Battle of the Ports - The King Of Fighters '95 (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ ’９５) Show

[@Bloodreign1]

Fast fact: The Saturn version does contain 1 arranged tune you don't hear in the arcade or AES versions, but is also in every other CD port out there. If you beat the game as the Psycho Soldier Team, Athena, Kensou, and Chin get their own ending theme, and in the background Athena is singing on her mic, and Kensou and Chin are playing instruments. A similar quirk also happens with Sam Sho 3 on the CD systems, save for Sam Sho Anthology sadly. Beat the game with Rimururu, and you get a unique ending them just for her. No extra background animation, but a cool little touch nonetheless.

[@rudycassiano]

This is impressive, after 23 years, the quality of games from SNK looks like games made recently. I believe wich the Neo Geo was the powerfull videogame all the time.

[@RetroCore]

The Neo Geo was indeed an amazing but of kit. Just a shame it was beyond the reach of most gamers.

[@rudycassiano]

Retro Core , It's true, in Brazil, the price of Neo Geo AES was extreme expensive.

[@RetroCore]

Same in most countries I beleive. Back in the UK the avarage price of a Neo Geo game was around 150 to 200 pounds. That 4x more than the Mega Drive or SNES.

[@retropowerit]

Are you kidding me?!?!?! The neo geo cd arranged sountrack is simply AMAZING!!!!!! To me was worth the loading times just to listen to the arranged track when fighting!! It's like saiyng that the SNK internal band of musicians was not amazing.. they were MONSTERS!!! Absolutely genious!!! The jazzy, hard rock, metal, pop tracks of this game are still the best of the VIDEOGAME MUSIC HISTORY!

[@vasileios6301]

Exactly!

[@topherowlish]

I agree! The Last Blade Neo Geo CD soundtracks are especially fantastic to the ears! Neo Geo CD soundtracks are bad!? Madness!

[@gingataisen]

20 seconds to load a new stage? No, thanks. They can keep their arranged soundtrack.

[@Ultrakupra]

I had the saturn version back in the day,it was the arcade at home

[@AlviEao]

It helps that the Saturn version was handled by Rutubo Games, responsible for various Saturn ports of Capcom's X-Men: Children of the Atom, Data East's Fighter's History Dynamite (Karnov's Revenge), and the Sega Ages versions of Space Harrier, Out Run, After Burner II and Fantasy Zone. The Game Boy version was developed by Gai Brain, who also worked on the early Garou Densetsu (Fatal Fury) titles for the Mega Drive/Genesis and Game Gear, Virtua Fighter 2 on the Mega Drive, and the other Game Boy titles Nettou The King of Fighters '96 (Heat of Battle) and Nettou Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special. Also, Nettou KoF '95 was the only version where Nakoruru from Samurai Spirits was a secret playable character, before later appearing as Yuri's Special Striker in The King of Fighters 2000, and making her official playable debut in The King of Fighters XIV.

[@RetroCore]

Rutubo Games practicality always delivered quality. That dev house should get far more recognition than they do.

[@yukatoshi]

fantastic voyager 20 Wonder if the X68000 could run a port of this?

[@jeremygregorio7472]

I got to play the Saturn version of this on a Japanese Saturn here in the states when our friends relatives brought it over and it absolutely blew my Sega Genesis owning mind.

[@arcademarkRR]

My favorite battle of the port! Because it’s my favorite franchise! KoF95 is my first KoF! Good job! Bravo et merci!

[@RetroCore]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video, Marc.

[@Sam-Lawry]

Vive la NE♡

[@slayerking1044]

Marc Yourath my is kof 94 on my neo geo aes

[@Valkian24]

Had the PS1 version back in the day that me and my siblings would play heaps of, so it has a special place in my heart along with Super Street Fighter II on the SNES when it comes to 2D fighters in the 90s. My brother later got the JPN Sega Saturn version several years later :D

[@robertdanker6193]

Love KOF!! Saturn was AWESOME! If I am not mistaken I think they also made that KOF collection for the PSP.

[@RetroCore]

The Saturn was Awesome! I beleive the PSP and Wii versions are based on the US PS2 version with is actually emulated.

[@awwrelic]

I remember having the Saturn version as part of a box set including the Orochi Saga (95, 96 and 97) that also included the 1MB ROM cart. It's what got me hooked on KOF games.

[@RetroCore]

I've got that box set or had it. Can't remember if I sold it once I got the MVS system.

[@Silanda]

The thing with the arranged soundtracks on the Neo CD is that it seems like SNK made specific design choices based on music being played back via CD audio. It only had limited RAM for PCM samples and, perhaps more tellingly, SNK removed a PCM channel from the Neo CD that had variable frequency playback and was frequently used by music on the MVS/AES. AFAIK, most games that sound like they're using the arcade soundtrack are still playing them back from CD.

[@pop2uno]

I still have the gameboy version. I bought it at a kmart for $5.00 US. Kmart was really good for finding hidden gems for cheap. Too bad they're no more close home.

[@DaigoKengo]

My first KOF game i've ever played. Was hooked since.

[@RetroCore]

Good job you didn't join with the first game :) that's a bit of a turkey.

[@DaigoKengo]

Well to be fair, I was able to afford a Neo Geo and KOF 94 so I had to go with the PS1 version of KOF 95.... which is notorious of bad loading times lol.

[@MegaShingo97]

@@RetroCore I don't know why you dislike KoF 94. For me 94 and 95 plays the same, that's why i've always prefered 96 onwards.

