The King of Fighters '97 Beginner Guide: Modes, Movement, and Team Basics

KOF uses four attack buttons: A is Light Punch, B is Light Kick, C is Heavy Punch, and D is Heavy Kick. Directions are commonly written as a numpad: 6 means forward, 4 means back, 2 means down, and 8 means up. A quarter-circle forward is therefore written as 236.

Browser key mappings vary, so identify A, B, C, and D in the emulator overlay before reading any move list. Test one standing attack, one crouching attack, and one jumping attack for each button to learn their range and speed.

Advanced Mode is the more natural starting point for many modern fighting-game players. It provides running, forward and backward rolls, and power stocks earned through combat. Those stocks can fuel Desperation Moves or activate MAX Mode.

Extra Mode uses the older KOF style. It replaces running with a forward hop, uses a stationary dodge, and lets the player charge the power gauge manually. It is valid, but switching between the two systems every match slows down learning.

KOF is built around several jump heights, quick ground movement, and short-range pressure. Beginners often jump too high and too often. Practice a short hop, a grounded poke, and a safe retreat so that the opponent cannot predict one approach.

A clean three-hit sequence that you can repeat is more useful than a long combo that fails under pressure. Confirm a normal attack connects before completing the special move whenever your character allows it.

Choose three characters whose basic movement and attacks feel readable. Put the character you understand best first so every session begins with useful practice. Keep the same order for several runs instead of rebuilding the team after every loss.

For each fighter, learn one anti-air response, one safe ground poke, one simple punish, and one special move. Once those four tools work reliably, add command throws, meter routes, and character-specific combos.