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This article is about the first game in the Maximum Impact series. For the pachinko game, check Maximum Impact.

KOF: Maximum Impact (KOFケーオーエフ マキシマムインパクト) is a fighting game for the PlayStation 2, produced by Noise Factory and published by SNK Playmore in 2004. A slightly enhanced version was released for Xbox and PlayStation 2 under the title KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax. This game is the first entry in the KOF: Maximum Impact series.

Although marketed as a spinoff of SNK's major fighting series The King of Fighters, from whence many of its characters originate, KOF: Maximum Impact is actually intended as a continuation of the Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting series to which the game owes much of its look, feel, and style. KOF: Maximum Impact is the first 3D fighter made by SNK since Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage. The game was followed by KOF: Maximum Impact 2.

Some players have criticized the game for an inferior hit-detection grid, several bugs and exploits, awkward English voice acting (however, the Xbox version included an option to use the original Japanese voice tracks), and a limit on combo damage. Others acclaim the game's originality and depth, and find that the combo limit adds balance and reduces one-sided matches. Further releases (PAL PS2, all regions Xbox) have added a choice of language options. The Xbox version also includes an online match mode where you can play other players via Xbox Live.

Story[]

Addes was the most powerful gang in South Town. Its leader, a man known only as Fate, was considered a modern-day Robin Hood to the poor and downtrodden. He himself had adopted two twin brothers, Alba and Soiree Meira, and trained them to be successors to his legacy.

Six months before the in-game events, Fate is killed by Duke, the leader of the up-and-coming Mephistopheles gang. Duke then proceeds to exploit the poor to serve his own twisted thirst for power.

In the present day, the Mephistopheles Fighting Tournament is beginning, with the venue being all of South Town. The participants (minus the Meira Brothers and Lien) believe that the tournament is being sponsored by a charity organization known as the Metatron Foundation, but they soon learn that its true sponsor is the Mephistopheles gang. Alba, Soiree and Lien are contacted directly by Hyena, so they know Metatron has nothing to do with this.

Gameplay Modes[]

Story Mode[]

The story mode is experienced as a single character through the Mephistopheles Fighting Tournament. For most characters, this consists of fighting six characters only, with Duke's crony / Consigliere Hyena announcing the next opponent between matches. For the final match, one faces Duke himself. However, for a few certain characters: Alba, Soiree and Lien.

Versus Mode[]

In versus mode, a single match is fought, either against the computer or another player in a single fighter battle or a 3 vs. 3 battle.

Mission Mode[]

Mission mode has the player complete four levels of 10 missions. Each mission has settings and conditions to be completed. Most of the game's unlockables come through this mode.

Time Attack Mode[]

In time attack mode, the player has to defeat a number of characters as quickly as possible.

Online Mode[]

This mode is available only on the Xbox version. You can play with other players online via Xbox live with this option.

Characters[]

KOF: Maximum Impact has twenty playable characters. Most of the roster, aside from the original characters, is inherited from the King of Fighters series. One noteworthy exception is Rock Howard, brought in from the most recent Fatal Fury chapter, Garou: Mark of the Wolves. Six additional characters were created for the game, four of whom have a deeper connection to the main plot than the others the four being Alba Meira, Soiree Meira, Lien Neville and Seth. However, Seth's role was downplayed somewhat in the second title seeing as he is not an original character to this series but a prominent face from the 2D King of Fighters storyline.

The characters' alternate costumes were conceived as alternate personalities, but little is made of this in terms of gameplay, as their move lists and dialogue remain the same. Some alternate costumes are radically different from the defaults, such as Terry's Garou: Mark of the Wolves look, Clark's professional wrestler persona, and Leona's outfit that makes her look more Rambo-like. In addition to the alternate costumes, characters can be modified with unlockable "rigging models," which add details to the available costumes, such as a wolf mask for Terry, a Mr. Karate mask for Ryo and Yuri, and a party hat and banner for Seth.

