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The
King of Fighters '94
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
25 Aug 1994 |
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KOF'94 brings together a cast of 24 SNK characters
arranged into 8 teams, all re-drawn in a svelte, gothic comic-book style.
This '3 vs 3' setup injected a
massive breath of fresh air into the tried-and-tested
fighting game formula. At the end of each round the winning
player gains a little extra energy, while the other
team's next combatant jumps in.
In terms of gameplay, the architecture remains pretty much the same as Garou
Densetsu Special (1993) - but thankfully the irritating
'Background Line' has been done away with: A+B now makes your character 'Dodge' and lean out of
harm’s way for a second. Most major attacks and
projectiles can be avoided with this manoeuvre, but
you can still be thrown.
While the 'Dodge' is the most distinctive addition
to the the gameplay, KOF'94
is choke-full of other pioneering features (see below) - all of which add a tremendous amount of depth.
Everything comes together superbly, marking the beginning
of a versus fighting golden age for SNK. The crystal-clear gameplay,
meticulous game design and dramatic impact are master
class. The game is a landmark
event for the genre as a whole.
This is where fighting
games finally grew up. It's easily
the most playable and visually accomplished 2D fighting
game to hit following the all-conquering Street
Fighter II and its sequels. Its stylish design remains impressive to this very day,
and in the gameplay stakes it effortlessly holds its
own, providing just as many razor-sharp
matches as its innumerable sequels.
And that's saying something.
Rating: |
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DODGE |
The
single most important and original implementation
of the KOF engine is the 'dodge', or 'sway'.
Executed by pressing A+B
together, this is a damn useful manoeuvre
for avoiding projectile attacks - but
don't rely on it during close combat:
you are still vulnerable to throws. |
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STRONG
ATTACK |
Press
C+D to release a powerful blow
that can knock down the opponent. Some
characters (like Goro, above) have a truly
vicious strike.
This works exactly the same way as Garou
Densetsu 2 (1992) - if guarded, you
can cancel the move into a special attack. |
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POWER
GAUGE |
Hold
A+B+C to charge
the ‘MAXIMUM’ bar. When full,
attack power increases by almost 50%,
and you can pull one ‘Super Move'.
Goes away by time, or by doing a Super.
Note that 'MAX' lasts a lot longer if
you charge it up manually rather than
blocking or taking attacks. |
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TAUNT |
Pressing
C from a distance makes
your character 'taunt'. In a similar to
way to the Ryuko
no Ken games, it serves a distinct
purpose besides being cheeky: it reduces
the opponent's power gauge, slows them
down when they are charging their bar,
and stops them reaching 'MAX'. |
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SUPER
MOVE |
Each
character's 'Super Move' can be executed
as many times as you wish when your energy
bar is low (and flashing red), or once
when your gauge is flashing 'MAXIMUM'.
It takes the least damage on MAX, and
the most damage when both 'in the red'
and on MAXIMUM. |
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SUPPORT
ATTACK |
This
is a great feature: when your player is
either 1) dizzy, or 2) being grabbed by
a throw move that scores multiple hits,
tap A+B+C and a teammate
will jump in to help. This only works
when your teammates are on the screen,
and you have less energy than the opponent. |
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DODGE
ATTACK |
This
is exactly the same as in Garou
Densetsu Special (1993): when blocking,
input Forwards + A or
B when the opponent
is being offensive.
Makes the upper half of the body completely
invincible, but does NO damage. It is
often safer to dodge, and is only used
by experts who want high scores. |
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COMBO
THROWS |
A
curious little historical footnote: KOF'94
was the first game in which you can actually
combo throws.
