King of Fighters 2000 [Arcade] - play as Zero

This is a playthrough using Zero in the Arcade version of The King of Fighters 2000. Read on below for more information...

Zero is the final boss of the game. He is a non-selectable character in both the Neo-Geo MVS and AES versions of it.

===== VIA DEBUG DIPSWITCHES =====

One of the methods to select him is by adjusting the system's Debug DIP settings, which is the way I did it as shown early in the video. In order to get access to the Debug DIPs, a modified Neo-Geo BIOs must be used.

===== ABOUT ZERO =====

I think he is one of the best bosses of the KOF series, a very unique design with a unique fighting style. His powers are of the dark arts and shapeshifting, which explains his "shadow" moves. His cape is animated very well during attacks, and he is powerful in the game. Despite all the coolness, he will be (fondly) remembered for his "Zero Fart" special move. It would be interesting to see him make a return in a future proper KOF game.

===== ZERO INFORMATION =====

---- His portrait image and icon* can appear perfectly on the character select screen when accessed there. *However on the left or right side of the screen where the character's icons appear when you confirm a character, his icon is the glitched one of K'.

---- On the character select screen, his icon position is below Kula. Obviously this is normally not accessible.

---- Despite being a non-selectable character, he actually has an alternative colour palette.

---- When in selection as a Striker, it is slightly glitched. Both are Zero (one being a shadow).

---- As Strikers, in gameplay his icon is a glitched coloured version of K's or Another K's icon. The glitch colours seem to be random as it's often different for each match. (this is unexpected because he already has a proper icon on the character select and Striker select screens.)

---- In gameplay, his Striker or Another Striker "move" is glitched, as it just has him floating in and floating away again.

---- In the gameplay screen, when not the active character, his name "ZERO" appears perfectly despite being a non-selectable character and normally never appearing in a team.

---- In gameplay he cannot crouch, but does have low attacks.

---- When he selected by the player for use, after winning the first match, the "final boss match" music plays on the Striker select screen.

---- In gameplay, he has no SDMs.

---- He does not have an ending.

---- His icon appears perfectly on the Ability Ranking screen despite being a non-selectable character.

===== TRIVIA =====

---- He is known as Clone Zero in KOF2002 Unlimited Match.

---- In gameplay, when he is dizzied, his face contorts. As he is already in shapeshift disguise as Ling, it is unknown on what his real face looks like. My guess is that he probably looks somewhat like Original Zero seeing as he is a clone of him.

---- The developers have also made several jokes regarding his special move, dubbing it the "Zero Fart". It is even lampooned in the 4-panel KOF comic strips.

---- His design is based on General Han from Fist of the North Star. His "Zero Fart" special move is also based on him.

===== ABOUT KOF2000 =====

From an artistic and features point of view, I think this is one of the best KOF games in the series. The whole thing is very refined and it takes the striker system from KOF99 and fleshes it out. The Another Striker characters (especially the ones who are not the main character) adds variety and makes it interesting. Personally for me, the in-game portrait images and lifebar icons of the characters are great, and the soundtrack/melodies is/are also top-notch. This game also marks the debut of Kula Diamond.

===== CHAPTERS =====

00:00 - Intro, Title, Dipswitch on, Character Select, Striker select, Dipswitch off
00:56 - Regular fights
13:31 - Cutscene 1
14:29 - Regular fights
17:02 - Cutscene 2
18:49 - vs. Zero
20:21 - Zero defeated scene 1
21:08 - Team Edit ending
21:55 - BONUS: Zero defeated scene 2 (having fought Kula during the run)
23:40 - Cast and Credits