The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 is the first offering from SNK for the Sega Dreamcast. This game combines all of the previous versions of King of Fighters titles into one package, offering virtually every character that has ever been seen in the series.

The available fighters are: Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido, Goro Daimon, Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi, Ryo Sakazaki, Robert Garcia, Yuri Sakazaki, Leona, Ralf, Clark, Athena Asimiya, Sie Kensou, Chin Gensai, Chizuru Kagura, Mai Shiranui, King, Kim Kaphwan, Chang Koehan, Choi Bounge, Ryuji Yamazaki, Blue Mary, Billy Kane, Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, Chris, Iori Yagami, Mature, Vice, Heidern, Takuma Sakazaki, Saisyu Kusanagi, Heavy D!, Lucky Glauber, Brian Battler, Rugal, and Shingo Yabuki.

The analog stick is not used, all movement commands are executed on the digital pad allowing the game to be compatible with an Arcade stick. Four buttons will control the basic moves: light kick, heavy kick, light punch, and heavy punch. Special moves are executed via rotating the directional pad in a semi-circular motion, identical to the manor in which one would execute a special move in the Street Fighter series. Multiple button presses are not rewarded, rather a perfectly timed single button press toward the end of a properly executed swirl of the directional pad will result in a special move. This style of 2D fighter emphasizes timing and defense rather than aggressive button pressing.

Game modes include: Team Play, Team Vs., Single Play, Single Vs., Survivor, and Practice. Difficulty levels range from one to eight. There is also an option to upload / download information from the Neo Geo Pocket handheld console. Before starting the game you are able to select the desired language: English, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. The button configuration can be changed, as well as the battle options. Battle options include: setting a desired time limit on each round, toggling stage select on or off, adjusting the players life meter, and selecting the number of rounds a fight will entail. There is also an "advantage" system that can be turned on or off. When on it gives a slight advantage to the loser of the previous round.

Single Play mode is exactly as it sounds, two fighters, one controlled by you and the other by the computer, fight one-on-one. Practice mode enables the user to select a character and enter a fight while not having to worry about their life bar diminishing. Team Battle entails selecting three characters and then deciding the order in which they will fight. Survivor mode offers a different type of challenge where one must face the entire cast of opponents. Due to the length of time this may take, there is an option to save your progress in the Survival mode.

Before selecting a character, it is necessary to choose either "Advanced" or "Extra" mode. This is a combination of special moves from previous titles, thus allowing the user to pick the style of his / her choice. Once play begins, the action is halted only when the required number of victorious rounds is satisfied.

King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 (Sega Dreamcast, 1999)