The King of Fighters 97

The King of Fighters ’97 is a legendary arcade fighting game from SNK that became a huge favorite when I first discovered it at a local game café back in the early 2000s. It’s the kind of game that sticks with you, not just for the mechanics but for how it wraps up the Orochi storyline with real tension. We recently added this arcade classic to our website because we know how much people enjoy retro fighting games that still feel sharp today.

You’ll get to build a 3-member team from a large cast, including names you’ve likely heard before—like Kyo Kusanagi, Terry Bogard, and Iori Yagami. But what made this game stand out for me personally is the dual-mode system. You can choose between Advance and Extra mode before a fight. That one choice changes how your power gauge works, which actually made me rethink how I approached every match.  KOF ’97 is now available for you to play on our website. Let's play the game on our Y9FreeGames website and see if you can uncover the true Orochi team hidden in the roster.

Game Features:

• Two unique control styles:
  • Advance Mode uses a stock-based power gauge. I usually pick this for faster Super Moves.
  • Extra Mode gives you a charge meter and defensive dodge mechanics like in older KOF titles.
• Roster includes over 30 characters, including Orochi Iori and Orochi Leona.
• You’ll face different endings depending on the team you pick—something I found out the hard way after several playthroughs.
• Sound design reflects tension—some boss fights play without any background music. That silence always stood out to me.
• Team-based combat allows you to switch tactics mid-match, depending on who’s still standing.
• Secret boss fight with Orochi if you meet the right conditions. That moment is hard to forget.
• Designed by SNK’s Toyohisa Tanabe, who focused more on competitive balance and fluidity.

We have added different arcade fighting games to our website. We know people love playing tactical, story-based fighting games on our website. That’s why we decided to include The King of Fighters ’97 for fans who want both skill and storyline.

How to Play:

• Arrow Keys – Move your fighter
• Z / X / A / S / D / C – Light/Heavy punches and kicks (customizable in emulator)
• Enter – Start
• Shift – Insert coin / continue