KOF: Maximum Impact 2

The King of Fighters 2006 (KOF 2006, or KOF '06), known in Japan as KOF: Maximum Impact 2 (KOF:MI2), is a 3D fighting game produced by SNK Playmore and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006. An updated version was released in 2008 under the title KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation A. It is the sequel to KOF: Maximum Impact, which itself was a spinoff of The King of Fighters series.

Plot
Many contended that the illegal fighting tournament in Southtown was sponsored by the gangland syndicate "Mephistopheles" to achieve the annihilation of their rivals and procure some operating capital. After its "King," Duke, suffered defeat at the hands of Alba Meira in the finals, he and his organization vanished from Southtown. Meanwhile, the media, firmly under Duke's control, released a fusillade of sensational exposés based on information from confidential sources regarding their former oppressors. In spite of this new torrent of "information," almost no one knew that an even larger entity had been pulling Mephistopheles' puppet strings.

The truth behind the Addes organization name was only known throughout the dark recesses of the underworld. No one really had an inkling as to what this organization truly entailed. Now, another of Addes was to reveal a new battle royale. Invitations in white envelopes were sent to the world's mightiest, who will find the call to the battle by Addes irresistible.

As stated in Alba Meira's private novel by Akihiko Ureshino on the official KOF Maximum Impact 2 site (which serves as an official follow up to the story of KOF Maximum Impact 2), Alba was in fact the one who defeated Jivatma and Luise. Soiree was kidnapped as a result of that and Alba has not seen him since then.

Characters
The game features 24 initially selectable characters, as well as 14 secret characters (including the final boss), for a total of 38 playable characters. Some characters have special alternate versions that can be unlocked. New characters are marked in bold.

• Alba Meira

• Armor Ralf

• Athena Asamiya

• Billy Kane

• Bonne Jenet

• Chae Lim

• Clark Still

• Duke

• Fiolina Germi

• Hanzo Hattori

• Hyena

• Iori Yagami

• Jivatma

• K'

• Kim Kaphwan

• Kula Diamond

• Kyo Kusanagi

• Kyo Kusanagi Classic

• Leona Heidern

• Lien Neville

• Lilly Kane

• Luise Meyrink

• Mai Shiranui

• Maxima

• Mignon Beart

• Mr. Karate II

• Nagase

• Nightmare Geese

• Ninon Beart

• Ralf Jones

• Richard Meyer

• Rock Howard

• Ryo Sakazaki

• Seth

• Soiree Meira

• Terry Bogard

• Wild Wolf

• Yuri Sakazaki

Regulation A
A sequel (and update) to Maximum Impact 2, it was released for the Taito Type X2 arcade system in Japan on July 7, 2008. It is the only arcade release made for the KOF: MI series and includes Ash Crimson, Blue Mary, Makoto Mizoguchi from Data East's Fighter's History series, and newcomer Xiao Lon, who is a Hizoku Assassin like her agnate brother, Duo Lon, into its character roster. Regulation A is a remake of Maximum Impact 2, but with the classic 3-on-3 gameplay from the 2D KOF series added in hopes of winning over the series fanbase as well as new players.

Despite the addition of four new characters, Armor Ralf has been removed, as have several stages, as well as the story and challenge modes from Maximum Impact 2. In addition, all of the characters have lost half of their outfits in both normal and alternate types. Some new music has been added, including songs from the original Maximum Impact and Sengoku 3, in addition to new alternate versions of existing stages and a new stage for Makoto Mizoguchi.

The game was also released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan, on July 26, 2008. It was planned for release in the U.S. along with RA2, but was cancelled due to the timing of KOF XII.

Regulation A2
A sequel to KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation A was announced for the PlayStation 2 and Taito Type X2 at the Tokyo Game Show 2007. Many believed that the game was put on hold due to the development of The King of Fighters XII, but it was later canceled.

Reception
The game was nominated to the "PSXE's 2006 Game of the Year Awards" in the category Best Fighting Game, but it lost to Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection. Greg Kasavin from GameSpot ranked the game as good, giving it a score of 7.3 over 10. He commented while the game was highly improved from its prequel, it had many issues. Use of 3D graphics, although being praised too for being "good in most cases", did not make changes to fights in comparison to 2D games from the series. However, he praised the variability of playable characters with different moves as well as their alternative costumes. 1Up.com reviewer Richard Li rated the game as B+. He also praised the use of alternative costumes, commenting they "make even the most seasoned fan chuckle." He praised the mechanics from fights by saying they are much better from the first Maximum Impact, allowing the players to use new tactics to defeat his/her opponent.

The game sold 56,431 units in Japan.

Anime
The tie-in animated series, The King of Fighters: Another Day, was released in 2005-06. The four-episode series was produced and animated by Production I.G, and revolves around the plot of KOF: Maximum Impact, along with some touches of the current storyline about Ash Crimson, who joined the MI gang in the arcade game, The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation A. The ONA series was included with the Japanese release of Maximum Impact 2.

Production
Another Day was announced at Tokyo Games 2005. It was directed by Masaki Tachibana. aired in Japan through the internet on ShowTime and GyaO while it aired on TV via Animax and Kids Station. The ending theme is "Regret" by Dakota Star.

Home media
The anime was released in Japan via DVD as a pack-in with the Japanese release of Maximum Impact 2 on April 27, 2006 under a retail price of 7, 140 Yen. The DVD is region two-encoded, but has English subtitles and dub track.

The U.S. marketing strategy of The King of Fighters: Another Day was far less accessible. Originally intended to be included with KOF 2006 as a pre-order/early buyer bonus for customers of EBGames and GameStop, the U.S. arm of SNK failed to ship out the discs in conjunction with its release. Several weeks later, after some complaint from angry fans, the bonus DVDs started showing up at EBGames and GameStop locations and in many cases were obtainable for previous buyers upon request, yet quantities were limited and many are still left without it despite their devotion.

The U.S. DVD comes in a square cardboard envelope. The DVD is region one encoded and includes both English and Japanese subtitles and audio, both in Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1. Special features include commentary on all episodes, character design galleries for major characters appearing in the series, one trailer for the animated series and three Japanese commercials for KOF: Maximum Impact 2.