The King of Fighters '97 PS1 box art

PlayStation · Fighting

The King of Fighters '97

SystemPlayStation
Released1998
GenreFighting
DeveloperSNK Corporation
PublisherSNK Corporation
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesThe King of Fighters
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 11

Released for the PlayStation in 1998, The King of Fighters '97 is a fighting game developed by SNK Corporation.

It landed about 3 years into the PS1's life. Other notable PS1 releases from 1998 include Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil 2 and Tomb Raider II. Among the 106 PS1 fighting games in our database, it ranks #20 by legacy score.

It is part of the The King of Fighters series; on the PS1 you can also try The King of Fighters '96, The King of Fighters '99 and The King of Fighters '94. The series also appears on other systems with The King of Fighters '94 (Neo Geo) and The King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo). SNK Corporation also made Real Bout Fatal Fury for the PS1.

The King of Fighters '97 supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer story-driven games or have no one to play against

What playing The King of Fighters '97 is like

Fighting games pit two characters against each other in short one-on-one bouts. Depth comes from learning special moves, combos and each character's strengths.

Tip for newcomers: Pick one character and learn their basic special moves before branching out. Fighting games are at their best against a friend at a similar skill level.

The King of Fighters '97 gameplay screenshot on PS1
In-game screenshot (PS1)

The King of Fighters '97 walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for The King of Fighters '97.

If you like The King of Fighters '97, the Matrix also picks…

Playing PS1 games today

PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

The King of Fighters '97 FAQ

When did The King of Fighters '97 come out on the PS1?

The King of Fighters '97 was released for the PlayStation in 1998.

Who made The King of Fighters '97?

It was developed by SNK Corporation.

Is The King of Fighters '97 multiplayer?

Yes. The King of Fighters '97 supports up to 2 players.

How long does The King of Fighters '97 take to play?

As a fighting game, The King of Fighters '97 typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about The King of Fighters '97 on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you