Line #21 VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters2000


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/r_992.jpg]]
2	The seventh game in ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'' series, and the second chapter of the ''NESTS Chronicles''. The game was released on July 26, 2000 in arcades, and for Platform/NeoGeo on December 21, 2000. It was the last game released by the original Creator/{{SNK}} before their bankruptcy.
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4	After the events of [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters99 last year's tournament]], Heidern is determined to investigate the NESTS cartel and put a stop to their ruthless ambitions. After his old friend Ling suggests that K' and Maxima may hold the key to locating the whereabouts of the mysterious organization, he focuses his efforts on finding them so they can be captured and interrogated. Meanwhile, NESTS sends some of their own agents to investigate this year's tournament.
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6	Continuing from ''[='99=]''[='s=] [[AssistCharacter Striker system]], ''KOF 2000'' expands it into the Active Striker system; instead of having to stand still to summon a Striker, ''2000'' lets the players to summon them under almost any situation, allowing massive combo opportunities. Each character has an alternate Striker known as "Another Striker" and a select few have a third Striker, known as a "Maniac Striker"; if they count as individual characters, this puts ''KOF 2000'' as the installment to have the biggest roster in the entire main series, as well as having the most SNK game representation in a single fighting game (with some surprise guest appearances like ''Burning Fight'' and ''Quiz Daisousa-sen'').
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8	Another notable change in ''KOF 2000'' is that, in addition to some buffs to Counter/Armor Mode, it splits up the Super Moves between the normal version and the MAX version, dropping the rule of all Super Moves having their upgraded "MAX" variation. Some Super Moves still keep both normal and MAX versions (like Iori's Ya Otome), but now each character has a Super that only works as either a normal move (costing one Power Gauge stock) or a MAX move (costing all three stocks like in ''[='99=]''; it would be accordingly altered in future installments to fit their system). This mechanic change was one thing that would stay in the series for a while, up until ''KOF XIII''.
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10	The game would eventually be ported to the Platform/{{Dreamcast}} and Platform/PlayStation2. The former adds new stages, while the latter adds new Maniac Strikers, an alternate mode known as [[ArrangeMode Party Mode]], and the ability to watch the openings of past ''KOF'' titles.
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12	[[folder:Teams In This Version]]
13	* '''Team Hero:''' On the run from NESTS after the previous tournament, [[NinetiesAntiHero K']] and [[{{Cyborg}} Maxima]] are still looking for answers; perhaps the aid of secret agents [[EyepatchOfPower Ramon]] and [[BoxingBattler Vanessa]] will be of use to them?
14	* '''Team Benimaru:''' [[AgentPeacock Benimaru Nikaido]] and [[TagalongKid Shingo Yabuki]] continue their search for Kyo, now joined by newcomers [[PoisonousPerson Lin]] and [[BadassInANiceSuit Seth]].
15	* '''Team ''VideoGame/FatalFury'':''' [[LivingLegend Terry Bogard]], [[HighlyVisibleNinja Andy Bogard]] and [[HotBlooded Joe Higashi]] as always, with [[FairCop Blue Mary]] replacing Mai as their fourth.
16	* '''Team ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'':''' Once again comprised of [[HeirToTheDojo Ryo Sakazaki]], his father [[OldMaster Takuma]] and Robert Garcia; with [[{{Bifauxnen}} King]] replacing Yuri this time around.
17	* '''Team ''[[VideoGame/IkariWarriors Ikari]]'':''' [[ReiAyanamiExpy Leona Heidern]], [[BashBrothers Ralf Jones, Clark Still]] and Whip officially begin their mission to bring the NESTS organisation to justice.
18	* '''Team ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'':''' Same lineup as usual; [[MagicalGirl Athena Asamiya]], the still depowered [[TheIdiotFromOsaka Sie Kensou]], [[DrunkenMaster Chin Gentsai]] and [[KidAppealCharacter Bao]].
19	* '''Team Women Fighters:''' Now consisting of regulars [[MsFanservice Mai Shiranui]], [[GenkiGirl Yuri Sakazaki]] and [[BadassAdorable Kasumi Todoh]], alongside newcomer [[GlacierWaif Hinako Shijou]], a girl who uses sumo wrestling moves.
20	* '''Team Korean Justice:''' Same lineup as last year, comprised of [[JusticeWillPrevail Kim Kaphwan]], [[{{Acrofatic}} Chang Koehan]], [[PintSizedPowerhouse Choi Bounge]] and [[FriendlyRival Jhun Hoon]].
21	* '''Single Entry:''' [[PlayingWithFire Kyo Kusanagi]] and [[AxCrazy Iori Yagami]] enter solo once again.
22	* '''Bosses'''
23	** Mid-Boss: [[AnIcePerson Kula Diamond]], a young female agent of NESTS; genetically modified with ice powers to counter K' and his flames.
24	** Boss: [[TheStarscream Zero]] (aka Clone Zero as he's later dubbed), the sponsor and mastermind by this year's tournament plot. However, unlike Krizalid, he turns against NESTS for his own ploy for world domination.