The new characters added to the series (and created exclusively for this spin-off series) are:

KOF MI-Alba Meira
Alba Meira, the protagonist of the spin-off series, is a boy who raised with an orphanage until his 14. He is the elder twin of Soiree Meira, and along with him, settled in South Town. He and his brother also were adopted by Fate, and turned members of the organization founded by him, besides seeks revenge after Duke, a powerful criminal and King of South Town, killed his adoptive father.
Soireehalf2
Soiree Meira, the other protagonist and Alba's brother, is other boy who raised with an orphanage until his 14. He is the elder twin of Soiree Meira, and along with him, settled in South Town. He and his brother also were adopted by Fate, and turned members of the organization founded by him, and seeks revenge after Duke, a powerful criminal and King of South Town, killed his adoptive father.
Lien kof-116
Lien Neville, an assassin woman whose parents were brutally murdered by Duke, a powerful criminal. She raised up with the criminal, with a deep admiration for him and a deep desire to kill him.
Mignon-mi
Mignon Beart, an apprentice white magic witch whose grand goal is to bring peace to the world through magic. Whether a fault of her fine breeding or not, she knows little of determining the tenor of circumstances around her but once she has decided on something, has the strength of will to fulfill her goal.
Chae-mi
Chae Lim, a Taekwondo student and Kim Kaphwan's apprentice, is rumored to be Kim's secret weapon for the King of Fighters tournaments. The Maximum Impact tournament marks her first professional debut.
Duke-kofmi
Duke, the boss of the game, was the King of South Town and the leader of the Mephistopheles gang, a sub-syndicate of the underworld organization Addes. Fearing that Fate who was seen as the leader of the South Town following Geese Howard's demise was the only person capable of rivaling his power over the city, he had murdered him.

Official Roster[]

New Characters[]

KOF MI-Alba Meira
Alba Meira (protagonist)
Kofmaximumsoireemeiranew
Soiree Meira (protagonist)
Lien kof-116
Lien Neville
Mignon-mi
Mignon Beart
Chae-mi
Chae Lim

Old Characters[]

From The King of Fighters series[]
Kyo-mi
Kyo Kusanagi
Iorimi
Iori Yagami
King-Of-Fighters-Maximum-Impact-Official-Render-Artwork-Leona-Heidern-Standard
Leona Heidern
K'-maximum impact
K'
Maxima-mi
Maxima
KOF MI-Seth
Seth
From Fatal Fury series[]
Terrymax
Terry Bogard
Kofmi-mai-shiranui1
Mai Shiranui
Kofmi-rock-howard1
Rock Howard


From Art of Fighting series[]
Kofmaximumryosakazakinew
Ryo Sakazaki
Yurimi
Yuri Sakazaki
From Ikari Warriors series[]
Ralfmi
Ralf Jones
Kofmaximumclarkstillnew
Clark Still


From Psycho Soldier series[]
Athena asamiya mi a
Athena Asamiya (in KOF '98/UM costume)

Boss[]

Duke-kofmi
Duke

NPC Character[]

???
Hyena

Stage Cameos[]

Original Characters[]

Fatal Fury/MOTW series[]

  • Billy Kane (Fatal Fury: King of Fighters) - In South-Town Stage
  • Duck King (Fatal Fury: King of Fighters) - In Live House Stage
  • Cheng Sinzan (Fatal Fury 2) - In South-Town Stage
  • Geese Howard (Fatal Fury: King of Fighters) - In Infernal Gate Stage
  • Ryuji Yamazaki (Fatal Fury 3) - In Downtown Day Stage
  • Blue Mary (Fatal Fury 3) - In Downtown Day Stage
  • Gato (Garou: MOTW) - In Lost World Stage
  • Hotaru Futaba (Garou: MOTW) - In Ancient Ruins Stage

Art of Fighting Series[]

Metal Slug Series[]

Gallery[]

External links[]

