Software:KOF: Maximum Impact 2

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Short description: 2006 video game
The King of Fighters 2006
Developer(s)SNK Playmore[1]
Publisher(s)
  • NA/JP: SNK Playmore
  • EU: Ignition Entertainment[2]
Director(s)Masahiro Maeda
Producer(s)Falcoon
Designer(s)Takahiro Abe
Yutaka Kurozumi
Programmer(s)Kazuaki Ezato
Artist(s)Falcoon
Writer(s)Akihiko Ureshino
Composer(s)Toshikazu Tanaka
SeriesThe King of Fighters
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)Arcade, PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: April 27, 2006
  • NA: September 19, 2006
  • EU: March 23, 2007
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Up to 2 players simultaneously

The King of Fighters 2006,[lower-alpha 1] known in Japan as KOF: Maximum Impact 2,[lower-alpha 2] is a 3D fighting video game produced by SNK Playmore and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006. An updated version was released on both PlayStation 2 and arcades in Japan under the title KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation A in 2007. It is the sequel to Software:KOF: Maximum Impact (2004), which itself is a spinoff of The King of Fighters (KOF) series.

Gameplay

A fight between Mr. Karate and Terry Bogard.

Maximum Impact 2 has several elements of the original Maximum Impact game from 2004. In contrast to the original KOF games that rely on teams and 3D visuals, Maximum Impact 2 relies only on one character per mode and 3D visuals. By passing trials or beating the story mode, the player is able to unlock new characters, stages as well as variations of outfits. Similar to other 3D fighting games, the player has access to juggling combos and ground attacks. The areas can result into the fighters being cornered against the wall in the middle of fight. Unlike the original Maximum Impact, the sequel offers both Japanese and English language. The Japanese version came with a network mode but the English version was not benefitted by it.[3]

Plot

Many contended that the illegal fighting tournament in South Town was sponsored by the gangland syndicate "Mephistopheles" to achieve the annihilation of their rivals and procure some operating capital. After its "King", Duke, suffered defeat at the hands of Alba Meira in the finals, he and his organization vanished from South Town. Meanwhile, the media, firmly under Duke's control, released a fusillade of sensational exposés based on information from confidential sources regarding their former oppressors. In spite of this new torrent of "information", almost no one knew that an even larger entity had been pulling Mephistopheles' puppet strings.

The truth behind the Addes organization name was only known throughout the dark recesses of the underworld. No one really had an inkling as to what this organization truly entailed. Now, another of Addes was to reveal a new battle royale. Invitations in white envelopes were sent to the world's mightiest, who will find the call to the battle by Addes irresistible.

As stated in Alba Meira's private novel by Akihiko Ureshino on the official KOF Maximum Impact 2 site (which serves as an official follow up to the story of KOF Maximum Impact 2), Alba was in fact the one who defeated Jivatma and Luise.[4] Soiree was kidnapped as a result of that and Alba has not seen him since then.

Characters

The game features 24 initially selectable characters, as well as 14 secret characters (including the final boss), for a total of 38 playable characters. Some characters have special alternate versions that can be unlocked. New characters are marked in bold.

  1. ↑ (KOF 2006, or KOF '06)
  2. ↑ (KOF:MI2)
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Hidden character
  4. ↑ A version of Ralf who doesn't flinch when hit, and whose attacks do greatly increased guard damage.
  5. ↑ Shares most of his moves (and a special intro) with Nagase.
  6. ↑ Boss character
  7. ↑ Kyo Kusanagi with a moveset based on KOF '95, and depicted in his outfit from the Orochi and NESTS saga.
  8. ↑ Ryo Sakazaki's Buriki One version.
  9. ↑ Terry Bogard's Software:Garou: Mark of the Wolves version.

Development

Examples of sketches by Falcoon who developed multiple outfits for every character present in the game.

While the game's narrative depends on the player chosen, writer Akihiko Ureshino wrote a novelization on the game's official website, making bigger emphasis on the newer character created for the 3D games.[5] When it comes to designs, every playable characters has access to multiple outfits. Terry Bogard wears both classic and more modern outfits which bothered Ureshino. This is mostly due to the age difference Terry and Rock has as Terry is 24 years old in Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters but 35 in Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Meanwhile, Rock is only 17 Garou: Mark of the Wolves, making the time gap in Maximum Impact not fitting. As a result, even if Rock stands next to him, they look more like brothers than stepfather in KOF. That is why Ureshino feel uncomfortable when the two of them talk in demo scenes and the like. As a result, SNK solved this discomfort by setting Maximum Impact in an alternate timeline where Geese Howard is already dead, making it nearly the Software:Garou: Mark of the Wolves timeline.[6]

