Kyo Kusanagi
The series' central fighter and heir to the Kusanagi clan's flame-manipulating techniques.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Joystick | Move, crouch, and jump |
|---|---|
A | Light punch |
B | Light kick |
C | Heavy punch |
D | Heavy kick |
Start | Begin or confirm arcade selections |
Combos and sequences
ABCD | Select Advanced or Extra mode at the mode-selection screen The exact selection depends on the cabinet's confirmation behavior. |
|---|
Control notes
Arcade button labels may vary by cabinet, but the standard layout uses A, B, C, and D.
Command moves require joystick directions combined with attack buttons.
The game supports both Advanced and Extra play styles.
How it plays
How does The King of Fighters '97 play?
Each match is a one-on-one fight between teams of three. A defeated fighter is replaced by the next teammate, and the surviving character retains some remaining health. The objective is to eliminate the opposing team before time expires.
Players choose Advanced or Extra mode before forming a team. Advanced mode emphasizes running, stocks three power gauges, and enables the emergency recovery roll; Extra mode uses a charge-based gauge, hopping, and a desperation attack state. Winning matches grants experience-like power management benefits within the arcade run, while boss encounters lead to the story conclusion.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play The King of Fighters '97?
Learn the differences between Advanced and Extra mode before choosing a team. Advanced is generally more flexible for movement and meter storage, while Extra rewards careful charge management and deliberate counterattacks.
Preserve the point character's life when possible, use the guard meter and rolls intelligently, and practice confirming light attacks into safe special moves. Save full-power attacks for reliable openings rather than spending the gauge on low-probability attempts.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Iori Yagami
Kyo's violent rival, whose Yagami flames and unstable power make him a major figure in the Orochi conflict.
Chizuru Kagura
A shrine maiden and one of the Three Sacred Treasures who seeks fighters capable of stopping Orochi's return.
Orochi
The supernatural entity at the center of the game's concluding storyline.
Documented inputs
What cheats and unlocks are documented?
Hidden characters such as Orochi Iori and Orochi Leona are generally selectable in home versions after meeting version-specific conditions; arcade availability depends on board revision or service settings.Unlock methods vary significantly by version, so hidden bosses are not standard selectable characters in the original arcade release.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Use training and repeated arcade matches to learn each character's command normals and cancel routes.
- 2
Do not spend the entire power gauge immediately; meter can decide the final character battle.
- 3
Watch the timer closely, especially when defending a lead with a low-health character.
Community discussion
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