Definitely an improvement over KOF 2003 and a modernization of the KOF series from the neo geo to atomiswave hardware (and then the PS2.) Game has a dumb final boss, but that's to be expected considering the series and developer we are dealing with here. The roster here is pretty solid, lots of mainstays are still here as well as a few fresh new faces that are fun to play. The story continues the Ash saga set up in kof 2003. I don't have much experience playing this with friends considering the hardware it's on. If the PS2 is out for fight night, there's a much higher chance me and the homies would play something like CVS2 or KoF98UM or 02UM instead of something like this. This game falls into the "it's not bad, it just exists" category I guess.