The King of Fighters '94

The King of Fighters '94 (or just KOF 94) was the first game from the The King of Fighters series, and was released in August, 25, 1994 for the SNK Neo Geo systems (AES, MVS and CD). This game featured characters from earlier SNK games, such as Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier. It also included new characters such as the Japan Team (or Hero Team) and the USA Team. The major innovation in KOF 94, comparing to the fighting games at that time, was the 3-on-3 team battle system, where each player uses 3-characters team instead of the 1-on-1 from the other fighting games. So the game roster was divided in teams of 3, each team representing one country.

Recently, SNK Playmore released a remake of KOF '94, called The King of Fighters '94: Rebout on the Playstation 2, but the game wasn't released outside of Japan. In 2008, The game was included as part of SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1.

Background
(in 1994)

The year, 1994. Once again the invitations to the King of Fighters find their ways to the world's most wicked warriors. But the patron of this little party remains unknown. It cannot be Geese, nor can it be Krauser. So who could they be from...?

Among all the hopes and doubts, the legendary superstars of the fighting world begin to form their mighty teams. What type of battle with these magnificent fighters sure to go down in history show us? The voltage of the fan's excitement reaches a fevered pitch as the tournament finally approaches its beginning.victory.

Development
In an interview with veteran developers of the series -which included C.A.C Yamasaki and Mitsuo Kodama- they claim that their prototype version for KOF was going to be a side-scrolling beat 'em up titled Survivor. In this version, it would only use core characters from the Art of Fighting and Fatal Fury series, specifically allowing players to play characters like Robert Garcia and Terry Bogard for location testing. However, the idea was eventually abandoned. Since they were attached to the idea of the two series cross-over, they eventually agreed to make their idea into a fighting game. Characters from Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier games were also added in spirit of other gaming genres considered for their final product. The concept of a three-man team was one of the ideas kept from the side-scrolling version.

Flagship director, Toyohisa Tanabe, asserts that the Art of Fighting and Fatal Fury fighters were added specifically for adults. The newer KOF characters were aimed to appeal to younger and newer audiences. He adds that every original character for the series is added based on the developers' strong desire to make one. For example, he agreed to include characters such as Benimaru and Chang to add an off-beat variety to the cast, which he previously deemed to be too serious before.

Although Kyo was developed to be the main protagonist of the franchise, the game's primary focus was to create a dream match between Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting (respectively basing KOF '94 on Fatal Fury Special and Art of Fighting 2). These contradictory ideals eventually lead to the concept that the player decided who the "true" protagonist was for this year. Kyo's role in the series was emphasized in the following year.

Gameplay
Since this game is some kind of crossover, the gameplay shares some similarities with SNK's fighting games. Instead of one-on-one fights, the system includes battles between teams of three people in a tag-team fashion. If one of the members is defeated by one of the other team's members, the next member will come in to fight the winner, and will go on until all three members of one team is defeated.

The gameplay utilizes elements from Fatal Fury such as the infinite special moves and Desperate Moves (DM) when your lifebar is in the low, and the dash. From Art of Fighting it borrows the abilities to charge your special meter, and unleash a DM when your special meter is full. KOF 94 also features a sidestep system. By pressing A+B the player will dodge. When your lifebar is flashing red, and your special meter is at max, the player can unleash a super move.

Characters
Old Characters (from earlier SNK franchises):

New Characters:
 * Terry Bogard - From Fatal Fury series
 * Andy Bogard - From Fatal Fury series
 * Joe Higashi - From Fatal Fury series
 * Mai Shiranui - From Fatal Fury series
 * Kim Kaphwan - From Fatal Fury series
 * Ryo Sakazaki - From Art of Fighting series
 * Robert Garcia - From Art of Fighting series
 * Takuma Sakazaki - From Art of Fighting series
 * King - From Art of Fighting series
 * Yuri Sakazaki - From Art of Fighting series
 * Ralf Jones - From Ikari Warriors series
 * Clark Still - From Ikari Warriors series
 * Athena Asamiya - From Athena and Psycho Soldier
 * Sie Kensou - From Psycho Soldier


 * Heidern
 * Choi Bounge
 * Chang Koehan
 * Chin Gentsai
 * Heavy D!
 * Lucky Glauber
 * Brian Battler
 * Rugal Bernstein
 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Benimaru Nikaido
 * Goro Daimon