Falcoon returned as main artist. Kyo Kusanagi's jacket was redesigned while keeping the appeal of the original costume.[7] He that attempting to change an "untouchable" design such as Iori's put him under severe pressure. He stated that creating Iori's alternative design that appears in the Maximum Impact series almost felt "unforgivable" because he felt unsure of fans' reaction to the change.[8] Leona's involves Heidern's clothing, including her eyepatch. Another outfit is a reference to Neon Genesis Evangelion character Rei Ayanami.[9] The normal costume of K' that has uniform levels of a hard image throughout. Whether it's his "color E" with its overflowing roughness that is evocative of a wild dog or his "color G" that emphasizes himself as a motorcyclist, this is a design that has succeeded in magnifying his image on many levels regardless of the variation according to Falcoon. Him exposing his upper-half with his "another color" and having characteristics such as sunglasses on him, a wild image of him is portrayed.[10]

Athena's The King of Fighters '98 look was the basis for it, it is piece of "cute clothing that she has per her heart and soul into". On the other hand, her "Another" is a "school wear" outfit with glasses according to the staff.[11] In his blog during the game's development, game script writer Akihiko Ureshino joked that the new version of Mai's design "feels like her fabric area has decreased despite her increasing beauty", though he was worried some variations may be removed from the final game for being too overt.[12]

Ryo's normal costume for the Maximum Impact series is the same as the martial arts uniform he has worn in Art of Fighting, The King of Fighters and Fatal Fury Special. There is a change of mood concerning his "Color F" reminiscent of Haohmaru from Samurai Shodown. Regarding his "Color G~H", his refined sense is shown through his braided hat, ruler, and mountain ascetic style.[13] For the "Mr. Karate" incarnation of Ryo, his Normal has been given a tengu mask, which is reminiscent of his father Takuma. With his "Another" incarnation there is a stylish change of clothing based on his Wild Ambition look. The color combination of his shirt is standard, but there is also a version just like his "Color E" with a design on his back. "Color G" appears as a style that brings to mind the clothing of Robert.[14]

Some of Yuri's extra normal outfits make her look like fellow Kyokugen practitioners; color scheme B makes her look like Ryo (blond hair, orange gi, and black tights), while scheme F resembles Robert Garcia's outfit from The King of Fighters '99 to 2002, which consists of brown hair, an orange gi with black long-sleeved tights, and no headband.[15] Ralf retains his 2003 outfit but with a red jacket.[16] His Armored Ralf version from the same game is very different from the original Ralf, as his skin is darker and his hair is lighter. He additionally sports a green jacket, military pants, a white T-shirt and a green headband instead of his red bandana. He was also given green protectors in his hands which have spikes.[17] The additional outfits from the common Ralf are cosplays from Marco Rossi from the Metal Slug series and Jack Turner from the Art of Fighting series.[18]

Revisions

Regulation A

A sequel (and update) to Maximum Impact 2, it was released for the Taito Type X2 arcade system in Japan on July 14, 2007. It is the only arcade release made for the KOF: MI series and includes Ash Crimson, Blue Mary, Makoto Mizoguchi from Data East's Fighter's History series, and newcomer Xiao Lon, who is a Hizoku Assassin like her agnate brother, Duo Lon, into its character roster. Regulation A is a remake of Maximum Impact 2, but with the classic 3-on-3 gameplay from the 2D KOF series added in hopes of winning over the series fanbase as well as new players. Armored Ralf was removed from the update version due to issues with his gameplay.[19]

Despite the addition of four new characters, Armor Ralf has been removed, as have several stages, as well as the story and challenge modes from Maximum Impact 2. In addition, all of the characters have lost half of their outfits in both normal and alternate types. Some new music has been added, including songs from the original Maximum Impact and Sengoku 3, in addition to new alternate versions of existing stages and a new stage for Makoto Mizoguchi.

The game was also released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan, on July 26, 2007.[20] It was planned for release in the U.S. along with RA2 and Maximum Impact 3, but were cancelled due to the timing of KOF XII.

