The King of Fighters XIII

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 65
  3. Negative: 7 out of 65
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  1. frantisek
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    King of Fighters XIII is probably the best 2d fighting experience you can have in the current generation, and one of the best 2d fighters ever created. Not only has the overall package been extremely improved in both quantity and quality, with tons of modes, new characters, beautiful stages that will remind you of the best SNK games on NeoGeo, new systems that actually add a lot of depthKing of Fighters XIII is probably the best 2d fighting experience you can have in the current generation, and one of the best 2d fighters ever created. Not only has the overall package been extremely improved in both quantity and quality, with tons of modes, new characters, beautiful stages that will remind you of the best SNK games on NeoGeo, new systems that actually add a lot of depth to the game (drive cancel, extra versions of special and desperation moves, and many other things) but the game has also a good netcode that, so far, hasn't let me down a single time. KoF13 has already been a favorite in the competitive scene for some time, and it's likely to gather a decent following in order to build a sizeable community in the future. The 4 CD soundtrack provided by Atlus USA surely helps to improve the value of an already exceptional game.… Expand
  2. rempel
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    while i was burned by kof12's lack of contents and poor online, i must say that kof13 is really different, to the point of being completely different both regarding gameplay and available modes. if kof12 had practically nothing aside from arcade, versus and practice, here we have a great story mode with multiple paths, a nice arcade mode with dialogues between matches, versus, time attack,while i was burned by kof12's lack of contents and poor online, i must say that kof13 is really different, to the point of being completely different both regarding gameplay and available modes. if kof12 had practically nothing aside from arcade, versus and practice, here we have a great story mode with multiple paths, a nice arcade mode with dialogues between matches, versus, time attack, survival, tutorial, training, missions, a great color edit mode and a competent online mode that is surely on par with most other beat'em ups.

    the new features, like special versions of moves and supers are also welcome additions, and i think anyone remotely interest in this genre should buy this gem asap    … Expand
  3. Roxas0
    Nov 22, 2011
    10
    i loved kof98um and 2002um, but 13 seems to be far better because of its new systems... the ex moves are really a big improvement, and the neomax move are really satisfying when you manage to pull them off during an actual fight. movesets are also far more expanded compared to kof12, and the story mode is packed with old characters like heidern or vanessa and brings the story of ashi loved kof98um and 2002um, but 13 seems to be far better because of its new systems... the ex moves are really a big improvement, and the neomax move are really satisfying when you manage to pull them off during an actual fight. movesets are also far more expanded compared to kof12, and the story mode is packed with old characters like heidern or vanessa and brings the story of ash crimson to closure. the online mode seems to be on the same level as super street fighter 4 or marvel vs capcom 3, and the experience on live was similiar to that on psn (i bought both versions since my friends are split on different consoles)… Expand
  4. frugal_frogger
    Nov 24, 2011
    8
    absolute best NEW fighting game i've played in LONG time. usually the only good fighting games anymore are tekken, and capcom games from the old school. this has all the features you want plus more, plus more. buy it now.
  5. garrixon
    Nov 25, 2011
    10
    The best SNK game since King of Fighters 2002 and the best traditional fighting game since Third Strike. This game is everything that KoF 12 should have been, beautiful graphics, tight gameplay, great balance, and no gimmicks. If you have even a passing interest in fighting games then you owe it to yourself to pick this up.
  6. Gups
    Nov 24, 2011
    10
    The game is fantastic, corrected all the mistakes of the previous game, I feel again that essence that makes KoF in a fighting game unapologetically.

    For all fans and lovers of KoF, we expected that both came, KoF is back in style!
  7. MaryJ
    Nov 24, 2011
    10
    Lucky 13 couldn't be more true for this release as SNK has delivered the best game in the franchise to date. Highly polished and refined gameplay that runs extremely smooth, fast and furious. The previously strict timing of many bread and butter links from past games have been made more lax, making the game more accessible without compromising depth. In fact, with the addition of EXLucky 13 couldn't be more true for this release as SNK has delivered the best game in the franchise to date. Highly polished and refined gameplay that runs extremely smooth, fast and furious. The previously strict timing of many bread and butter links from past games have been made more lax, making the game more accessible without compromising depth. In fact, with the addition of EX moves and the hyper drive meter, KOF has never had more depth than it does now.

    KOF13 is a very technical fighting game with a multitude of options and subsystems to learn. This can be overwhelming for newbies or casual players who aren't familiar with past games in the series, but once mastered, there are few games on the market that can come close to the raw speed, aggression, depth and polish of 13's play. Every character is a potential beast and uneven matchups are just about non-existent. For the competitive fighting game player, the only thing that will limit you in KOF13 is your own skill.

