SNK push King of Fighters XII onto 360 with an ambitious HD leap but a roster and content list that come up thin. Redrawn sprites look magnificent, the Critical Counter system intrigues, but the missing modes and weak netcode leave a taste of unfinished work.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
2D fighting game by SNK Playmore and Ignition Entertainment, July 2009. King of Fighters fighters clash in technical duels with new Quick Move and Guard Cancel Rolling mechanics. Fully redesigned HD graphics and online mode. Twelfth KOF entry with complete graphic overhaul.
King of Fighters XII, The review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Short"
Technical info
💾6,7 GB📅28/07/2009
Published by SNK Playmore
King of Fighters XII, The (Xbox 360) price, value & rarity
Is King of Fighters XII, The still worth playing in 2026?
A transitional entry from SNK, The King of Fighters XII starts over with sumptuous high definition pixel art, among the most beautiful ever made in 2D, and a stripped down combat system favouring the fundamentals of team versus. The beauty of the sprites and the purity of the clashes win over genre aesthetes. The reduced roster, the absence of a story mode and a faulty netcode at the time disappointed. A fighting game for fans of sublime 2D and devotees of the KOF saga curious about this visual overhaul.
