List of ''The King of Fighters'' video games

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 primar. SNK Playmore has since stated that it will release its latest arcade titles for the Taito Type X2 arcade system.

The first game in the series, The King of Fighters '94 was released by SNK on August 25, 1994. The game was originally designed to be a dream match of characters from the company's various arcade titles, particularly Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Ikari Warriors, and Psycho Soldier. Sequels from the series have been released each year until The King of Fighters 2003. By 2004, SNK abandoned yearly releases of the series and numbered future games in a more traditional manner.[1] In 2004, SNK produced the first 3D installment of the series, The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact. The game and its two sequels revises much of the backstory for characters and settings from previous games.

Several characters from the series appear also in cross-over video games such as the Capcom vs. SNK series. In addition to the remakes of individual games such as Re-bout, Ultimate Match, and Unlimited Match, SNK Playmore has released compilations of their KOF games.

Main series

Title Details
The King of Fighters '94

Original release date(s):[2]
[2]		 Release years by system:
1994—Arcade[2]
1994—Neo Geo[2]
1994—Neo Geo CD[2]
2004—PlayStation 2[3]
2008—Wii[4]
2010—PlayStation 3[5]
2011—PlayStation Portable[5]
Notes:
  • The game was remade and released in 2004 for the 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 '95

Original release date(s):[6]
[6]
  • NA: 1996-08-31
 Release years by system:
1995—Arcade[6]
1995—Neo Geo[6]
1996—Sega Saturn[6]
1995—Neo Geo CD[6]
1996—Game Boy[6]
1996—PlayStation[6]
2010—Virtual Console[6]
2011—PSN[7]
Notes:
  • Introduces the team edit feature which allows players to create their own three-character team.
  • Ported to the Sega Saturn in Japan. The Saturn port requires a packed in ROM expansion cartridge to run.
  • Nakoruru of Samurai Shodown is exclusive in Gameboy.
The King of Fighters '96

Original release date(s):[8]
[8]		 Release years by system:
1996—Arcade[8]
1996—Neo Geo[8]
1996—Sega Saturn[8]
1996—Neo Geo CD[8]
1997—PlayStation[8]
1997—Game Boy[8]
2011—PSN[9]
Notes:
  • Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Japan. The Saturn port requires a memory expansion cartridge to run, which also makes it arcade perfect. It contains the ability to play as Chizuru and Goenitz using a code.
  • Mr. Karate, an alter-ego of Takuma is Gameboy-exclusive.
The King of Fighters '97

Original release date(s):[10]
[10]		 Release years by system:
1997—Arcade
1997—Neo Geo[10]
1998—Sega Saturn[10]
1997—Neo Geo CD[10]
1998—PlayStation[10]
Notes:
  • 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.
The King of Fighters '98

Original release date(s):[11]
[11]
 Release years by system:
1998—Arcade[11]
1998—Neo Geo[11]
1998—Neo Geo CD[11]
1999—PlayStation[11]
1999—Dreamcast[11]
2008—PlayStation 2[12]
2009—Xbox 360 Marketplace[13]
Notes:
  • Ported to the PlayStation and 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.
  • 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.
  • Like KOF '94, this game was also remade and released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2 as The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match in Japan. Like its '94 counterpart, the update features redesigned backgrounds, online play, and new characters (Eiji Kisaragi, Kasumi Todoh and the boss team from KOF '96 among others).
The King of Fighters '99

Original release date(s):[14]
[14]
  • NA: 2001-04-22
[15]		 Release years by system:
1999—Arcade[14]
1999—Neo Geo[14]
1999—Neo Geo CD[14]
2000—Dreamcast[14]
2000—PlayStation[14]
Notes:
  • Introduces the striker system, which allows the player to call on a teammate to aid the current fighter.
  • Ported to the Dreamcast and the 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).
The King of Fighters 2000