Teams

 * Japan Team (A.K.A Hero Team): Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon
 * Italy Team (A.K.A Fatal Fury Team): Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi
 * Brazil Team (A.K.A Ikari Team): Heidern, Ralf Jones and Clark Still
 * England Team (A.K.A Women Fighters Team): King, Mai Shiranui and Yuri Sakazaki
 * Mexico Team (A.K.A Art of Fighting Team): Takuma Sakazaki, Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia
 * Korea Team (A.K.A Kim Team): Kim Kaphwan, Choi Bounge and Chang Koehan
 * China Team (A.K.A Psycho Soldier Team): Athena Asamiya, Chin Gentsai and Sie Kensou
 * U.S.A. Team (A.K.A American Sport Team): Heavy D!, Lucky Glauber and Brian Battler

Japan Team (A.K.A Hero Team):
(in 1994)

"Tchee-yah!"

Just as he hears the scream, Goro Daimon finds himself airborne and BAM! He lands with large thud.

"Goooooo-waaah...."

It is Daimon's loss. The boy who wins the preliminary round of Japan's varied fighting forms tournament quickly catches his wind. The fighting style of this delicate young boy, Kyo Kusanagi, seems to combine the art of manipulating fire, passed through his bloodline, with the "Sword of Kusanagi," which protected the Susano-ono-Mikoto of legend, to make up the Fist of Kusanagi martial arts that is said to be as old as humanity. Kyo is a direct descendant of this Kusanagi bloodline.

And Goro Daimon now realizes in this preliminary match the sublime power of the moves Kyo possesses.

"Too bad there. Mr. Former Gold Medalist man."

Daimon looks back to see a superbly coiffed blond boy, his hair shooting up into the sky. He's Benimaru, who moved onto the finals one step ahead of Kyo. His style is flamboyant, and he is a guy who really stands out in a crowd.

"You lose to a punk like this, what a joke. Your reputation as a gold medalist is ruined."

"...Hold on there, sonny, you can't win with a half-hearted attitude like that..."

"What did you say? It's a given that I'll win and be hailed all over Japan!"

"You should show more prudence before issuing challenges..."

And because of his boasting, the conclusion to the battle between Kyo and Benimaru's is fairly predictable. As Kyo keeps a certain degree of distance, Benimaru continues to move in. It's truly a strategy of attrition.

"Nuts! What a clown. Hey-yaah!!!"

Benimaru moves to finish the match with a single blow and jumps in for the kill. Then it happens:

"Hoooh-yeah!"

Having kept a certain distance from his foe until now, Kyo releases his super special move, the Serpent Wave.

"What the...? Oooh-wghaaaaaa!!"

The flames that Kyo release swallow up Benimaru and the match ends. Kyo pants something as he tries to recover his breath.

"Heh, heh...Burn, baby, burn...."

The two, who have come to respect each other's strengths, receive their invitations to the King of Fighters one year later.

Italy Team (A.K.A Fatal Fury Team):
(in 1994)

Terry is passing quiet afternoon in a small park with a view of a small harbor.

Blessed with pleasant weather, he thinks, "This is phenomenal!" even though combining training with a stay at this Italian resort was his own idea.

But his reverie is soon cut short. The cause for this is the delivery of a single invitation with his name on it.

"The King of Fighters, huh?"

He seems a bit bummed by this. And just who is this "R" anyway?

"'R'.... It doesn't seem to be Geese or Krauser.... Hmm. Who could it be? R...R...Uh, Ryuhaku Todoh? Who was that guy?"

Could it be that the genial climate has affected his mental circuitry?

"Hey! Boy, we broke a hump trying to find you!"

Joe Higashi, the perpetually peppy kick boxing dynamo, arrives on the scene. And Andy follows close behind.

"Oh, what's up? Both of you have come? You really did your homework to find me here."

Ignoring Terry, who seems a little taken aback at this sudden visit, Joe continues.

"What's up? Who do you think you're kidding?! I'm talking about this! This thing right here!"

Joe flaps an envelope in his face.

"You're entering with us, aren't you? Right?! We need three members this time! Sounds downright intriguing, doesn't it?"

It does have a certain intriguing quality to it, thinks Terry.

"Terry, who do you suppose this 'R' clown is anyway...?"

Andy ask his big brother, a touch nervously.

"Whatever! Enough chit-chat. Let's get going! What do you say, you two?"

Swept up by Joe's wave of enthusiasm, the two brothers once again resolve to enter the King of Fighters.

Brazil Team (A.K.A Ikari Team):
(in 1994)

Taking the invitation from "R" in hand, Heidern surveys the view outside his room. The densely growing jungle remains static, but for Heidern it no longer particularly bothers him.

"The mission I wish to entrust you with this time is to destroy the syndicate lurking behind this year's fighting tournament, the King of Fighters.

As he asks Heidern whether he will take the mission, the tone of the executive officer of the international police suggests refusal is not an option.

"Would you be so kind as to show me the invitation in question?"

Heidern asks this question calmly.

He opens the envelope and scans over the invitation. For just an instant, he loses his cool. The letter "R" is all there is written for the sponsor.

"R.... Rugal...."

Heidern mumbles briefly and then recalls the nightmare of 8 years ago.

This was truly an incident worthy of being called a nightmare. His men were slain one after another, screaming ghastly death cries. It is no exaggeration to say that a single man-no, fierce demon-carried out this massacre. He also took Heidern's beloved wife, daughter, and right eye as well.

"It's already been eight years, has it...?"

This nightmare plagues him whenever he recalls the love he felt toward his wife and daughter and the loss of his right eye.

"I'm sorry to be late."

Two brawny men appear in Heidern's room. They are Ralf and Clark.

"No, I don't mind. The reason I called you two here today is...."

Ralf and Clark receive the order for their special mission.

England Team (A.K.A Women Fighters Team):
(in 1994)

"If I say no, I mean no! Absolutely not! I will absolutely not permit it!"

When she recalls the words of her brother, fuming his objections, Yuri puffs out her cheeks in a pout.

"Who does he think he is that dumb brother of mine! He didn't have to get so peeved! And what a weasel, teaming up with Pop and Robert like that!"

Yuri's still steaming about her spat, but, in an instant, she regains her cool.

"What am I gonna do...? Three members for a team...? Hey, I got it!"

"Man! I can't believe you did that, Andy! How unfeeling can you be?"

Just when Mai thought they'd be entering together...

Mai, at her wit's end, mumbles. Andy has quickly teamed up with Joe and Terry, and all of her other possibilities have not panned out.

"Oh, what in the name of the Supreme Ninja am I going to do...?"

A girl of the same age suddenly appears before Mai, whose shoulders droop from dejection.

"Mai...Shiranui, I presume?"

Yuri Sakazaki, quite unlike her normally perky self, addresses the ninja rather stiffly, owing perhaps to the fact that this is their first meeting.

"Why yes. Yes, I am...May I do something for you?"

Yuri replies:

"Well, as a matter of fact...that is...."

"What? You, too?"

"Really?! Wow, that's so harsh!!!"

A few minutes after their first meeting, the two have completely opened up to each other.

"But where are we going to find another person to team up with us?"

Mai poses this question to her newfound soul sister.

"Yeah, she's in England."

"What?!! In England?!"

And in no time the ravishing Women Fighters Team is ready for KOF action.

Mexico Team (A.K.A Art Of Fighting Team):
(in 1994)

"But, for crying out loud, why Mexico...?"

Robert mutters this complaint-laced question.

"Huh? You say something, Robert?"

Takuma is here to establish the Mexican chapter of his Kyokugen Karate gym franchise, and oversee Ryo and Robert's training while instructing his Mexican disciples. He doesn't fail to register Robert's muttering.

"No, not me. Not a thing."

Ryo, a glum look across his face, approaches the flustered Robert. Robert, unable to ignore his expression, talks to Ryo to break the tense mood.

"What's up, Ryo? Chicks don't dig a frowner, you know?"

"None of your beeswax! That *@#! Yuri...."

"What? Has something happened to Yuri?"

"Yuri told me she's going to enter this year's King of Fighters!"

"Say what? She can't do that. She shouldn't be doing dangerous stuff like that, Ryo!"

Takuma abruptly cuts in abruptly.

"If you're talking about that invitation, I've got one, too. Look, three of them! A perfect chance to put our training here in Mexico to the test. You need three on a team, so what do you say we all enter together!"

"That is a great idea! Don't you think so, Robert?!"

Ryo seems to have embarked on his "enter fast and keep Yuri out of the picture" plan.

"Yeah, it's too bad that Yuri's not here, but whaddya gonna do?"

"Yes! We'll show the world the awesome power of Kyokugen Karate!"

