The King of Fighters '97 OL is an action, fighting game in which players engage in one-on-one battles using a roster of characters, employing various moves and combos to defeat opponents. In this game, the storyline revolves around a martial arts tournament where fighters from different backgrounds compete for supremacy, featuring a mix of classic and new characters. It stands out with its 3D rendered graphics, a two-on-one mode that allows cooperative play, and a wide array of characters, offering advanced gameplay elements like special moves, team strategies, and online multiplayer capabilities.