Item: KOF '97 ACA NEOGEO
Rating: 89
Author: Dinsun

Our Expert Score

89/100

The King of Fighters '97 is a landmark title in the KOF series, and having it on mobile via the ACA NEOGEO line is a treat for retro gaming fans. This game concluded the epic 'Orochi Saga' and features a massive roster of 35 characters, including secret versions of the New Faces team.

The port allows for both 'Advanced' and 'Extra' play styles, which was a huge deal at the time of its release. The touch controls are okay for casual play, but for executing high-level combos with characters like Iori or Kyo, a physical controller is almost a necessity. The visuals are crisp, the sound is authentic, and the inclusion of international leaderboards adds a modern competitive layer. It’s an essential piece of fighting game history that still holds up remarkably well in 2026.

Dinsun reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1672882740

$3.99 13+★4.3 6 reviews

Author : SNK CORPORATION

Pubish Date : Invalid Date

Last Update Date : Invalid Date

Support Languages : English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

Genres :

Version Invalid Date

NEOGEO's masterpiece games are now available in the app !!
And in recent years, SNK has partnered with Hamster Corporation to bring many of the classic games on the NEOGEO onto modern gaming environments through the ACA NEOGEO series. Now on smartphone, the difficulty and look NEOGEO games had back then can be reproduced through screen settings and options. Also, players can benefit from online features such as online ranking modes. More, it features quick save/load and virtual pad customization functions to support comfortable play within the app. Please take this opportunity to enjoy the masterpieces that are still supported to this day.
[Game introduction]
THE KING OF FIGHTERS '97 is a fighting game released by SNK in 1997.
Featuring popular characters from FATAL FURY and ART OF FIGHTING, these fighters will battle to determine who is the strongest.
The ADVANCED and EXTRA modes of gameplay offer an even deeper level of tactics.
[Recommendation OS]
iOS 13 and above
©SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Arcade Archives Series Produced by HAMSTER Co.
Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
NEOGEO's masterpiece games are now available in the app !!
And in recent years, SNK has partnered with Hamster Corporation to bring many of the classic games on the NEOGEO onto modern gaming environments through the ACA NEOGEO series. Now on smartphone, the difficulty and look NEOGEO games had back then can be reproduced through screen settings and options. Also, players can benefit from online features such as online ranking modes. More, it features quick save/load and virtual pad customization functions to support comfortable play within the app. Please take this opportunity to enjoy the masterpieces that are still supported to this day.
[Game introduction]
THE KING OF FIGHTERS '97 is a fighting game released by SNK in 1997.
Featuring popular characters from FATAL FURY and ART OF FIGHTING, these fighters will battle to determine who is the strongest.
The ADVANCED and EXTRA modes of gameplay offer an even deeper level of tactics.
[Recommendation OS]
iOS 13 and above
©SNK CORPORATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Arcade Archives Series Produced by HAMSTER Co.

Ratings & Reviews

4.3 out of 5 with 6 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 13+

KOF '97 is back! This ACA NEOGEO release brings the third game in the KOF series to mobile. Known for its incredible character roster and the conclusion of the Orochi storyline, KOF '97 lets players choose between two distinct play styles: Advanced and Extra. Form your team of three and battle through a series of rival teams to face the ultimate power of Orochi. This version includes online ranking features and customizable controls.

Features

35 Playable Characters

Two Distinct Gameplay Modes

Authentic NEOGEO Emulation

Save/Load State Functionality

Tips

Advanced vs. Extra Mode

Choose Advanced Mode for aggressive play and stockable meters. Choose Extra Mode for defensive play and a manual charge meter similar to KOF '94.

Promotion Videos

ACA NEOGEO THE KING OF FIGHTERS '97 - YouTube

News on this game

Every ACA Neo Geo Game On Nintendo Switch, Plus Our Top Picks

A complete list of Hamster's ACA Neo Geo Switch titles - Much like Hamster's Arcade Archives series, the company's line of...

Nintendo Life - Fri Mar 01 2024

Gameplays

Team Management

The order of your fighters matters! If a fighter loses, the next one in line starts with the power stocks passed down from the previous round.

Q&A

On the character select screen, you can input specific button combinations (found in the game manual section) to unlock 'Orochi' versions of characters.