Unlike the standard arcade PCB, this ROM typically allows players to select boss characters like Rugal, Orochi, and Goenitz without complex cheat codes. Running the ROM on MAME
Contrary to what the name might suggest to a casual observer, this isn't an official SNK release. It is a massive, fan-developed "tribute" ROM based on the King of Fighters '98: The Slugfest engine. Developers took the balanced gameplay of '98 and injected it with a massive roster of characters spanning the series' history, specifically focusing on the most iconic fighters from '94 through '97.
The reason creators chose KOF '98 as the base for the Anniversary Edition is simple: balance. In the fighting game community (FGC), '98 is considered the most polished entry in the series. By using this engine, the Anniversary Edition provides a "best of both worlds" scenario—the massive variety of a fan mod with the rock-solid fundamentals of an SNK masterpiece. Legal and Safety Note