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:
