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King of Fighters

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The King of Fighters series<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-size: 100%; text-align: center;">Image:Showimage2.jpg
Screenshot from King of Fighters XI</td></tr>
Developer(s) SNK, SNK NeoGeo, Playmore, SNK Playmore

<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)</th><td>SNK, SNK Playmore</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Designer(s)</th><td>SNK Playmore</td></tr>

Release date(s) October , 1994 KOF 94
July, 1995 KOF 95
1995 Quiz KOF
July, 1996 KOF 96
July, 1997 KOF 97
1998 KOF 98
1999 KOF 99
December 30, 2000 KOF 2000
2001 KOF 2001
2002 KOF 2002
2003 KOF 2003
July 30, 2004 The King of Fighters Neowave
2004 KOF: Maximum Impact
2005 The King of Fighters XI
2006 KOF: Maximum Impact 2
2007 The King Of Fighters XII (upcoming, date subject to change in any moment)
Genre(s) Versus Fighting
Mode(s) Team Battle, One-On-One; Up to 2 players simultaneously
Platform(s) Arcade, Dreamcast, Game Boy Advance, N-Gage, Neo Geo CD, Neo Geo Pocket, Neo Geo Pocket Color, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Sega Saturn, Xbox

<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Input</th><td>8-way Joystick, 4-5 Buttons</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Arcade cabinet</th><td>Upright</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Arcade system(s)</th><td>Neo Geo, Atomiswave, Taito Type X2 (not yet released)</td></tr><tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Arcade display</th><td>Raster, (Horizontal)
Neo Geo system: 320 x 224 pixels, 4096 colors</td></tr>

The King of Fighters (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ Za Kingu obu Faitāzu?), or KOF for short, is a fighting game series by SNK that debuted in 1994. It combined elements from two of its existing fighting game series (Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting) and reintroduced characters from games predating the Neo Geo (such as Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier). Unique among fighter franchises, The King of Fighters released a sequel each year and named each game for its year of release. However, this naming system posed problems similar to those with sports games named by year: once the new yearly edition debuts, consumers often perceive the previous year's edition as outdated and less desirable to own. In order to combat this, SNK frequently rotates which characters take part in the current year's edition, encouraging fans of omitted characters to buy and play older editions. Additionally, SNK could not always release its console version of the arcade game in the same year for which it was titled. For example, The King of Fighters 2003 for the PlayStation 2 did not premiere in the United States until February of 2005. Furthermore, with its increasingly sophisticated concepts, graphics, and gameplay, The King of Fighters became extremely difficult to update on an annual schedule. Therefore, in December 2004, The King of Fighters 2003 artist Falcoon revealed that SNK Playmore had ceased the yearly sequel updates to the series in favor of an irregular release schedule and a naming scheme without dates. The most recent game in the series, The King of Fighters XI, premiered on October 26, 2005.

During August 2005, an anime series based upon KOF entitled The King of Fighters: Another Day was announced. It debuted at the Tokyo Game Show about a month later. Production I.G produces the title as an original net animation. There are a total of four episodes, each about 10 minutes in length (but considerably less, when accounting for the end credits). Fansubbers from around the world have produced fansubs in many languages as each episode was released. It has since been released as a bonus DVD, packaged with The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2.

Contents

[edit] Games

Early console ports of the game were released on the Neo Geo CD system and Sega Saturn. Later ports on the Sega Dreamcast and PlayStation and more recently PlayStation 2 and Microsoft X-Box. Other games carrying the King of Fighters name exist for Game Boy, the Game Boy Advance, and the Neo Geo Pocket.

With a few exceptions, each chapter in the main King of Fighters series constitutes an episode in an ongoing storyline. To date, the storyline comprises of three plot arcs, each consisting of a roughly three-episode story. Thus far, each arc precedes a non-canonical "dream match" chapter used to bring back old characters--regardless of whether they have officially died or gone missing in the main plot--and systems without affecting the storyline. KOF '94, the first KOF game, uniquely stands as a canonical game and probably as a dream match at the same time.

In each plot arc, the series introduces a new hero and companions around whom the main plot revolves. In KOF '94, Kyo Kusanagi appeared as the hero of the Orochi Saga. For the NESTS Saga, KOF '99 replaced Kyo with the conflicted and mysterious K'. The current storyline, begun in KOF 2003, involves an anti-hero--or possibly a villain--named Ash Crimson. In each episode, the rest of the teams have their own subplots which weave together to give a more complete perspective on the overall plot.

