The King of Fighters 2002 was released for the Neo Geo arcade system in 2002, developed by Eolith and Playmore after SNK’s original company had closed. Rather than continuing the series’ ongoing story, it is a dream match that gathers fighters from across the previous games into one large roster of around forty characters. The classic three-on-three team format returns in its purest form, with the striker assist system of the preceding games removed. The key mechanic is MAX Mode: by spending power stock, a player can activate a boosted state in which special moves cancel directly into each other and into supers, opening the door to long, stylish combos. Powerful MAX2 moves, available when health is low, add a dramatic comeback tool. Its fast pace, deep combo potential and huge cast made it one of the most played entries in the series, and it remained a tournament favourite for years.