Welcome to DreamCancel Steve. I think you'll like 13 a lot when you're able to get it; requires more work than most other fighters to get the most out of it, but getting good is really fun.
What NEOGEO station has now for most recent KOF's is '96. To be honest, 13 is an easier game (input-wise) that would prepare you for older games like '96. It's worth it to me, as it's a great game. Most would suggest '98 or '02 (the dream matches of the series) if they were available.
But then again, the money left on your PSN account might go towards the DLC characters KOF 13 has (EX Kyo, EX Iori, and Mr. Karate). If you have other people around you who play this KOF, you'll see one of those maybe half the time. I'd look up some videos of the 3 KOF DLC, or of KOF'96 so you know what to expect of either.
