List of Special Teams in The King of Fighters

In almost every game in The King of Fighters series, characters are grouped in teams. Each team consists of three characters (four during the NESTS Chronicles saga).

Starting with The King of Fighters '96, there are also "Special Edit Teams", unique combinations of characters that have a special ending picture if the player chooses them together.

Team Goenitz
Team Goenitz is a Special Team that appears only in The King of Fighters '96. This team is only formed if Goenitz is on the player's team. In the Team's ending, Goenitz is killed by himself. Chizuru Kagura appears and explains to him and the other two teammates that the Goenitz on their team was an illusion, and by destroying the illusion, Goenitz himself was destroyed in the process.

Team Classic Women's Fighters
Team Classic Women's Fighters, or the 94 Women's Team, is a reoccurring Special Team. As the name implies, the team composes of King, Mai Shiranui, and Yuri Sakazaki, who were all on the Women's Team in The King of Fighters '94.

This Special Team only appears in '97, '98, 2003.

Team SNK Heroes
Team SNK Heroes, or the SNK All Stars Team, is a reoccurring Special Team. This Team composes of Terry Bogard, Ryo Sakazaki, and Kyo Kusanagi; the star protagonists of SNK's 3 biggest fighting game series; Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and The King of Fighters respectively.

This Special Team only appears in '97, '98, 2003, XIII.

Team Classic Heroes
Team Classic Heroes is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '97. This Team composes of Ralf Jones, Clark Still, and Athena Asamiya; the star protagonists of SNK's classic non-fighting games Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier. In the Team's ending, Ralf, Clark and Athena transform into their classic designs, with Athena taking on Goddess Athena's design. Sie Kensou also appears during this ending, wearing his classic Psycho Soldier design.

Team Ego
Team Ego is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '97. As the name implies, this Team composes of Benimaru Nikaido, Joe Higashi, and Kim Kaphwan; characters who are noticeable for their large egos. In the Team's ending, Benimaru, Joe, and Kim battle it out to see who is the best among the three.

Team Kyo & Shingo
Team Classic SNK Heroes is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '97. As the name implies, this Team composes of Kyo Kusanagi and Shingo Yabuki. In the Team's ending, Kyo gives Shingo his iconic gloves for working hard.

Although this ending is not canon, Shingo wears these gloves starting with The King of Fighters '98.

Team Neo Geo Freak
Team Neo Geo Freak is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '97. This Team is unique as it only appears in the Japanese version. This Team consists of Kyo Kusanagi, Mai Shiranui, and Billy Kane.

This team was created by Neo Geo Freak magazine.

Team Gamest
Team Gamest is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '97. This Team is unique as it only appears in the Japanese version. This Team consists of Terry Bogard, Blue Mary, and Joe Higashi.

This team was created by the Gamest magazine, and the Special Team Image was drawn by Tsukasa Kotobuki.

Team Famitsu
Team Famitsu is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '97. This Team is unique as it only appears in the Japanese version. This Team consists of Ryuji Yamazaki, Chang Koehan, and Choi Bounge.

This team was created by the Famitsu magazine.

Team Shingo


Team Shingo is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. This Team consists of Shingo Yabuki, Kyo Kusanagi, and Iori Yagami.

This team would later appear as an Official Team in The King of Fighters XI as Team Kyo & Iori.

Team Rugal


Team Rugal is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. As the name implies, this Team consists of characters who have aligned with Rugal Bernstein; being him, Mature, and Vice.

Team No. 2


Team No. 2 is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. This Team composes of Andy Bogard, Robert Garcia, and Benimaru Nikaido; the deuteragonists of SNK's 3 biggest fighting game series; Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and The King of Fighters respectively.

Team No. 3


Team No. 3 is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. This Team composes of Joe Higashi, Yuri Sakazaki, and Goro Daimon; the tritagonists of SNK's 3 biggest fighting game series; Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, and The King of Fighters respectively.

Team Father
Team Father is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '98. As the name implies, this Team composes of Kim Kaphwan, Takuma Sakazaki, and Saisyu Kusanagi; all of whom are fathers whose children are also fighters.

Team Sakazaki
Team Sakazaki is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. As its name implies, this team consists of three members of the Sakazaki family: Ryo, Yuri, and Takuma.

Team Orochi Ladies


Team Orochi Ladies is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. As its name implies, this team consists of three Hakkesshu females: Shermie, Mature, and Vice.

Team Orochi Men
Team Orochi Men is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. As its name implies, this team consists of three Hakkesshu males: Yashiro Nanakase, Chris, and Ryuji Yamazaki.

Team Cap
Team Cap is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '98. As the name implies, this Team composes of Clark Still, Terry Bogard, and Lucky Glauber; all of whom wear caps.

Team Other Hero
Team Other Hero is a Special Team that only appears in The King of Fighters '98. This Team is essentially Team Hero but with Shingo Yabuki replacing Kyo Kusanagi. The team would later be official as Team Japan in The King of Fighters 2003.

Team April 8th Birthday
Team April 8th Birthday is a Special Team that appears in The King of Fighters '98. As its name implies, this team consists of three members whose birthday falls on April 8: King, Mature, and Shingo Yabuki.