Regulation A2

A sequel to KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation A was announced for the PlayStation 2 and Taito Type X2 at the Tokyo Game Show 2007. Many believed that the game was put on hold due to the development of The King of Fighters XII, but it was later canceled.[21]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic66[22]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comB+[23]
Eurogamer4.0/10[24]
GameSpot7.3/10[25]
Power Unlimited74%[26]

The game received mixed and average responses from game journalists according to Metacritic.[22] Greg Kasavin from GameSpot ranked the game as good, giving it a score of 7.3 over 10. He commented while the game was highly improved from its prequel, it had many issues. Use of 3D graphics, although being praised too for being "good in most cases", did not make changes to fights in comparison to 2D games from the series. However, he praised the variability of playable characters with different moves as well as their alternative costumes.[25] 1Up.com reviewer Richard Li rated the game as B+. He also praised the use of alternative costumes, commenting they "make even the most seasoned fan chuckle." He praised the mechanics from fights by saying they are much better from the first Maximum Impact, allowing the players to use new tactics to defeat his/her opponent.[23]

The game sold 56,431 units in Japan.[27] In retrospect, Retronauts does not consider Maximum Impact 2 a good fighting game but the amount of alternative outfits created for all the characters appeals to gamers wanting more fanservice from SNK's characters.[28] The game was nominated to the "PSXE's 2006 Game of the Year Awards" in the category Best Fighting Game, but it lost to Software:Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.[29]

Anime

The King of Fighters: Another Day
Japanese DVD cover art
ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ アナザーデイ
(Za Kingu Obu Faitāzu Anazādei)
GenreAction, Drama
Original net animation
Directed byMasaki Tachibana
Written byFumio Asanuma
Music byDaiki Kasho
StudioProduction I.G
SNK
Released December 2, 2005 – March 3, 2006
Runtime32 minutes (total)
Episodes4 (List of episodes)

The tie-in animated series, The King of Fighters: Another Day, was released in 2005-06.[30][31][32] The four-episode series was produced and animated by Production I.G, and revolves around the plot of Software:KOF: Maximum Impact, along with some touches of the current storyline about Ash Crimson, who joined the MI gang in the arcade game, The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation A. The ONA series was included with the Japanese release of Maximum Impact 2.

Voice Cast

Character Japanese voice actor[33][34] English voice actor
Soiree Meira Koji Haramaki Ed Bishop
Kyo Kusanagi Masahiro Nonaka Andrew Roth
Iori Yagami Kunihiko Yasui Eric Summerer
Alba Meira Hiroyuki Satō Jayson Wooley
Mai Shiranui Akoya Sogi Sheryl Stanley
Rock Howard Eiji Takemoto Mike Lane
Lien Neville Fumiko Inoue Claire Caponigro
Athena Asamiya Haruna Ikezawa Lily Kong
Luise Meyrink Hiroko Tsuji Katrin Biemann
Maxima Katsuyuki Konishi Mike Jarmus
Ralf Jones Monster Maezuka Scott Casey
Terry Bogard Satoshi Hashimoto Tony Carroll
Billy Kane Seijirō Marc Donovan
Ash Crimson Sōnosuke Nagashiro Duke Clement
Clark Still Yoshinori Shima Sean Michaels
K′ Yuuki Matsuda Andrew Scott

Production

Another Day was announced at Tokyo Games 2005.[35] It was directed by Masaki Tachibana.[33] aired in Japan through the internet on ShowTime and GyaO while it aired on TV via Animax and Kids Station.[36] The ending theme is "Regret" by Dakota Star.

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No.TitleOriginal air date

Home media

The anime was released in Japan via DVD as a pack-in with the Japanese release of Maximum Impact 2 on April 27, 2006[37] under a retail price of 7, 140 Yen.[38] The DVD is region two-encoded, but has English subtitles and dub track.[37]

The U.S. marketing strategy of The King of Fighters: Another Day was far less accessible. Originally intended to be included with KOF 2006 as a pre-order/early buyer bonus for customers of EBGames and GameStop, the U.S. arm of SNK failed to ship out the discs in conjunction with its release. Several weeks later, after some complaint from angry fans, the bonus DVDs started showing up at EBGames and GameStop locations and in many cases were obtainable for previous buyers upon request, yet quantities were limited and many are still left without it despite their devotion.[citation needed]

