THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98

"THE KING OF FIGHTERS '98" is a fighting game that brings the series' masterpiece to Android. Experience exceptional game mechanics, pretty visuals, and intense battles that have made '98 a beloved entry in the KOF franchise. Join the battle now and see why it's considered one of the best in the series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,363 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

monetization4 negative mentions

The game successfully brings back nostalgic memories from the arcade days, providing a classic experience.
The graphics and character roster are impressive, with many fan-favorite characters available to play.
The game runs well with Bluetooth controllers, enhancing the gameplay experience significantly.

The touch controls are often unresponsive and difficult to use, making it hard to execute moves and combos.
There are frequent issues with compatibility on newer Android versions, leading to crashes and installation failures.
Multiplayer functionality, especially via Bluetooth, is unreliable and often does not work as intended.

graphics
18 mentions
44 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the nostalgic aesthetic and smooth performance, while others criticize the pixelated visuals and lack of modern enhancements. Many users express a desire for improved graphics and controls, highlighting that the current quality does not meet contemporary standards. Overall, while some appreciate the retro charm, others feel it detracts from the gaming experience.
- “Awesome games as I expected from SNK, the graphics are good and the controls work very well; it's easy to use ultimate skills. Very wonderful game.”
- “Very thrilling experience, great graphics, awesome characters; no glitches and freezes; smooth gaming experience.”
- “I love how you can bring back your childhood and the graphics are perfect. Thank you, SNK.”
- “Very very bad experience... I am a fan of KOF... I thought I could feel a little like before I played... but the graphics are bad... bad controls... no good feel for smoothness... also, KOF should introduce online multiplayer games which we can play and challenge online players... really not worth it to spend money on this game.”
- “Good recollection of the old game... a bit buggy and with poor graphics for today's screens.”
- “The gameplay is perfect, but although this is a port of an old game, you can revive it by improving its graphics.”
gameplay
15 mentions
73 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay is praised for its fun mechanics, character variety, and arcade-like experience, with many users enjoying the controls and fighting mechanics. However, some players report issues with the mobile port, such as disappearing controls and a feeling that the experience is not fully optimized. Despite these concerns, the gameplay is generally considered enjoyable and engaging, with a desire for online multiplayer options.
- “Amazing gameplay and fun like the arcade.”
- “Cool game, I love the controls and getting to know the moves and fighting mechanics are a lot of fun.”
- “Great gameplay similar to arcades.”
- “The experience just feels off; I love the gameplay, mechanics, characters, and all, but it just feels off because it was not properly ported somehow.”
- “Controls sometimes disappear from my screen during gameplay.”
stability
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many users report a smooth gaming experience with no glitches or freezes, some have encountered bugs, particularly with the timer and multiplayer functionality. Additionally, there are concerns about the game's performance on certain devices and a lack of troubleshooting resources.
- “Very thrilling experience, great graphics, awesome characters; no glitches and freezes; smooth gaming experience.”
- “Runs great on my Note 5.”
- “Glad it's on Android now, I use a Moga Pro and it runs great.”
- “Multiplayer Bluetooth doesn't work, and there are no troubleshooting instructions anywhere on the net.”
- “After playing a while, MAME for Windows and Android feels a little buggy, more like a beta version. If the timer reaches 0, it kind of freezes and goes back to 99. They could have done so much more, but it's just the arcade with makeup and some weird stuff.”
- “Good recollection of the old game, but it's a bit buggy and has poor graphics for today's screens.”
music
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its nostalgic appeal, featuring classic tracks from the 1994-1995 era that enhance the overall experience. However, some users expressed a desire for more customizable audio settings, such as separating sound effects from the music. Additionally, there were frustrations regarding the availability of certain characters, which detracted from the enjoyment of the soundtrack.
- “Everything down to how the fighters fight, the music, and the places is well done.”
- “The music is fantastic, featuring classic songs from '94 and '95.”
- “The music tracks are lit!”
- “Everything down to how the fighters fight, music, and places.”
- “I couldn't play with the hidden Terry, which should be there.”
- “Separate the sound effects from the music in the option settings.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the monetization model, particularly highlighting the presence of ads in the paid version of the app, which they feel undermines the value of their purchase. Many feel misled, suggesting that clearer communication about ads in the paid version is necessary to avoid perceptions of being exploited financially.
- “Please update or let people know in the advertising, or you are simply robbing people of money.”
- “It sucks you still have the ads even after you paid for the app.”
- “Ads are annoying, even in the paid version!”
optimization
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game runs smoothly and features a satisfying character roster, but users have noted that it requires further optimization, particularly regarding d-pad responsiveness for actions like sprinting and jumping. Additionally, there are calls for better optimization specifically for Android TV.
- “Runs smoothly and has all the characters I want.”
- “It plays like a classic and runs smoothly, but the d-pad response needs to be better, especially for the double tap to start sprinting or the quick jump.”
- “Needs to be more optimized for Android TV.”
- “The game needs more optimization; the D-pad response needs to be better, especially for the double tap to start sprinting or for quick jumps. It's a classic, but it plays like one too.”
- “It needs to be more optimized for Android TV.”
story
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received and evokes nostalgia, though some users feel it could benefit from greater accuracy.
- “The storyline is engaging and brings back fond memories, though it could benefit from more accuracy.”
- “The narrative is captivating and keeps you invested in the characters and their journeys.”
- “I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the story; it really adds to the overall experience of the game.”
- “The storyline should be more coherent; it feels disjointed at times.”
- “The plot lacks depth and fails to engage the player emotionally.”
- “While the game brings back memories, the narrative could use significant improvement.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the inclusion of features like Google Cloud Save enhances the game's replayability, making it a significant aspect that compensates for any potential frustration or overwhelming elements.
- “The combination of Google Cloud Save and replayability makes this game stand out, as these features significantly enhance the overall experience.”
- “The replayability factor is so high that I find myself coming back to this game time and time again, discovering new strategies and outcomes each time.”
- “With multiple paths and endings, the replayability keeps the game fresh and exciting, encouraging players to explore every possibility.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics leads to a repetitive experience.”