The King of Fighters tournament, the namesake of this series, actually originated in Fatal Fury, a classic SNK fighting game that predated the KOF series. Fatal Fury 2 and Art of Fighting 2 also revisited the tournament before SNK released KOF '94.

[edit] Prelude

  • The original KOF game. The player selects from premade teams of three fighters, each team representing a different country. It brings together SNK's favorite characters from its other fighter franchises, platformers, and sports games while introducing Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido, and Goro Daimon as Team Japan. It was not conceived as part of a saga, but because of the game's popularity, SNK decided to turn it into an annual franchise.
  • The game was remade and released in 2004 for the Sony Playstation 2 as The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout in Japan. This version has several new features like online play, team edit, a playable Rugal Bernstein, and the addition of Saisyu Kusanagi.
  • The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout had several problems being released in the US/North America; this was mainly contributed to budget issues and in-game glitches. The game was announced to be released on the Xbox, though the game was ultimately cancelled in March 2006 (the game's scheduled release). According to Ben Herman, the president of SNK Playmore USA, bug fixing would have taken too long, resulting in it missing the holiday season. [1].

[edit] The Orochi Saga

King of Fighters '98 promotional group capture.

In early 2006, SNK Playmore released a compilation of KOF '95 - KOF '97 for the PS2 under the title The King of Fighters Orochi. In 2007, SNK Playmore is set to rerelease KOF:98 for the PS2 under the title The King of Fighters 98: Ultimate Match.

  • Introduces the team edit feature which allows players to create their own 3-character team. Iori Yagami, Kyo Kusanagi's mortal enemy, makes his first appearance.
  • Ported to the PlayStation in Japan and the US and to the Sega Saturn in Japan and Europe. The Saturn port requires a memory expansion cartridge to run. It contains the ability to play as Saisyu and Omega Rugal using a code.
  • This game was also released on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan and the US.
  • The first edition to achieve KOF's distinct look; its graphics and sound better resemble even KOF's latest edition than they do those of KOF '95. Chizuru Kagura appears for the first time. Leona Heidern replaces adopted father Heidern on the Ikari Warriors Team. Fan favorite Boss Team (Geese Howard, Wolfgang Krauser, and Mr. Big) makes its first (and only) appearance.
  • Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Japan. The Saturn port requires a memory expansion cartridge to run. It contains the ability to play as Chizuru and Goenitz using a code.
  • This game was also released on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan and the US.
  • Climax of the Orochi Saga. It still has the longest endgame battle sequence of all the KOF games. Shermie, Chris, and Yashiro Nanakase make their debut and form the Orochi Team. Shingo Yabuki, Orochi Iori, and Orochi Leona also make their debut.
  • Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Japan. The Saturn port requires a memory expansion cartridge to run. It contains a special art gallery feature as well as the ability to play as Orochi using a code. This game was never released in the US.
  • Separate from the KOF story line, this dream match contains fighters from all previous King of Fighters games except for Eiji Kisaragi, Kasumi Todoh, Goenitz and the Boss Team (Geese Howard, Wolfgang Krauser, and Mr. Big) from KOF '96. Saisyu Kusanagi also makes his first appearance as a non-secret playable character.
  • Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Dreamcast. SNK refitted the Dreamcast version (renamed The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999) with an extended hand-animated introduction, link-up capability with KOF R-2 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, and 3D backgrounds.

[edit] The NESTS Chronicles

In Late 2006, SNK Playmore plans to release a compilation of KOF '99 -KOF 2001 for the PS2 in JAPAN, under the title The King of Fighters NESTS.

