Destiny Battle Themes

A Destiny Battle, originally named Fateful Battles in The King of Fighters XIV, are special Music Themes that play during a specific match-up in The King of Fighters series.

Description
As the name implies, Destiny Battles always play during matches with characters who have some kind of relationship with each other, whether it be of rivalry, respect, friendship or love. They first appeared in The King of Fighters '98, with Kyo and Iori, and were the only special theme in the game. Starting with The King of Fighters XIV, the Destiny Battle returned, now greatly expanded to feature multiple interactions.

The Destiny Battles Themes are either new arrangements of songs from older SNK titles, or brand-new songs. With exception of Shun'ei vs. Meitenkun in The King of Fighters XV (with only a fast special intro), the theme also plays after a special intro between the characters involved. Any Destiny Battles Theme will override the current stage theme, unless another Destiny Battles Theme plays, in which it will override that theme. The exception is when the characters plays in the Coliseum Arena, during the Story Mode. In this case, the theme "Follow Me" plays since the start.

Trivia

 * The name of Ash and Elisabeth's Destiny Battle Theme, No. 53, is a reference to the 52-card deck, as well as a pun of their previous themes, JOKER and Queen. A deck of playing cards, including the two Joker cards arranged in order is 54 cards; if the cards are arranged in order and the two Joker cards are put last, then the no. 53 card would be a Joker; likewise, if the two Joker cards are placed the front, then the no. 53 card would be a Queen.


 * Rock and Geese's Destiny Battle Theme, Way to The Horizon contains elements of Spread the Wings and Emergence, which were Rock's Theme in Garou: Mark of the Wolves and The King of Fighters XIV respectively.