The King of Fighters 2002 Magic Plus II

The King of Fighters 2002 Magic Plus II

The King of Fighters 2002 Magic Plus II is an unofficial bootleg / hack of the classic 2002 Neo-Geo fighting game The King of Fighters 2002. Released around the same period by an unknown publisher, it expands the original roster, rebalances characters, and modifies the power gauge system so energy builds more easily when attacking or blocking. The result is a faster, more aggressive version of the popular 3-on-3 team fighter that became popular in arcades and on emulators. In MAME it appears as the clone set kf2k2mp2 of the parent kof2002.

Game Overview

The King of Fighters 2002 Magic Plus II is a pirate Neo-Geo MVS cartridge hack of SNK/Playmore’s The King of Fighters 2002 (NGM-2650 / NGH-2650). It keeps the core 3-on-3 team-based fighting gameplay, combo system, and stages of the official 2002 release while making several significant changes aimed at arcade players who wanted more options and faster matches.

Key alterations include an expanded selectable roster (reported as 45 characters instead of the original 42), easier power-gauge charging (the meter fills when you attack or block), and various balance tweaks that open up new team combinations and strategies. The game still features the classic Neo-Geo hardware characteristics: 8-way joystick, four buttons, horizontal 320×224 resolution, and the familiar YM2610 sound hardware. It is fully playable in MAME under the set name kf2k2mp2 (a clone of kof2002). Like most Neo-Geo bootlegs of the era, it re-uses the parent game’s encrypted graphics and sound ROMs while substituting its own program and text ROMs.

Quick Specifications

• Title: The King of Fighters 2002 Magic Plus II (bootleg)
• Developer / Publisher: Unknown (bootleg)
• Year: 2002
• Platform: Neo-Geo MVS (arcade)
• Genre: Fighting / Team-based Versus
• Players: 1–2 simultaneous
• Controls: 8-way joystick, 4 buttons
• Hardware: Neo-Geo (68000 @ 12 MHz + Z80 @ 4 MHz, YM2610 sound)
• Display: Horizontal, 320 × 224, ~59.18 Hz
• MAME ROM set: kf2k2mp2 (clone of kof2002)
• Parent game: The King of Fighters 2002

Key Features

• Expanded character roster (approximately 45 selectable fighters versus 42 in the original).
• Modified power-gauge system that fills when attacking or blocking, allowing more frequent special and super moves.
• Rebalanced characters and team combinations not possible (or less viable) in the official 2002 version.
• Full retention of the classic KOF 2002 3-on-3 team structure, stages, and core combat system.
• Runs on standard Neo-Geo MVS hardware and is well-supported in modern MAME.
• Popular among players who prefer a faster, more aggressive “arcade-hack” style of KOF 2002.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The King of Fighters 2002 Magic Plus II?

It is an unauthorized bootleg/hack of the official 2002 Neo-Geo game The King of Fighters 2002. It keeps the same core gameplay while adding extra characters, easier power charging, and various balance changes.

How is it different from the original KOF 2002?

The main differences are a larger selectable roster (around 45 characters), a power gauge that builds more readily when you attack or block, and character rebalancing that changes viable team compositions and strategies.

What is the MAME ROM set name?

The set is called kf2k2mp2. It is listed as a clone of the parent set kof2002.

Is this an official SNK / Playmore release?

No. It is a pirate/bootleg cartridge produced by an unknown manufacturer. It is not an official SNK, Eolith, or Playmore product.

Does it work well in MAME?

Yes. The set kf2k2mp2 is supported in MAME and runs on the standard Neo-Geo driver. Like most Neo-Geo games it also requires a Neo-Geo BIOS (neogeo.zip).

What are the basic controls?

Standard Neo-Geo layout: 8-way joystick + four attack buttons (usually A/B/C/D corresponding to Light Punch, Light Kick, Heavy Punch, Heavy Kick). Teams are selected before the match and players can switch order or use team-specific tactics during play.