Original release date(s):[16]
[16]		 Release years by system:
2000—Arcade[16]
2002—Dreamcast[16]
2002—PlayStation 2[16]
2000—Neo Geo[16]
Notes:
  • This game was ported to the Dreamcast and the PlayStation 2. The US/North American and European PS2 was bundled together with The King of Fighters 2001.
  • Allows the player to select alternates as strikers instead of just playable characters.
  • Marks the last installment to be produced by SNK before the bankruptcy, but not the series.
The King of Fighters 2001

Original release date(s):[17]
[17]
  • NA: 2002-03-14
[18]		 Release years by system:
2001—Arcade[17]
2002—Dreamcast[17]
2003—PlayStation 2[17]
2002—Neo Geo[17]
Notes:
  • In this version, the player decides on how many out of four fighters will participate in a match, the power gauge stock increase depend on how many Strikers are added.
The King of Fighters 2002

Original release date(s):[19]
[19]
[20]		 Release years by system:
2002—Arcade[19]
2003—Dreamcast[19]
2004—PlayStation 2[19]
2002—Neo Geo[19]
2005—Xbox[21]
2010—Xbox 360 Marketplace[22]
Notes:
  • The North American PS2 and Xbox releases are bundled together with The King of Fighters 2003.
  • An update/remake was released in 2009 in Japan on the PlayStation 2 under the title The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match. Among the major changes include a replacement character for K9999 named "Nameless". Numerous additional characters from elsewhere in the series were added to the original roster with a complete roster size of 66, the largest roster in the history of the series.
The King of Fighters 2003

Original release date(s):
[23]
[24]		 Release years by system:
2003—Arcade[23]
2004—PlayStation 2[25]
2004—Neo Geo[23]
Notes:
  • Unlike previous games, KOF 2003 employs a tag team battle system.
  • It is the final annual update to the series as well as the final installment to be released for the NeoGeo MVS and AES systems; the next game was not released until two years later.
The King of Fighters XI

Original release date(s):
[26]		 Release years by system:
2005—Arcade[26]
2006—PlayStation 2[26]
Notes:
  • 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.
  • The game was released in Europe in July 2007 and in the U.S. in October 2007
The King of Fighters XII

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 2009-07-28

 Release years by system:
2009—Arcade
2009—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Notes:
  • The game will be the first in the series since 96 to use completely new graphics
  • Unlike previous entries in the series, The King of Fighters XII forgoes the team structure of previous games and all characters appear as solo entrants. The roster is set at 20 characters, the smallest roster in the history of the series.
  • The producer has revealed that the character count will be boosted for the home console releases.
The King of Fighters XIII

Original release date(s):
  • WW: Summer 2010
 Release years by system:
2010—Arcade
2011—PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2013—Microsoft Windows
Notes:
The King of Fighters XIV

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 2016
 Release years by system:
2016—PlayStation 4[27]
Notes:
  • For the first time in the KOF history, this installment has the most number of newcomers and is a PS4 exclusive.
  • This is the first main entry in the KOF series to not have an arcade version.
  • The King of Fighters XI PS2-exclusive character, Tung Fu Rue, returns but as one of the main playable characters this time.
  • The King of Fighters '95 Gameboy-exclusive and The King of Fighters 2000 Striker-exclusive character, Nakoruru, returns but as one of the main playable characters this time.

Spin-offs

Title Details
The King of Fighters Neowave

Original release date(s):
[28]
[29]
  • NA: 2006-04-18
 Release years by system:
2004—Arcade[28]
2006—PlayStation 2[29]
2006—Xbox[30]
Notes:
  • An adaption of The King of Fighters 2002 for the Atomiswave arcade hardware, with new background graphics and music, and some changes to gameplay.
The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood

Original release date(s):
[31]

[32]		 Release years by system:
2002—Game Boy Advance[32]
Notes:
  • 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.
The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
2003—Game Boy Advance[33]
Notes:
  • An adaptation of The King of Fighters 2000 for the Game Boy Advance, with Moe Habana returning along with new characters, Reiji Okami, Jun Kagami, Miu Kurosaki, and Sinobu as the final boss, and a new stage.
The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact

Original release date(s):
[34]
  • NA: 2004-08-12
[34]
[34]
[34]		 Release years by system:
2004—PlayStation 2[35]
2005—Xbox[36]
Notes:
  • It was ported to the Xbox as KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax with additional content, dual-language audio tracks, and online play via Xbox Live.[37]
KOF: Maximum Impact 2

Original release date(s):
[38]
  • NA: 2006-09-19
[39]		 Release years by system:
2006—PlayStation 2[38]
2007—Xbox[40]
Notes:
  • Known in Japan as The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2.
  • 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 characters from The King of Fighters XI.
  • It was remade as The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation-A but with the classic 3-on-3 game play from the 2D KOF series as well as new characters.[40]
KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation-A

Original release date(s):
  • WW: 2007-07-26
 Release years by system:
2007—Arcade
2007—PlayStation 2
Notes:
  • It was remade from The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2 but with the classic 3-on-3 game play from the 2D KOF series as well as new characters.
KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation-A2

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • An arcade-exclusive sequel to Regulation-A released in 2008.[41] A Playstation 2 port was planned, but cancelled.
The King of Fighters '95

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • Known in Japan as Nettou The King of Fighters '95.
  • Known in North America and Europe as The King of Fighters '95.
  • An adaptation of The King of Fighters '95 for the Game Boy, which features Nakoruru from Samurai Shodown.
The King of Fighters: Heat of Battle

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • Known in Japan as Nettou The King of Fighters '96.
  • Known in Europe as The King of Fighters: Heat of Battle.
  • An adaptation of The King of Fighters '96 for the Game Boy, which featured the Orochi awakened versions of Leona and Iori Yagami.
King of Fighters R-1

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • An adaptation of The King of Fighters '97 for the Neo Geo Pocket.
King of Fighters R-2

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • 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

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • 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

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • A KOF-themed board game released for the Neo Geo Pocket.
The King of Fighters: Kyo

Original release date(s):
[28]		 Release years by system:
1998—PlayStation[42]
Notes:
  • An RPG for the PlayStation, released only in Japan.
The King of Fighters: Extreme

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
2005--N-Gage
Notes:
  • A port of The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood for the Nokia N-Gage.
King of Fighters: Sky Stage

Original release date(s):
September 15, 2010		 Release years by system:
2010--XBLA
Notes:
  • The first shooting game of The King of Fighters series.[43]
The King of Fighters-i

Original release date(s):
July 20, 2011		 Release years by system:
2011—iOS: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Notes:
  • The first KoF game for the iOS platform but suffers from poor graphics and missing characters due to limited storage capacity on the app.[44]
The King of Fighters Android

Original release date(s):
March 23, 2012[45]		 Release years by system:
2012—Android
Notes:

Compilations and remakes

Title Details
The King of Fighters NESTS

Original release date(s):[48]
[48]		 Release years by system:
2007—PlayStation 2[48]
Notes:
  • Contains The King of Fighters '99, '00 and '01
The King of Fighters 2000/2001

Original release date(s):[49]
[49]		 Release years by system:
2003—PlayStation 2[49]
Notes:
  • Contains The King of Fighters 2000 and 2001.
The King of Fighters 02/03

Original release date(s):[50]
[50]		 Release years by system:
2005—PlayStation 2[51]
2004—Xbox[50]
Notes:
  • Contains The King of Fighters 2002 and 2003.
KoF Collection Orochi

