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The King of Fighters

For the tournament, check The King of Fighters (tournament).

The King of Fighters (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ, Za Kingu Obu Faitāzu), officially abbreviated KOF, is the most prominent series
of fighting games by SNK. Its claim to fame is the large cast of characters and the innovative "team" system, with both original designs and
characters from other SNK games.

The series was originally developed for SNK's Neo Geo video game systems, which would continue until SNK retired the Neo Geo The King of Fighters XIV logo.

completely in 2004. For the next few games, the Atomiswave would be used, and later the Taito Type X2. Aside from this, ports of the
arcade games and original The King of Fighters games have been released for the various consoles of then and now, such as SNK's own
Neo Geo Pocket, the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, the Sega Saturn and the Dreamcast, the PlayStation and Xbox series of consoles, and even the N-Gage, among others.

The latest main game in the series, The King of Fighters XIV, was released on August 23, 2016 for PlayStation 4, and on June 15, 2017 for Steam.

Contents [show]

Overview
The first game in the series, The King of Fighters '94, was released by SNK in 1994. The game was 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. The success of the game lead to SNK to
release yearly installments of the series and numbered the games for the year they were released. With yearly sports games, each new version is
meant to be an "update"; SNK did differently, making each year unique with new rules and a constantly changing character rosters even to this day. By
2004, SNK abandoned yearly releases of the series and usually numbered future games in a more traditional manner: the first main series game
released as such was The King of Fighters XI.
Screenshot of The King of
In 2004, SNK produced the first 3D installment of the series, KOF: Maximum Impact. The game and its two sequels use an alternate story for characters
Fighters 2001, showing May Lee
and settings from previous games of the series, leaning more towards the South Town-based series like FF and AOF. The producer of the Maximum
vs. Kensou
Impact series, Falcoon, stated that the Maximum Impact games are in a different canon from the original series of games.

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. The later Art of Fighting was centered around an earlier iteration, featuring typical sponsor Geese Howard in a younger self.

The King of Fighters games have had a number of villains as their individual end bosses. The first of these was Rugal Bernstein in '94 who had a
tendency to submerge his defeated foes in liquid metal, turning them into grisly trophies commemorating his victories. During the Orochi saga, Orochi is
introduced as an ominous force from ancient times bent on revenge on those who imprisoned it and was aided by his four heralds. In later games, a
mysterious organization called NESTS attempts to kidnap and succeeds in cloning Kyo Kusanagi in hopes of using his power to take over the world.
From right to left, Kyo Kusanagi,
The leader of NESTS, who called himself Igniz, hoped to amass enough power to become a god. Other villains in later games include Mukai and "Those
KOF's original hero and his rival
from the Past" that he affiliates himself with, including Magaki, as well as the Mephistopheles group (Maximum Impact series).
Iori Yagami, in promotional

In order to preserve their characters' images, SNK ceased to age their characters since The King of Fighters '95 and they have remained the same ages artwork of The King of Fighters
'98 Ultimate Match. Illustration by
since then. This means that characters introduced in The King of Fighters '94 have only aged one year in the series. To stay true to this theme, newer
Hiroaki.
characters following this year also keep the same age they have when introduced. Some concessions to age and the passing of time exist, though, such
as Terry's switch to his Garou outfit, or Kyo no longer being in high school since 1998. Ages have stopped being officially listed since KOF XI, likely to
avoid confusion amongst fans.

Games
The King of Fighters '94
The King of Fighters '95
The King of Fighters '96
The King of Fighters '97
The King of Fighters '98
The King of Fighters '99
The King of Fighters 2000
The King of Fighters 2001
The King of Fighters 2002
The King of Fighters 2003
The King of Fighters XI
The King of Fighters XII
The King of Fighters XIII
The King of Fighters XIV
The King of Fighters '94: Rebout
The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match
The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match
The King of Fighters Neowave
KOF: Maximum Impact
KOF: Maximum Impact 2
KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A"
The King of Fighters R-1
The King of Fighters R-2

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The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood
The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood
The King of Fighters: Kyo
The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise
KOF Sky Stage
The King of Fighters Online
KOF World
The King of Fighters' World