The King of Fighters series
Mainline '94'95'96'97'98'992000200120022003XIXIIXIIIXIVXV
Remakes Dream Match 1999'99 Evolution'94 Re-Bout'98 Ultimate Match2002 Unlimited Match'98 Ultimate Match Final Edition
Offshoots R-1R-2EX: Neo BloodEX2: Howling BloodNeowave
Spin-offs Quiz King of FightersThe King of Fighters: KyoBattle de ParadiseKOF: Maximum ImpactKOF: Maximum Impact 2KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A"KOF Sky StageOnline'98 Ultimate Match WebSNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy
Mobile The King of Fighters -Mobile- / R-2-Volleyball-KOF Gals MahjongThe King of MillionaireThe King of ReversiMahjongKOF Kentei - Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!Moeyo! KOF DaiundokaiKOF x Garou DensetsuBattle Festa-i/AndroidEncounterThe Rhythm of Fighters'98 Ultimate Match OnlineBeast Busters featuring KOFWorldDestinyAll StarOrochi GoM: Fighting Stars AssemblyKOF: Chroniclefor GirlsArena
Pachinko The King of FightersChapter of NESTSMaximum ImpactIIICR The King of Fighters
Compilations Orochi CollectionThe Orochi SagaNESTS Collection
Films/Animations Another DayThe King of Fighters (movie)DestinyAwaken
Mangas/Comics/Novels/Manhwas The King of Fighters: Kyo (Manga)The King of Fighters: A New BeginningThe King of Fantasy (Manga)The King of Fighters Side Story: The Origin of Flame - Shingo Travels Through Time! Let's Go!The King of Fantasy (Novel)The King of Fighters: R's Letter
Cancelled Online (UnoTechnology)Fighters' WorldKOF MI "A2"KOF: Maximum Impact 360Online (DragonFly/Triple A Games)
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The King of Fighters games
Prologue KOF '94 Logo Sprite
Orochi Saga KOF '95 Logo Sprite KOF '96 Logo Sprite KOF '97 Logo Sprite KOF '98 ENG Logo Sprite
NESTS Chronicles KOF '99 Logo Sprite KOF 2000 Logo Sprite KOF 2001 Logo Sprite KOF 2002 Logo Sprite
Tales of Ash KOF 2003 Logo Sprite KOF XI Logo Sprite KOF XII Logo KOF XIII Logo
New Age Saga KOF XIV Logo The King of Fighters XV Logo
Remakes KOF Dream Match 1999 Logo KOF '99 Evolution Logo KOF '94 Re-Bout Logo KOF '98UM Logo KOF 2002UM Logo KOF '98UMFE Logo
Maximum Impact series KOF MI Logo KOF MI2 Logo KOF MIRA Logo
Offshoots Kofr1logo Kofr2logo KOF EX Logo KOF EX2 Logo KOF Neowave Logo
Spin-offs Quiz King of Fighters Logo Sprite KOF Kyo Logo KOF Battle de Paradise Logo Sprite KOF Sky Stage Logo The King of Fighters Online (MOBA) KOF '98 UM WEB Logo SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy ENG Logo
Mobile The King of Fighters -Mobile- / R-2The King of Fighters -Volleyball-KOF Gals MahjongThe King of MillionaireThe King of ReversiMahjongKOF Kentei - Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!Moeyo! KOF Daiundokai KOF x FF logoBattle FestaKOF-i 2012 LogoEncounter ROF logo KOF98UMOL logo Beast Busters KOF logo The King of Fighters: World The King of Fighters Destiny (拳皇命運) KOF All Star LogoOrochi GoSNK All Star Logo KOF Chronicle (Logo) The King of Fighters for Girls (Logo) KOF Arena Logo KOFSC Logo
Pachinko The King of FightersChapter of NESTSMaximum Impact Kof3 logo CR KOF Logo
Compilations The King of Fighters Orochi Collection KOF Collection -The Orochi Saga- LogoThe King of Fighters NESTS Collection
Cancelled The King of Fighters Online (UnoTechnology)The King of Fighters' WorldKOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A2"KOF: Maximum Impact 360The King of Fighters Online (Cancelled)
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