For example, in Street
Fighter II, Zangief's numerous Pile
Driver combinations aren't 'combos' per
se: they are enhanced 'tap-throws'. Here,
standard 2-hit moves actually cancel
into throw commands. |
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GUARD
CANCEL |
Finally
a really discreet tactic, not to be underestimated:
if you block at least five times in succession;
input a special command and it will cancel
the guard. Essentially it's almost exactly
like the 'MAX Counter' system from KOF'95,
except that you don't have to be on MAX
- just block 5 hits, and away you go. |
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The
King of Fighters '94
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
NEO GEO |
DETAILS
| Format |
Neo
Geo |
| Released |
1
Oct 1994 |
| Publisher |
SNK |
| Product
ID |
NGH-055 |
| Size
(cm) |
22
x 17 x 4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.70 |
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The
home Neo Geo ROM release of
KOF'94 in all its
glory!
A fantastic game, and a real
turning point for SNK and
the Neo Geo.
Becoming quite hard to find in good condition!
Standard Neo Geo case,
196Mbit cartridge, 32p
monochrome booklet. |
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The
King of Fighters '94
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
－SCITRON
1500 SERIES－ / SNK NEO SOUND ORCHESTRA |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
Oct 1994 |
| Publisher |
Pony
Canyon |
| Product
ID |
PCCB-00162 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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'Original
Soundtrack' release for the
arcade / Neo Geo version of
KOF'94, featuring
the complete score spread
over 20 tracks plus an 11-track
'Voice & S.E. Collection'.
View [back]
for tracklisting.
CD case, 31-track audio CD,
12-page monochrome booklet,
spine card, sticker sheet
[view]. |
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The
King of Fighters '94
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
NEO GEO CD |
DETAILS
| Format |
Neo
Geo CD |
| Released |
2
Nov 1994 |
| Publisher |
SNK |
| Product
ID |
NGCD-055 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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The
Neo CD version of KOF'94 is
one of the best releases on the format: the game
is perfectly replicated and the machine loads
all 3 team members in one
shot.
'Neo
Geo' stamped CD case, Neo
Geo CD disc, 32-page monochrome
booklet, spine card. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Arrange Sound
Trax
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
アレンジサウンドトラックス
SNK NEO SOUND ORCHESTRA |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
18
Nov 1994 |
| Publisher |
Pony
Canyon |
| Product
ID |
PCCB-00165 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Bonus
'Arrange Soundtrack' release
featuring 13 remixed tunes
from the original OST, as
featured on Neo Geo CD but
uncut: here they play in their
entirety.
View [back]
for track listing.
CD case, 13-track audio CD,
16-page monochrome booklet,
spine card, t-shirt decal
card [view]. |
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The
King of Fighters '94
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
GAMEST MOOK Vol.2 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Magazine
/ Book |
| Released |
12
Dec 1994 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
GMC-2 |
| Size
(cm) |
25.7
x 21 x 1.1 (AB) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.64 |
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The
second Gamest
Mook is one of the only
guide books available for
KOF'94.
Features team profiles, move
lists, in-depth gameplay strategies,
a Q&A with the developers,
tons of concept design sketches and more.
208 pages (122 in colour),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
PONY CANYON LD |
DETAILS
| Format |
Laser
Disc |
| Released |
16
Dec 1994 |
| Publisher |
Pony
Canyon |
| Product
ID |
PCLP-00539 |
| Size
(cm) |
31.3
x 31.3 x 0.3 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.34 |
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Official
LD release from Pony Canyon
that features a selection
of bouts along with a musical
montage, an 'ending' compilation,
and a TV commercial.
Standard
LD sleeve, 60min 1-sided NTSC
Laser Disc. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 4-Koma Ketteiban
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
4コマ決定版
GAMEST COMICS 034 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
Feb 1995 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-150-7 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1 (A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.26 |
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Comedy
4-Koma collection based on
the KOF'94 cast from
Gamest.
Features a large collection
of humorous 4-panel strips.
Hilarity afoot.
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
120 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Gaiden (1) Ryo
Takamisaki
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94 外伝 (1) 鷹岬 諒
GAMEST COMICS 2 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
May 1995 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-168-X |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 1.1
(B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.16 |
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Part
one of Ryo Takamisaki's brilliant
KOF'94 manga adaptation.
