Ralf Jones

Ralf Jones (ラルフ・ジョーンズ) is a character from the T・A・N・K, Ikari Warriors, Metal Slug and the King of Fighters video game series. He is inspired by Sylvester Stallone's role Rambo. He is also a playable character in Metal Slug 6, where he has the ability to use his punch to knock out vehicles, and being able to survive two shots. In Gamest's 1997 Heroes Collection, Ralf was voted as the staff's twelfth favorite character.

Like Mario and Luigi, Ralf and his fellow agent (and good friend) Clark Still started out as palette swap characters in Ikari Warriors. In KOF '94, Ralf and Clark were very similar in looks and move repertoire, but by 1995, Clark got a newer stance and win pose, while Ralf retained his old ones. In every new installment of the KOF series, Clark seems to be further and further differing from Ralf, while Clark is a powerful grappler, Ralf is more of a power player, making use of some very efficient long-range attacks. Both characters were redesigned in KOF '99.

Ralf Jones has been voiced by Monster Maezuka from his debut, who also voices Kyoshiro Senryo, Choi Bounge and Benimaru Nikaido. He is also voiced by Scott Casey for the English adaption of the KOF: Maximum Impact series.

Story


Ralf Jones is a member of the Ikari Warriors, an elite mercenary-for-hire agency.

Ralf and Clark Still first met Commander Heidern during a secret operation in the Amazon jungle in Brazil. Their mission to reach the village of Ikari was stopped short by a helicopter malfunction which landed them deep into enemy territory. The two were forced to venture alone into the jungle. The two would complete their mission, but had lost radio contact with their squadron. With all attempts to radio in futile, and their rations running short, the two were close to giving up hope. Luckily for them, Heidren managed to find them during a sweep of the area. Impressed with their abilities, when Heidren was invited to the The King of Fighters '94 and was to form a team, Ralf & Clark were the first on his list.

In King Of Fighters '96 Ralf and Clark were introduced to their new team-mate Leona Heidern who was replacing her adoptive father in their Ikari Warriors Team and the team were sent to investigate Southtown crime-boss Geese Howard who entered that year's tournament (as part of the popular Boss Team) the following year Leona (and Iori Yagami) went into the Riot Of Blood (an instigated process by which a member of the Orochi bloodline becomes a powerful berserker) Leona became very depressed and wanted to commit suicide, and it was Ralf who gave her the will to continue, and gave her his trademark bandanna to re-tie her hair.

After the The King of Fighters '97, Ralf and his friends focused more on other operations. However, Commander Heidern soon assigned the Ikari Warriors to investigate the new force behind the tournament this time around. The team also was joined by a new recruit, simply named Whip.

The Ikari Warriors began a deep investigation on the NESTS cartel once they found out their involvement in the latest King of Fighters tournament. Once Ralf and his teammates arrived at Southtown, the Ikari Warriors try to contact Heidern, but to no avail. Sensing something wrong, Ralf goes to the designated reunion point, given by Ling. Once there, located in an abandoned factory in the industrial zone, Ralf finds his commander badly wounded, but alive. Heidern informs his soldiers that Ling was just a fake, and that he was really Clone Zero, a high-ranked NESTS agent. The team attempts to stop Zero, but are forced to retreat, as the Zero Cannon has already been fired towards Southtown. The Zero Cannon impacts on Southtown, leveling the whole city to ruins.

Back at the Ikari Warriors headquarters, Ralf, Clark, Heidern, and Leona find a video addressed to them in Whip's room. In it, Whip bids her former comrades farewell, apparently to go off and reunite with her brother K'.



The operation to dismantle NESTS quickly begins as the tournament ends. The team raid and attack several buildings where NESTS operations are supposed to take place but the majority of the installations were deserted. Clark attends a meeting called by his commander, Heidern, in which he tells everyone that Whip has informed them that NESTS will finally "play their hand" in the next King of Fighters tournament as the new hosts, eventually ending in the defeat of Original Zero and his superior, Igniz.

In King of Fighters 2003 Leona’s Orochi bloodline caused her to go into a rage and badly injure Ralf and Clark.

Personality
Ralf is a hot-blooded guy that only cares for action. He is the counterpart of Clark in many ways. Although he doesn't always show it, he experienced his share of losses from war and will drown his sorrows away with a drink. He is especially protective of any new recruits that come under his command and will try his best to care for them.

Powers

 * Above average strength: Ralf has a lot of strength, as shown in his Galactica Phantom move.


 * Fast punching: Ralf can move his arms in high speed. With this, he is able to punch several times per second. These punches are followed by small explosions.


 * Fireworks: Ralf can create small explosions with his attacks.

Skills

 * Firearms: Ralf is proficient with many if not all kinds firearms.


 * Survival: Ralf can survive in many kinds of rough terrain, especially jungles.


 * Knife: Ralf can also use knives.

Fighting Style
Ralf primarily use the mercenary combat style of the Ikari Warriors. He knows some wrestling moves and at least one striking martial art.

Music

 * Jungle Bouncer: The King of Fighters 94, The King of Fighters 2002


 * Desert Requiem: The King of Fighters 95


 * Rumbling on the City: The King of Fighters 96, The King of Fighters 98


 * WWIII: The King of Fighters 99


 * The Trooper: The King of Fighters 2000


 * My Whip: The King of Fighters 2001


 * Inside Skinny: The King of Fighters 2003


 * Smell of Gunpowder: The King of Fighters XI

Game Appearances

 * T.A.N.K


 * Ikari Warriors


 * Victory Road


 * Ikari III: The Rescue


 * 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 Neowave


 * Metal Slug 6


 * The King of Fighters Maximum Impact


 * The King of Fighters 2003


 * The King of Fighters Maximum Impact 2


 * The King of Fighters XI


 * The King of Fighters Maximum Impact Regulation A


 * Metal Slug 7


 * The King of Fighters XII


 * Metal Slug Fighters - mobile game

Anime Appearances

 * The King of Fighters: Another Day

Trivia

 * The King of Fighters games occasionally make fun of Ralf and Clark. Sometimes when they meet, they will do the "Cross Changer" pose, a reference to Chojin Sentai Jetman. Also seen in the art gallery of King of Fighters 98 for Neo-Geo CD, where there is a reference to Jetman again with Leona defending Ralf and Clark dressed as the Commander from the series.
 * A special ending in KOF '97 features Ralf in his Ikari Warriors outfit, which was based on Rambo. This outfit is his alternate one in KOF: Maximum Impact. In the sequel, KOF: Maximum Impact 2, his outfit and hairstyle are the same as Marco Rossi's, from the Metal Slug series. This is even stated by Fio.
 * Ralf signature Galactica Phantom DM is one of the most powerful moves ever seen in any King of Fighters game, doing 70 to 85% damage. In fact, in King Of Fighters '98, a fully powered Galactica Phantom that counterhits will instant-kill the opponent, even if he has 100% life.
 * In KOF XI, his trademark "Vulcan Punch", which requires repeated tapping of one punch button, is much harder to perform than usual, up to the point of being almost useless in battle.

Similar Characters

 * Armor Ralf