  • Introduces the striker system, which allows the player to call on a teammate to aid the current fighter. K', the hero of this story arc, appears for the first time along with Maxima and Whip. Iori Yagami and Kyo Kusanagi are not selectable without a respective code for each in the arcade. Originally neither character was going to appear in '99, but were put in at the last moment. Kyo also stops wearing his school uniform in this game.
  • Ported to the Sega Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation in the US. The Dreamcast version was titled The King of Fighters: Evolution, while the PlayStation retained the '99 namesake. In the Dreamcast version (regarded as the better port of the two, due to its massive visual updating), Seth and Vanessa are hidden strikers, and Krizalid is a selectable character (only in his second form).
  • Allows the player to select alternates as strikers instead of just playable characters. Alternates were characters from previous installments of KOF, other SNK games, or were alternate versions of playable characters (such as Athena). Vanessa and Seth make their first player selectable appearances along with Ramon, Hinako Shijou, and Lin. Kula Diamond is a secret character. Last King Of Fighters game to have had artwork drawn by Shinkiro and the last King Of Fighters game made by SNK before bankruptcy. As such, it contains several send-offs to the series, and SNK itself, mainly in the form of the many Another Strikers, but also subtly in the title of Kyo's theme, "Goodbye, Esaka", and more obviously, with Terry's apparent death in the Garou Team's ending. (Though he does "live again", in the end, just as SNK did).
  • This game was ported to the Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation 2. The US/North American PS2 was bundled together with King of Fighters 2001.
  • The first King of Fighters be developed by Eolith; it's also considered the Black Sheep of the KOF Family. In this version, the player decide on how many out of 4 fighters will participate in a match. Those left unselected become strikers. The number of fighters versus strikers determines how many power gauges the player has for desperation moves, fewer fighters increasing the gauges available. Kula Diamond and Foxy make their debuts on the playable character roster. Eolith exclusives Angel, K9999, and May Lee also make their debuts. Many fans consider the background art and music quite inferior to previous KOF's.
  • This game was ported to the Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation 2. The US/North American PS2 release is bundled together with King of Fighters 2000.
  • King of Fighters 2002 marks the return to the classic 3-on-3 battle system and features many teams from past KOF versions. Rugal Bernstein returns once again as the ending boss, albeit with a few powerful modifications. Clone Kusanagi (Kyo '95) is a hidden character as are Orochi Iori. Shingo Yabuki, King, Goenitz, and Geese Howard in the Xbox/PS2 version. King and Shingo are also secret characters in the Dreamcast version. This is the second and last King of Fighters to be developed by Eolith.
  • This game was released for the Dreamcast, as well as for the Sony Playstation 2 and the Microsoft Xbox. The US/North American PS2 and Xbox release is bundled together with King of Fighters 2003.

[edit] The Tales of Ash

  • Unlike previous games, KOF 2003 employs a tag team battle system (referred to as "multi-shift" in game) and presents the most intensive gameplay adjustments the series has seen since its 1996 makeover. It notably introduces the new "hero" team of Ash Crimson, Shen Woo, and Duo Lon along with newcomer Malin and a few returns such as Chizuru Kagura and Hinako Shijo. It also returns to the roots of the KOF storyline (a cult trying to reawaken Orochi). Kusanagi and Maki Kagura (Chizuru's older sister) make up the sub-bosses as you advance forward. The new bosses are Adelheid and Rose (allegedly Rugal's son and daughter) and Mukai. Tizoc (aka The Griffon) and Gato from Garou(Fatal Fury): Mark of the Wolves make their KoF debut, as does Terry Bogard's outfit from that game (Rock Howard also makes a brief cameo appearance). This is the first KOF canon game that neither Andy Bogard nor Choi Bounge have been in the character roster (both make a brief cameo appearance). Kyo changes costumes once again, wearing a black leather jacket in this installment. As in the Orochi Saga, you are also able to play as the Sacred Treasures team consisting of Chizuru Kagura, Kyo Kusanagi, and Iori Yagami.
  • After taking a two year hiatus (KOF Neowave is not considered part of this saga), XI takes place a year from when 2003 left off. The game still follows the storyline of its predecessor with a cult trying to resurrect the Orochi, but now Ash Crimson is starting to show his true colors as well. While SNKP kept the same style of gameplay (albeit altered/improved a bit to fit the Atomiswave design) as 2003, they also notably dropped fan favorites Mai Shiranui, Leona Heidern, Robert Garcia and Joe Higashi from the character roster for the first time since their debuts. To fill their spots, they brought back Kula Diamond, Eiji Kisaragi, and Kasumi Todoh, introduced several characters from different SNK franchises such as Bonne Jenet from Garou(Fatal Fury): Mark of the Wolves and Duck King from Fatal Fury, and revealed all-new fighters Elisabeth Blanctorche, Oswald, and Momoko. KOF XI currently has worldwide arcade distribution.
  • The game was released in Japan for the PlayStation 2 on June 22, 2006. This version updates the current game with additional music and stages, as well as an updated character roster with the reinclusion of Mai Shiranui, Geese Howard, EX Kyo, Robert Garcia, Mr. Big and new arrivals to the KOF arena, Hotaru Futaba and Tung Fu Rue. These extra characters are based on their Neogeo Battle Coliseum versions, and must be unlocked.
  • There have been no recent announcements made regarding a US/North American release of KOF XI, albeit this game has already been set for European release in early 2007.
  • The King of Fighters XII is scheduled for release in 2007-2008. SNK-Playmore has stated that it will be released for the Taito Type-X2 arcade system as they have had plans to withdraw from developing games for the SEGA-Sammy's Atomiswave. KOF XII is expected to conclude the current saga, although there is no written statement confirming this from the game's producers or from SNK-P (There is fan speculation that Ash's agenda to gain Kyo's "sacred treasure" may delay the conclusion of this saga until a further KOF release). The game has been stated to feature the first major graphical overhaul for the series since KOF 96.[2]

