Fatal Fury (餓狼伝説, Garō Densetsu, "Legend of the Hungry Wolf") is a fighting game series developed by SNK for the Neo Geo system.
Gameplay
The main fighting game feature that the original Fatal Fury was known for was the two-plane system. Characters would fight from two different planes, and by stepping between the planes, attacks could be dodged with ease. Later games dropped the two-plane system, replacing it with a complex system of dodging including everything from simple half second dodges into the background to a three plane system. Characters often had moves that could attack across the two planes, attack both planes at once, or otherwise attack characters attempting to dodge.
Later Fatal Fury games experimented with various other gimmicks. "Ring-outs", where a character loses the round if the character is thrown into the edges of the fighting backdrop; single- air plane backdrops, where the element of dodging ball is eliminated altogether causing moves that sent opponents to the opposite air plane to do collateral damage. The most successful of these gimmicks were the Deadly Rave and Just Defend. The Deadly Rave was a super combo used by several characters, where after execution, a player had to press a preset series of buttons with exact timing for the entire combo to execute. The Just Defend was a type of protected block in which players regain lost life, did not wear down the player's guard crush meter and removed all block stuns making combo interruptions smoother.
Story

Special Illustration by Eisuke Ogura for the SNK Brand 40th Anniversary.
The second installment of the series features Geese's half-brother, Wolfgang Krauser, who internationalizes the formerly South Town-only tournament in a bid to take on the world's strongest combatants. The King of Fighters tournament is no longer a part of the storyline by the third game, having been spun off into its own series. Instead, the third installment centers around Terry Bogard's attempts to stop Geese from obtaining an ancient scroll that would give him the powers of a lost and dangerous martial art form.
After the third game, the series is renamed to Real Bout Fatal Fury. In the first installment of this "new" series, the final and decisive battle between Terry and Geese takes place from within a new King of Fighters tournament, which would end up leading to the canonical death of Geese Howard in the Fatal Fury storyline. The second installment, which is named Real Bout Fatal Fury Special, features the return of Krauser and a few other fighters from the past Fatal Fury games, although it's to be taken into account that both Real Bout Fatal Fury Special and its following sequel, Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers are considered to being "dream match" games which has no affect on the current Fatal Fury storyline.
Finally, Garou: Mark of the Wolves takes place a generation later. It focuses on Rock Howard: Terry's protégé and the son of Geese, who makes a shocking discovery about his own past when he enters the King of Fighters: Maximum Mayhem tournament that's being held by a ruthless crimelord named Kain R. Heinlein, who holds an unexpected connection with Rock.Fatal Fury and its sister series, Art of Fighting, are set in the same fictional universe, with the Art of Fighting series taking place at least five or ten years prior to the events of the first Fatal Fury. This is established in Art of Fighting 2, which features a younger long-haired Geese Howard as the game's secret final boss and the true mastermind behind the events of the first Art of Fighting. The two series are also set primarily in the same fictional city of "South Town." Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition likewise features the cast from both series that are featured in The King of Fighters (KOF) series, with many of the more popular characters from Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting games transferred to The King of Fighters as they were introduced.
In the Fatal Fury Team's ending in The King of Fighters '94, the events of both Fatal Fury: King of Fighters and Fatal Fury Special are mentioned in the King of Fighters storyline, through the ending dialogue with a line from Rugal Bernstein saying "Now I see the reason why Geese and Krauser were beaten...!". Soon after, it's revealed that Geese and Krauser are plotting their attempt at revenge against Team Fatal Fury.. The events of the Art of Fighting series as well as the remaining installments of the Fatal Fury story are not canon to the King of Fighters storyline. This was done so that the characters from both series could be featured in the King of Fighters series without having to age them.