[@marioghernandez4960]

Great show as always

[@EastyyBlogspot]

I remember walking into a Virgin Megastores in Norwich many years ago.....and saw Kof95 on saturn and I was really surprised so i had to get it, the rom cart was a big surprise to

[@RetroCore]

Yep, you have to admit that Sega Europe sure had the edge of Sega US. So many Japanese games git the European treatment. Even stuff like Parodius and Dragon Ball made it.

[@GWNBF]

Such a joy to play this game. Thanks for the high quality upload as always.

[@RetroCore]

You're welcome, GWNBF

[@djpeterabreu]

great video! thumbs up for playing with king, still one of my favorite characters

[@RetroCore]

I used to be good with King and a few other characters too. For making this video it was the first time I had played the KOF 95 in almost 10 years.

[@knightstwenk176]

King is one of my mains too.

[@shinkazama3959]

Thanks Mark, I spent a small fortune acquiring the PAL version of this game for the PS1 / PSX, looks like i'll have to do it again obtaining the vastly superior Saturn version, either way awesome video mate :)

[@RetroCore]

At least you're in luck as the Saturn KOF 95 did actually get a UK release. Those in America have no choice.

[@motherbrain86]

i know its been said tons of times but iori has the greatest laugh in video game history

[@snesfan8935]

Neo Geo and Saturn for the win.

[@newtypepunk9967]

Damn the music alone takes me back in time to the old arcade days. I have the orochi collection, but I do like what I saw of the Saturn version, I might have to pick that up if I see it cheap, KOF is one of my favourite game series, nice video!

[@RetroCore]

Sadly the Saturn version is only cheap in Japan but even then it's not that cheap. About 3000 yen these days.

[@newtypepunk9967]

Yeah I looked at the PAL version, 60 pounds upwards. The Japanese version is cheaper yeah, but I've seen a few people selling it without the cart. Like I said I have the Japanese PS2 Orochi collection, so the Saturn version is just something I will keep an eye out for, if I can get a good deal on it. Theirs plenty of other games to collect first :D

[@RetroCore]

Man, I feel sorry for anyone who gets sold the Saturn disc without the cart. It's useless unless you have the cart to go along with it.

[@newtypepunk9967]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, good job I watched your video before :) otherwise I would have no idea.

[@luisreyes1963]

I had both the PlayStation & Game Boy versions of KOF '95. Both were challenging and yet, somehow Takara made Yuri & Athena even cuter on the GB version!

[@Bloodreign1]

KoF 95 on the PS1 is actually quite easy, it's the only version I can blow through without any problems. Could regularly take Mai or Athena alone and beat the game quite handily.

[@SuperHighTechGamer]

Uber favorite KOF! This game opened up the world of SNK in a big way just because you could edit teams. Picked this up brand new for the AES back in the day if you can believe it. In the US, the only way you could play it outside the arcade was the PlayStation port, but it was overshadowed by 3D games like Tekken and such. Saturn import was where it was at, but you needed a specialized device to play it. It took awhile, but the PS 2 collection is a great way to play KOF. Nice botp!

[@RetroCore]

Wow, you must have been in the money to buy the AES version back in the day.

[@SuperHighTechGamer]

Thanks to Die Hard GameFan magazine, I saved all my pennies for it based on their review. Was lucky enough to find the console and many games second-hand bitd. Otherwise, it would of been impossible lol

[@RetroCore]

Die hard game fan was such a great magazine. We used to import it in to the UK.

[@alexq2930]

Another excellent video. The Gameboy port is great IMO considering the hardware limitations.

[@RetroCore]

You're right there. It's nit a bad little fighter for the hardware it's running on.

[@Alianger]

The SFX are actually a bit compressed/muffled on the Saturn though.

[@RetroCore]

They maybe a tinny amount but to my ears they sound on par with the Neo CD. Maybe that's also compressed a little?

[@Alianger]

Yeah a little.

[@SoftBank47]

Jeez! You gain meter so fast in this game, especially when blocking specials! And that damage, man. This game is so busted compared to later KOF games, even in the Orochi Saga (KOF '97 is my favorite, for the record).

[@RetroCore]

Yeah, I agree. The amount of damage you can sustain in a few hits is a joke.

[@nicotoscani7706]

I wonder why more developers didn’t use the Rom cart/CD combo on the Saturn. Worked well on this one.

[@bhirawamaylana466]

Nico Toscani probably the cause of it is expensive also saturn is infamous for hard to program, many developer also angry to sega coz rushing saturn launch make them cannot study saturn tools in time make it another reason many people say saturn is the worst 5th gen console to program and move on to Play Station which more easy to program and have better tool than saturn.

[@Tempora158]

Because the RAM cart/CD combo is flexible and a lot cheaper, requiring a one time purchase of the RAM cart by the user instead of a unique ROM cart for each game. Would've been great if Saturn KOF95 was reworked to use the 1MB RAM cart for the KOF Best Collection re-release, where the game loads the content of the KOF95 ROM cart (which holds 1MB of data) to the 1MB RAM cart.

[@RetroCore]

I guess the biggest reason is cost. There's only one other game that works like this and that's an Ultraman game and to be honest I struggle to see why the game even needed a ROM cartridge.

[@DragonSlayerKyo]

The animation in Ultraman was so bad.

[@rockmanhunter]

And the Saturn wins one more time. The ROM Cartridge+CD combination was an interesting idea but never fully explored (actually only 2 Saturn games works this way if I'm not mistaken).

[@RetroCore]

Yep, KOF 95 and a crappy Ultraman game.

[@captaincommando2602]

KOF on Game Boy still rocks. The Saturn port wins but I choose the NEO GEO CD version.

[@motherbrain86]

Ultra masterpiece, and really love the game boy port as well, just beated it two weeks ago, my faves are king , iori, yuri,athena and takuma

[@RetroCore]

I'm a big fan of Athena in KOF 96.

