Given that the Dreamcast is considered as the fighting console, - after the great Neo-Geo, that is - it isn't a surprise to see SNK's best series- no, most popular since Last Blade remains SNK's best series - ported to it even though they took one long year to do it. And which else than what is referred to as the pinnacle of the series, The King of Fighters '98…although it is referred to as The King of Fighters '99 : Dream Match here.

No characters have been left out in this special edition. Most of the characters have been brought back, whether dead or not or whether they don't have anything to do anymore with the series. In addition to the usual characters who cannot be left out and who always come back, the whole Sports Team, Saisyu, Takuma, Vice, Mature, Rugal, Heidern have been brought back. While it was very logical to think that Yashiro, Shermie and Chris would be left out, they are back and stronger than ever.

In addition, some characters exist in an alternate form to give one of the most incredible cast ever. Thus, you can also select Ryo in his '95 form and Yashiro can still become Riot of the Blood but sadly, Iori and Leona can't. So, this gives what ?! 50+ characters !! And have I mentioned who is the boss ? Omega Rugal. Yes, sir ! Supposedly dead but back as always - does he have 9 lives like a cat or what… ?

There are still 2 modes of play which you can choose at the character select screen and which are Extra and Advanced. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Extra enables you to pull as many desperation moves as you want since all you have to do is to press all the buttons to make your character charge up but don't forget that he/she is vulnerable when you do so. However, you cannot roll but can only get in the background which makes it more difficult to switch sides with the opponent.

Advanced Mode is as excellent as ever and no wonder it will always remain the favorite. Your gauge gets full as you perform attacks or block until you get one power stock when the gauge is full. The mode is even better than in '97 since now, as you have to fight with the second and third character after losing, you can store more power stocks. Hence, the second character can store up to 4 stocks while the last fighter 5. In addition, the gauge becomes shorter and you'll take less time to fill it.

Except for this little change, the game basics haven't been altered in the least which means those familiar with the prequel will have no trouble understanding the game. Some characters have new moves but the rest is pretty much similar. Super desperation moves are still performed the same way in either mode although you now need 2 power stocks for only 1 SDM. Indeed, the timer disappears as soon as you perform 1 SDM and you have to sacrifice one stock to enable it again.

Like I mentioned earlier, Dream Match has no plot. After the intricate and complex Orochi plot which gave way to hundreds of fanfiction, this new edition is more of a special title. Some people have claimed that this is only one of Shingo's plentiful dreams but actually, it's just one of those slugfest titles to make all the characters of the series come together (à la Mortal Kombat Trilogy if you wish…). I was at first confused by the absence of plot and deceived but the wonderful cast soon made me forget that along with everything else -scroll down and read-.

'98 has always been considered as being the best KOF graphically. The Dreamcast makes it even better ! The Art of Fighting background with its numerous details, your characters in the background after they are beaten - Yamazaki is so funny in that pose - , Kyo's outfit or even Eiji making a special apparition in the intro between Billy and Iori, prove beautifully that this title will always remain the pinnacle of the series.

Did they change designers or what ?! The characters have gained in size but are still so wonderfully animated. The animation is now faster and the game has less bugs although there are some which makes the characters very cheap once you know how to use these mistakes to your advantage. Each character is now more detailed and you can actually make out their eyes, nose and mouth while previously, the face would just be blurred.

The game is also more colorful now - although '97 had to be gloomy for the sake of the storyline but still, this is one hell of an achievement - and everything is crystal clear and sports a lot of little details which make the game even more enjoyable once you master it. Just a glance at Yamazaki's coat before he throws it and a pervert look at Mai's tits bouncing will clear away any doubts you had about Dream Match's graphics.

All the backgrounds are carefully designed with vivid colors like that of Iori with a very realistic train or the punks in the Sports Team's background. The cars in the Korea Team's stage look somewhat goofy but that's just one negative point compared to about one million positive ones.

Dream Match has a very nice soundtrack although I rank it among one of the weakest now that there are 3 more titles in the series. The best theme is without doubt that of Kyo which is, in fact, a remix of the ever-popular Esaka. Robert, Yuri and Ryo also have a great music and that of the Korea Team is very soothing but otherwise, the rest is pretty weak and is not really memorable.

The seiyuu is also one of the best in the whole series with actors who are experts at their job and who succeed in giving the characters feelings and a true personality through their moves and cries. Kyo's voice is now more mature while Yamazaki will still startle you with his grunts and exhortions. Athena has lost her annoying kid's voice…All for the better !

I won't hold the truth from you : Playing this game with the stupid Dreamcast pad is a real exploit and if you really manage to do so, then you are one good player ! Dream Match has a flawless control with a response quicker than Lucky Luke and smoother than Calamity Jane but you'll need a joystick to play this game and if you really hope to become good at it.

There's no way you will get bored with this game because it has one of the best gameplays ever. The cast by itself is enough to suck all your time and to have your Dreamcast one until the wee hours of the morning. Trying to become a god at the game like Omega Rugal - Rugal : Repeat after me. I will take on a god again. - will require months of playing and practicing and the overwhelming number of characters won't make things any easier.

In addition to all that, this is one of SNK's finest title which brings forward the 2 original modes of play along with new tweaks to make the game even more interesting. Again due to the absence of plot, the endings comprise only of pics but there still are hidden teams to unlock new pics and an art gallery. And you can just bet how long it'll take to unlock every pic in the game.

With an immortal replay value and such a balanced game, Dream Match is one of the best fighters on the Dreamcast and even Evolution cannot dethrone it. The cast is simply amazing and the excellent graphics and sound effects make it even better as the gameplay is as fresh as ever even after 2 years. To own a Dreamcast without this game is a crime ! And Rugal, the god, will punish you soon if you don't get it !




Reviewed by: Shirow