It's another week of game releases and in case you missed it, SNK has also launched The King of Fighters XIII on Switch.
This title was first revealed in April, with the announcement it would include a "rollback netcode overhaul" to improve online functionality. SNK also previously confirmed a physical, deluxe and collector's edition packed with all sorts of extra goodies.
Now, to promote the launch, a new trailer has been released. Here's a bit about this newer version, courtesy of the Nintendo website. It will set you back $19.99 USD or your regional equivalent.

"KOF XIII, the final chapter in the Ash Saga—and one of the series’ most acclaimed entries—is back! This enhanced version comes with rollback netcode for exhilarating online play, as well as brand-new online lobbies that allow you to join/spectate matches with multiple players at once. Also features a packed roster of 36 playable characters, including NESTS Style Kyo, Classic Iori, and Mr. Karate! KOF’s greatest-ever 2D graphics come to life as you face off against players online and around the world!"

Will you be checking out this returning fighter on the Switch this weekend? Tell us below.
Comments 58
Bought it as soon as I saw it was available; this is a fantastic presentation of a fantastic game! 👊💥
That looks quite nice!
Are the controls more like street fighter (3 buttons punch/kick type), or more like capcom vs series (weak, mid, strong, special) type?
With hadoken d-pad roll move type moves, or mortal kombat type combos?
Also, do folks prefer d-pad, or stick controls on this?
Thank you.
The sprite work in this game is so freaking clean!
Will get next week I think.
While I do enjoy the game, it's really weird how both the digital artbook and soundtrack aren't just included within the actual game but are their own separate icon at the UI making it look as if there were two versions of the game. Never had I seen this done like this before.

Gonna grab. Great game in the series.
@msvt it's two punch and two kick buttons and the move inputs are closer to street fighter.
@Tukan what do you mean? No offline mp?
Great game but I have so many fighting games...
Still I'll grab it, but later.
I pre-ordered the physical version and I'm looking forward to it! Pretty much every major KoF game is on Switch now except for 14 and 15.
Sad how they aren’t updating the steam version with rollback
@JJtheTexan And KOFXI and XII too. Switch only had KOF94-2003 plus XIII. KOFXI was never released cause it was an Atomiswave game instead of a NeoGeo game and KOFXII was just another Dream Match title with no storyline so it make sense they skipped that one. For some reason all the Atomiswave version of SNK games were never ported outside of collection and stuff, the only way to play Samurai Shodown VI, Metal Slug 6, and KOFXI were through compilation though I doubt any collection had KOFXI yet. Metal Slug 6 was only available as part of the Metal Slug Anthology for Wii, PS2, and PSP and Samurai Shodown VI was also only available as part of the Samurai Shodown Anthology again for the same three non-HD systems.
Really loved this game and a huge improvement over 12.
@Serpenterror I'd love 98 UM and XI. Those are my jam...besides this one, apparently. Cause this one is incredible.
Should have included XII at no extra cost for completionists sake even though XIII makes it redundant.
@Serpenterror KoF XI got a singular release on PS2, pretty certain it was like $14.99 or something like that.
@Serpenterror
Sonic Superstars also has an artbook DLC that adds its own icon to the switch menu just like this.
One of the best fighting game ever!
Bought it digitally and I'm waiting for my pix&love copy !!!!!
@EarthboundBenjy Also Persona 5 Strikers...
Well, I hope that NL will review this one... Also, I still find it kinda funny that I'm not the only one who plays fighting games there. 'Cause, usually, I'm the only one who plays them on a regular basis...
@msvt Have you ever played any The King of Fighters games before? 2 punch buttons, 2 kicks buttons. No changes in control scheme since NEO•GEO days!
I hate using D-pad in fighting games. I use the analogue stick only.
@LikelySatan Yeah, that's right. Also, PS2 version has exclusive playable characters. Oh, and on a side note... PC version of Scooby-Doo! First Frights don't have original English voice-overs at all, lol. Only Russian, Polish, and, Czech dubs.