    Controls are very fluid and responsive. Menu presentation is clean and barebones, but I don't consider this a bad thing. Netcode is remarkably good provided you do not play on a wireless connection. Even 2 bar connections are very playable. The color edit mode is fantastic for making your own unique looking characters that you can show off in your online fights. Always wanted a neon pink Iori? Now you can have him! Sound and music are fantastic, having a lot of "oomph" and flair. The 2D sprite work is some of the best I've ever seen.

    SNK has really outdone themselves with this release. They delivered a ton of fan service while refining the core of KOF gameplay to near perfection. Anyone who is interested in fighting games owes it to themselves to check out KOF13.    … Expand
  8. SlyEnemy
    Jan 9, 2012
    10
    King of Fighters was a tough game to pick up and play - amongst friends it's always been the one to divide us when deciding what to play. Those who don't spend time with it's natty countering and rapid dodges often found the previous iterations clunky and cumbersome.

    KOF XIII improves on everything the series has to offer, and provides the greatest fan service since Street Fighter IV was    King of Fighters was a tough game to pick up and play - amongst friends it's always been the one to divide us when deciding what to play. Those who don't spend time with it's natty countering and rapid dodges often found the previous iterations clunky and cumbersome.

    KOF XIII improves on everything the series has to offer, and provides the greatest fan service since Street Fighter IV was released. Speedier, smoother, technical, accessible, packed with features and modes, rammed to the gills with new skills to learn but still appealing to previous fans - this game deserves to be one of the biggest selling fighters in this generation, and it's a massive shame the brand recognition simply doesn't stem further than SNK diehards and the curious. After spending six hours with the game so far, I've barely scratched the surface, but I know this will bring back all those fighting game fans who thought KOF wasn't for them. Absolutely perfect, with thanks to Atlus and SNK.    … Expand
  9. walterfast
    Jan 13, 2012
    10
    It's a vast improvement over it's predecessor in every possible sense. It closes the Ash Saga with flying colors with a heavy focus on story and character development. The quality and framecount of the characters' animations is only comparable to that of SF3, except in a higher resolution, and with optimized colors. The soundtrack is memorable going back to its rock and jazz roots. TheIt's a vast improvement over it's predecessor in every possible sense. It closes the Ash Saga with flying colors with a heavy focus on story and character development. The quality and framecount of the characters' animations is only comparable to that of SF3, except in a higher resolution, and with optimized colors. The soundtrack is memorable going back to its rock and jazz roots. The gameplay is as fast paced and intricate as all KOFs have been, which may not be very accessible to casual gamers, but it's exactly what a fighting game aficionado would expect. Probably the best KOF XIII made until this day.… Expand
  10. DanMaximo
    Apr 13, 2016
    8
    The best king of fighters to date. Beautiful graphics. beautiful and detailed large characters. Combos esagerados perfect gameplay. scenarios may be the most detailed and animated that have never been done. The best 2D fighting game of the generation.
  11. GreenSkullRider
    Jan 31, 2017
    7
    El final de la historia de Ash... un buen juego de lucha, con un par de pegas, Los sprites son brutales y la jugabilidad muy buena, pero el modo historia es confuso y un poco soso, se nota mucho el desnivel de muchos personajes, música muy buena y efectos excelentes. un juego recomendado
  12. MegamanZeroX19
    May 30, 2020
    9
    Un juego de peleas bastante bueno y recomendado.
    Aunque puede que extrañes algunos elementos de los juegos de Neo geo.
  13. elirac
    Nov 3, 2021
    7
    If you love KOF, you will love this game. It has everything that you are looking for in a KOF Game. It is a good game, but only for KOF fans.
  14. neomoonsevin
    Sep 10, 2023
    9
    Awesome fighting game the combo structures are way past amazing just to bad nobody outside the kof community understand that I wish everything possible in this could be put into kof 15

Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
100
#100 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Gamereactor Denmark
    Jan 23, 2012
    70
    Still doesn't have the breadth necessary to reach those who haven't been following the series for years, and still limps along when it comes to the vital online component. King of Fighters XIII is certainly a step in the right direction, but not quite the definite version of the series.
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  2. Gaming Nexus
    Jan 13, 2012
    83
    Not only is The King of Fighters a solid 2D fighting game, but it is one of the best games in the series.
    Read full review
  3. EGM
    Jan 3, 2012
    85
    The best thing I can say about The King of Fighters XIII is that-mentally and emotionally-it took me back to the era of the NeoGeo and reminded me of why I fell in love with SNK's fighting games in the first place. Forget KOFXII-this is the company's true first step in trying to remind the world that it continues to be royalty in the genre it once ruled over. I just hope enough players out there are still ready to listen.
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