[edit] Spinoffs

As a preliminary game designed to introduce King Of Fighters to the Atomiswave arcade system, the King of Fighters: Neowave has notable improvements in background graphics and music quality compared to its Neo Geo predecessors. It is basically a remake of KOF 2002. Like KOF '98 and KOF 2002, KOF: Neowave returns to the classic 3-on-3 battle system and features many teams from previous KOF games. A young Geese Howard from Art of Fighting 2 makes his appearance as the final boss. KOF: Neowave is the first arcade installment to remove the year from its title.
A spinoff game series, produced by former SNK subsidiary Noise Factory. One of SNK's first console-only games since the NES, and their first attempts at 3D fighters since the Hyper NeoGeo 64. It was released on the PlayStation 2, 2004 in celebration of the King of Fighters' tenth year anniversary. It was later ported to the Xbox as "KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax", with additional content, the original Japanese voice tracks, and online play via Xbox Live. There is the possibility of a PSP version coming some time in 2006.
The King of Fighters: Maximum II, also known as The King of Fighters 2006 in the US, is the sequel to the previous game and was released in 2006. It was also packaged with a bonus DVD of The King of Fighters: Another Day, supposedly a prequel leading up to the Maximum Impact 2 and involved key characters from the King of Fighters XI. SNK Playmore stated officially that King of Fighters Another Day was not canon and was just a promotional tool for KOF: MI2 and KOF XI.
  • The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact III
The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 3 is scheduled for release in 2009-2010 for the PlayStation 3. Some expect that with the power of the PlayStation 3, a vast character roster from (nearly) all of SNK Playmore's franchises will be present.
  • The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation-A
The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation-A is scheduled for release in 2007 for the Taito Type-X2 arcade system. It is the first arcade release made for the KOF: MI series and has the inclusion of Ash Crimson into its character roster[3].

[edit] Other (non-canonical) games

  • The King of Fighters '95 / Nettou The King of Fighters '95
An adaptation of The King of Fighters '95 for the Game Boy, along with a hidden boss character, Nakoruru from the Samurai Shodown series.
  • Nettou The King of Fighters '96
An adaptation of The King of Fighters '96 for the Game Boy, which featured the Orochi awakened versions of Leona and Iori Yagami, as well as a hidden boss: Mr. Karate from Art of Fighting.
  • The King of Fighters R-1
An adaptation of The King of Fighters '97 for the Neo Geo Pocket.
  • The King of Fighters R-2
An adaptation of The King of Fighters '98 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Linkable with KOF '99 Dream Match for the Dreamcast.
  • Quiz King of Fighters
A KOF-themed quiz game released only in Japan for the Neo Geo. Roster includes select characters from Samurai Shodown.
  • The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise
A KOF-themed board game released for the Neo Geo Pocket.
  • The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood
An adaptation of The King Of Fighters '99 for the Game Boy Advance, with a new character named Moe Habana.Geese Howard is the final boss with Iori being a sub boss. K', Maxima, and Vanessa make appearances as "Another Strikers". Purports to be set in 1998, between the Orochi and NESTS sagas.
  • The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood
An adaptation of The King Of Fighters 2000 for the Game Boy Advance, including a new plot, three new playable characters (Reji, Jun, and Miu), the return of Moe Habana from the original KOF:EX, and a new boss character Sinobu (a young boy channeling the spirit of Goenitz) of which you are able to play as in both normal and powered up versions once all characters have reached "Master Orochi" Level. Judging by the Korean team's background story, which mentions Jhun Hoon's accident, this tournament takes place between The King of Fighters 2000 and The King of Fighters 2001.
  • The King of Fighters Kyo
An RPG of sorts for the PlayStation, released only in Japan. Follows Kyo shortly before the events of the '97 edition, as he gathers members for his team. A number of fans consider this game as semi-canon due to the fact that it shows Kyo's true intention of entering the KoF '97 tournament in the first place (with Yashiro kidnapping Yuki and {almost} sacrificing her to Orochi).
  • The King of Fighters : Extreme
A port of The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood for the Nokia N-Gage.
  • The King of Fighters
A KOF fighter for cell-phones, loosely based upon the Neo Geo Pocket series.
  • The King of Fighters -Mobile-
An adaptation of KOF for Japanese cell-phones.
  • The King of Fighters -Volleyball-
A volleyball game for Japanese cell-phones, using the KOF characters.
  • KOF Girl Mahjong
A mahjong game for Japanese cell-phones.
  • The King of Millionaire
A card game for Japanese cell-phones.
  • Days of Memories -Boku to Kanojo no Atsui Natsu-
A dating sim for Japanese cell-phones, using the KOF characters.
  • The King of Fighters M2
A sequel to The King of Fighters -Mobile-
  • Days of Memories 2 -Boku no taisetsu na kimi e-
A sequel to the first Days of Memories.
  • The King of Fighters -SNK Slot Panic-
A slot machine game for Japanese cell-phones.

