The King of Fighters XII

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 48
  3. Negative: 10 out of 48
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  1. PSFocus
    49
    This new part in the franchise isn’t what it’s meant to be. The sound is annoying, the graphics are really bad and the gameplay isn’t very extensive.
  2. XGN
    47
    The King of Fighters XII doesn't offer you enough for the price of 60 euros. It feels like an old arcade game, that could have been downloaded from the PlayStation Store for a cheaper price. The game should have taken an example to Street Fighter IV, but unfortunately it doesn't.
  3. Game Revolution
    42
    Don't get me wrong, the game does handle fairly well, and with friends this could be a fun one to share, but single-player is worse than most. Combine a three-player team with the smallest roster KoF has ever had, and you'll have your faves chosen like a routine in no time.
  5. GameShark
    42
    This is a sad day for The King of Fighters. The combat is as taught as ever, but everything else is a comedic misinterpretation of “less is more.”
  6. Gaming Nexus
    42
    If you were jazzed on the hype that King of Fighters XII initially had, calm down. This game has a pretty face, and that's about it. A competent fighting system with nothing else to offer makes for a pretty short and shallow experience.
  7. D+PAD Magazine
    40
    There’s little here to recommend, even for the most loyal of fans. Instead, don your best shell-suit, hook up your mum’s old telly to the SNES in the loft and play out your childhood battles with the original. It’s far better.
  8. GameSpy
    30
    KoF12's online play is (to put it mildly) atrocious.
  9. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    30
    Grey, old, and well beyond retirement, KOF XII is irredeemable. [Oct 2009, p.74]
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  10. Boomtown
    30
    It offers no challenge for the solo player and is unplayable online, even after the hefty patch. If it wasn’t already hard enough for KoF to compete with Street Fighter, this release has made it even more difficult for it to do so in the future.
    All this publication's reviews
  11. The A.V. Club
    16
    With 22 fighters, this stands as the worst-attended KOF game to date, and as the series still largely relies on team battles, the limited mix-and-match options are particularly annoying.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
33
#33 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
5.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 50
  3. Negative: 21 out of 50
  1. Darkstrike
    Oct 6, 2009
    4
    As a long time fan who has played every single title in the series since 94', I am thoroughly disappointed in the latest over-hyped andAs a long time fan who has played every single title in the series since 94', I am thoroughly disappointed in the latest over-hyped and under-delivering iteration. The movelists are paltry compared to the hugely enjoyable predecessors (not to mention the exclusion of many fan-favourite characters). The excuse that every single character has been painstakingly redrawn does not make up for the many shortcomings of this game (no final/mid boss, no intuitive training mode, among others). However, based on the game play, potential remains for the next KOF to make it up to its fans.… Full Review »
  2. JuanDiez
    Sep 2, 2009
    8
    Just like I thought! It keeps the original flavour of the series, but playable on a PS3. For me it is a must. I have enjoyed SF IV, BlazBlueJust like I thought! It keeps the original flavour of the series, but playable on a PS3. For me it is a must. I have enjoyed SF IV, BlazBlue and then this KoF. Each one has its pros and cons, but definately I am able to find a time to play each title without being bord.… Full Review »
  3. JerseyChris
    Aug 1, 2009
    1
    The essence of KOF had is missing... Don't buy this game, just rent it!!! I rented my copy and on the 2nd day finished all theThe essence of KOF had is missing... Don't buy this game, just rent it!!! I rented my copy and on the 2nd day finished all the characters. No Boss! No Plot! No Story! No Ending! No Secret Characters! & NO GOOD!!! The only good thing is the detailed graphics... :(… Full Review »
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