Rugal Bernstein/Trivia


 * While Rugal's birthplace hasn't been officially confirmed yet, it is heavily implied that he is from Germany.
 * His surname, Bernstein, is a common surname in the German language.
 * His children, Adelheid and Rose are of possible German descent as well.


 * Rugal's Theme in KOF '94, Kecchaku R&D (Conclusion R&D) , has some audios from "Digital Underground - Gutfest '89" said by Sex Packets: "you can hear behind me now that uh I think they called blue death." "Yeah you can hear that they're having a ball and a hell of a time down at gutfest this year."
 * Meanwhile, its arranged version samples a part from Kool Chip & Chuck Chillout - Rhythm Is The Master, specifically the line "To the rhythm."


 * In some artworks, Rugal seemingly does not have his bionic eye present, which shows only a gaping hole for his missing eye.


 * Originally in KOF '94, Rugal's first round form in his suit (which returns in the Capcom vs. SNK games) lacked special moves, and only one of his normals did chip damage. His second round form with his jacket removed (used for his subsequent KOF appearances) gives him new normals and his signature special move set, though he does not have a legitimate Desperation Move. Both versions of Rugal act like so even when using a code to play as him, as he'll act just like his boss version and when he loses his first round, the background will distort to red like his boss battle. This is also the game along with the sequel to have his signature Genocide Cutter take out over half a character's health if both hits connect; however, KOF 98' onwards considerably nerfs the attack via removing its invincibility (or at least head-level invincibility only) which made it a much weaker anti-air in most titles.


 * His Dead End Screamer in KOF '98, due to its notable animation involving Rugal stomp on his opponent and drilling them to the ground, is often both a testament to his brutal fighting style, and the source of memetic jokes involving Rugal (often dubbing it as the "Rugalspin"). Along with this, Rugal shares a darkness and evil motif for his moves, through techniques such as Genocide Cutter, Genocide Heaven, Dark Barrier, and Dark Smash.


 * Omega Rugal is originally not playable in the arcade version of KOF 2002. However, several ROM hacks enable him for character selection, particularly in arcades in Mexico, where the KOF franchise is highly popular. This has resulted in poster signs in arcade establishments declaring Omega Rugal as a banned character to use.


 * In Neo-Geo Freak 1998, the characters in KOF '98 have their own interviews. Here are Rugal's response to the questions.
 * What is your aspiration in this competition? - "Destroy! Everything...!"
 * Who would you like to fight the most? - "Anyone will do. But, there are many guys who aren't going to sit still just because I'm coming out?"
 * Who would you like to team up with? / Who would you not like to team up with? - "Mature, Vice, Saisyu Kusanagi, you can send an invitation letter. Wouldn't it be nice to be with my old fellow subordinates?"
 * What is "KOF" for you? - "Don't you know, can't you tell? … it's revenge!"
 * Finally, please give a word to your fans. - "The cheers turn to screams, and excitement turns into fear. I can't stand waiting for your face to be full of despair!"'''


 * In Capcom vs. SNK 2, the word "Genocide" was censored out of his Move List, so his trademark Genocide Cutter became the "Destroyer Cutter", and a super version of it appearing in this Vs. series, Genocide Heaven, was renamed "Total Annihilation". In the Japanese version, the word "Genocide" wasn't actually censored out, thus when Genocide Cutter is used, he'll yell out the attack's name (he remains silent when using it in the international versions).


 * There is no information regarding his outlook towards his immediate family, but it can be safely assumed he is somewhat distant from it.
 * His daughter, Rose Bernstein inherits some of Rugal's nasty attitude, and is just as much of a sore loser as her father, while his son Adelheid Bernstein presumably inherits his combat prowess, and unlike his father, has far more better sportsmanship. However, Adelheid does not have good things to say about him.
 * When Adelheid was born, Rugal was expecting a daughter, and already picked a feminine name. Despite this, Adelheid stuck to his given name despite it causing some social misunderstandings.
 * Next to nothing is known however, of his wife, or her whereabouts. The same can be said of his estranged brother.
 * Due to Rugal gaining Orochi power from a blood pact with Goenitz, long after Rose and Adelheid were born, the two does not possess Orochi blood.


 * Rugal and Saiki are the only bosses of the series (sub or final) with two or more versions of their persona. The personas of both characters can be coexisiting in the same game (KOF XIII and KOF '98 [and its remake], respectively). However, unlike Rugal, Saiki's versions can coexist canonically.


 * Because Rugal was revived in his Omega form, he retained his cybernetic enhancements, and his biological losses were maintained (such as his right eye), unlike in his God/Ultimate form, where his body was entirely healed to the point where his prosthetic parts became actual flesh.