The King of Fighters 2003



"Tactical Leader System" which sets up a leader favorably treated in capability in a team and "Multi-Shift" in which player characters can be changed freely during 3on3 battle have been adopted. Speedy game play by the character arbitrary-shift has been realized. After "OROCHI" and "NESTS" sagas, a brand new chapter has begun with the appearance of new hero "ASH".

Plot
The fighting competition of the highest standards, on the greatest scale in the world - "The King of Fighters." Here on this stage Rugal was defeated, the Orochi were contained and sealed away, and the mighty conglomerate NESTS was taken down. A myriad of unfolding dramas. Yet these were always hidden behind some sort of thick veil or other, remaining out of the public eye. Even with such a checkered history, the opening of this years King of Fighters was decided on. The sponsor of the competition was, yet again, a mysterious personage, and owing to the circumstances, various suppositions traveled through assorted lands like wildfire. But in spite of all the hubbub, one veteran contestant after another made their intentions to enter the competition known. Upon verification that numerous well-known fighters had entered the competition, the heretofore discreet media coverage of the event shifted into 24/7 overdrive. With the announcement of the inception from this KOF tournament of the new "multi-shift" rule, allowing competitors to freely tag off during battles, the competition developed into a social phenomenon and monopolized discussions around the world. Newspapers and magazines put together feature articles almost on a weekly basis while ersatz critics pounded their desks and made impassioned commentary on TV day after day about this rule, which simultaneously required a speedy execution of the match and a unified team strategy. "There is still an awesome bunch of fearsome contestants in this world." Gato, Tizoc, Duo Lon, Shen Woo. ...and Ash Crimson. What made their names more and more familiar via the Internet was, without doubt, this moment of uproar concerning the present KOF. Will these contestants be able to become the new stars capable of shaking up the KOF tournament? Or maybe...? And during these crazy days, the preparations steadily went along. The venues of local competitions were determined, the schedules were completed, and the spectators moved from one location of the preliminary matches to another. To create the atmosphere of a true street fight, venues were established in city centers, the events of the competition were broadcasted live on giant screens, and various stadiums scaled to hold tens of thousands of people were procured in cities throughout the world during the period of the tournament. December, 2003. The time has come. This year, the curtain rises once again.

Hero Team

 * Ash Crimson
 * Duo Lon
 * Shen Woo

Fatal Fury Team

 * Terry Bogard
 * Joe Higashi
 * Tizoc

Art of Fighting Team

 * Ryo Sakazaki
 * Robert Garcia
 * Yuri Sakazaki

Ikari Warriors Team

 * Leona Heidern
 * Ralf Jones
 * Clark Still

Korea Team

 * Kim Kaphwan
 * Chang Koehan
 * Jhun Hoon

Outlaw Team

 * Billy Kane
 * Ryuji Yamazaki
 * Gato

Women Fighters Team

 * King
 * Mai Shiranui
 * Blue Mary

Japan Team

 * Benimaru Nikaido
 * Goro Daimon
 * Shingo Yabuki

High School Girls Team

 * Athena Asamiya
 * Hinako Shijou
 * Malin

K' Team

 * K'
 * Maxima
 * Whip

Single Entry

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Iori Yagami

Mid-Boss

 * Kusanagi (unlockable)

Sub-Bosses

 * Chizuru Kagura (unlockable)
 * Maki Kagura

Bosses

 * Adelheid Bernstein - Main Boss
 * Mukai - Hidden Main boss

3 Sacred Weapons Team

 * Kyo Kusanagi
 * Iori Yagami
 * Chizuru Kagura