The King of Fighters '97 is a 2D fighting game released by SNK in 1997.
Introduction
The 4th Installment of the series,its one of the best games due to the novelty about choose two types of power gauges,the Advanced that is KOF96 style with Evasion and Run but with power stocks for Super Moves,and the Extra that is the KOF95 style about Charge Bar and dashes.
And features a "Boss Team" along with fastest versions of Iori and Leona as first bosses.
Its one of the most "canonical competetive"* ones and specially in China.
- I define them any KOF outside of a Dream Match like 2000,XI and 13 due to their own features--HanzoHimemiya (talk) 02:47, 15 December 2015 (MSK)
Gameplay Overview
Notation
- Controls and basic notation of KOF 97.
Joystick Notation
.- up (u)
|
up-back (u/b) - 7 8 9 - up-forward (u/f)
back (b) - 4 5 6 - forward (f)
down-back (d/b) - 1 2 3 - down-forward (d/f)
|
`- down (d)
Primary Note: These numbers can be easily referenced by looking at your keyboard numpad. Think of it as a joystick/controller that is facing to the right. "5" is used to signify "neutral".
Secondary Note: These notations are based on the assumption that the character is on the "Player 1" side of the playing field. These notations remain relative to the character based upon this assumption.
Motion Abbreviations
- qcf - 236 - Quarter circle forward/Hadouken/Fireball motion - In one smooth motion move to down -> down-forward -> forward.
- qcf - 214 - Quarter circle backward - In one smooth motion move to down -> down-back -> back.
- hcf - 41236 - Half circle forward - In one smooth motion move to back -> down-back -> down -> down-forward -> forward.
- hcb - 63214 - Half circle backward - In one smooth motion move to forward -> down-forward -> down -> down-back -> back.
- dp - 623 - Dragon Punch motion - In one smooth motion move to forward -> down -> down-forward.
- rdp - 421 - Reverse Dragon Punch motion - In one smooth motion move to back -> down -> down-back.
- Charge - Hold the given direction (usually back/down) for around 1 second, before moving to the next command (usually forward or up a button).
- tk - 2369 - Tiger Knee Motion - qcf, then move to up-forward.
Attack Notation
- A - LP - Light Punch
- B - LK - Light Kick
- C - HP - Hard Punch
- D - HK - Hard Kick
- CD - Blow back attack, press C and D simultaneously.
- P - Any punch
- K - Any kick
Other common abbreviations
- j. - Jump/jumping - Press up-back, up, or up-forward.
- nj. - Neutral jump - Referencing specifically for directly upward jump, especially for specific attacks that only occur in this state.
- sj. - Super jump - Tap down, down-back, or down-forward, then quickly press up-back or up-forward.
- sh. - Short hop - Lightly tap up-back, up, or up-forward.
- hh. - Hyper hop - Tap down, down-back, or down-forward, then quickly and lightly tap up-back or up-forward.
- cl. - Close, as in a close normal attack.
- cr. - Crouching, as in a crouching normal attack.
- st. - Standing, as in a far standing normal attack.
- f. - Forward, and relative to the direction the character is facing.
- b. - Back, and relative to the direction the character is facing.
Mechanics and Notes
Advanced
KOF'96 style - aggressive mode
+ Power Max allows you to increase your damages of 25%
+ The lifebar doesn't flashes red
+ Roll: f + AB or b + AB
+ Power gauge charge when hit or attack
+ Store three crystals in the gauge , press ABC to MAX , then perform Desperation Move
(note: needs at least two crystals: this will empty the first one , and the second is used for DM . It means two crystals for Super Desperation Move ) .
+ Dash forward: f , f
+ Run: f , f then hold fw
+ Dash backward: b , b
+ Hop: tap diagonally up or back
+ Hyper Hop: d , tap u (note: works diagonally too)
+ Normal jump: up , or diagonally up or back
+ Hyper jump: tap d then u (note: works diagonally too)
+ Guard cancel: while blocking an attack , press AB or CD (note: uses a crystal stored)
Extra
KOF '95 - defensive mode
+ Power Max allows you to increase damage of 50 %
+ Perform Desperation Moves when the lifebar flashes red in 80%
+ Dodge Using AB (note: don't works on command throw)
+ Power gauge charge using ABC
+ Foward Hop ( à la '95 ) forward: f , f
+ Back Hop ( à la '95 ) backward: b , b
+ Normal Jump: up , or diagonally up or back
+ HyperJump: d , then u
+ Guard cancel: while blocking an attack , press AB or CD (note: MAX will decrease )
Universal
- + Quick recovery: AB as you land on the ground
- + Throw escape: tap any button (note: during a normal throw , don't work on command throw)
- + Assist Attack: Press ABC when character is dizzy or struggling (depends of your team mate - see smiley section for details )
- + Aerial Guard: Hold Back during Neutral or Backwards Jump(Blocks Special Moves, Aerial Attacks, but doesn't block SDM/DM or Grounded Normal Attacks.)
- +Taunt: start
Team Assistance
- Likelyhood of characters helping in an Assist Attack
- 0=Never helps
- 1=50% chance of helping
- 2=Always helps
The King of Fighters '97
| Character | Kyo | Ben | Gor | Ter | And | Joe | Ryo | Rob | Yur | Leo | Ral | Cla | Ath | Sie | Chi | Chz | Mai | Kin | Kim | Cha | Cho | Yas | Shr | Che | Ryu | Mar | Bil | Ior | Shi | K94 | OIo | OYa | OSh | OCh | OLe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyo | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | NA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Benimaru | 1 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daimon | 1 | 1 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Terry | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Andy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryo | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robert | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yuri | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leona | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA |
| Ralf | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | NA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clark | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Athena | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kensou | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | NA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chin | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chizuru | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mai | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | NA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| King | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kim | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | NA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chang | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | NA | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Choi | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | NA | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Yashiro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Shermie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | NA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | NA | 2 | 0 |
| Chris | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | NA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | NA | 0 |
| Yamazaki | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mary | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | NA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Billy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | NA | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iori | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 0 | 0 | NA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shingo | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | NA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kyo '94 | NA | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | NA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| O.Iori | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 0 | 0 | NA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| O.Yashiro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| O.Shermie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | NA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | NA | 2 | 0 |
| O.Chris | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | NA | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | NA | 0 |
| O.Leona | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NA |
Basic Strategy
Advanced Strategy
Tier List
This is one with Boss Characters
SS
O. Iori, O. Leona
S
Iori, Benimaru, Terry, O. Chris, Kyo, Daimon, Mary
A
Robert, Yamazaki, Joe, Ralf, Clark, O. Yashiro, O. Shermie
B
Mai, Ryo, Chang, Choi, Athena, Kensou, Leona, Kyo 94
C
Yuri, Shingo, Chizuru, Kim, Chin, Yashiro, Chris, Andy
D
Shermie, Billy, King
Without Boss Characters
SS
Iori e Terry
S
Japan team,Mary,O.Chris,Chizuru
A
Joe,Ryo,Robert,Chang,Clark,Athena,Kensou,Mai,O.Yashiro,Yamazaki,Leona,Kim,Kyo 94
B
Yuri,Ralf,King,O.Shermie,Chris,Billy,Choi,Chin,Yashiro,Shermie
C
Shingo e Andy
In conclusion (Combining both tier list):
-Orochi Iori and Leona are Tourney Banned due that they are only speedish versions of the normal ones.
-Japan Team is the best team in the game.
-Terry Bogard is semi-god due to their Power Charge crouching A glitch infinite,and Yamazaki have one with the dp+B move but isn't useful as Terry one.
-Orochi Chris is the only decent EX version of the boss team of the game.
-Blue Mary and Chizuru are the femme fatales of the game.
-The rest can be mid-tier everyone else except of Normal Shermie and Andy that can be the Low Tier ones
-Shingo is the joke character by excellence.
My Personal tier list can be like this:
Banned
Orochi Iori,Orochi Leona and Orochi
Top
Iori and Terry
High
Japan Team,Blue Mary,Chizuru,Orochi Chris,Yamazaki
Mid
Everyone Else with 94 Kyo
Low
Andy and Normal Shermie
Joke
Shingo
--HanzoHimemiya (talk) 20:52, 29 November 2015 (MSK)
Tier Lists from China
General competitive rules: infinite combos, raw supers and character-floating glitches are not allowed.
Banned over-powerful characters: Orochi, O.Iori, O.Leona. Other hidden characters are usable.
Character Ranking by Yaotouling Cheshen in 2014, concluded from all available competitive matches by then and supervised by several top Chinese KOF97 players.Each line is sorted in descending order.
Top: Iori, Chizuru, Chang
High: Yamazaki, Daimon, Mary, Choi, O.Yashiro
Good: Benimaru, Kensou, Kyo, Terry, O.Chris
Middle: Joe, Leona, Athena, Yashiro, Kyo 94, Robert, Clark, Chris, Shermie, Ryo, King, Mai, Ralf, O.Shermie, Kim
Low: Billy, Yuri, Chin, Andy, Shingo
Video of the ranking: http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XNzAwNzYyNDA4/v.swf
An earlier version made in 2010 can be found here: http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XMjYwMDA0ODk2/v.swf
Notes:
1. If the restrictions on infinite combos and raw supers are lifted, Terry and Yamazaki will be top-tiered. Characters like Benimaru and Mary will be slightly stronger, while characters like Chang and Daimon will be relatively weaker. Reference match: http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XOTE4NTMzMjcy/v.swf
2. If no rule is applied, two characters will dominate the game - Orochi and O.Iori. Other characters have negligible influence on the match result. Game will be like this: http://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XMTQ4NzA4NjE2NA==/v.swf
3. Extra mode is considered inferior to the Advanced mode in KOF97. Thus, tier lists are based on the latter mode only.
Game Versions
- Arcade (Neo Geo)
- Sega Saturn
- Sony Playstation
- Sony Playstation 2
- Android
- Android HD Remix
The Characters
Japan Team
Fatal Fury Team
Art of Fighting Team
Ikari Warriors Team
Psycho Soldiers Team
Women Team
Korea Team
New Face Team
Special Team
Single Entries
Secret Characters
To Select '94 Kyo, Highlight Kyo Kusanagi and Hold Start and press A or D
Bosses(To Play as the Boss characters, You must activate Universe Bios' cheat menu and turn on dipswitch 1-3 at the How to Play Screen)