25	[[/folder]]
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27	!!This work shows examples of:
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29	* ActionizedSequel: From a gameplay perspective, at least. The Active Striker system makes it much easier to chain together long combos, potentially to a point where one good hit is enough to end a round.
30	* AdaptationExpansion:
31	** The Dreamcast port adds extra stages not just from the previous ''KOF'' games, but SNK games in general. Examples include the Team Japan's stage in ''[=KOF '95=]'', Nakoruru's stage in ''[[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown Samurai Shodown III]]'', and the first stage of beat 'em up ''Burning Fight''.
32	** The [=PlayStation=] 2 port adds more Maniac Strikers to some characters, like the American Sports Team and Leona/Iori in their mid-boss forms from the Orochi Saga.
33	* ArtStyleClash: The "retro" stages added in the Dreamcast version retain their graphics as they were, and clash with the graphical advance SNK went through in the 90s.
34	* BalanceBuff:
35	** In ''[=KOF '99=]'', your Power Gauge resets to none when your current fighter loses in previous match. In ''2000'', you get your stocks back again like the Advanced Mode in ''[='98=]''.
36	** The Armor Mode lasts longer than in ''[=KOF '99=]''.
37	** The cooldown to recover the Power Gauge after using both LimitBreak Modes became shorter than ''[=KOF '99=]''.
38	* BigBad: Zero, a traitorous NESTS agent who plans to use KOF participants' data to power the Zero Cannon. It's also revealed that he was behind Krizalid's death in the last tournament.
39	* BittersweetEnding: Zero is defeated, but the Zero Cannon fires one last shot that reduces Southtown to rubble.
40	* TheCameo: Most of the Another Strikers and Maniac Strikers are characters from other games and SNK properties.
41	* ClassicCheatCode: In arcade version, Maniac Strikers are not shown by default and has to be unlocked through secret command.[[note]]While highlighting Another Striker, move your joystick Up, Left, Left, Left, Right, Right, Right and Down.[[/note]]
42	* FreakyFridayFlip: In Team Korea's ending, Chang and Choi end up switching bodies after taking a direct hit from the malfunctioning Zero Cannon. RuleOfFunny is presumably in effect here.
43	* GameplayGrading: Like ''[='99=]'', ''KOF 2000'' keeps track of your performance with Battle Ability points, which determines whether and when Kula shows up as an optional boss. Unlike ''[='99=]'', the amount of Battle Ability points is abundant if you set the game on higher difficulty and will face Kula with little effort if you do so without continuing.
44	* GuestFighter: The alternative Stirker characters (both Another and Maniac type) include the SNK characters that have not appeared in the ''[=KOF=]'' series (yet). The featured SNK games are:
45	** ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'': "Unknown" (Ryuhaku Todoh)
46	** ''VideoGame/{{Athena}}'': The Goddess Athena
47	** ''VideoGame/BurikiOne'': Gai Tendo
48	** ''VideoGame/BurningFight'': Duke Edwards
49	** ''VideoGame/FatalFury'': Duck King, Kim Dong Hwan, Kim Jae Hoon, Lilly Kane
50	** ''VideoGame/FuunSeries'' (''Savage Reign'' and ''Kizuna Encounter''): King Lion, Kim Sue-Il
51	** ''VideoGame/TheLastBlade'': Kaede
52	** ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'': Fio Germi
53	** ''VideoGame/RoboArmy'': Rocky
54	** ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'': Nakoruru
55	** ''Quiz Daisousa-sen'': Neo & Geo
56	** Miscellaneous: G-Mantle (SNK's AbandonedMascot)
57	* ItsAWonderfulFailure: ''[=KOF 2000=]'' is, across all main ''KOF'' series including ''XV'', the only installment to display unique game over quotes from your last defeated fighter, most of them lamenting their loss or declaring they're not giving up (even by BreakingTheFourthWall and addressing the player).
58	* KillAndReplace: It's eventually revealed that the Ling working with Heidern is actually a clone loyal to Zero, and the original was killed by Zero.
59	* KillSat: The Zero Cannon is an orbital laser weapon powered by combat data.
60	* LimitBreak: Armor Mode and Counter Mode return from the previous game.
61	* MultipleEndings: In addition to the different endings for each team, the final cutscene changes depending on whether or not the player fought Kula. If so, her handlers appear to subdue Zero, and she prepares to destroy the Zero Cannon. If the player didn't fight Kula, Heidern is seen subduing the Ling clone, preventing them from pressing a button that was presumably connected to the Zero Cannon.
62	* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: One of the traits of some Strikers is that, even when the opponent went into a complete hard knowkdown state, the Strikers can forcefully stand them up and lock them into hitstun state again, opening an extra combo opportunity for the player character. The most commonly used Striker is Joe, but there are many others who can do this, like Kim Dong Hwan and Mr. Big.
63	* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Kula destroying the Zero Cannon is depicted as this in other teams' endings. Averted in her ending, where it's seen in detail.
64	* OptionalBoss: Kula Diamond is fought if the player has enough [[GameplayGrading Battle Ability points]] before a specific point.
65	* PracticalTaunt: Taunting with at least one bar of meter adds one stock to the Striker gauge.

Context VideoGame / TheKingOfFighters2000