@msvt
KOF uses a 4 button layout with light and heavy punch/kick. There are cancel options and drawback/knockback attacks and dodges for all characters though, so even if it's 4 buttons it's not less technical. Some argue that it is more technical in fact. Imo it's more that KOF is more diverse in its movesets and so you might need to "learn" a bit more when going from one character to another. For that reason some people prefer the more pick up and play gameplay of SF. Let's say KOF is more in line with SF Alpha series or Thrid Strike in terms of gameplay.
Specials are usually your normal SF types specials with dpad rolls and charges. KOF is also team based in its main mode (3vs3) and that also helps with the fact that it feels more diverse.
On my wishlist to buy, looks great!
Oh dang, I was going to wait for Play Asia to eventually put the physical copies on sale but I didn't realize it was only 20 bucks... that's a fantastic deal and I can use my CD pad on the Switch version.
@msvt To answer all 3 questions, 1. KOF has always used a mix of more fast paced 4 button fighters and Street Fighter's punch and kick set up, as KOF has light punch and kick, and heavy punch and kick. 2. If anything, MK is an outlier in traditional 2d fighters, as basically every single 2d fighter uses motion inputs. And 3. Most people prefer to play on dpad (including me) in fighters. There are some people who play on analog stick, but it's largely recommended that dpad is your control method
Thank you everyone that answered. KoF is new to me I may have dabbled with one of them before. I want to to give this one a try.
@Vyacheslav333 lol, thanks.
But I'm sorry, analog sticks are not okay for 2D fighters, you monster.
Is it out in the uk I can't seem to see it ?
@Mrbayram92 yes it’s out in the uk. I have it
@EarthboundBenjy Wow I had only bought the physical version so I didn't see that. I guess it's because the game was a digital deluxe edition.
@LikelySatan Wow that's interesting considering the fact that that game was the first KOF game that doesn't had a year attached to its title. I guess at one point they just couldn't keep up but damn to make a yearly sequel til 2003 was impressive.
@Serpenterror I really love the series. This has been a treat. Really great character based combo challenges.
@LikelySatan «But I'm sorry, analog sticks are not okay for 2D fighters, you monster.»
Lol.
I like this game's look and presentation SO MUCH MORE than XV.
@Fighting_Game_Loser when someone says ‘stick’ in reference to a 2D fighting game, I always assume they mean arcade stick. I could be wrong, maybe they meant analog, but Smash or that style is the only time I see people using analog sticks, and some people don’t even consider those fighting games.
@LikelySatan they said ‘wireless’ multiplayer. So Im assuming that means two different screens on the same local network? Super obscure request for a 2D fighter, where it is preferable to be side by side with the other player. Maybe they only have a Switch Lite and the person they intend to play with is in the same situation? Still a lot to ask a dev to spend man hours on something almost no one will use and is only applicable to the Switch version.
No reason for a public display of distress on their part, if that is actually what they meant.
I’m really enjoying this so far. It’s tough to pull off the cool combos but it feels so rewarding when you do. It’s worth putting in the time!
One more question;
Are KoF games related (and play the same as) to Garou Mark of the Wolves?
@EarthboundBenjy Persona 5 Strikers also has that with its art book and soundtrack, too
@sinndec This was the last KOF game to stick to sprites, and I think it was somewhat of a development nightmare because the HD sprites were so difficult to make. I can see why so many newer games with a 2D style moved on to 3D with effects to make it look more like 2D sprites, it's a lot less labor intensive.
@msvt «Are KoF games related (and play the same as) to Garou Mark of the Wolves?»
Yes, they are. The King of Fighters series is a crossover between various SNK franchises – Garô Densetsu, Ikari, Athena, Buriki ONE, SAMURAI SPIRITS, and others...
@DestructoDisk Well, by analogue stick, I meant Joy-Con's analogue stick. I always play fighting games with the use of gamepads' analogue sticks.
I have Garou in my backlog I'll try it tonight. Same controls (2 punch 2 kick, SF style specials)?
Thanks!
@sinndec I think redoing the art for the series nearly put SNK out to pasture?
...worth it.
@msvt Garou is one of the best. Enjoy.
I’m loving this game so far! I already did the story campaign for Team Japan.
The final bosses can suck a lemon, though.
@Vyacheslav333 ah my comment was in reference to @msvt and their original post, I wasn’t talking about your comment.