Other Media
Comics
The King of Fighters: Zillion - by Andy Seto
The King of Fighters RX - by Lucky
The King of Fighters 03: Xenon Zero - by Wing Yan and King Tung
The King of Fighters '94 (manga) - by Tatsuya Shinkyoji
The King of Fighters '94 Gaiden - by Ryo Takamisaki
The King of Fighters: Kyo - by Masato Natsumoto
The King of Fighters '96 G - by Ryo Takamisaki
The King of Fighters: A New Beginning - by Kyoutarou Azuma

Drama CDs
The King of Fighters '94 (Dengeki)
The King of Fighters '96 (drama)
The King of Fighters '97 - Collision Chapter
The King of Fighters '97 - Destiny Chapter
The King of Fighters '98 (drama)
The King of Fighters '99 (drama)
The King of Fighters 2000 (drama)
The King of Fighters - The Best Selected Characters
The Sun and The Moon ~ Prologue
KOF: Mid Summer Struggle

Film and Animation

The King of Fighters (movie)
The King of Fighters: Another Day
The King of Fighters: Destiny

Card Game
In December 2006, Sabertooth Games released a King of Fighters 2006 collectible card game set along with Samurai Shodown V for it's Universal Fighting System (UFS) game. Other
games like Street Fighter and Soul Calibur III are also included into the series. Character started packs were released for Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and eventually Rock Howard.

Another trading card game was printed by the company Weib Shwarz on June 28, 2009. It's part of a campaign that allows collectors to exchange premium points for CDs and other
collectibles.

Pachinko Games
Three pachinko slot games were developed for the series. One follows the Orochi saga (The King of Fighters) and the other follows the NESTS saga (The King of Fighters 2). The newest
one (Maximum Impact) focuses on the series's 3D titles. A fourth slot game (The King of Fighters III) covers the Ash saga. These machines remain exclusive to Japan.

Mobile Games
The King of Fighters (mobile)
The King of Fighters M2
The King of Fighters Volleyball
KOF Gals Mahjong
The King of Reversi
The King of Millionare
The King of Fighters Mahjong
KOF Kentei Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!
Moeyo! KOF Daiundokai
The King of Fighters Battle Festa
The King of Fighters-i
The King of Fighters Android
The King of Fighters: World
KOF98 Ultimate Match Online

Characters
Introduced in The King of Fighters '94
Kyo Kusanagi Choi Bounge

Benimaru Nikaido Heavy D!

Goro Daimon Lucky Glauber

Chin Gentsai Brian Battler

Chang Koehan Rugal Bernstein

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Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury: Yuri Sakazaki

King
Terry Bogard
Andy Bogard From Ikari Warriors:

Joe Higashi Heidern

Mai Shiranui Ralf Jones
Kim Kaphwan Clark Still

From Art of Fighting: From Psycho Soldier:

Ryo Sakazaki Athena Asamiya

Robert Garcia Sie Kensou
Takuma Sakazaki

Introduced in The King of Fighters '95

Iori Yagami
Saisyu Kusanagi - originally in '94 as a cutscene character
Omega Rugal

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury:

Billy Kane

From Art of Fighting:

Eiji Kisaragi
From Samurai Shodown:
Nakoruru - Gameboy only

Introduced in The King of Fighters '96

Leona Goenitz

Mature - originally in '94 as a cutscene character Wild Iori - Gameboy only

Vice - originally in '95 as a cutscene character Wild Leona - Gameboy only

Chizuru Kagura Maki Kagura - Gameboy only

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury: From Art of Fighting:

Geese Howard Kasumi Todoh

Wolfgang Krauser Mr. Big

Mr. Karate - Gameboy only

Introduced in The King of Fighters '97

Shingo Yabuki Orochi Yashiro

Yashiro Nanakase Orochi Shermie

Shermie Orochi Chris

Chris Orochi

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury:

Blue Mary
Ryuji Yamazaki

Introduced in The King of Fighters: Kyo

Souji Kusanagi
Kyoji Sendo
Junko Sendo
Syota Sendo

Introduced in The King of Fighters '99

K' Jhun Hoon

Maxima Kyo-1

Whip Kyo-2

Bao Krizalid

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury: Li Xiangfei

Introduced in The King of Fighters '99 Evolution

Vanessa - Striker
Seth - Striker
Syo Kirishima - Striker

From Fatal Fury: Gai Tendo - Striker

Alfred - Striker From Metal Slug:

From Buriki One: Fiolina Germi - Striker

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Introduced in The King of Fighters EX
Moe Habana

Introduced in The King of Fighters 2000

Ramon Another Benimaru - Striker

Lin Another Robert - Striker

Hinako Shijou Cosplayer Kyoko - Striker

Kula Diamond Kang Bae Dal - Striker

Clone Zero Smart Chang - Striker

Foxy - Striker Cool Choi - Striker

Candy Diamond - Striker Kaoru Watabe - Striker

Another K' - Striker Baitang - Striker

Another Iori - Striker

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury: Kaede - Striker

Duck King - Striker From Burning Fight:

Lilly Kane - Striker Duke Edwards - Striker

From Garou: Mark of the Wolves: From Robo Army:

Kim Jae Hoon - Striker Rocky - Striker

Kim Dong Hwan - Striker From Athena:
From Art of Fighting: Athena - Striker
Unknown (a shaded Ryuhaku Todoh) - Striker From Quiz Dai Sousa-sen:
From Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter: Neo & Geo - Strikers
King Lion - Striker G-Mantle - Striker
Kim Sue Il - Striker

From The Last Blade:

Introduced in The King of Fighters EX2

Reiji Oogami
Jun Kagami
Miu Kurosaki
Sinobu Amou

Introduced in The King of Fighters 2001

May Lee Jinju
K9999
Angel
Zero
Ron - Striker for Zero
Glaugan - Striker for Zero
Igniz

Introduced in The King of Fighters 2002

Kusanagi

Introduced in The King of Fighters 2003

Ash Crimson
Duo Lon
Shen Woo
Malin
Adelheid Bernstein
Mukai

Brought from other games:

From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:

Tizoc (The Griffon)
Gato

Introduced in KOF: Maximum Impact

Alba Meira
Soiree Meira
Lien Neville
Chae Lim
Mignon Beart
Duke

Brought from other games:

From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:

Rock Howard

Introduced in The King of Fighters XI

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Oswald From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
Elisabeth Blanctorche B. Jenet
Momoko Hotaru Futaba - Playstation 2 only
Shion From Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter:
Magaki
Sho Hayate
Brought from other games: Jyazu
From Fatal Fury: From Buriki One:
Tung Fu Rue - Playstation 2 only Silber

Introduced in KOF: Maximum Impact 2

Luise Meyrink Jivatma

Ninon Beart Kyo Kusanagi Classic

Nagase Armor Ralf

Hyena

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury: From Samurai Shodown:

Richard Meyer Hanzo Hattori

From Garou: Mark of the Wolves: From Buriki One:

Wild Wolf (Terry Bogard) Mr. Karate II (Ryo Sakazaki)

Introduced in KOF Maximum Impact Regulation A

Xiao Lon

Brought from other games:

From Fighter's History: Makoto Mizoguchi

Introduced in The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

Nameless

Introduced in The King of Fighters XII

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury:

Raiden

Introduced in The King of Fighters XIII

Saiki
Evil Ash

Brought from other games:

From Fatal Fury:

Hwa Jai

From SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos:

Honki ni Natta Mr. Karate

Introduced in The King of Fighters XIV

Shun'ei
Meitenkun
Gang-il
Luong
Hein
Xanadu
King of Dinosaurs
Sylvie Paula Paula
Kukri
Mian
Nelson
Zarina
Bandeiras Hattori
Antonov
Verse
Najd - as DLC Character

Brought from other games:

From Garou Densetsu The Legend of Wild Wolf:

Alice

From Dragon Gal:

Mui Mui

From Sky Love:

Love Heart

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NPC Characters
Yuki (KoF) Asuka and Maria

Rose Bernstein Fate

Botan Judeim

Jan Dr. Makishima

Gaidel Shizuka Kusanagi

Gustav Munchausen Aoi Kusanagi

Diana Jokyojo

Misty Kogoro Daimon

Nests Ling

Cool Guy Sandra and Clara Heidern

Luan, Chat and Sai Keisuke Sendo

Lillien Knights Antonio

Sally and Elizabeth P-chan

Aya and Hermione Yakov

External Links
15th anniversary site hub , Official Facebook
10th Anniversary Special - Saisyu and Shingo corner
Spanish King of Fighters wiki
KOF LINE Stickers , NESTS-style , Ash

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