MUMBAI: UTV’s Ignition Entertainment and SNK PlayMore have launched The King of Fighters XII for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system. The King of Fighters XII is rated T for Teen and is available for $59.99.

The King of Fighters is one of the most revered three-on-three fighting franchises ever and 2009 marks the franchise’s landmark 15th anniversary. The latest installment of The King of Fighters series, The King of Fighters XII continues the epic martial arts showdown and reemerges with a complete graphical overhaul. The King of Fighters XII features 22 gorgeous hand-drawn 2D characters from SNK’s arcade history. All sprites used over the past 14 years have been dropped and replaced with brand new 2D high-definition, high-resolution sprites on beautifully detailed 2D backgrounds.

"Now in its fifteenth year, The King of Fighters is one of the most popular fighting game franchises of all time. This latest installment of The King of Fighters delivers next-gen action, compelling gameplay, beautiful 2D art and insanely intense online combat. The King of Fighters XII won several best fighting game awards this year at E3 – an industry testament to the timeless thrills of the franchise and the updates and additions made to continue the game’s legacy," said Ignition Entertainment new business development director Shane Bettenhausen.

The King of Fighters XII features four gameplay modes, new gameplay elements such as Critical Counter Attacks, clan formation (PS3 version only), arcade-style online lobbies, a worldwide online ranking system and more. The 22 hand-drawn characters include favorites from earlier King of Fighters including Kyo Kusanagi, Athena Asamiya, Raiden and Leona Heidern.