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The King of Fighters 2003

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For the 2003 manhua, see The King of Fighters 2003 (manhua).
The King of Fighters 2003
Arcade flyer featuring Duo Lon, Shen Woo and Ash Crimson
Developer(s)SNK Playmore
Code Mystics (PC)
Publisher(s)
SNK Playmore
Producer(s)Eikichi Kawasaki
Kazuya Hirata
Designer(s)T. Mieno
Artist(s)Tatsuhiko Kanaoka
Composer(s)Masahiko Hataya
Yasumasa Yamada
Yasuo Yamate
SeriesThe King of Fighters
Platform(s)
Release
12 December 2003
  • Arcade
    • WW: 12 December 2003
    Neo Geo AES
    • WW: 18 March 2004
    PlayStation 2
    • JP: 28 October 2004
    • NA: 8 February 2005
    • EU: April 2006
    • AU: 16 January 2007
    Xbox
    • JP: 25 August 2005
    • NA: 31 August 2005
    PlayStation Network
    • TW: 15 April 2015
    Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
    • WW: 21 February 2019
    PlayStation 4
    • JP: 21 February 2019
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemNeo Geo MVS

The King of Fighters 2003[a] (KOF 2003, or KOF '03) is a fighting video game for the Neo Geo arcade and home platforms, produced by SNK Playmore in 2003. It is the tenth game in The King of Fighters series and the last one released for the Neo Geo, which had served as the primary platform for the series since The King of Fighters '94. It was ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox,[b] and was released on both consoles in North America in a two-in-one bundle with the preceding game in the series, The King of Fighters 2002. In 2019, the game was ported to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The game uses a 3-on-3 Tag Battle format in which players can change characters in the middle of a fight. Each team has one leader with access to a Leader Super Special Move. The narrative of the game involves a new tournament set by "R" with two parallel bosses serving as final bosses. The game is notable for starting the story arc of newcomer Ash Crimson, with the story arc itself titled the "Tales of Ash" which contrasts previous story arcs for the ambiguous nature of its protagonist as an apparent villain with a new organization seeking the power of the demon Orochi sealed in The King of Fighters '97. Falcoon worked as the main illustrator. The team worked the game so that it would be more accessible than previous installment by giving the player the chance of being able switch characters whenever they need to.

Critical reception to this game has been mixed due to the major change of the regular gameplay associated with the series. Nevertheless, the speed of the gameplay was often seen as a major improvement. Its sequel was The King of Fighters XI, released in 2005 for a new arcade besides ports, though SNK the 3D spin-offs KOF: Maximum Impact would also build up in the series' third story arc.

Gameplay

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Example of Duolon (right) being summoned by the player to replace Ash (absent) to fight the boss Kusanagi (left). The left health bars indicate the three playable characters while the right bars indicate the boss' health. The bottom bars indicate the energy needed to perform Desperation Moves.

The King of Fighters 2003 uses the system of teams composed of three members but with major changes. It also uses a Multi-Shift format that allows players to change characters in the middle of a fight, similar to that was used in Kizuna Encounter. When the "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 that will consume one Power Gauge stock.[1][2]

The game also features a Tactical Leader System, in which one of the members of the team is designated as the Leader. The chosen Leader has access to an exclusive move known as the "Leader Super Special Move" (in addition to the regular "Super Special Moves"). However, this usually requires two Power Gauge stocks to be able to perform it.[3][2]

As in the last game in the series, the players' Power Gauge can hold up to 3 stocks at the beginning of a match. Unlike the previous game, however, the player starts with a full gauge of three stocks right away. 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.[2] In contrast to previous games, the arcade run has two routes with the middle boss fight with Kusanagi serving as the one that decides between which bosses the player will face in the final.[4]

Plot and characters

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See also: List of The King of Fighters characters

Taking place two years after the events of The King of Fighters 2001, a new KOF tournament has been announced, being sponsored by an unknown patron whose identity becomes a matter of public interest in the country. The tournament establishes a new set of rules.[5] The narrative is divided depending on the player's actions against the mid-boss Kusanagi, a clone of the returning veteran Kyo Kusanagi. Meanwhile, Kyo remains as a single entry in the original version alongside his rival Iori Yagami unless Chizuru Kagura is unlocked as part of the Sacred Treasures Team.

