Oh, how the mighty have fallen. King of Fighters XII sports a robust anime-style presentation and classic beat-em-up gameplay that both long-time fans and amateurs can appreciate, but it also has too many problems to overlook.

There isn't much depth to the game whatsoever. Even with 22 selectable fighters, only a handful are worth learning and mastering. Worse yet, some fan favorites are missing, such as the quirky Choi Bounge and the luscious Mai Shiranui. Only three modes are available (Training, Versus and Arcade), so those seeking opposition in Survival Mode are out of luck. Online play through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network is available, but it's so slow and full of bugs that, until SNK fixes it, it's not worth messing with.

It's too bad, because the rest of the game is solid. The high-definition hand-drawn animation looks superb, as are the detailed backdrops and stylish soundtracks. The gameplay holds its own too, with new Critical Counter and Clash Timing techniques to master, along with plenty of regular and special moves.

Had SNK gone the extra mile with better online play and more fighters and modes, King of Fighters XII could've really gotten somewhere. As it stands, it's just another fighter that tries – and fails – to knock Street Fighter IV off its mighty throne.