The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Final Edition
Move List
Gallery
Soundtrack
Achievements
The pinnacle of the series KOF '98 gets fully tuned up!! An Arcade Fighting Game taken to the limit!!
-Tagline
The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match Final Edition (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ '98 アルティメットマッチファイナルエディション) is the second and final upgrade to The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends. This version contains various tweaks to the characters and game mechanics. It was initially for the arcades, and has been released to the PC through Steam in December 16, 2014. Also was released a version for Humble Bundle, in January 9, 2016, and a GOG version in June 1, 2018. This version also features the arranged versions of the BGMs by default during gameplay. This version also has been released for PlayStation 4, firstly in June 21, 2022, four years after the release of the normal edition, ported from the PS2 version. The Final Edition also earns a special illustration made by Hiroaki.
During the first day of TOKYO GAME SHOW 2021, it has been confirmed that the final edition of the game (released by Steam and GOG) received a major update, which included netcode rollback netcode, developed by Code Mystics, which aimed to improve online matches. The same process occurred with The King of Fighters '97, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match, The Last Blade 2 and Samurai Shodown V Special (only on PS4). The first rollback test occurred between October 19th and 29th. A second beta test occurred between November 29th and December 4th, with two features: the Online Lobbies and the Spectator Mode. The update was released officially in December 20, 2021, and also includes the original soundtrack as a downloadable feature. The Online Lobbies and the Spectator Mode also are available in The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match.
The roster consists of not only everyone from the original KOF '98, but also every character who was playable at least once in KOF '94, KOF '95, KOF '96 and KOF '97 (all canonical chapters of the Orochi Saga). Additionally, all alternate EX versions of certain characters are also available by holding the Start button over their portraits. Some of them also appear in the original game, while others are newly added solely to Ultimate Match.
To also differ more from the original game, EX characters now have both changed member select and order select portraits (not just the Orochi versions of the New Faces Team and Omega Rugal), but also now have their names highlighted in red.
Note: Unlike the prior games, there are multiple different Mid-Bosses, with all of them requiring different conditions to fight a certain opponent. Each Mid-Boss is fought as a Solo Character, without being a Team.
The default challenger; will appear if the player failed to meet any of the above requirements.
Sub-Boss Teams Table[]
Note: Unlike the prior games, there are multiple different Sub-Bosses, with all of them requiring different conditions to fight a certain opponent. If you reach a certain Team, you are guaranteed to fight a certain Boss.
Defeat the Yagami, Masters or American Sports Teams.
Alternate Character Versions[]
Note: These characters are alternate versions of some Characters, having either modified moves or a completely different moveset. On the Character Select Screen, hold Select on a certain Character.
