THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII GLOBAL MATCH

Released Feb 2025

Relive the pinnacle of 2D sprite-based fighting! Enhanced for online play! Complete with rollback netcode and overhauled online functionality!

55% positive · 626 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 11 Oct 2026 $6.99

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Evaluation

THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII GLOBAL MATCH is an enhanced re-release of the classic fighting game, launched on February 19, 2025. It shipped as a complete package featuring a full roster of 36 characters, story mode, and overhauled online functionality including rollback netcode and new lobby systems. No DLC, expansions, or post-launch content additions have been announced or listed. Following launch, the developer — SNK/Safari Games — encountered significant online stability problems that generated a series of urgent bug-fix patches from March through May 2025. On March 21, 2025, the team published a formal apology acknowledging rollback netcode issues and outlined a specific remediation plan. On March 28, 2025, they followed up confirming active investigation and commitment to fixes. Subsequent patches on April 7, April 15, May 1, and May 29, 2025 addressed various technical issues. After a problematic May 29 update introduced new gameplay regressions, the developer rolled it back on May 30, 2025 and confirmed the planned fixes would be reintroduced in a future patch. All developer communication since launch has focused exclusively on bug fixes and stability improvements — there are no announcements of new characters, game modes, DLC, or additional content of any kind. This game launched as a finished product; the post-launch activity represents maintenance support, not ongoing content development.

Evidence

Store description presents the game as a complete enhanced package with a full 36-character roster, story mode, and online features — no mention of planned post-launch content or DLC.

description · Feb 19, 2025 source content shipped

high

Developer acknowledged rollback netcode problems and published a specific remediation plan — fixing background stages and restricting resource-heavy stages online — with a 30-day rollout target. Committed to further online improvements but made no content announcements.

news post · Mar 21, 2025 source development ongoing

medium

Media

Details

Developer

SAFARI GAMES

Publisher

SNK CORPORATION

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Unsupported

Players

Single-player · Multiplayer · PvP

Action 2D Fighter 2D Pixel Graphics 2D Platformer Controller Anime

About this game

This enhanced version comes with rollback netcode for exhilarating online play, as well as brand-new online lobbies that allow you to join/spectate matches with multiple players at once.

Also features a packed roster of 36 playable characters, including NESTS Style Kyo, Classic Iori, and Mr. Karate!

KOF’s greatest-ever 2D graphics come to life as you face off against players online and around the world!

MAIN FEATURES

・3-ON-3 TEAM BATTLE:

Choose a default team of 3 characters or make your own team by picking up 3 characters of your choice, and fight against teams until victory! Develop your own team strategy by choosing the best characters for you!

・STORY：

In this mode, you will experience a variety of background stories not touched upon in the game’s original Arcade Version. Discover the truth about KOF’s “Ash Saga” and its secrets through the eyes of the main character, Ash Crimson, and oth[/i]er characters who were not directly participating in the tournament. Your decisions and battle results may lead you to discovering new story elements; try out all the different options and every scene!

・NETWORK:

"THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII Steam Edition" now features vastly improved netcode that will provide you with the most comfortable online experience yet! The new netcode features improved communication speeds between you and your opponent, and also tailors your online experience according to your PC environment!

“THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII Steam Edition” features three different types of ONLINE VERSUS Matches, allowing players to challenge other rivals worldwide in endless and intense battles:

‐ “Ranked Match”: fight under specified regulations, and your results will be reflected in the rankings.

- “Player Match”: playing in this mode will not affect your results. You can fight against others casually.

- “Friend Match”: invite online players and challenge them through this mode for heated competition!

・MISSION:

Tackle three different kinds of missions in this mode, and improve your skills!

- “TIME ATTACK”: Defeat all CPU opponents in the shortest time you can.

- “SURVIVAL”: Select a character and fight your way through as many CPU opponents as you can.

- “TRIAL”: In this mode, each character has 10 tasks, which mainly focus on combos. By the time you complete all 10 tasks, you will have mastered some combos for that character.

・TUTORIAL:

Rose Bernstein, hostess of the tournament, will teach you the basic techniques as well as explain the gauges and their uses. First time KOF players should start here to get used to the game.

・CUSTOMIZE:

This mode allows you to edit your online profile and change character color palette. You can create a team to use online, add icons collected while playing, or enter a preset message that you want to use in your profile. For each character, you can make up to five custom color patterns. Show off your personality on the worldwide stage!