A legendary roster, sprites that snap, and an absolute reference for anyone who wore out the arcade cabinets of the 90s.

KOF '97's profile rests on few votes, so let's stay measured. One thing still stands out strong: with a controller in hand, it sits ahead of 93% of games. That's high. Very high. The soundtrack follows, ahead of three quarters. But the moment you switch to the emotional side, the tone changes. Attachment and fun fall back toward the bottom, around or below a third. The tension of a great arcade game is here, to be confirmed on these early duels: it delights the fingers but touches the heart less. It's a game you respect for what it does, not necessarily the one you hold close.

In the lineage of SNK versus fighters, it embodies the Neo Geo golden age, the team system, pixel-perfect timing. A demanding classic, built for the arcade hall more than for soft nostalgia.

So, who's it for? You, if you love old-school technical brawling, the raw joy of combos and a soundtrack that hits. Much less if you want a game that tells you something or pulls you in with its world.