[@motherbrain86]

always loved athena and her shouts or PYSCHO BALLLLL!!!!!! throughout the years, love playing her 2 arcade titles as well athena and psycho soldier

[@RetroCore]

I used to have Psycho Soldier on the Master System. It was a pretty cool game.

[@realevostevo]

Interesting that the PS and Saturn version didn't let you select the soundtrack. That was something I always liked about Streetfighter Alpha/Zero 1 and 2 ports, they had the option for original or remixed soundtrack. Some of the remixed tracks were pretty good too, I used to swap back and forth between playthroughs.

[@Tempora158]

PS1 and Saturn version uses red book audio and there isn't enough space on the CD to contain the entirety of both the arcade and arranged soundtrack. Street Fighter Alpha/Zero 2 ports never had an option for the soundtrack, it was always the arranged version on the PS1 and Saturn. Not even Street Fighter Alpha Anthology gives you a choice; it was always the arcade soundtrack for Street Fighter Alpha 2 and the arranged soundtrack for Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold.

[@realevostevo]

That's interesting but the arranged and original soundtracks were indeed on the PS1 ports of Alpha 1 and 2. At least in the options menu they were, perhaps I remember the playthroughs incorrectly but I'm fairly certain. I had both soundtracks recorded onto audio cassette tapes back then, both arranged and original stage music.

[@Tempora158]

Street Fighter Alpha 1 PS1/Saturn ports gave you the choice of the arcade or arranged music. Street Fighter Alpha 2 PS1/Saturn ports gave you no choice, it was just the arranged music.

[@realevostevo]

Ahh, ok, well that makes sense then. It was 20 years ago give or take, I've long lost that old audio tape I had. Good tunes though, I used to fall asleep listening to it.

[@88milhasBr]

You can select a winning pose by pressing the attack buttons in any version of this game

[@RetroCore]

I should try that on the Neo CD

[@fifaworldcup1994]

I really like some CDA soundtracks, like the Psycho Soldiers Team theme.

[@shattercross]

While I do enjoy the chiptunes, the KOF games had some of the best arranged soundtracks in existence.

[@yukatoshi]

I have KoF ‘94 and it’s impressive for the era. The sprites are huge compared to MegaDrive and SNES, and sooo many colours!

[@RetroCore]

This is true. I always thought that stage in the park? Looked cool when it rained.

[@RedRanger2001]

For me, it's either the original Neo Geo or the Neo Geo CD port.

[@tra0459]

Sega Saturn with ram cart for the win. Thanks Sega of America for leaving most games and ports in Japan 😑😑😑

[@RetroCore]

Sega of America and Sony of American come to think of it were both a joke back then. Why didn't they want 2D? That's what the consumer wanted. At least Sega of Europe were more in touch with their fan base.

[@greensun1334]

'95 is still my favourite part of KoF.

[@msamiullah001]

Thanks for doing such an awesome comparison. It would be great if you could add input lag comparison as well. I think ps2 versions are emulation based and might have bit more input lag than others, am I right on this ?

[@RetroCore]

Ah, you are thinking of the US PS2 release. That is indeed emulation. I will mention this in next week's video which is KOF '96

[@msamiullah001]

thanks, any possibility of doing input lag test ?

[@johns6265]

Haha! That PS2 King of Fighters Collection is probably worth owning I think to myself... It takes me nearly a minute to realise that I already do own it but I'd forgotten about it.

[@RetroCore]

Hahaha, oh man. I've done that so many times. It's even worse when you go and buy something then realise you already have it and now have two.

[@Konuvis]

SNK always have some awesome backgrounds.

[@RetroCore]

Yes they do

[@masterlee1988]

Nice that KOF is on here, you can now do 96-99.

[@RetroCore]

They'll be coming over the year :)

[@huguipex]

You forgot the extra character in KOF 95 for gameboy NAKORURU from samurai shodown

[@Bloodreign1]

When it comes to KoF 95-97 on the PS2, stick with the Japanese Orochi Hen, none of the bugs of the US Orochi Saga, and really no load times at all. It is my version of choice, and for awhile it was going cheaper than the US Orochi Saga on the PS2 (though Orochi Saga has dropped in value). 97 happens to be my favorite of the Orochi trilogy, and the one on PS2 in the Japanese compilation plays so damned well, I swear I want to line my quarters up for next play, then I realize, I'm at home, and there's no arcade machine here, that's how good the Japanese Orochi Hen compilation really is.

[@RetroCore]

I've tried both and I do agree the Japanese release is best BUT it looks soft compared to the crisp Saturn port. It's something to do with the video output on the PS2. I run my PS2 via D-Terminal which is the Japanese version of Component while the Saturn is run via RGB.

[@Bloodreign1]

@@RetroCore The Saturn port's sound issues really do irk me for KoF 97 and 96, like the characters swallowed helium. Plus there's no load times in the Japanese compilation, a major plus in my book, but that western PS2 release, ugh unnecessary load times (the Wii Orochi Saga in the west had no load times, the PS2 western version was botched badly).

[@Fortuna1]

Has KoF 95 for gameboy, is really good, yes, has a english version this game

[@TheRacingOtaku]

The GB version is pretty cool.

[@RetroCore]

Have you seen the GB version of KOF '96? That's even better.

[@gio048]

I don’t think any other company comes close to graphics and animation like Neo Geo,by far the best🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@RetroCore]

They certainly were some of the best of the time.