The U.S. DVD comes in a square cardboard envelope. The DVD is region one encoded and includes both English and Japanese subtitles and audio, both in Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1. Special features include commentary on all episodes, character design galleries for major characters appearing in the series, one trailer for the animated series and three Japanese commercials for KOF: Maximum Impact 2.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ "The King of Fighters 2006 - PlayStation 2 - GameSpy". http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/king-of-fighters-maximum-impact-2/. 
  2. ↑ "KoF: Maximum Impact 2 dated" (in en). Eurogamer.net. 2006-07-07. https://www.eurogamer.net/news070706kofmi2. 
  3. ↑ Kasavin, Greg. "The King of Fighters 2006 Hands-On". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-king-of-fighters-2006-hands-on/1100-6152483/. 
  4. ↑ "KOF Max Impact 2 Novel Translation (Alba Only)". 2007-04-17. http://www.snkplaymoreusa.com/mb/viewtopic.php?t=2927. 
  5. ↑ "〈１〉". http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-mi2/novel4/index.html. 
  6. ↑ "あと３日！" (in Japanese). https://note.com/ureshino_te/n/nf6b05c04f317. 
  7. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 50. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  8. ↑ "アナザーコスチュームのこと・・・（一回目）". Falcoon official blog. http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/falcoon/archives/2006/02/post_7.html. 
  9. ↑ (in Japanese) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 60. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  10. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 52. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  11. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 57. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  12. ↑ Ureshino, Akihiko (2006-03-01). "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in Japanese). http://www.snkplaymore.jp/blog/ureshino/archives/2006/03/post_17.html. 
  13. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 64. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. https://archive.org/details/008-scan-0004. 
  14. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 64. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. ""In Normal, he wears a gi and a Tengu mask, reminiscent of his father, Takuma, but in Another he appears in a stylish change of clothes. The basic combination is a gi with sandals and a shirt, but there is also a version with a pattern on the back, like Color E. In Color G, he appears in a style inspired by the costume of Robert, the strongest tiger, who also did not participate this year. In Color H, he wears a Kyogen-style costume, just like Tengu." 
  15. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 156. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. https://archive.org/details/008-scan-0004/KOF%20MAXIMUM%20IMPACT%202%20Official%20Complete%20Guide%20~%20Final%20Analyze%20~/071_scan0067.jpg. 
  16. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 21. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  17. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 43. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  18. ↑ (in ja) The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Artbook. SNK Playmore. June 17, 2006. p. 60. ISBN 978-4-7973-3543-9. 
  19. ↑ "KOF Maximum Impact Regulation A: Character" (in ja). SNK Playmore. http://game.snkplaymore.co.jp/official/kof-mi-ra/character/. 
  20. ↑ "SNKプレイモア". Game Watch. May 17, 2007. https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/digest/200705.htm. 
  21. ↑ "system16.com". http://www.system16.com/hardware.php?id=903&page=2#18657. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "King of Fighters 2006". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/kingoffighters2006?q=king%20of%20fighters%202006. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Li, Richard (2006-09-19). "King of Fighters 2006 (PS2)". 1Up.com. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3153431&p=2. 
  24. ↑ Albiges, Luke (2007-07-17). "King Of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/king-of-fighters-maximum-impact-2-review. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Kasavin, Greg (2006-09-15). "The King of Fighters 2006 Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/kingoffightersmaximumimpact2/review.html. 
  26. ↑ "King of Fighters: Maximum Impact II" (in nl). July 25, 2007. Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070817114102/http://www.pu.nl:80/artikel.jsp?rubriek=423273&id=2122267. Retrieved August 21, 2022. 
  27. ↑ "2006年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP500（ファミ通版）". Geimin. http://geimin.net/da/db/2006_ne_fa/index.php. 
  28. ↑ "Re(?)Considered: King of Fighters Maximum Impact 2". https://retronauts.com/article/1584/reconsidered-king-of-fighters-maximum-impact-2. 
  29. ↑ "PSXE's 2006 Game of the Year Awards". psxetreme.com. http://www.psxextreme.com/feature/139.html. 
  30. ↑ Ressler, Karen (11 January 2016). "Chinese Site: The King of Fighters Gets Animated, Live-Action Adaptations". Kadokawa Corporation. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2016-01-11/chinese-site-the-king-of-fighters-gets-animated-live-action-adaptations/.97457. 
  31. ↑ Potts, Kristina (Summer 2008). "Fighting With Animé". Video Game Collector (10): 22-23. https://archive.org/details/video-game-collector-010/page/n21/mode/2up. 
  32. ↑ McDonough, James; Patyk, Adam (August 2006). "Animation Station - Fighters Club". Tips & Tricks (138): 42. https://archive.org/details/tips-tricks-issue-138-august-2006/page/42/mode/2up. 
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 KOF Animation game.snk-corp.co.jp
  34. ↑ "【アニメ動画：The King of Fighters Another Day】ショウタイムでアニメ動画を見放題！＜Show Time＞". https://www.showtime.jp/animation/kof_another/index2.html. 
  35. ↑ "Igのゲーム･アニメの戦略 Kofアニメ化発表（9/16）". September 16, 2005. https://s.animeanime.jp/article/2005/09/16/401.html. 
  36. ↑ "放送・配信情報". https://www.production-ig.co.jp/works/the-kof-ad/onair.html. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "2009年[平成21年 | PRESS RELEASE | 株式会社SNKプレイモア"]. https://game.snk-corp.co.jp/press/single.php?num=42. Retrieved July 28, 2023. 
  38. ↑ "Snkプレイモア、Ps2「Kof Maximum Impact 2」初回特典のアニメDvdの内容を発表". https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20060403/kofmi.htm. 



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