An alternate path following Kusanagi's defeat has the player facing off against a young man named Adelheid Bernstein who is accompanied by his young sister Rose, with the two of them being the children of the notorious Rugal Bernstein, the villain from The King of Fighters '94. Once Adelheid is defeated, Rose threatens the winner, only to be stopped by Adelheid who tells her to let them go as they won fairly.[6]

Within the true ending path, it is revealed that Kusanagi was created by Chizuru's Sacred Mirror as an attempt to test the winner. Chizuru and her undead sister Maki Kagura challenge the player.[7] Once the Kagura sisters are defeated, a woman named Botan reveals herself as the one who had brainwashed Chizuru and that both Botan and her partner Mukai are the true masterminds behind the 2003 tournament, with the latter serving as the true final boss.[8] Despite being defeated, Mukai claims success for his unknown superior, having weakened the seal of the ancient demon Orochi, the will of Gaia, in the final fight.[9] Having the Sacred Treasures Team reveals the newcomer Ash Crimson absorbsing Chizuru's Yata Mirror following Mukai's escape.[10] Ash taunts Iori and escapes,[11] leading Kyo to swear revenge against Ash and Mukai's group.[12] The cast includes:[5]

Development

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The game was first revealed in Tokyo Game Show 2003, originally planned to be developed on the Atomiswave hardware before settling on the Neo-Geo MVS hardware.[14] According to Akito Kadowaki, section manager of the RC Business Promotion Section of the General Planning Department at SNK Playmore, the new Multi-Shift System was created to replace the Stryker assist system from NESTS trilogy starting from The King of Fighters '99 and ending with The King of Fighters 2001 and help player; However, this is a big change in the game system. In previous series, the character's battle order could affect the final outcome, and this was a big change for skilled players. Deciding when to bring out the leader character is be the most important thing. Until previous games, all the characters' performance was similar, but now that there is only one leader character with a powerful technique, the player needs to think about whether to use it from the beginning or as a trump card, and the strategy will be more than in previous series.[3] As fighting games continued to be released, the commands have become more complex as players have become more core. SNK thought it would be a problem if the game was too difficult, so they made it with the intention of making it easy to play. Since switching too frequently can confuse the player, the game has set a timer to limit switching.[3]

The game was the debut work of Falcoon in a main KOF though he had experience with spin-offs and the crossover SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos. He also worked into operating the enemy AI and making a revival in the franchise. In regards to the cast, Falcoon aimed to balance a roster that composes both manly men and beautiful women. His message towards fans was to keep enjoying the series.[15] As the first chapter of a new story arc, Ash Crimson was designed as an "attractive evil character", in contrast to previous King of Fighters heroes.[16] Due to Ash's appearance in The King of Fighters 2003, the staff joked that teammate Shen Woo seemed more like the series' main character than Ash did.[17] Writer Akihiko Ureshino saud Ash has the weakest relationships among protagonists and it would develop in later games.[18] Similar to the NESTS arc that put former heroes Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami on return despite SNK's intiial idea to remove them, the "Ash arc" and the KOF: Maximum Impact games were written to depcit Ash as a puppeter who manipulates Kyo and Iori at the same time, most notably in the original net animation Another Day.[19] Nona was the artist in charge of the new protagonist, and said he liked Ash and looked forward to his development.[20]

The two boss characters, Adelheid and Mukai, had no problems during their designs with the former being the last added to expand the narrative of the series.[21] While the mid-boss Kusanagi was first introduced in The King of Fighters 2002 without a plot focused around him, The King of Fighters 2003 gave him the idea of being a clone of Kyo Kusanagi created by Chizuru Kagura while also intending to include his original school uniform highly popular within Kyo's fans.[22] Meanwhile, the alternative boss Adelheid Bernstein was picked up on common female name among Swiss and Germans. Developing Adelheid's design and moves gave the staff a major problem due to the requierements of the Neo Geo, to the point SNK believes they abused the developers.[23] The King of Fighters 2003 also features Fatal Fury guest Terry Bogard in his Garou: Mark of the Wolves redesign, thus incorporating moves from such installment.[24] Tizoc from the same game was chosen over Fatal Fury grappler Raiden while several designers considered the idea of including the sub-boss Grant which was scrapped.[25] Gato was also added from Fatal Fury with the idea of appealing to Chinese players.[26] Among original characters, Choi Bounge's absence saw the need of creating a replacement for Athena Asamiya's team, Malin, who had little marketing when promoting the game.[27]

[edit]

The arcade was originally released on December 12, 2003 with ports for the Neo Geo, PlayStation 2 and Xbox coming on March 18, 2004, October 28, 2004 and August 25, 2005, respectively.[5] In North America the game was released alongside The King of Fighters 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox on September 8, 2006.[28][29] The game was solely released for Nintendo Switch on February 21, 2019,[30] and for the PlayStation 4 on December 8, 2020.[31][32]