[@CriminalCrimson]

WOW YES! Finally a KOF game on Battle of the Ports. But, personally i dont know any arcade hardcore or casual gamer who didnt liked the Arranged music of any Neo Geo game. Those are beautiful soundtracks, sometimes are very different or experimental (for example Funky Esaka KOF95) which i can understand is hard to like, but overall Neo Geo Arranged Soundtracks are a masterpieces. I know is your opinnion, you are welcome :D next KOF please!

[@RetroCore]

I may cover the KOF 96 in a few weeks and then 97 and 98 if I can find enough ports which aren't emulation.

[@JonCampos80]

Being myself a chip music fan, I need to say that the KOF series benefited the most with CD Redbook music, they nailed perfectly. Other Neogeo games get silly at CD soundtrack, too over the top, but not the KOF series.

[@RetroCore]

I guess I have a soft spot for the Yamaha sound.

[@yethboth7873]

With the Gameboy version, is it the Super Gameboy version you was playing due to colour used in the game?

[@RetroCore]

Yes, I was playing it via the Super GameBoy. I should have mentioned that during the video.

[@DragonSlayerKyo]

I always thought that the opening in the PS1 port looked like a compressed video. It just doesn't seem to move as smoothly as it does in the other versions of the game.

[@RetroCore]

It does run slower as we can see form the side by side comparison but it is actual graphics.

[@DragonSlayerKyo]

Still really can't take my eye off of how jagged it looks, though. It's somewhat distracting.

[@InvokeSoul]

And the Wii port of Orochi Saga?

[@RetroCore]

That's emulation, not an actual port.

[@RemyLanslots]

Interesting look at these versions side by side. However, you have not mentioned the re-releases the game received on PlayStation 3 via Neo Geo Station and PlayStation 4/Xbox One via Arcade Archives Neo Geo. Do you intend to take a look at these in the future? Or perhaps other games that received re-releases on these sub-platforms? Also, are the Wii and PSP-versions of these games identical to the PS2-release, seeing as those two platforms also received versions of "The King of Fighters: The Orochi Saga?"

[@RetroCore]

All of those re-release versions are just emulations of the Arcade ROM so I'm afraid they can't be included in Battle of the Ports since they're not really ports.

[@RemyLanslots]

Thank you for the reply! Now I know your reasoning for not including them, and also not to bother you with any such questions on any future games that might have received a similar treatment.

[@RetroCore]

No worries, Remy L. Sometimes it's difficult to know what is and isn't emulated. This particular video has an error because I failed to mention that the US release of the PS2 game is in fact emulated. It's not the same as the Japanese release which was reprogrammed. I'll be addressing this oversight in the next video, The King of Fighters '96 as that also has the same issue when it comes to the PS2 port. Fans of the game say the US release is horrible. Bad screen resolution, unresponsive gameplay and just overall poor emulation. Can't say I've tried the US release myself but a lot of people have mentioned this in the comments of this video.

[@chamchamtrigger]

I tend to prefer the original music, but Kim's team's arranged music was really good. I definitely preferred that version of the theme. EDIT: I also spent hours on the game boy version. My main problem with that game was that the computer didn't know how to deal with slow fireballs at all. If you threw any slow fireball, it would just stop and try to dodge, and always get hit. Other than that, it was a really good effort considering what it was released on.

[@RetroCore]

Have you played the KOF'96 on the GameBoy? That's everything better.

[@chamchamtrigger]

I've played a little, but only on emulator. When I played 95, I had the actual cart and a super game boy, so I spent a lot of my time playing it. Since I played 96 many years later on an emulator, I didn't get to appreciate it as much as I should have. I know you're 100% right on this though (also saw your video on it). I also remember playing Nettou King of Fighters 97, but that may have been a rom hack. I should've googled it before posting this. EDIT: Yeah it was a rom hack.

[@vasileios6301]

Saturn Kof 95 is perfect,even the PAL version is optimised.And ofcourse is a rare gem. But like many other ports,PSX Kof 95 is very nice and no problems with it,arranged music is equally awesome like the AES/MVS one.

[@RetroCore]

I have to admit, I was surprised at how well the port was on the PSX. I was expecting much worse but in the end it was very good. Just a shame about that loading.

[@rafaellima83]

The gameboy game is incredibly good, but Nettou KoF 96 on the Gameboy is freaking AWESOME to the point of being a lot better than many 16/32 bits fighting games I pkayed.

[@RetroCore]

That's coming next week :)

[@Octopuswithcorn]

In regards to the PS2 collections. They both are extirely different. The Japanese one is more like those Fatal Fury and Samurai Shodown collections that came out here. With the hexagonal main menus, original/arranged music opinion, and a color edit mode. While the U.S version has more games and extras, such as unlockable artwork and a practice mode, the emulation quality of the games is a LOT worse (Listen to the end of the intro theme in the video, it sounds nothing like the original). They also seem to be based of the MVS versions rather than AES (or at least '98 was) Also the aforementioned practice mode just regenerates the pratice dummies life faster than you can reduce it, but dut to '95s massive damage output, it's possible to bypass the regeneration and KO the dummy. Thus making it the only time I've ever won at practice mode.

[@turbogear7776]

Man, does'nt get too much better than this little gem. Saturn version was pretty impressive but Aes all the way!!

[@RetroCore]

If I had the money the AES would have been the way to go but for a fraction of the price the Saturn port is fantastic.

[@msk33]

Hello, Nice video. I am pretty sure that the Neo cd version lack the winning pose when there is a perfect (Ryo). It would also have been nice to know the details about the missing animation on the Saturn version (what is missing). Also I do not think that the ps2 version could be considered as a port since it is technically the emulated game of the arcade version and not a remade game/port like the others versions.