Games
- Fatal Fury: King of Fighters (Neo-Geo, SNK 11-19-1991)
- Fatal Fury 2 (Neo-Geo, SNK 12-10-1992)
- Fatal Fury Special (Neo-Geo, SNK 9-16-1993)
- Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory (Neo-Geo, SNK 3-27-1995)
- Real Bout Fatal Fury (Neo-Geo, SNK 12-20-1995)
- Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (Neo-Geo, SNK 1-28-1997)
- Real Bout Garou Densetsu Special: Dominated Mind (PlayStation, SNK 6-25-1998)
- Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers (Neo-Geo, SNK 3-20-1998)
- Fatal Fury: First Contact (Neo Geo Pocket, SNK 5-27-1999)
- Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition (Hyper Neo-Geo 64, SNK 1-28-1999)
- Garou: Mark of the Wolves (Neo-Geo, SNK 11-26-1999)
- Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 1 (PlayStation 2, SNK Playmore, 2006)
- Fatal Fury: Battle Archives Volume 2 (PlayStation 2, SNK Playmore, 2007)
The Art of Fighting series is set in the same fictional universe as the Fatal Fury, although the Art of Fighting games themselves actually take place five or ten years before the events of the first Fatal Fury. Following Ryo Sakazaki's appearance in Fatal Fury Special, a younger Geese Howard appears in Art of Fighting 2. Unlike Ryo's appearance in Fatal Fury Special, which is only part of a "dream match", Geese's appearance in Art of Fighting 2 is actually part of the game's plot. An older Ryo Sakazaki also appears as a hidden character in Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition. Several Fatal Fury characters also appear in The King of Fighters games, with characters such as Terry Bogard and Kim Kaphwan making constant appearances thorough the series. It should be noted that The King of Fighters series is not set in the same continuity as the Fatal Fury series. This was done so in order to have characters from the Art of Fighting series without aging them. Four pachinko games were released for the series in Japan; Garou Densetsu The Legend of Wild Wolf, Garou Densetsu Special, Garou Densetsu Sougeki and Garou Densetsu Premium. A mobile adventure game Garou Densetsu Southtown Adventure was also made. It explores the series's setting in more detail. Additionally, a mobile novel entitled Garou Densetsu: Stray Dog, Stray Wolf was made to tie together the events of Real Bout Fatal Fury with Garou: Mark of the Wolves.
Character Introductions
As with most fighting game series, the Fatal Fury series has an extensive cast of character that has increased with each installment. The three main heroes from the original game (Terry Bogard, Andy Bogard, and Joe Higashi) have remained constant in each installment, along with the beautiful kunoichi (female ninja) Mai Shiranui. Also, some characters have made appearances outside the series, particularly in The King of Fighters series and in Art of Fighting 2 (where a young Geese Howard appears as a hidden opponent). Likewise, characters from outside the series have appeared in the Fatal Fury games. Ryo Sakazaki from the Art of Fighting series makes an appearance in a hidden "dream match" in Fatal Fury Special, while his older self from Buriki One appears in Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition. Garou: Mark of the Wolves is the only Fatal Fury game not to feature any returning character with the exception of Terry Bogard himself, who was completely redesigned for the game.
- Terry Bogard (テリー・ボガード)
- Andy Bogard (アンディ・ボガード)
- Joe Higashi (ジョー・ヒガシ)
- Tung Fu Rue (タン・フー・ルー)
- Duck King (ダック・キング)
- Richard Meyer (リチャード・マイヤ)
- Michael Max (マイケル・マックス)
- Hwa Jai (ホア・ジャイ)
- Raiden (ライデン)
- Billy Kane (ビリー・カーン)
- Geese Howard (ギース・ハワード)
- Kim Kaphwan (キム・カッファン)
- Mai Shiranui (不知火 舞)
- Cheng Sinzan (チン・シンザン)
- Jubei Yamada (山田十平衛)
- Big Bear (ビッグ・ベア)
- Axel Hawk (アクセル・ホーク)
- Laurence Blood (ローレンス・ブラッド)
- Wolfgang Krauser (ヴォルフガング・クラウザー)
- Ryo Sakazaki (リョウ・サカザキ)
- Blue Mary (ブルー・マリー)
- Bob Wilson (ボブ・ウィルソン)
- Franco Bash (フランコ・バッシュ)
- Hon-Fu (ホンフゥ)
- Sokaku Mochizuki (望月双角)
- Ryuji Yamazaki (山崎 竜二)
- Jin Chonrei (秦崇雷)
- Jin Chonshu (秦崇秀)
- Iori Yagami (八神 庵) - Gameboy version only
- Li Xiangfei (李香緋)
