best King of Fighters

[tokyochojin]

Can anyone reccommend a great non neo geo(ie Snes, Saturn, Dreamcast, Psone/2) king of fighters game. Have been into Street Fighter since Sf 1 on the amiga, however my recent trips to the shibuya arcades resulted into me be pulverated by non capcom characters.
Anyway basically wanna get into the series. Do i need to know the story or can i start later. Differences(i know the graphics will obviously be slightly improved) between the versions would be great too! ^0^

[Naiera]

From '99 to 2001 they use a Striker system that's a little different in all three. 98 and 2002 are probably the best to go for, both on the Dreamcast. You could also do a little search because we've had a couple of very similar topics within the last few weeks

[yx]

98's your best bet, then probably 2002. Personally I still play '98 on a regular basis, and most ppl consider it the highlight of the series, probably a good idea to introduce yourself to the characters and stuff...

[nagamitsu]

98 is the best. I think it might be on ps1, but it'd have so many frames of animation taken out you'd be watchin a slide show. The dreamcast "port", if you can even call it that. KOF 99: dream match, renamed as it was released after 98. Last time I played it I remember it having missing characters. ALOT of them, and was also missing other things aswell. It didnt really even resemble 98 to me. Your best bet is either get a hold of the NG version, or mame.

[Dache]

97 (Saturn) is excellent. I really, really like 98 as well. I don't think there's anything different with the Dreamcast version. In fact, I think it's better than the Neo version -- 3D backgrounds, general all-round improved presentation and a nice anime intro.

[yx]

98 is the best. I think it might be on ps1, but it'd have so many frames of animation taken out you'd be watchin a slide show. The dreamcast "port", if you can even call it that. KOF 99: dream match, renamed as it was released after 98. Last time I played it I remember it having missing characters. ALOT of them, and was also missing other things aswell. It didnt really even resemble 98 to me. Your best bet is either get a hold of the NG version, or mame.

Are you sure your playing the same DC KoF '98 i'm playing? All the characters are there and you can even get variations of some of them by holding the start button before selecting. 38 characters available from the get go and if you wanna include variations, then thats a lot more. So which characters are missing?

I really, really like 98 as well. I don't think there's anything different with the Dreamcast version. In fact, I think it's better than the Neo version -- 3D backgrounds, general all-round improved presentation and a nice anime intro.

It improves on the original and is the best port available imo.

[nagamitsu]

I'll put it in afterwhile, but I remember there being very few characters. Less than 15 I think.

[Naiera]

Well... You're wrong.

[Dache]

Less than 15? You're definitely wrong.

[Kron]

Kyo Kusanagi - Benimaru Nikaido - Goro Daimon
Terry Bogard - Andy Bogard - Joe Higashi
Ryo Sakazaki - Robert Garcia - Yuri Sakazaki
Leona - Ralf - Clark
Athena Asamiya - Sie Kensou - Chin Gensai
Chizuru Kagura - Mai Shiranui - King
Kim Kaphwan - Chang Koehan - Choi Bounge
Ryuji Yamazaki - Blue Mary - Billy Kane
Yashiro Nanakase - Shermie - Chris
Iori Yagami - Mature - Vice
Heidern - Takuma Sakazaki - Saishu Kusanagi
Heavy D! - Lucky Glauber - Brian Battler
Rugal
Shingo Yabuki
"EX" Kyo
"EX" Terry - "EX" Andy - "EX" Joe
"EX" Ryo - "EX" Robert - "EX" Yuri
"EX" Mai
"EX" Billy
Orochi Yashiro - Orochi Shermie - Orochi Chris
Omega Rugal

Yeah, Looks like less than 15 to me