[@RetroCore]

Ah, the PS2 version is different in japan. The Japanese games are actually ported and vastly superior than the western release. Please check out my KOF '96 video where I mention this. I should have mentioned it in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3_VYWp5mdZqrMk&lc=UgycX-0ix1XDHt0rwrl4AaABAg I'm not sure what animation frames are missing from the Saturn game. To be honest I couldn't notice any but the hard core fans say there are missing frames.

[@lightdark28]

The NeoGeo CD's 1X CD drive and lack of cache really hurt it, had SNK put in a 2X CD drive it could have probably been the best version. The GB version has some pretty decent animation given the hardware, I have KOF97 on the Saturn , which I quite like, how different is KOF95?

[@RetroCore]

I'd say KOF '97 is vastly superior to' 95. Better ballance and more characters.

[@vasileios6301]

Kof 95 has mostly better backgrounds than 97 (except the Bali stage on 97 which is incredible) and ofcourse much better music (97 is missing tunes in half of the stages in favour of ambience effects-a formula never used again in Kofs) Other than that its a more simplistic game than 97,97 is among the most competitive KOFs along with 98 and 2002.

[@eddiexavier2752]

Sega Saturn version is the best version for me. A lot of correction in gameplay like kensou kick

[@RetroCore]

I agree.

[@shinkenji]

I own the PAL PS2 KOF Orochi Collection and I noticed that it has very bad scaling. It's easy to see on the pattern of the life bar. It also produces nasty artifacts when the background is scrolling. The PAL Version has a 50Hz and 60Hz mode, but the scaling is off in both modes. It doesn't look so bad in your video though. Is this the japanese version of the orochi collection you where showing? But the PS1 version in your video has also very bad scaling. Is this due to the emulator you used or does it really look like this?

[@RetroCore]

The PS2 version in this video was the US version. The PlayStation port was the Japanese one running via PS2. Maybe that has an effect on the look?

[@shinkenji]

hmm... usually PS1 games should output the same resolution when running on a PS2 as on real PS1 hardware. Don't know exactly what's wrong here. But after looking at it again, the PS1 Version does indeed look a little bit more pixelated than the Saturn version. It's like Symphony of the Night but only the other way around, where the Saturn version was more pixelated than the PS1 version.

[@ViDiGames1]

No Vice or Kula. That's uncool. Though I love the series. Thanks for the video.

[@reignick1133]

Vice didn't come around til 97 and Kula after that... That's like complaining there is no Rolento , Gen ,Sodom, Sakura, Rose or Adon in Street Fighter 2. Your "point" is invalid.

[@ViDiGames1]

I'm aware of that. I was half-joking.

[@tra0459]

ViDi Games Vice was on team Iori in KOF 96

[@ViDiGames1]

tra0459 That's why it's my favourite team. ;)

[@tra0459]

ViDi Games Team Iori was my favorite 2.

[@ashfury]

While PS1 ports of most 2D games tend to be inferior to the Saturn versions, growing up with only the PS1, I still had a lot of fun playing games like KOF '95 and SFA3. I don't think many kids knew there were missing frames - gameplay-wise they still played quite well.

[@RetroCore]

I know what you mean. There are some awful PSX fighting games but KOF 95 isn't one of them. It's a pretty solid port.

[@cannonballkid]

Shout-out to the unofficial Neo Geo CD port of KOF 95 on the Dreamcast!

[@FLHilde]

that was emulation not a port.

[@RetroCore]

Sadly thats emulation :)

[@toughboy19xx]

I got the Saturn version ;) and waiting for the Neo Geo one, 2018, i'm starting a new AES game collection. My brother got the AES in 1995 and sell it few years after it was very very sad and upset because of the price of the games actually, i remember playing KOF96, Viewpoint, Samurai Shodown 2, Super Sidekick 2, Top Hunter and great hits. #Snk4Ever #TheFutureIsNow

[@RetroCore]

Just imagine if your brother sold that now. It's worth a small fortune.

[@toughboy19xx]

Omg i never let him do it again hahaha :D seriously its not a question of money, video games are a real passion for me (for us gamers) i mean its something related to our childhood and deep souvenir, if i got a time machine haha i will stop it like Trunks in DBZ hahhaha :D . Thank you again for the video, if you could made others it will be great ;) GG

[@RetroCore]

I'll be doing the KOF'96 next.

[@toughboy19xx]

Retro Core oooooh yeaaaah great 96 is my favorite episode with the 97 i like the Orochi saga 👍👍👍

[@davidvfx]

What you think? the Saturn could have produced the OST using only the sound chip and its synthesizer perfectly or at least acceptable.

[@RetroCore]

I reckon it could have done so but that may have impacted memory usage and resulted in lower sound effect samples.

[@davidvfx]

Retro Core I thought it would be contrary, taking the example of the MD where their processor Z80 + YM2612 were famous not to take any resources to the M86k processor and leave it all its capacity. I thought that this was the way to free loading times to the digital samples and avoid decompressing them if they were; or prevent these samples from occupying space in the Ram for more sprites or graphics.

[@loganjones4650]

Does the Orochi Saga support 240p?

[@omargarza5443]

No, it's 480i, but I think the Wii version may be 480p

[@masterlee1988]

Omar Garza Wii version is 480p.

[@RetroCore]

The Wii version is just an emulation of the Arcade ROM :)

[@loganjones4650]

Ah, I'll just get the Virtual Console version. It runs it true 240p, and with far better scaling.

[@lurkerrekrul]

How to play; A - Weak Punch B - Weak Kick C - Strong Punch D - Strong Kick Crazy, obscure button/stick combinations - All the moves you need to actually get anywhere in the game.