[edit] Related games

These games are not part of the King of Fighters series, but do feature KOF characters or other direct references:

[edit] Trivia

  • The events in Art of Fighting series occurred during the 1978 - 1979. However, its cast appears 15 years later in the KOF tournament mostly (if not entirely) unaged. But as mentioned above, the timeline of KoF and the rest of SNK's fighting games (Art of Fighting/Fatal Fury) are different. However, Maximum Impact does fit Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting quite well in terms of storyline.
  • KOF: Maximum Impact, KOF's newest spinoff, revises swaths of established backstory for KOF characters and settings alike. However, despite its growing ties to the KOF continuity, the MI series better fits the continuity of the Fatal Fury series, and has been officially stated by Falcoon that the main series KOF and KOF MI are two different universes. He also stated that King of Fighters Another Day was just a promotional tool for KOF MI2 and KOF XI, not to be canon. [4]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links


v • d • e</div>

King of Fighters games

Main series: 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - XI - XII

Other games: Neowave - Maximum Impact - Maximum Impact 2 / 2006

The King of Fighters
Characters
Adelheid Bernstein - Alba Meira - Andy Bogard - Angel - Ash Crimson - Athena Asamiya - Bao - Benimaru Nikaido - Billy Kane - Blue Mary - Bonne Jenet - Brian Battler - Chae Lim - Chang Koehan - Chin Gentsai - Chizuru Kagura - Choi Bounge - Chris - Clark Steel - Duck King - Duo Lon - Eiji Kisaragi - Elisabeth Blanctorche - Foxy - Gai Tendo - Gato - Geese Howard - Goenitz - Goro Daimon - Hanzo Hattori - Heavy D! - Heidern - Hinako Shijou - Hotaru Futaba - Igniz - Iori Yagami - Jhun Hoon - Joe Higashi - Jun Kagami - K' - K9999 - Kasumi Todoh - Kim Kaphwan - King - Krizalid - Kula Diamond - Kyo Kusanagi - Leona Heidern - Lien Neville - Lin - Li Xiangfei - Lucky Glauber - Luise Meyrink - Magaki - Mai Shiranui - Maki Kagura - Malin - Mature - Maxima - May Lee - Mignon Beart - Miu Kurosaki - Moe Habana - Momoko - Mr. Big - Mukai - Nagase - Ninon Beart - Orochi - Oswald - Ralf Jones - Ramon - Reiji Oogami - Richard Meyer - Robert Garcia - Rock Howard - Ron - Rugal Bernstein - Ryo Sakazaki - Ryuji Yamazaki - Saisyu Kusanagi - Seth - Shen Woo - Shermie - Shingo Yabuki - Shion - Sie Kensou - Soiree Meira - Takuma Sakazaki - Terry Bogard - Tung Fu Rue - Tizoc - Vanessa - Vice - Whip - Wolfgang Krauser - Yashiro Nanakase - Yuki - Yuri Sakazaki - Clone Zero - Original Zero
King of Fighters Tournament Teams
List of Teams from King of Fighters
de:The King of Fighters

es:The King of Fighters fr:The King of Fighters ko:더 킹 오브 파이터즈 nl:King of Fighters ja:ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ pt:The King of Fighters zh:拳皇

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