Original release date(s):
[52]
  • NA: 2008-10-21
[52]		 Release years by system:
2006—PlayStation 2[53]
2008—Wii[54]
2008—PlayStation Portable
Notes:
  • Includes '94, '95, '96, '97, and '98.
  • '94 and '98 are not included in the Japan release.
  • Known in Japan as The King of Fighters Orochi Collection.
  • Known in North America as The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga.
The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • This game was remade from The King of Fighters '98 and released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. The update features redesigned backgrounds, online play, and new characters (Eiji Kisaragi, Kasumi Todoh and the boss team from KOF '96 among others).
The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Notes:
  • An updated/remade of The King of Fighters 2002 was released in 2009 in Japan on the PlayStation 2 under the title The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match. Among the major changes include a replacement character for K9999 named "Nameless". Numerous additional characters from elsewhere in the series were added to the original roster with a complete roster size of 66, the largest roster in the history of the series.
Title Details
NeoGeo Battle Coliseum

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Capcom vs. SNK: Millennium Fight 2000

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Capcom vs. SNK Pro

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Capcom vs. SNK 2

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO

Original release date(s):
 Release years by system:
Neo Geo Heroes: Ultimate Shooting

Original release date(s):
2010		 Release years by system:

References

  1. ↑ "King of Fighters skipping 2004". GameSpot. 2004-12-23. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The King of Fighters '94 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  3. ↑ "King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  4. ↑ "King of Fighters '94 Virtual Console". IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  5. 1 2 "King of Fighters '94 [NEOGEO Station]". SNK Playmore official site for NEOGEO Station. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "The King of Fighters '95 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  7. ↑ "King of Fighters '95 NEOGEO Station". IGN. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The King of Fighters '96 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  9. ↑ "King of Fighters '96 NEOGEO Station". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2014-09-02.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The King of Fighters '97 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The King of Fighters '98 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  12. ↑ "The King of Fighters 98 Ultimate Match official website" (in Japanese). SNK Playmore. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  13. ↑ "KOF98UM Xbox Marketplace".
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The King of Fighters '99 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  15. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 99". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The King of Fighters 2000 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The King of Fighters 2001 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  18. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 2001". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The King of Fighters 2002 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Archived from the original on 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  20. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 2002". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
  21. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 2002". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  22. ↑ "KOF2002UM Xbox Marketplace".
  23. 1 2 3 "The King of Fighters 2003 Official Profile". King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  24. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 2003". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
  25. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 2003". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  26. 1 2 3 "The King of Fighters XI Official Profile" (in Japanese). King of Fighters 10th Anniversary Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  27. ↑ "The King of Fighters XIV announced for PS4". Gematsu. 2016-05-04. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  28. 1 2 3 "GameSpot: The King of Fighters NeoWave". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. 2004-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  29. 1 2 "Tothegame.com: The King of Fighters NeoWave". Tothegame.com. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  30. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters NeoWave Xbox". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  31. ↑ "MK2: The King of Fighters EX". MK2 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  32. 1 2 "GameSpot: The King of Fighters EX". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Archived from the original on 2006-02-20. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  33. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "The King of Fighters Maximum Impact release summaries". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  35. ↑ "PS2 GameSpot: The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  36. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  37. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Maniax". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  38. 1 2 "The King of Fighters Maximum Impact official Japanese website" (in Japanese). SNK Playmore. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  39. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters 2006". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  40. 1 2 "GameSpot: The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation-A". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  41. ↑ "Taito Type X2 Hardware (Taito)". System 16. 2016-03-31. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  42. ↑ "GameSpot: The King of Fighters Kyo". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  43. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  44. ↑ "THE KING OF FIGHTERS-i- on the App Store". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  45. ↑ Alex Dobie (March 23, 2012). "The King of Fighters Android arrives for a handful of phones". Android Central. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  46. ↑ Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  47. ↑ "THE KING OF FIGHTERS Android - Android Apps on Google Play". Play.google.com. Retrieved 2016-05-12.
  48. 1 2 3 "The King of Fighters NESTS". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  49. 1 2 3 "The King of Fighters 2000/2001". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  50. 1 2 3 "The King of Fighters 02/03 (xbox)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  51. ↑ "The King of Fighters 02/03". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  52. 1 2 "KoF Collection Orochi Releases dates". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  53. ↑ "KoF Collection Orochi". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  54. ↑ "The King of Fighters Collection: The Orochi Saga". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
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