[@RetroCore]

I was once a really good KOF player but once KOF 2002 had passed I lost interest in the series. Now I suck at them.

[@lurkerrekrul]

I suck at most fighting games because I usually don't know the control combos to pull off the special moves, which are basically required if you want to get very far in the game. And even when I DO know the combos, they only seem to work about half the time. For example, you might need to press A-B-C in sequence, but if you don't time it perfectly, it doesn't work. And forget any combos that require directional movements as well, if you're playing with a D-pad. I can't even get it to jump diagonally half the time. Even third-person action games that include fighting frustrate me. Such games usually have a tutorial mission at the start which is supposed to teach you the controls, but which require you to execute the combos in order to progress. "Just press Square-Square-Circle-Square to do a whirlwind kick!" Yeah right! 20 minutes later and I'm screaming at the screen and ready to throw the controller against the wall. The only fighting games with special moves that I was ever any good at were Body Blows and Mortal Kombat for the Amiga. Body Blows was designed for a one-button joystick and the port of Mortal Kombat was designed so that the special moves didn't require precise timing or complex moves to do. A special move might just require Back-Back-Button.

[@RetroCore]

It's funny you should mention Mortal Kombat because that's one fighting game I can't do the moves on. Fighting games take time to learn and master. For example I'm great as Sega 3D Fighters since they share similar play styles as do the Dead or Alive games but I'm awful at any Tekken game due to the different play style and that I've never got on with it.

[@lurkerrekrul]

Well, I was only good at the Amiga port of Mortal Kombat. I imagine other ports make use of more buttons for the specials and therefore are probably harder to play. As it was, I could never beat Goro. Anytime I got anywhere near him, he'd grab me and take off about a third of my health. I can usually win the first 2-3 matches in most games just by mashing the buttons and spamming any special moves I might happen to know, but after that I usually get my ass kicked. I'm semi-decent at the Soul Calibur games, even though I don't know most of the special moves. I don't even know what the charge-up button does. Your character stands still and seems to be charging up, but I never seem any more powerful than before. You probably need some special move to take advantage of it... Have you ever played the Rival Schools games? They're 3D fighters with characters that represent the students and faculty of rival schools. You have a team of two characters and can tag-team your opponent with ridiculous attacks. The action is really over the top, with characters sometimes getting knocked back, or up 30-50 feet. The first was in the arcade and on the PS1 and PS3, the second was only on PS1 and the last one was in the arcade and on Dreamcast. To be honest, I never really got into the games enough to follow the story and learn all the mechanics, I just like the silly, over-done moves and action.

[@RetroCore]

Yep, I've played the rival school games. I own the second one on the Dreamcast. It plays more like Tekken than Virtua Fighter so I'm pretty bad at it. I do love Soul Calibur. That was another game were I was a God on it. I played the Dreamcast release to death. These days im average at best. I really need to get back in to that game.

[@ChromaLuke]

11:31 - GO~! GO~! GO~! GO~!

[@bhirawamaylana466]

KOF probably the best SNK game along side metal slug, man i really want SNK revive metal slug franchise now, the last one i know is Metal Slug Defense for smartphone.

[@RetroCore]

I wonder if a modern metal Slug would be any good?

[@bhirawamaylana466]

I hope so, coz i dont see many run and gun game now day.

[@sobesons]

The best system for play KOF95 jp version is PS2.

[@magnumforcemopar402]

David Granados no way those are hacks.

[@Bloodreign1]

+Magnum force Mopar I take it you haven't played the Japanese Orochi Hen then, which is the best versions of 95-97 to have besides the MVS and AES originals. You're thinking of the western compilation, which is gimped, a little research goes a long ways. +David Granados, agreed, wipes the floor with any other home versions of these 3 games, besides of course, the AES versions.

[@bcleary2000]

Its a bit strange that you struggle with the official ps2 pads, I found that all 3rd party pads were pretty much tripe especially the d-pad on 3rd part pads which were atrocious.

[@RetroCore]

I've never liked the design since the original PlayStation pad. They just hurt my thumb when playing fighting games.

[@magnumforcemopar402]

Saturn #1

[@RetroCore]

I'd have to agree with you there.

[@BocaRetroGames]

I have the saturn cartridge to this day ! I was mad about this game back in the day ! But only 20 years later got to play on the saturn

[@magnumforcemopar402]

rbocalini nice I have 96.

[@magnumforcemopar402]

Retro Core Besides the graphics the controller and control is my favorite of the retro consoles. I alway feel lag in other console button inputs after a Saturn marathon.

[@Bloodreign1]

PS2 Orochi Hen begs to differ, even closer to the arcade version, and no need to have an extra cart to run it. And if controllers are an issue, Sega did create a PS2 version of the Saturn pad, but it doesn't sell for cheap these days. Plus SNK did bundle in their Online Collections, this included, a fightstick pad, but that too will cost you a bundle.

[@topofbones]

I enjoyed a lot the Saturn version in my teenager days cause of the 4MB cartdrige that load the game very fast and, of course, the Saturn pad, the best pad ever made for fighting games. Years after this I bought the Orochi Saga for PS2, and didn't like it because of the awful controls. The Gameboy port is amazing!

[@RetroCore]

The Saturn port doesn't use the 4mbit ram cart. It uses its own proprietary Rom cart. Maybe you were thinking of the king of Fighters 96 or 97?

