The King of Fighters '98 cover art for Arcade

Arcade · 1998

The King of Fighters '98

The King of Fighters ’98 brings back a broad roster for a dream match with Advanced and Extra playing styles.

Platform
Arcade
Genre
Action
Release year
1998
Developer
SNK
Players
1-2 Players

Play The King of Fighters '98

Arcade

🕹️

The King of Fighters '98

Click the button below to launch the Arcade emulator and start playing instantly in your browser.

Having trouble starting?

Wait for larger games to download. If loading stalls, reload and try again. Check your connection and allow this site's player files if a browser extension blocked them. Once the screen appears, click inside it before using the keyboard.

Read the playing help

Control panel

Arcade controls

Arrow keys move · V inserts a coin in coin-operated games · Enter starts · Z / X / A / S are action keys.

A compatible gamepad can be used after launch.

Keyboard layoutOpen / close
MOVE
Up arrowLeft arrowRight arrowDown arrow
Action
AXZS

Start a coin-operated game

  1. Launch the player and click inside the game screen.
  2. Press V to insert a coin, then Enter to start.
  3. If the game has its own selection menu, follow the on-screen prompts.

Default Player 1 keys are shown. If you changed them or use a gamepad, check the player’s control settings.

System: Move the pointer over the game screen to reveal the player toolbar, or tap its menu button on touch devices. Use the toolbar for save and load states, fullscreen, and control settings.

Save or load game progress

Launch the game to check save-state support.

Save progress keeps one emulator snapshot for this game on this browser. Saving again replaces that snapshot. Download a backup before clearing site data or changing devices. No account or cloud sync is provided.

Import an OLDGAMES backup on this same game page, then launch and choose Resume saved game. Older .state files use the player’s Load State menu.

Favorites bookmark this page; they do not save progress.

  1. After launching, reveal the player toolbar by moving the pointer over the game screen or tapping its menu button.
  2. Choose the save-state download option when available and keep the file.
  3. To restore it, launch the same game and choose the load-state option. Check the restored progress before replacing an older backup.

In-game saves and emulator states are different. Availability varies by game and player. Browser storage can be cleared; a downloaded backup is not cloud sync.

More about controls and backups

About The King of Fighters '98

The King of Fighters '98 — Arcade edition
The King of Fighters '98 · Arcade · 1998

The King of Fighters ’98 brings back a broad roster for a dream match with Advanced and Extra playing styles.

A reunion of returning fighters

Rather than advancing the previous story, ’98 reunites fighters for a large team-based competition. Advanced and Extra styles return, giving players two approaches to movement and meter use. The range of characters makes team composition a major part of learning the game.

Your gauge changes after a teammate loses

Losing a teammate changes what the remaining fighters can do. Advanced increases the capacity for stored power; Extra shortens the time needed to charge. Recheck the gauge after a loss before planning the next character’s round.

Original ’98 and its neighbours

This is the original arcade release. Its predecessor, The King of Fighters ’97, introduces the two styles; the later Ultimate Match revision has its own roster and rules.

Background and mechanics: Wikipedia game reference.

Secret Codes & Cheats

Check the edition and timing requirements before entering a code. Button names refer to the emulated controller; use your assigned keyboard or controller inputs.

Select EX Alternative Move Sets
Hold Start while picking Kyo, Terry, Andy, Joe, Ryo, Robert, Yuri, or Mai

On the character select screen, hold Start before selecting specific veteran fighters to switch their character portrait and move set to their classic Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, or KOF 95 incarnation.

Unlock Omega Rugal (Arcade Boss)
Hold Start while selecting Rugal Bernstein

Highlight Rugal Bernstein, hold the Start button, and confirm your selection to play as the empowered boss form Omega Rugal with enhanced Genocide Cutter frame data.

Playing this edition

Where are the controls?

The control panel below the game screen shows this edition’s keys. Click inside the game before using your keyboard.

How do I save or change controls?

Open the player menu for the options available in this emulator. Save support varies by game and player; see the playing help for more guidance.

Where can I find more games like this?

Browse Action games across systems, or stay with the Arcade catalogue. Related picks below explain how each game connects.