The storyline follows Yuri
and her assembling of the
'Ladies Team'.
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
132 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Gaiden (2) Ryo
Takamisaki
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
外伝 (2) 鷹岬 諒
GAMEST COMICS 3 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
Aug 1995 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-189-2 |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 1.2
(B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.16 |
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Part
two of Ryo Takamisaki's KOF'94
manga - carries on exactly
where part one ends, as the
KOF tournament gets under
way.
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
138 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Comic Anthology
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
コミックアンソロジー
GAMEST COMICS 062 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
Sep 1995 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-196-5 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 1.5
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.44 |
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Giant
'Anthology' compilation featuring
a selection of illustrations
and short comic strips by
various established artists.
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
194 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Gaiden (3) Ryo
Takamisaki
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
外伝 (3) 鷹岬 諒
GAMEST COMICS 4 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
Dec 1995 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-211-2 |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 1.2
(B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.16 |
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Gamest
Comics' excellent KOF'94
comic book continues, and
sees Yuri's team face off
against Korea and the USA.
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
138 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Gaiden (4) Ryo
Takamisaki
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
外伝 (4) 鷹岬 諒
GAMEST COMICS 7 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
July 1996 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-251-1 |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 1.3 (B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.16 |
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Part
4 of the KOF'94 'Side
Story' - Heidern's past is
revealed, and his Brazilian
team face Yuri, King and Mai
in the quarter finals. Who
will go all the way?
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
146 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Gaiden (5) Ryo
Takamisaki
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
外伝 (5) 鷹岬 諒
GAMEST COMICS 9 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
Dec 1996 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-300-3 |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 1.2
(B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.16 |
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The
KOF'94 storyline
boils up to a climax in what
might well be the most action-packed
chapter of the series: Italy
vs Mexico and Japan vs China.
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
138 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Gaiden (6) Ryo
Takamisaki
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
外伝 (6) 鷹岬 諒
GAMEST COMICS 10 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Manga |
| Released |
10
Jan 1997 |
| Publisher |
Shinseisha |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-88199-317-8 |
| Size
(cm) |
18.2
x 12.8 x 1.2
(B6) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.14 |
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6th
and final KOF'94 Gaiden
release, and all is revealed!
A great comic, highly recommended!
Part of the Gamest
Comics collection.
130 pages (black & white),
Japanese. |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout [Special
Gentei Ban]
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
RE-BOUT [スペシャル限定版]
PLAYSTATION 2 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
2 |
| Released |
28
Dec 2004 |
| Publisher |
SNK
Playmore |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-25448 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 7 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.45 |
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10th
Anniversary reworking of KOF'94
for PS2 featuring hi-resolution
visuals, reworked 3D backgrounds,
'Team Edit', 'Color Edit'
and 'Online' modes.
The
game comes presented in a
cardboard slipcase, presented
alongside a 'Gamest Mook Vol.197'
guide book (cover).
Included as a bonus with this
'Special Limited Edition'
is a replica Neo Geo CD controller
for PlayStation (image)
(box). |
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The
King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ'94
RE-BOUT
PLAYSTATION 2 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
2 |
| Released |
28
Dec 2004 |
| Publisher |
SNK
Playmore |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-25449 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 3 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.25 |
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Stand-alone
edition of the PS2 KOF'94
remake.
Includes the exact same contents
as the 'Limited Edition' above,
without the Neo Geo CD style
controller.
Cardboard
sleeve includes game in
PS2 case (PS2 DVD-ROM & colour booklet)
and 'Gamest Mook Vol.197'
guide book (cover). |
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'King
of Fighters', 'Neo Geo' and 'SNK' are registered trademarks of SNK
Playmore
'PlayStation' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
The King of Fighters '94 TM & © 1994 SNK All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2012 Arcade Gear |
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