Robert is overwhelmed, and a little freaked, by the extent of the Sakazakis' fervor.

Korea Team (A.K.A Kim Team):
(in 1994)

"Hey, look, Dad! It's so cool!"

The kids, blushing, call Kim.

"What's up there, Dong and Jae? Oh!"

The shape of Chang Koehan appears on the prison's surveillance system. The image is grainy, but the figure that is smashing down the prison appears like a monster and his menace is sufficiently conveyed even on the small screen.

"Why would someone of such power not use it for justice? I got it. I will bring this beast to his senses!"

The news makes it apparent that this fugitive is still at large. Something must be done. Kim runs from his house to ascertain Chang's whereabouts.

It is well beyond nightfall and the hush of darkness shrouds the city. ...Then suddenly!

"Oooh-hyo, hyo, hyo, hyo!!"

Just as he becomes aware of the bizarre screech, the flash of razor-sharp blades dances in the pale city lights and fall on Kim.

Just when he thinks he managed avoiding the attack, another follows. Kim is sure it's coming from the right, and the assailant flies down from above. A quite nimble opponent is he. The attack is never-ending, no matter what the defence.

Just as the criminal's talons, which seem like deadly razors, line up with Kim's throat...

"Flying Swallow Slicer!"

In an instant of vulnerability, Kim busts a move on the nighttime visitor.

"Ooh-hyo! Ya got me, buddy-boy!"

Before Kim lies Choi Bounge, a timid little man with one freakishly pale visage. Kim is again pained that yet another individual with such surprising power is using his abilities for evil.

"Very well, I shall teach you the way, so long as evil still lurks in this world!" Kim intones while clenching the King of Fighters invitation.

China Team (A.K.A Psycho Soldier Team):
(in 1994)

Deep in the mountains, a good distance from civilization, there lived a man named Chin Gentsai. The invitation from "R" even finds its way here.

"Hmm. What is this King of Fighters anyway...?"

Chin Gentsai, the master of this temple, lets out a deep sigh.

The master senses that there is something a bit fishy about this invitation.

"Hah! Ah-eee! Dah!"

A chirping voice, not unlike that of a peeping bird, is heard off in the distance. The answering voice of a young boy intermingled with shouts is also audible.

"Yah! Cha! Ungh-gyah! Hey yah! Try this on for size!"

The name of the girl is Athena Asamiya; her male sparring partner, Sie Kensou. The two are Psychic Soldiers, training under the tutelage of Chin.

The two have sharpened their skills considerably, as if they have found new purpose to their training.

"This tournament may just be the perfect opportunity to see what results our training has yielded...."

The old master calls the practicing duo to him.

"Listen up, you two. This letter that I just got is an invitation to a fighting tournament. I think it'll be an opportunity to get an indication of how effective our training has been, don't you?"

"Oh, that's a great idea. I'm all for it! Athena, just sit back and check me out! I'll be one impressive sight to behold! They'll love me! I'm kid you not."

"Hush, Kensou, the Master said this is to determine the results of our training...not pick up chicks!" Athena chides, a little miffed at her fellow disciple.

U.S.A Team (A.K.A American Sport Team):
(in 1994)

"I say, Lucky Glauber, entering together would be a capital idea."

"Hey, you freak me out when you talk like that. Quit it!"

Lucky, who has come to call on his old friend Heavy D!, can't believe his eyes for an moment when he sees D!'s meek expression.

"Just what's this King of Fighters, anyway? Huh? Clue me in, would ya?"

Lucky asks, looking at the invitation.

"I don't have a clue why I was invited. But it's no secret that my power's legend around here."

Lucky shoots a surprised glance at Heavy D!.

Tortured by his rage at being unable to get a match after having killed an opponent in the ring and his subsequent ostracism, couple with his disappointment with the boxing world, it comes as no surprise that the invitation to this tournament is a welcomed gift for Heavy D!. Thinking of this, Lucky shares D!'s happiness.

And Lucky, holder of the All-American karate title, is also interested to see just how well his ability stands up internationally.

This is why he really wanted to enter the tournament. But one problem remains. He meekly puts this problem before Heavy D!.

"So what're we gonna do about the third member?"

That's right. The tournament requires a team of three to enter.

"Yeah, I got a little someone in mind...."

He points to the TV screen while he plays with his pet cat Boo.

"What'choo talkin' about Heavy D!?"

The toothy grin of Brian Battler, this year's MVP, flashes on the screen.