[@topofbones]

Retro Core You're right. It uses it's own cart. I used the 4MB cartdrige for the others, it makes the function of region converter too (doesn't exist PAL versions of 96 and 97)

[@HPLins]

My cousin had a NEO CD and I had a N64 and a Saturn back in the day, so I could play Saturn and NEO CD versions of the game (I had a NEO CD after a long while). In my opinion the Saturn version was the best one because of the loading time and the graphic was basically the same as the NEO CD (I thought the cartridge was a RAM expansion, I didn't know Saturn could read content from the cartridge. Are there any other cartridge game or with game content for Saturn? I know the RAM for Capcom games and this one). PS1 version was really bad like all the NEO GEO and CAPCOM ports, and PS2 and other modern version was to new compare :P Saturn + the arcade stick was my Neo Geo for a LONG time before I buy a NEO CD. And I still don't have a NEO GEO MSV :P (maybe I'll buy it at some point). Where is the Orochi Saga for Wii and the Virtual Console version? Was it released for Nintendo Switch as well? Btw, all GB and GG Neo Geo Takara games are really good! :D Of course aren't like the big brothers, but they are quite good!

[@RetroCore]

There was a Chinese or should I say Taiwanese game for the Saturn that ran from cartridge. It's amazingly rare though. I have no idea what game it is either. The only other game to load data from a cartridge is Ultraman, a 1 on 1 fighter that's pretty awful. I also can't see any reason why it needs the cartridge.

[@pcbjunkie1]

My first reaction was.. "this was ported?"

[@RetroCore]

I can understand that. The first game, KOF 94 only came to the Neo Geo CD.

[@Sakf504]

As poorly as this and 94 may age compared to 96 to onwards (well, mostly. *cough* Neowave *cough* XII), these two game have many of my favorite stages on the series, and they have pretty good sountracks too.

[@CheddarVG]

PlayStation version is pretty much arcade perfect to me.

[@RetroCore]

At first glance it seems that way but there is an awful lot missing.

[@topofbones]

One curiosity. The PAL version of this game have censorship, like many others, but exists a cheat that used in the past for unlocked the tits bounce and the blood xD. Sometimes gives a bug and you must restart the game...but it's a little price for it ;)

[@RetroCore]

Ah, that's just the same as the western Neo Geo versions. The Saturn game is like that if you set it to English. Put it in to Japanese an it's uncensored.

[@geoserenity]

Ah...it's a wonderful day outside. Birds are singing flowers are blooming very early. On days like these, brothers who foolishly bet me that the playstation version was better than the saturn version... *_should be handing over the £20 they owe me_* Also I found a nice wired ps3 controller for recalbox on my raspberry pi for £9 but er, wrong video for that...

[@RetroCore]

I hope you get that 20 pounds :) the Saturn version is vastly better than the PlayStation. It gets worse for PlayStation fans when we move onto ー KOF 96

[@DesertRainReads]

The arranged soundtrack is so much better than the chiptunes.

[@arcademarkRR]

IcedEarthaholic same

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

Oh yeah it is. Especially in KOF 96 with Kim and Chizuru's theme

[@DesertRainReads]

Slade Joseph Wilson and KOF97 with Yashiro, Chris and Shermie's theme, which is called "Bloody".

[@michaelromeo9567]

The Neo Geo chiptune bgm are amazing. it s one of the best part of video game history. Composers or neo geo CD never get the point and it was almost always desappointing.

[@Holothurion]

It's a matter of taste, actually. Personally, I like both, as each version has its own charm and merits on their own right, and this applies for the entire Neo Geo KOF series.

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

Arranged ruins the songs? Someone hasn't heard Fairy and Seoul Road arranged from KOF 96. Also Blue Mary's themes from 97 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fny9l4l5jJiDi6c kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKawpKOMjLlse9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqnMdIN4e9t3iZY

[@RetroCore]

Ah, but KOF '96 and 97 do have some good arrangements :)

[@CaseTheCorvetteMan]

7 seconds and 20 seconds??? And you complain about such a short load time???? Given what it brought to the home, the NEO-CD was a pretty darn good console, the loading times in most games were not an issue, and this is certainly no issue.

[@RetroCore]

I owned a Neo CD and compared to my Saturn and PlayStation, the load times were most certainly an issue, especially in fighting games.

[@CaseTheCorvetteMan]

@@RetroCore yes i know they are, i still have 7 of them including one each front and top loaders still new in the box. The loading times in some games was appauling, but this wasn't one of them. 20 seconds is nothing. You won't even make it to the fridge and back.

[@mastersproutgamer9327]

Yo, why you pickin' Mai, homie?

[@RetroCore]

Isn't that obvious 😁

[@mastersproutgamer9327]

@@RetroCore Hell yeah it is, bro. 😂😂

[@kkndhsk1621]

PS version have very poor A.I. All opponents away stand and shoot projectile, no gard no dodge.

[@hikaruk.981]

The US PS2 Orochi Collection was garbage. Instead of the actual ports that Japan got, the US was stuck with Terminal Reality trying to run an emulator on the PS2, and the games skipped frames often.

[@RetroCore]

Really? I wasn't aware of that.

[@SaturnHST]

The US PS2 King of Fighters Collection is different than the Japanese PS2 King of Fighters Orochi Saga. It doesn't have the arranged soundtracks, color edit or any bonuses of the Japanese version. There isn't even a Vs mode IIRC. Also there are missing animation frames. So while the Japanese PS2 is the best version, the US PS2 version is one of the worst.

[@SaturnHST]

I don't have it anymore but I remember it not having Vs mode, so to play two players you had to go to Arcade mode and have the 2nd player join in.

[@joshcb]

You should mention that you're showing a Super Gameboy enhanced game on a Super Gameboy. It's not that good on an actual portable gameboy.

[@RetroCore]

Fair comment although I thought it was pretty obvious with the boarder around the screen. I'll mention it next time.

