KOF: Maximum Impact 2

KOF: Maximum Impact 2, released in North America as "The King of Fighters 2006", is a fighting game developed by SNK Playmore. It is the sequel to KOF: Maximum Impact and a game of the KOF: Maximum Impact series.

This game has an expanded version with a team mode and extra characters, KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A". A four episode anime web series surrounding the events of the game was also made.

Story
The previous THE KING OF FIGHTERS, held in Southtown — Many contended that this illegal fighting tournament was held by the gangland syndicate "Mephistopheles" to achieve the annihilation of their rivals and procure some operating capital. But after its "King," Duke, suffered defeat at the hands of Alba Meira in the finals, he and his organization vanished from Southtown. Meanwhile, the media, firmly under Duke's thumb, grew a new backbone and released a fusillade of sensational exposés — based on information from confidential sources (naturally) — regarding their former oppressors. In spite of this new torrent of "information", however, almost no one knew that an even larger entity had been pulling Mephistopheles' puppet strings.

ADDES — The truth behind this name was only known throughout the dark recesses of the underworld. And Mephistopheles, the force that swept over and completely subdued Southtown with such overwhelming force? Just one of Addes' subsidiaries, one of its countless tentacles. When and who created it? Where was its headquarters? How far was its reach? — No one really had an inkling as to what this organization truly entailed.

And now... Still yet another of Addes' long black tentacles had sliced down the veil with its sinister scythes of the grim reaper to reveal a new battle royale.

The invitations in white envelopes will soon reach the world's mightiest, who will surely find the call of the reaper irresistible.

As stated in Alba Meira's private novel by Akihiko Ureshino on the official KOF Maximum Impact 2 site which serves as an official follow up to the story of KOF Maximum Impact 2, Alba was in fact the one who defeated Jivatma and Luise. Soiree was kidnapped as a result of that and Alba has not seen him since then. And in the credits ending, Luise is seen waiting for him, so it can be assumed that Alba and Luise are together since the end of the second tournament.

Characters
The new original characters added to the roster are:

Other new additions to the series include Hanzo Hattori from Samurai Shodown series, Kyo Kusanagi Classic (A.K.A. Orochi Saga version), Wild Wolf (a new version of Terry Bogard based on his appearance in Garou: Mark of the Wolves), Mr. Karate II from Buriki One, Armor Ralf (a new version of Ralf Jones) and Richard Meyer from Fatal Fury series.

Original Characters

 * Ash Crimson (KOF 2003) - In Tower Festival and Neo Geo Land Stages
 * Duo Lon (KOF 2003) - In Catacomb Stage
 * Shen Woo (KOF 2003) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Benimaru Nikaido (KOF '94) - In Tower Festival Stages
 * Goro Daimon (KOF '94) and Kogoro Daimon (KOF 2001) - In Esaka Stage
 * Mature and Vice (KOF '94 and '95) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Baitang (KOF 2000) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Yashiro Nanakase (KOF '97) - In Esaka Stage
 * Shermie (KOF '97) - In Tower Festival Stages
 * Whip (KOF 2000) - In Hunting Cave Stages
 * Vanessa (KOF 2000) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Choi Bounge (KOF '94) - In Grand Mosque Stage
 * Saisyu Kusanagi (KOF '95) - In Neo Geo Land Stage
 * Shingo Yabuki (KOF '97) - In Neo Geo Land Stage
 * Heidern (KOF '94) - In Hunting Cave Stage
 * Krizalid (KOF '99) - In Emperor's Court Stage
 * Adelheid Bernstein and Rose Bernstein (KOF 2003) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Chin Gentsai (KOF '94) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Bao (KOF '99 ) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Lin (KOF '99) - In Dragon's Lair Stage

Fatal Fury/MOTW series

 * Duck King (Fatal Fury: King of Fighters) - In Tower Festival Stage
 * Joe Higashi (Fatal Fury: King of Fighters) - In Temple of Ruins Stage
 * Jubei Yamada (Fatal Fury 2) - In Kyokugen Dojo Stage
 * Khushnood Butt (Garou: MOTW) - In Kyokugen Dojo Stage
 * Cheng Sinzan (Fatal Fury 2) - In War Memorial and Dragon's Lair Stages
 * Tizoc (Garou: MOTW) - In War Memorial Stages
 * Sokaku Mochizuki (Fatal Fury 3) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Blue Mary (Fatal Fury 3) - In Tower Festival Stage
 * Hotaru Futaba (Garou: MOTW) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Jin Chonshu and Jin Chonrei (Fatal Fury 3) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Hokutomaru (Garou: MOTW) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Tung Fu Rue (Fatal Fury: King of Fighters) - In Temple of Ruins Stage
 * Gato (Garou: MOTW) - In Temple of Ruins Stage
 * White (RRFF: Dominated Mind) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Laurence Blood (Fatal Fury 2) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Rick Strowd (RRFF2) - In Hunting Cave Stage
 * Li Xiangfei (RRFF2) - In Dragon's Lair Stage
 * Alfred (RRFF2) - In Catacomb Stage
 * Wolfgang Krauser (Fatal Fury 2) - In Emperor's Court Stage
 * Grant (Garou: MOTW) - In Emperor's Court Stage
 * Ryuji Yamazaki (Fatal Fury 3) - In Emperor's Court Stage

Art of Fighting series

 * King (AOF 1) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Robert Garcia (AOF 1) - In Fleur-De-Lis Stage
 * Lee Pai Long (AOF 1) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Ryuhaku Todoh (AOF 1) - In Kyokugen Dojo Stage
 * Mr. Big (AOF 1) - In Emperor's Court Stage
 * Eiji Kisaragi (AOF 2) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Takuma Sakazaki (AOF 2) - In Kyokugen Dojo Stage
 * Kasumi Todoh (AOF 3) - In Kyokugen Dojo Stage
 * Jin Fu-Ha (AOF 3) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Wang Koh-San (AOF 3) - In Temple of Ruins Stage

Metal Slug series

 * Eri Kasamoto (MS 2) - In Hunting Cave Stage
 * Mars People (MS 2) - In Neo Geo Land Stage

Savage Reign/Kizuna Eucounter series

 * Kim Sue-il (Kizuna Encounter) - In Temple of Ruins Stage
 * King Leo (Savage Reign) - In Emperor's Court Stage

Samurai Shodown series

 * Mizuki Rashojin (SamSho 2) - In Mizuki Stage

World Heroes series

 * Hanzo Hattori (WH 1) - In Neo Geo Land Stage
 * Fuuma Kotaro (WH 1) - In Neo Geo Land Stage
 * Mudman (WH 2) - In Hunting Cave Stage
 * Captain Kidd (WH 2) - In Catacomb Stage

Other Games

 * Neo & Geo (Quiz Dai Sousa-sen) - In Neo Geo Land Stage
 * Gai Tendo (Buriki One) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Silber (Buriki One) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Ivan Sokolov (Buriki One) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Rob Python (Biriki One) - In War Memorial Stage
 * Sie Kensou (Psycho Soldier) - In Dragon's Lair
 * Athena (Athena) - In Unknown Stage

SNK Mascots

 * G-Mantle (SNK) - In Neo Geo Land Stage

Cosplay & Alternate Colors
Several alternate colors for the cast in Maximum Impact 2 are homages to characters in other games or media. The list below charts costume outcomes from both color types: