List of The King of Fighters games

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The King of Fighters is a series of fighting games developed by SNK Playmore.

Originally, the series was developed for SNK's Neo-Geo MVS arcade systems. This would continue to be the main platform for King of Fighters games until 2004, when SNK Playmore adopted the Atomiswave arcade system as its primary. SNK-Playmore has since stated that it will release its latest arcade titles for the Taito Type 2X arcade system. Early console ports of the game were released on the Neo Geo CD system, Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Ports of later games were released on the Sega Dreamcast and Sony PlayStation and, more recently, on the Sony PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Xbox. Other games carrying the King of Fighters name exist for Game Boy, the Game Boy Advance, and the Neo Geo Pocket.

Contents

[edit] Main series

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 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.

[edit] Rugal Saga

  • 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 hi-res graphics, 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

In early 2006, SNK Playmore released a compilation of KOF '95 - KOF '97 for the PS2, PSP, and Wii under the title The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga.

  • 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. The Saturn version is arcade perfect thanks to the cartridge.
  • This game was also released on the Nintendo Game Boy in Japan only.
  • 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

  • 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 and European PS2 was bundled together with King of Fighters 2001.
  • The first King of Fighters developed by Eolith; it's also considered the Black Sheep of the KOF Family. In this version, the player decides 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.
  • This game was ported to the Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation 2. The US/North American and European 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. Kusanagi (Kyo '95) is a hidden character, as well as 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 ported to the Dreamcast, as well as to 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] 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 KOF 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 Chizuru/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. It is also the final annual update to the series; the next game was not released until two years later.
  • This game was ported to the Sony Playstation 2 and the Microsoft Xbox. The US/North American PS2 and Xbox release is bundled together with King of Fighters 2002.
  • 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, with Shion as sub-boss and Magaki as final boss. . 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.
  • The game was released in Europe in July 2007 and in the U.S. in October 2007.
  • The King of Fighters XII is scheduled for release in 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 will be the first in the series since 96 to use completely new graphics.[2]

[edit] Spin-off games

KOF: Neowave is basically an update of KOF 2002. 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. 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. This game was later ported to the Sony Playstation 2 and the Microsoft Xbox.

[edit] The King of Fighters EX

  • 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 (Reiji, Jun, and Miu), the return of Moe Habana from the original KOF:EX, and a new boss character, Shinobu (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.

[edit] Maximum Impact series

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, dual-language audio tracks, and online play via Xbox Live. There is a probable PSP release in the near future.
The King of Fighters: Maximum 2, also known as The King of Fighters 2006 in the US/North America, is a direct sequel to its predecessor and was released in the summer of 2006. The game 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 KOF:AD was not canon and was just a promotional tool for KOF:MI2 and KOF XI.
  • 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, Blue Mary, Xiaolon and Makoto Mizoguchi into its character roster. A remake of Maximum impact II but with the classic 3 on 3 game play from the 2D KOF series as well as new characters. Armor Ralf is removed in exchange for Ash Crimson.
  • The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation-A-2
Sequel to The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation "A" has been announced for the PS2 and Taito TypeX2 in the Tokyo Game Show 2007.

[edit] Other games

  • 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 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] External links

v • d • e
The King of Fighters series
Rugal Saga
Orochi Saga
'95 • '96 • '97 • '98
NESTS Chronicles
'99 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002
Tales of Ash
2003 • XI • XII
Spinoff games
Anime