@DestructoDisk I know, but I was just assuming he was more casual and meant analog stick. Although I guess my point does still apply, as arcade sticks are mainly used by people who are already fighting game fanatics, aka, most people who aren't playing Switch
Awesome. I can't wait to put hours into this again. I wish Shermie and Blue Mary were in this.
If anyone wants to play this game on Switch or PS4. Hit me up here. I'm not that good, but I'll still do a set.
@DestructoDisk Let's have a KoF LAN party? Strange. I just wish I had some friends that were ancient like me and remember what a KoF is so I could destroy them with King.
@Fighting_Game_Loser I get what you mean by "not playing Switch," but for me it's pretty perfect for fighters. I prefer the old 2D stuff, and don't want to bother with modern fighters. I'm more of a Saturn pad guy than a stick guy though, if that means anything.
@msvt Fun fact: The King of Fighters series was created because fans love the idea of dream matches. This idea was first introduced in Fatal Fury Special where Ryo Sakazaki from Art of Fighting appeared as a hidden playable fighter in the game. The reason why this is a dream match was cause both Art of Fighting and Fatal Fury took place in the same universe but in different time generation so Art of Fighting took place around 10 years prior to the first Fatal Fury. By the time the FF cast appeared, the AoF cast would had been in their 30s or 40s thus why the match with a prime Ryo going against a prime Terry would never happen.
Due to the popularity of the dream match idea and to be able to make the AoF cast meet the FF cast without changing age, the non-canon KOF series was created. While almost all the characters in KOF are from Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Metal Slug, Ikari Warriors, Samurai Shodown, Savage Reign, and Psycho Soldier, the game itself also introduced many original characters to the mix such as Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, K', Goro Daimon, Benimaru Daikado, Ash Crimson, Kula Diamond, and the Sports Team to name a few.
Many of SNK other fighting games such as Breakers, Fighter's History, Rage of the Dragons, Gowcaizer, Kabuki Klash, Ninja Masters, World Heroes, Last Blade, and Sengoku didn't make the cut to be in KOF. Even though there's a Hero Team, no characters from World Heroes ever appeared in the game. While the KOF series is non-canon to the mainline Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting series (as well as those other series that crossover), it is canon as its own separate series.
So even though Terry, Mai, Rock, Ryo, Robert, and Yuri could all exist in the KOF universe as their prime versions; Kyo, Benimaru, Iori, Kula, and K' all doesn't exist in the Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting universe as both are separate from KOF. Also there's a KOF tournament in the mainline FF and AoF series but that tournament is unrelated to the one in the actual KOF series. Also some characters are downgraded in KOF compare to their mainline version for example Ryo and Andy are weaker in KOF compare to their mainline version, both had their projectile dissolve or downgraded similar to Dan Hibiki the more they appeared in the series whereas in FF and AoF Ryo and Andy's projectiles were never dissolve after shooting them making them quite the range fighters similar to Ryu and Ken from Street Fighter.
Weird how discrete this release was in the Nintendo store, I had to look for it in the current offers section to find it. No results came for it in the search bar.
Are you guys going to review it?
@DestructoDisk Oh, well, okay.
@msvt «Same controls (2 punch 2 kick, SF style specials)?»
Yeah – 2 punch buttons, 2 kick buttons. Nothing changed.
@testisatchel that's weird, I originally just searched for "xiii" just before I bought it and it came right up.
Also, the regular version of the game has a full soundtrack included, that doesn't even need to be unlocked... Not sure if the 29.99 version is really warranted...
@Serpenterror very fun indeed. We should play some matches in xiii and xv if you have it.
T'was about time... one of the BEST kof released for switch
Now I'd really really like to see Ultra SF4 here too...
@LikelySatan Oh don't worry dude I love fighters on Switch too. Literally only got into fighters because the Switch has my now favorite fighter that got me into the genre, when before I got into them just a few years ago before I got to High School, I simply thought I wouldn't be able to play them properly because I couldn't do motion inputs lol. Now it's one of my favorite genres. But we are in a minority of hardcore fighter fans when most people's only fighter has been Smash, so that's why I even mentioned analog stick lol
Also Reminder that SNK is majority owned by the despotic leaders of Saudi Arabia
Any chance of a review?!
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