The series inspired a manhua with the same name. In China the series was divided into two halves: The King of Fighters 2003 composed of five issues, and The King of Fighters 03: Xenon Zero (拳皇 XENON ZERO) composed of eight issues. The two series were combined for the North American release under the name of The King of Fighters 2003.[33] In July 2004, ComicsOne licensed the series with its first volume tying the release of a new video game and kept publishing it after their transition to DrMaster.[34][35] Akihiko Ureshino asked by a production company to write a novel on The King of Fighters 2003. However, the project ended due to a loss of communication with him.[36]

Reception and legacy

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Critical response to the gaming mechanics were mixed. DefunctGames gave the game a B+ praising the new gameplay style gave the series a major change.[37] Hardcore Gaming 101 believed the new gameplay features, cast and artwork were interesting but the sequel easily fixed most of its issues.[38] GameSpot found KOF 2003 as an improvement over its predecessor, KOF 2002, thanks to its more responsive controls and a better working online gameplay. However, they still felt the predecessor was more enjoyable than KOF 2003 was still experimenting the tag system with this installment and had less characters.[39] GameZone agreed, criticizing the fewer amount of playable character but still praised the fast paced team system that makes combat more enjoyable. They still addressed SNK's lack of commitment to improve the visuals for several games but still retain the same quality of the original arcade version.[40] IGN compared the fighting system to Capcom's Marvel vs. Capcom 2 fighting game but lamented how the PlayStation 2 ports lack the online mode but still found it superior than the NESTS arc games previously released as well as The King of Fighters 2002.[41] Despite finding the single-player content limited when compared with Street Fighter Alpha 3, Maniac believed the new gameplay system and online mode make up for this.[42]

Some writers focused on the cast and story. MeriStation criticized how defeating Kusanagi in a different manner leads to a alternate ending as Adehlheid's route which comes across as frustrating as it does not develop the characters. Meanwhile, the route involving Mukai was praised for its presentation and more elaborated story. They still praised the changes to character moves like Robert Garcia, K' and Ralf Jones after several installments with the same style.[4] Destructoid still enjoyed the gameplay, as it made it the fastest KOF game from its time and praised the variation of playable characters such as the new protagonist Ash Crimson.[43] Eurogamer was negative believing, previous SNK fighting game like The King of Fighters 2002 offered a better cast and that the new gameplay system would confuse newcomers. Nevertheless, the reviewer commented that the new Garou: Mark of the Wolves fighters introduced in 2003 would also appeal to SNK fans.[44] The inclusion of Tizoc was noted by Kotaku for appealing South American fans based on him being a wrestler.[45] with Maniac particularly enjoying the decision to include characters from Garou: Mark of the Wolves.[42] The character of Ash was divisive due to his highly antagonistic portrayal especially when he attacks Chizuru despite being the third KOF protagonist,[46][47] while Polygon said SNK was still direct about marketing the new story arc using his image.[48]

KOF 2003 was the last Neo Geo released alongside Samurai Shodown V Special.[49] SNK cancelled production of The King of Fighters 2004 in the fall of 2004, after it was announced the company had signed an agreement with Sammy Corporation to use their arcade system instead of the Neo Geo cabinets that had been used for the franchise previously.[50] The King of Fighters XI's arcade version used Sammy Corporation's Atomiswave system.[51]

Notes

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  1. ^ Japanese: ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ 2003, Hepburn: Za Kingu Obu Faitāzu 2003
  2. ^ Xbox in North America and Japan only and it was not compatible with the Xbox 360

