The King of Fighters '97 represents the narrative and mechanical climax of the series' first major story arc: the Orochi Saga. This title concludes the mythological deity's arc with a drama-filled tournament, secret battles against characters possessed by the Orochi bloodline (such as Orochi Iori and Orochi Leona), and a legendary final encounter. Gameplay-wise, it introduced the choice between two distinct control configurations: Advanced (run, short hops, and offensive stock accumulation) and Extra (classic mode featuring static dodges and manual gauge charging). The AES cartridge is very common on the market, making it a budget-friendly way to experience the conclusion of SNK's finest story.