The King of Fighters XV Reviews

The King of Fighters XV is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
VG247
Top Critic
Feb 11, 2022

Playing KoF 15, I recall one of my favorite memories – one where I spent multiple hours playing fighting games at an arcade during a trip to Japan. By staying true to that identity as an arcade fighter and focusing on what it is are good at, rather than making sweeping changes in the hope of appealing to crowds other than the communities that have risen around these games for decades, SNK has created a game that reminded me of the quality that can be found in a simple, honest fighting game without too many bells and whistles.

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Feb 16, 2022

King of Fighters XV is perhaps the most accessible game in the series so far. Rollback netcode, great fighting game mechanics, and amazing visuals and sounds flesh out the game, and make it one of the better King of Fighters titles we’ve played in a while.

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5 / 5.0
Feb 14, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is, as the name implies, the King of Fighters. It looks good, plays incredibly, and has silky smooth online play. I wouldn’t be opposed to more single player content, but there’s so much to love about KOF XV that I don’t even mind. If you want a fighter to sink your teeth into, look no further.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2022

King of Fighters XV is a delight. It feels like a new dawn for a legendary series, and I am genuinely excited to try out some of the future DLC characters that are on their way over the course of the year.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 19, 2022

King of Fighters XV delivers an excellent fighting game that will appeal to beginners and pros alike. Instantly accessible, the training tools will allow players to go as deep as they like on learning mechanics. Beautiful and deliriously fun - if every game in the series has been as good as this one, I've been missing out.

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Feb 11, 2022

While the single-player offerings are decidedly paltry, the game's tweaked and revised mechanics along with its superbly gratifying presentation deliver in spades with an impressive roster that will only get stronger over time with at least 12 characters coming to the title as DLC. It is then that the lack of single-player content stings ever so slightly more, but with the incredibly smooth online experience offered by the title's rollback netcode, players will find plenty of reasons to return again and again. The announcement back in 2019 placed anticipation at an all-time high over nearly three years, and SNK Corporation succeeded in shattering all expectations with The King of Fighters 15, offering fans a title that holds its own among the best in the franchise that all began in '94.

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Niche Gamer
NECRO XIII
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Feb 12, 2022

With DLC on the way in March and May 2022, I would say that if you are die hard for these games, pick up what you like. If not, I would almost wait for a good sale to pick up everything and play at your leisure, which is perfectly fine. The King of Fighters XV is a fine addition and a worthy sequel to a long running franchise and I’m glad I got to experience it again.

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90 / 100
Feb 11, 2022

Pack your bags for South Town - KOF is back. The deep and stylish gameplay that put the series on the map is back and better than ever, and the inclusion of rollback netcode ensures this dream match never ends.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 16, 2022

King of Fighters XV is a great looking and fast-moving fighting game that never slows down. With a huge selection of fighters, along with local and cross-play multiplayer, there is a lot here to keep you entertained!

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4.5 / 5.0
Feb 11, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is a knockout entry in SNK’s flagship fighting game series. Smartly building upon the foundation of its predecessor, it ups the ante in subtle yet meaningful ways that should satisfy even the most discerning fans of the franchise. While the ways the Rush Combo system has been expanded upon probably won’t change the minds of those unimpressed with it in the previous game and the character selection is slightly pared-down, the rock-solid online performance, breathtaking visuals, and satisfying fighting system that pins it all together will keep you coming back for more.

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9 / 10
Feb 11, 2022

With the release of King of Fighters XV, SNK has done what they always do with the King of Fighters series of late: provided a complex, difficult, engaging, and satisfying team fighter. It offers incredible levels of depth to those who really delve into its systems, but vitally presents them in a way that’s still approachable, even if it’s not quite as approachable as the latest entries of its contemporaries.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2022

The King is back. If you are a newcomer to the series, it is a fantastic game to start on your KOF journey. Returners will have a blast with the classic characters returning and the beautiful style improvements. You can preorder the Ultimate Edition to get three days of early access to The King of Fighters XV.

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9 / 10
Feb 17, 2022

Living up to its title, King of Fighters XV is a fantastic slice of 2D fighting action. Don’t worry if you’re not a long-time fan, there’s enough to get you started here. A massive cast of brawlers, plenty of styles to choose from, and a host of fighting modes make this worthy of fighting fan’s collection.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 18, 2022

'The King of Fighters XV' is the highest-profile, most accessible 'KOF' yet and deserves to be in any fighting-game fan's library.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2022

King of fighters XV plays great, has a ton of unique characters and has something for casual and hardcore fans alike. Rollback net code makes it highly competitive out the gate.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 21, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is one of the highest points of the franchise. It plays like classic KoF and looks just as good as it plays. It feels like SNK have taken all the criticism from King of Fighters XIV and Samurai Shodown and successfully created a game worthy of their legacy. Not only that but one but interesting and charming enough to tempt players over to the series again. Despite being a little thin on content for single players, the meat of the genre lies within its multiplayer. With the sterling netcode, it's never been easier and smoother to throw down with fighters all over the world. Move over Street Fighter and shove off Tekken, The King of Fighters is back and long may it reign.

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9 / 10.0
Feb 11, 2022

SNK used to be a dim segment of the fighting game community during the PS3/Xbox 360 era, but The King of Fighters XV shines bright on modern systems with stellar graphics and fighting that can appeal to anyone, not just the hardcore. This game firmly cements SNK’s place in the genre once again after two successful titles before it.

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90 / 100
Mar 6, 2022

A step forward for the saga

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Mar 3, 2022

The King of Fighters XV is a mechanically and mentally demanding game in which, once you overcome the challenges it throws at you, it becomes one of the best fighting games ever made.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Feb 26, 2022

The newest instalment of SNK's flagship series, The King of Fighters XV delivers improved graphics, balanced gameplay, and a fantastic online experience.

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