References

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  1. ^ Niizumi, Hirohiko. "More King of Fighters 2003 details". GameSpot. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "System". SNK. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "Interview". Amusement Journal. p. 114. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "The King of Fighters 2003". Merisation. March 14, 2006. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "The King of Fighters 2003". SNK. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  6. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. 'Rose: You must fight again. / Adelheid:Rose. Defeat is defeat.
  7. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. 'Maki:Just call me... The sponsor of this year's tournament. / Chizuru: The power of the Sacred Mirror / Maki: Kusanagi. Who I pitted you against previously... is also one whose power comes from the mirror.
  8. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. 'Botan: We are those who Hail from The Distant Land. / Mukai: Let me first pay my thanks... For breaking the seal of Orochi... That power now fullfils my master. The watcher of the Orochi seal. Chizuru Kagura.
  9. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. 'Mukai: Orochi. Beloved of Gaia. Humans imbued with potential. And our master who gives meaning to all. It is over.
  10. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. Ash: Where... is... it... now?/Chizuru: Ah.. ah.../Ash: Oh, oh, oh, here we are. With this my objective has come to fruition. / Kyo: Hey! What do you think you are doing?!
  11. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. Ash: Iori Yagami. Full of so many surprises. I'll not tire of you.
  12. ^ SNK Playmore (December 12, 2003). The King of Fighters 2003 (PlayStation 2). SNK Playmore. Kyo: Ash, Orochi, Mukai... Looks like I'll be busy ahwhile. My Kusanagi blood boils. This is more than a tournament. Because now... I'm really pissed off!
  13. ^ a b "Retro Re-release Roundup, week of February 21, 2019". Retronauts. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  14. ^ "TGS 2003: King of Fighters update". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  15. ^ "The King of Fighters 2003 Flame of Nova". Arcadia. p. 131. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  16. ^ "Ash Crimson's KOF 10th anniversary profile". King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on April 10, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2008.
  17. ^ "Shen Woo's KOF 10th anniversary profile". King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  18. ^ "【SNK】アッシュと○○【KOF】" [[SNK] Ash and ○○ [KOF]] (in Japanese). March 11, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "夕陽と月" [夕陽と月]. SNK Playmore (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "Remembrances with KOF illustrator (Nona)". King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  21. ^ "Mukai". King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  22. ^ "Kusanagi". King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  23. ^ "Adelheid". King of Fighters 15th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  24. ^ "あと３日！". SNK Playmore. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  25. ^ "Tizoc". SNK. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  26. ^ "Gato". SNK. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  27. ^ "Malin". SNK. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  28. ^ Calvert, Justin. "The King of Fighters 2002 & 2003 E3 2005 Preshow Report". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  29. ^ "King of Fighters 2002/2003 - PlayStation 2". Amazon.com. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  30. ^ Brian (20 February 2019). "The King of Fighters 2003 is this week's NeoGeo game on Switch". Nintendo Everything. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  31. ^ "ACA NEOGEO THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2003". Store PlayStation. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  32. ^ "The King of Fighters 2003 ya está disponible en PS4, Xbox One y Switch". Level Up. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  33. ^ "このページの商品は全て です。" [All products on this page are]. Hong Kong Manga. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  34. ^ "THE KING OF FIGHTERS COMES TO COMICS". ICv2. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  35. ^ "San Jose, CA – July 28, 2004". Comics One. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  36. ^ Ureshino, Akihiko [@a_ureshino] (February 13, 2022). "I wrote the 『KOF』novels from "96" to "2001". I did not write "94" and "95". After that, I was asked by a production company to write a novel for "2003", but the project ended in failure" (Tweet). Retrieved June 15, 2025 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Lachel, Cyril. "The King of Fighters 2003". DefunctGames. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  38. ^ Kalata, Kurt. "King of Fighters 2003, The". HardcoreGaming101. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  39. ^ Kasavin, Greg (May 17, 2006). "The King of Fighters 02/03 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  40. ^ "The King of Fighters 2002/2003 Review - PlayStation 2". Gamezone. Archived from the original on February 1, 2008.
  41. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (November 6, 2004). "King of Fighters 02/03: Hands-On". IGN. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  42. ^ a b "The King of Fighters 2003". Maniac. April 2006 – via Cybermedia.
  43. ^ "SNK's exciting King of Fighters 2003 available on PS4, Xbox One and Switch". Destructoid. February 24, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  44. ^ Albiges, Luke (14 March 2006). "King Of Fighters 2003". Eurogamer.net. Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  45. ^ Learned, John (29 August 2019). "Why King Of Fighters Dominates Latin America's Fighting Game Scene". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  46. ^ "シリーズの歴史をプレイバック！ 『KOF』ヒストリーその3 アッシュ編" [Playback the series' history! "KOF" History Part 3: Ash]. Famitsu. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  47. ^ "The 25 Douchiest Video Game Characters" (Press release). Complex. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  48. ^ Leone, Matt (February 11, 2022). "King of Fighters started as a tournament of franchises; it's become a tournament of eras". Polygon. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  49. ^ "Final NeoGeo game to be released in July". GameSpot. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  50. ^ "サミーとSNKプレイモア業務提携！『KOF2004』は夏頃!?" [Sammy and SNK Playmore enter into business partnership! "KOF2004" coming this summer?] (in Japanese). Gpaara. February 20, 2004. Archived from the original on June 30, 2004. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  51. ^ "Interview with Ignition Entertainment's Shane Bettenhausen About The King of Fighters XII". DieHardGameFan. April 28, 2009. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
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