KOF EX2 on the GBA is one of those rare handheld fighters that actually feels like the arcade version—just shrunk down without losing the punch. It’s got a few new faces, like Moe and Jun, who fit right in with the usual SNK chaos. The sprites are chunky but clean, and the controls? Surprisingly solid for a GBA game. You can pull off most of the classic moves without feeling like you’re fighting the hardware.

What really stands out is how fast it plays. Matches are quick but still give you room to mess around with combos. The AI isn’t a pushover either—expect to get wrecked if you button mash. It’s not as deep as the Neo Geo titles, but for a portable version, it’s way better than it has any right to be. If you’ve got a GBA and even a passing interest in fighters, this one’s a no-brainer.