The King of Fighters 2001

The King of Fighters 2001
File:The King of Fighters 2001 (cover).jpg Cover artwork for the Neo Geo version featuring K'.
Developer(s)	BrezzaSoft, Eolith
Publisher(s)	Eolith, Playmore
Director(s)	Lee Sen Ho
Producer(s)	Chil Suk Choi
Composer(s)	Papaya (Masahiko Hataya)
Series	The King of Fighters
Platform(s)	Arcade Neo Geo Dreamcast PlayStation 2 PlayStation Network Windows
Release	Arcade NA: 2001 JP: November 15, 2001 Neo Geo NA: March 14, 2002 JP: March 14, 2002 Dreamcast JP: December 26, 2002 PlayStation 2 JP: October 23, 2003 PlayStation Network JP: July 15, 2015
Genre(s)	Fighting game
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneously
Arcade system	Neo Geo

The King of Fighters 2001 (stylized as KOF '01) is a Template:Vgy competitive fighting game produced by Eolith for the Neo Geo. It is the eighth game in The King of Fighters series and the first game produced following the closure of the original SNK. The game was produced by the Korean-based company Eolith and developed by BrezzaSoft and Eolith, a company formed by former SNK employees. The game was ported to the Sega Dreamcast in Japan only and PlayStation 2. The stand-alone PlayStation 2 version was released in North America and Europe in a two-in-one bundle with the preceding game in the series, The King of Fighters 2000. Both the original Neo Geo version and the Sega Dreamcast version were included in The King of Fighters NESTS Hen compilation released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan.

Gameplay

File:May Lee - 2001 screeny.png

May Lee is using her 'May Lee Chop!' attack against Sie Kensou while in hero mode

Like in the previous game, the battles are once again between teams of four. Instead of a strict "three fighters and one striker" format, this installment introduces the Tactical Order System, which allows the player to select which characters will they control in combat and which characters will serve as strikers. Before each match, the player can form a team configuration of four fighters and no strikers, to one fighter and three strikers. The number of strikers in one's team will affect the length and number of stocks of the player's Power Gauge. Teams with no strikers will have a longer Power Gauge to fill and can carry only one stock, while a team with only one fighter and three strikers will fill their Power Gauge quicker and carry up to four stocks. One stock can be used to summon a striker, perform a guard or super cancel, a blow-away attack, or a Super Special Move. MAX-level Super Special Moves requires two stocks to perform. Players can now cancel an attack into a Striker Summon with use of a Cancel Striker, while some characters now have Wire Whip techniques which will send an opponent flying into the air and arrive at the other side of the fighting area.

Plot

Time has passed since most of Southtown was decimated by the now-destroyed Zero Cannon. Another KOF tournament is being held and this time, it's hosted by the NESTS Organization, the group of antagonists behind the events of the previous two games.

K′ and Maxima return to put an end to NESTS once and for all. They are now joined by former Ikari Team member Whip and the assassin Lin formerly from Benimaru's Team, both of whom are seeking the destruction of NESTS as well. NESTS sends their own team to compete in the tournament, composed of NESTS agents Kula Diamond, K9999, Foxy, and Angel. Kyo Kusanagi joins his former teammates of Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon, reuniting the original Japan Team along with Shingo Yabuki, while Iori Yagami joins a team composed of agents Seth, Vanessa, and Ramon. Yuri Sakazaki rejoins the Art of Fighting Team, while King and Mai Shiranui once again lead the Women Fighters Team along with the returning Li Xiangfei and Hinako Shijo. Heidern also makes his KOF return, taking Whip's place in the Ikari Team, while Kim Kaphwan's young student May Lee takes over Jhun Hoon's place in the Korean Team, who is unable to compete due to an injury.

Characters

Hero Team

• K′
• Maxima
• Whip
• Lin

Japan Team

• Kyo Kusanagi
• Benimaru Nikaido
• Goro Daimon
• Shingo Yabuki

Rival Team

• Iori Yagami
• Vanessa
• Ramon
• Seth

Fatal Fury Team

• Terry Bogard
• Andy Bogard
• Joe Higashi
• Blue Mary

Art of Fighting Team

• Ryo Sakazaki
• Robert Garcia
• Yuri Sakazaki
• Takuma Sakazaki

Ikari Team

• Leona
• Ralf
• Clark
• Heidern

Women Team

• King
• Mai Shiranui
• Hinako Shijo
• Li Xiangfei

Psycho Soldier Team

• Athena Asamiya
• Sie Kensou
• Chin Gentsai
• Bao

Korea Team

• Kim Kaphwan
• Chang Koehan
• Choi Bounge
• May Lee

NESTS Team

• Kula Diamond
• K9999
• Angel
• Foxy

Bosses

• Original Zero (Sub-Boss)
• Igniz (Main Boss)

Strikers

• Krizalid
• Ron
• Glaugan

External links

• SNK Playmore's official The King of Fighters 2001 website Template:Ja
• The King of Fighters 2001 at MobyGames