The King of Fighters 02/03

Sharp controls reward technical skills, but both games are still accessible to button mashers, especially with a frustration-free continue mode that cripples the CPU opponent on a rematch. [Dec 2005, p.110]

Odds are, you'll fall in love with at least one play style available, leaving you unable to put the controller down for hours at a time.

Afar as 2D fighting games go, this is right up there with the best, if not THE best.

It would have been great if the first game did not have issues but it's not to the point that it will hurt the gameplay for fans.

ach game has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and both are fundamentally different, meaning that 2D-fighting fans should find something they love in either title.

King of Fighters 2003 is a great addition to anyone's Xbox library, and it's another great 2D fighter on Xbox Live. Just try to pretend it's the only game in its case, and leave King of Fighters 2002 to gather dust.

Jam packed with solid fighting action. It's a great investment for fans, but those unfamiliar with the old series may not appreciate its relative straightforwardness.

A must have for King of Fighters fans, if they don't already have the games in another form.

The only real reason not to get this game is if you have no access to Xbox Live and already own the PS2 version.

They may not look as good as the 3D fighters of today, but both King of Fighters 2002 and 2003 are fantastic fighting games with a deep roster of unique characters to choose from.

A treasure trove of 2D beat-em-up goodness and fighting fans should buy it immediately.

This game will have limited appeal, and only those who are fanatics of King of Fighters are likely to pick up this game.

With the fast-paced battle combat, vast array of playable characters, and intuitive battle system that yearns to be perfected, it's hard to not find anything to like about this double disc collection.

These games may be about as homely as anything on the market right now, but NeoGeo fans kept buying them, and others like them, for hundreds of dollars a pop year after year for very good reason.

I really wish there were a couple of different selectable outfits for some of the characters, like KOF: Maximum Impact. King of Fighters characters have always had this weird trendier-than-thou type of style, and since trendy people tend to buy clothes quite frequently, this feature wouldn't have been incongruous with the series' overall style.

Despite the fact that there are a few blemishes on the overall playability for each of the two titles, this classic compilation should earn a spot in the library of those looking for a fun filled look at how videogames were played back in the day.

If you really want to get into the KoF series, but can't deal with the low grade graphics, then pick up "KoF: Maximum Impact," but if you want a solid, fun, high-quality fighting game that delivers masses of playtime, then King of Fighters 2002/2003 is well worth the investment.

It still feels so right.. Sketchy music and coconut-sized pixels are a small price to pay for the chance to dabble with one of the finest two-dimensional beat-'em-ups ever made. [Aug 2005, p.107]

The Xbox versions of KOF 2002 and 2003 are more than just repackaged ports, they add an online mode and a bevy of options that should make them attractive to anyone looking to relive the glory days of 2D fighting.

Strictly for the King of Fighters enthusiast or old school 2D fight fans.

The only real reason to actually buy the game other than if you are a "King of Fighters" fan is to get the Xbox Live play out of it, which brings the competitiveness of the arcade to your home.