[@billybadass3056]

one thing u have to say about this fuk ass system is that it lasted a LONG Time Despite itself..... like REALLY

[@RetroCore]

It sure did. I was surprised it lasted as long as it did.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

KOF never did much for me.

[@krugergreen5612]

Psx version was horrible Sega Saturn was the shit

[@RetroCore]

Just wait until next week's show which will feature KOF '96. I've heard the PlayStation port of that is pretty poor. I'll be playing it tonight.

[@krugergreen5612]

Retro Core every KOF was the shit

[@STLetsgetitonnow]

Ast>>>>>>Ost

[@WWammyy]

Naw the chiptunes are better for sure

[@RetroCore]

I agree. I just wasn't a fan of the arrangements used on Neo CD games for the most part.

[@TitoThen]

Maybe you can't play fighting games if you find the PS2 pad bad for fighters lol.

[@RetroCore]

No, PS pads are just not good for fighting games. Just how the Xbox 360 pad isn't any good either. The best pads are the Japanese Saturn pad and Neo Geo CD pad.

[@TitoThen]

Retro Core Actually I played a lot of pads for fighting games, and the PS2 pad was considered one of the best for fighting games, no wonder there were a lot of fighting games released for it & kept that same design for 3 gaming generations. If PS pads aren't that good for fighters according to you, then explain to me how a competitive player like Luffy won a USF4 tournament at Evo 2014 using a PS1 pad?..

[@RetroCore]

Because thats all he probably ever used and that's what he was accustom to using. That doesn't mean its the best. People follow what's popular, not what's good. That's just the way the world is. Let's just say this, in China and Japan they mod Arcade cabinets to use control pads for fighting games. What pads do they use? Japanese Sega Saturn pads. If you think that the PSX pad is the best (despite having no diagonal on it) then that's fine. We all like different things and have different options. There's even people who think all control pads are rubbish and that only joysticks work well for shooters and Fighters. It's all personal preference. I've been playing console games since the mid 80s and have used so many console official controllers. For the longest time the SNES pad was concidered best until the Sega 6 button Mega Drive pad arrived. Following that came the Japanese Saturn pad and Neo CD pad.

[@TitoThen]

Retro Core Lol, ok they mod control pads in japan and use the saturn pad, and? That's in Japan, it doesn't change anything, maybe you should do your research and ask people how is the PS pads on fighting games because they have being used favorably in fighting games, just like the mistake you made by saying Alpha 2 was a port of the PS1 version when in fact it was an emulation. I said it's one of the best controllers for fighters, not simply the best, yeah, and I agree with Saturn & Dreamcast also being on the list, but PS is also part of it. I used a lot of controllers just like you, maybe you didn't play with that enough, if you base your preference based on the 6-face button, fine, PS had a great dpad, to me it was all about the directionals/analog, I could handle any button layout, like I said, Sony had a good reason for keeping that design for a long time. Last but not least, Luffy had the choice of going with a different pad, but he chose that one, so do me a favor, just base your opinion as being simply an opinion because you tried to base it as a fact, later..

[@RetroCore]

Looks like unless I agree with you that the PSX pad is best then you will not be happy. I don't think it is and that's that. If you do then that's great. Any true fighting game master would chose a joystick anyway over any pad since that's how all arcade fighting games are designed to be played.

[@SharonisCarin321]

PS1 for me. Affordable✔ Playable✔ Exclusive features ✔ I'm perfectly fine with the long loading. It don't bother me

[@Kolpax.619]

PS2 pads horrible for fighting games?? I will admit(since I have a PS2 NEO GEO pad), the PS2 button layout isn't very NEO GEO friendly, but they work fine and are very responsive. It's not like trying to play a fighting game with the original xbox and xbox 360 controllers. Those by far are the worst pads for fighters on a mainstream system.

[@RetroCore]

Try using a Japanese Saturn pad and you'll see just how bad the PS1 and PS2 controllers are for fighting games. The Saturn pad is the best controller ever made for Fighters and shooters. So good that some Japanese arcades even modded them in to arcade cabinets.

[@Kolpax.619]

I agree, just like the NEO GEO pads, the Saturn pads are great as well. I have a Saturn 6 button style for all my consoles and is what I prefer to use for all my fighters. I personally just thought it was a little harsh saying that PS2 pads are just straight horrible when they aren't. As far as the main stream systems, if you are playing on a first party pad, I would have say the PS2 is the best from that generation of consoles for fighters. I had to get PS2 adapters so I could play the Xbox fighters properly due to the Xbox D-pad being horrible. I want to get a Brook adapter so I can use my PS2 Saturn style pad on PS4, but my HORI Fight Commander has been a pretty good to me so far though.

[@RetroCore]

Ah, I do agree that the D-pad on the 360 controller is absolutely awful when it comes to fighting games. Far worse than the PlayStation style.

[@picoaga]

don't buy the orochi saga for the US ver. ITS AWFUL, get the japan ver instead

[@PTminatoPT]

ure not the first 1 to say that.im honestly curious why is that? is it because its censored,or there´s more to it? thx

[@RetroCore]

It turns out that the US release is all emulation and poorly done emulation at that. The Japanese release is actually ported so the games have been reprogrammed to run on the PS2.

[@Bloodreign1]

And I must say, KoF 95, 96, and 97 run as smooth as silk in the Japanese compilation. If I weren't a collector, I would have never needed any other versions of these 3 games (but alas,I bought the PS1, and Saturn versions, minus Saturn 95 for obvious reasons, no cart swapping on a US Saturn. Plus the Wii Orochi Saga, and the Gameboy version of 95 I had to have, still need 96 on GB, and 94 Rebout).