SNK於1997年在NEO GEO平台推出的《格鬥天王 97》（The King of Fighters ’97，簡稱 KOF 97），是系列史上「大蛇篇」三部曲的最終完結篇。在亞洲地區，尤其是台灣與中國大陸，本作擁有近乎神格化的歷史地位，其影響力遠超一般格鬥遊戲。KOF 97將系列作的劇情推向最高潮，同時集大成前作的操作與系統，成為90年代街機廳中最喧囂、最熱血的共同回憶之一。

故事緊接在「風之高尼茨」戰死之後，全球再次掀起KOF大賽的狂熱。然而，平靜的比賽背後，黑暗勢力「大蛇一族」蠢蠢欲動。這一次，大蛇八傑集剩餘的成員以「新面孔隊」現身，他們的真實身份是操控乾涸大地、荒野稻光與炎之宿命的天王，企圖透過比賽收集格鬥家的鬥氣以喚醒地球意志——「大蛇」。隨著封印崩潰，原本冷靜的八神庵與莉安娜因體內大蛇之血產生共鳴而陷入「血之暴走」。最終，大蛇本體降臨人間，草薙京、八神庵與神樂千鶴這三位「三神器」傳人，必須徹底放下家族宿怨，為全人類的生存展開賭上靈魂的最後一戰。

在操作與系統上，引入劃時代的「模式選擇系統」，可依自身格鬥風格選擇 ADVANCED（進階模式）或 EXTRA（額外模式）。進階模式延續96代的特色，強調積極進攻以累積能量珠，並支援緊急迴避與拆解投技；額外模式則回歸94與95代經典玩法，需手動按鍵蓄氣，當血量閃爍紅燈時可無限次施放必殺技。此模式分化大幅豐富對戰策略，使新老玩家都能找到最適合自己的節奏。

戰鬥判定更為寬鬆華麗，連段流暢度大幅提升。隱藏角色的加入如「暴走八神」與「真·大蛇隊」，擁有壓倒性的速度與威力，使玩家瘋狂。最終魔王大蛇的攻擊範圍覆蓋全螢幕，其毀滅性招式「陽光普照（混）」更帶來8位元與16位元時代難以企及的壓迫感。此外，遊戲取消了戰鬥間的背景音樂，改以環境音與角色台詞營造肅殺氛圍，僅在特定角色對峙時播放專屬BGM，將臨場感推至極致。

本作在市場上獲得空前成功，被公認為「系列最具情感感染力的一代」。正面評價高度肯定劇本完成度，大蛇篇結局悲壯宏大，草薙京與八神庵最後一幕的生死交鋒已成格鬥遊戲史上不朽經典。雖然專業競技角度看，本作存在無限連段與過強隱藏角色等平衡問題，但在追求爽快感與角色魅力的年代，這些反而成為其獨特趣味。音樂與美術的留白設計被視為大膽而成功，讓玩家專注於打擊音效與角色動作。即使多年後，《KOF 98》追求極致平衡，老玩家仍偏愛97代原始衝動與史詩感的氛圍。它不僅是一款遊戲，更是那個時代的文化符號，為大蛇篇畫下華麗又感傷的句點，其神作地位至今難以撼動。

SNK released The King of Fighters ’97 (KOF ’97) on the NEO GEO platform in 1997, marking the grand finale of the legendary “Orochi Saga” trilogy. In Asia—particularly in Taiwan and mainland China—the game holds near-mythical status, surpassing the influence of most other fighting games. KOF ’97 elevated the series’ narrative to its most dramatic peak while consolidating the gameplay systems of prior installments, becoming one of the loudest, most adrenaline-fueled collective memories of 1990s arcade culture.

The story picks up after the death of “Wind” Goenitz, with the KOF tournament once again capturing global attention. Behind the seemingly ordinary competition, a dark force known as the Orochi Clan stirs. This time, the remaining members of the Orochi Eight Masters, appearing as the “New Faces Team,” reveal themselves as rulers capable of controlling parched lands, scorching rice fields, and the flames of fate. They seek to awaken Orochi by harvesting the fighting spirit of tournament participants. As the seal begins to break, Iori Yagami and Leona—normally calm—succumb to the “blood frenzy” triggered by Orochi’s blood within them. Eventually, the Orochi entity manifests on Earth, forcing the three heirs of the Sacred Treasures—Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Chizuru Kagura—to set aside family vendettas and fight a final, soul-staking battle to save humanity.

KOF ’97 introduced a revolutionary “Mode Selection System,” allowing players to choose between ADVANCED and EXTRA modes based on their fighting style. ADVANCED mode continues the 1996 style, emphasizing aggressive play to accumulate power stocks while supporting emergency rolls and break throws. EXTRA mode returns to the classic mechanics of KOF ’94 and ’95, requiring manual charge inputs, with unlimited Super Moves available when the health gauge flashes red. This dual-mode system greatly expanded strategic options, catering to both veteran and new players.

Combat flow became more fluid and visually spectacular, with combos executing more smoothly. The inclusion of hidden characters, such as “Raging Iori” and the “True Orochi Team,” drove players to madness, as these characters boast overwhelming speed and power. The final boss, Orochi, attacks across the full screen, with the cataclysmic “Sunshine Mixed” move delivering an unmatched sense of pressure that was almost impossible to achieve in the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. Additionally, the game replaced continuous background music during battles with environmental sounds and character voices, emphasizing the intensity of each fight. Special BGM plays only during key confrontations, maximizing immersion.

KOF ’97 achieved unprecedented market success and is widely recognized as the most emotionally compelling entry in the series. Its story delivers a tragic and epic conclusion to the Orochi Saga, with the final clash between Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami cemented as an iconic moment in fighting game history. From a competitive standpoint, the game features some balance issues, including infinite combos and overpowered hidden characters. Yet in an era focused on exhilarating gameplay and character appeal, these flaws became part of its unique charm.

The deliberate sparseness in music and visual design is considered a bold and successful choice, drawing attention to attack sounds and character animations. Even years later, when KOF ’98 pursued ultimate balance, many veteran players still favor the raw intensity and epic atmosphere of ’97. More than just a game, KOF ’97 is a cultural symbol of its era, delivering a grand and poignant conclusion to the Orochi Saga, and its status as a masterpiece remains unshakable.