《格鬥天王》（The King of Fighters，簡稱KOF）系列歷代作品中，最廣泛被玩家認定為「最受歡迎」的一作，仍然是KOF ’97。這款作品之所以能長年屹立不搖，關鍵在於它幾乎完美體現KOF系列的核心精神。三對三的隊伍制戰鬥在本作中成熟定型，角色數量龐大且定位鮮明，而劇情更迎來「大蛇篇」的最高潮，讓整個系列在世界觀與情感張力上達到巔峰。大蛇隊的登場、八神庵與草薙京的宿命對立，以及暴走角色的設定，至今仍是玩家津津樂道的經典元素。再加上 KOF ’97 在中國街機市場與網吧文化中的爆炸性影響，使它不僅是遊戲，更成為一代玩家的共同記憶，奠定了無可動搖的經典地位。

隨著時代推進，KOF系列也不斷嘗試自我突破，而在現代玩家心目中，KOF XIII 與KOF XIV同樣擁有極高人氣。KOF XIII被許多老玩家與格鬥遊戲愛好者視為2D格鬥畫面的巔峰之作。採用極其精緻、幾乎每一幀都手工繪製的2D sprite動畫，不僅角色動作流暢華麗，招式演出也極具張力，再搭配深度十足的系統設計，使比賽觀賞性與操作上限同時提升，讓這一代成為「2D拳皇最後的榮光」。

至於KOF XIV，則象徵著系列邁向新世代的重要轉折。這是KOF首次全面轉向3D畫面製作，雖然初期美術風格曾引發爭議，但隨著版本更新與玩家適應，角色數量豐富、系統穩定且易於入門的特性，成功吸引大量新玩家加入。同時，劇情承接前作並展開新篇章，使老玩家也能持續投入。特別是在亞洲地區，台灣選手林家弘（ET）於國際賽事奪冠，讓KOF XIV的競技價值與知名度大幅提升，也為作品本身加上實績光環。

綜觀KOF系列能長年受到歡迎，核心原因仍在於其獨樹一格的三對三團隊戰系統。相較於一對一為主流的其他格鬥遊戲，KOF更強調角色搭配、出場順序與資源管理，讓戰術層次顯得格外豐富。此外，草薙京、八神庵、不知火舞等角色早已超越遊戲本身，成為格鬥遊戲文化中的代表性人物，而「大蛇篇」、「遙遠彼方篇」等長線劇情，也讓玩家在對戰之外，對世界觀產生持續投入感。再加上中國市場長期且龐大的玩家基礎，使KOF不只是一個系列作品，而是跨世代的文化現象。

整體而言，KOF ’97是奠定系列靈魂與經典地位的基石，而KOF XIII與KOF XIV 則分別代表KOF在2D美術極致化與3D現代化道路上的成功嘗試。三者各自擁有不同世代與取向的粉絲，也共同構成《格鬥天王》至今仍被反覆討論與熱愛的原因。

Among all entries in The King of Fighters (KOF) series, the title most widely regarded as the most popular is still KOF ’97. Its enduring status comes from how perfectly it encapsulates the core spirit of the franchise. The three-on-three team battle system reached full maturity in this installment, supported by a large and well-defined cast of characters. Most importantly, the story culminated in the climax of the Orochi Saga, giving the series an unprecedented level of narrative tension and emotional impact. The introduction of the Orochi Team, the fated rivalry between Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi, and the concept of “Riot of the Blood” versions of characters have all become legendary elements that players still discuss today. In addition, KOF ’97 achieved explosive popularity in arcades and internet cafés across China, turning it from a mere game into a shared generational memory and firmly cementing its classic status.

As the series evolved with time, KOF continued to reinvent itself, and among modern players, KOF XIII and KOF XIV also enjoy exceptionally high popularity. KOF XIII is often considered the pinnacle of 2D fighting game visuals. Featuring exquisitely hand-drawn sprite animations with remarkable fluidity and dramatic special move presentations, it set an almost unmatched standard for 2D graphics. Combined with its deep and demanding system mechanics, the game offered both high competitive depth and strong visual appeal, leading many fans to regard it as the “last golden age” of 2D KOF.

KOF XIV, on the other hand, represents a major turning point toward a new generation. It was the first entry in the series to fully adopt 3D graphics. While its art style initially sparked controversy, continuous updates and growing player familiarity gradually shifted perceptions. With its large roster, stable system design, and more accessible mechanics, the game successfully attracted a new wave of players while still retaining veterans through ongoing story development. In Asia especially, the international tournament victory of Taiwanese player ET (Lin Chia-hung) significantly boosted the game’s competitive reputation and visibility, further enhancing its standing within the community.

Looking at the broader picture, the lasting popularity of the KOF series lies primarily in its unique three-on-three team battle system. Compared with the one-on-one focus of many other fighting games, KOF emphasizes character synergy, team order, and resource management, resulting in far richer strategic depth. Iconic characters such as Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, and Mai Shiranui have long transcended the games themselves to become cultural symbols, while long-running story arcs like the Orochi Saga and the Tales of Ash Saga keep players emotionally invested beyond pure competition. Coupled with the franchise’s massive and sustained popularity in the Chinese market, KOF has grown into a cultural phenomenon rather than just a series of fighting games.

In summary, KOF ’97 stands as the foundation and definitive classic of the franchise, while KOF XIII and KOF XIV represent successful modern evolutions in 2D artistry and 3D presentation respectively. Each title resonates with different generations of players, and together they explain why The King of Fighters remains a beloved and frequently discussed series to this day.