KOF in 3D? Well it actually works!
Graphics wise the game is a little stiff during introductions and victory/losing sequences, characters hardly make any facial expretions and to put simply its basically the same graphics as the DOA games ("cough" jiggle effects"cough"), however during combat motions look pretty awesome to say the least, especialy when you perform signature special attacks, although with a few tweaks most characters retain their signature moves and they are just as fast and fluid as their 2D counter parts.
Character roster is pretty decent, there are around over 30 fighters though obviously there are a bunch missing from the 2D games like Andy Bogard and King but yeah most of the classics such as Kyo and Iori are there and you can select them in alternate costumes as well as different colors which is pretty awesome.
Gameplay wise the controls have been tweaked in order to make the new 3D fighters more controlable which is good since you no longer have to button mash like crazy just to get a few simple combos straight, and as an addition to the 3D elements you can also perform side steps (though they are only usefull against the more larger and straight forward attacks and SOMETIMES grabs) and you can counter enemy attacks by perrying their attacks making them vunarable for a few moments.
Music wise I have got to say this game has some awesome soundtracks and I especially LOVE the intro music of the game! To bad you can't get these awesome soundtracks any where, but you can still listen to them in the gallery mode.
KOF Maximum impact regulation A is a re-done version of Maximum imapct 2 (a.k.a KOF 2006 in the US) it features a few extra characters notably Ash Crimson and Blue Mary and an online mode (however since I don't have a network adapter nore do I believe there is anyone in this day and age playing this game online especially here in europe I never had the chance to try online, but bah who cares? this is a PS2 and not a PS3)
The game retains its options of game modes such as arcade as single or team battles as well as VS mode with variouse options however the story mode is missing from the game, but then again who cares about KOF stories? Also this game is only avaiable in japan so you will ony hear japanese voices (thank god, the english voices for KOF 2006 were HORRIBLE) but it would have been nice to add english subtitles.
My conclusion, KOF Maximum impact Regulation A is an addictevly fun and accessable game to play and yes even though the game is in 3D, sure the graphics aren't exactly God of War 2 graphics during some sequences but during fights its prertty impressive, veterans of the series should fall in love with this game while others may need to give it a chance first.
Here is to hoping there might be a sequel to this in the next gen consoles!