- Rick Strowd (リック・ストラウド)
- Lao (ラオ)
- Touji Sakata (坂田冬次)
- Tsugumi Sendo (千堂鶫)
- Mr. Karate II (二代目Mr.カラテ) - PlayStation version only
- Rock Howard (ロック・ハワード)
- B. Jenet (Bonne Jenet) (B.ジェニー)
- Gato (牙刀)
- Hotaru Futaba (双葉ほたる)
- Tizoc (グリフォンマスク, Griffon Mask)
- Freeman (フリーマン)
- Hokutomaru (北斗丸)
- Kevin Rian (ケビン・ライアン)
- Khushnood Butt (Marco Rodriguez) (マルコ・ロドリゲス)
- Kim Dong Hwan (キム・ドンファン)
- Kim Jae Hoon (キム・ジェイフン)
- Grant (Abel Cameron) (グラント)
- Kain R. Heinlein (カイン・R・ハインライン)
- Jeff Bogard (ジェフボガード)
- Lilly Kane (リリーケイン)
- Marky (マーキー)
- Marie Heinlein (マリーハインライン)
- Ripper and Hopper (リッパーとホッパー)
- Ukee (ウケエ)
- Lillien Knights (Lillien騎士)
- Alice (アリス)
- Alice Chrysler (アリスクライスラー)
- Hanzo Shiranui (不知火 半蔵)
In other media
The Fatal Fury series inspired a trilogy of animated movies produced by NAS with SNK, featuring character designs by Masami Obari. The first is a television special which aired in 1992 on Fuji TV titled Fatal Fury: Legend of the Hungry Wolf (Battle Fighters Garou Densetsu), which adapts the plot of the first game. It was followed by a second TV special in 1993 titled Fatal Fury 2: The New Battle (Battle Fighters Garou Densetsu 2) based on the second game, which also aired on Fuji TV. The two TV specials were followed by a theatrically released film in 1994 titled Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture (Garou Densetsu: The Motion Picture), which features an original plot and new characters. The first two TV specials were released on a single laserdisc and later on DVD. VIZ Communications picked up the license for the trilogy and produced English dubbed versions of each movie, releasing them straight to VHS, and later on DVD. The movies were later released subtitled, with the first two Fatal Fury movies released in one video titled Fatal Fury One-Two Punch. The subbed version of Fatal Fury 2 features a scene involving a rematch between Joe and Big Bear (Raiden) that was cut from the dubbed version. The English DVD release of the TV specials, Fatal Fury: Double Impact, features this same scene as a DVD extra. While it is not exactly an animated feature, SNK Playmore also created a movie clip for the series's 15th Anniversary entitled Garou Densetsu ~ Memories of Stray Wolves. It was first shown at the 2006 Tokyo Game Show and can be seen in the anniversary boxset on DVD format.
Introduced in the First Film
- Terry Bogard (テリー・ボガード)
- Andy Bogard (アンディ・ボガード)
- Joe Higashi (ジョー・ヒガシ)
- Lily McGuire (リリィ・マクガイヤー)
- Geese Howard (ギース・ハワード)
- Jeff Bogard (ジェフボガード)
- Tung Fu Rue (タン・フー・ルー)
- Billy Kane (ビリー・カーン)
- Raiden (ライデン)
Introduced in the Second Film
- Wolfgang Krauser (ヴォルフガング・クラウザー)
- Tony (トニー)
- Mai Shiranui (不知火 舞)
- Kim Kaphwan (キム・カッファン)
- Jubei Yamada (山田十平衛)
- Axel Hawk (アクセル・ホーク)
- Laurence Blood (ローレンス・ブラッド)
- Big Bear (ビッグ・ベア)
Introduced in the Third Film
- Sulia Gaudeamus (スーリア・ゴーダマス)
- Laocorn Gaudeamus (ラオコーン・ゴーダマス)
- Panni (パーニー)
- Hauer (ハウアー)
- Jamin (ジャミン)
- Kim Dong Hwan (キム・ドンファン)
- Kim Jae Hoon (キム・ジェイフン)
- Cheng Sinzan (チン・シンザン)
- Duck King (ダック・キング)
- Richard Meyer (リチャード・マイヤ)
- Mayor
- Show Girl
- Reiko Chiba (千葉 麗子)
- Bon Bon Garou
- Garou Densetsu: Atanaru Tatakai
- The Geese Howard Story - by Etsuya Amajishi
- Geese in the Dark - by Etsuya Amajishi
- Garou Densetsu: Senritsu no Maohmachi
- Garou Densetsu Story - by Megumi Mondo, Tamon, and SNK
- Garou Densetsu 3 - by Roushin Yami
- Fatal Fury (Dengeki)
- Fatal Fury II (Dengeki)
- Fatal Fury Special (Dengeki)
- Real Bout Fatal Fury 2 ~ The Newcomers Drama CD
- Fatal Fury - The Best Selected Characters
- Fatal Fury 2 OVA drama
There was a handheld game called The King of Thai Boxing, resembling the King of Fighters part of the name Fatal Fury: King of Fighters that had two playable characters resembling Joe Higashi and Rick Strowd from Fatal Fury games. So possibly, that handheld could have been a spin-off. Another handheld game called Fatal Fury Mobile was released on January 9, 2007 for Mobile (Java/J2ME). It was developed by Living Mobile Ltd. It featured 8 playable characters: Andy Bogard, Terry Bogard, Kim Kaphwan, Joe Higashi, Big Bear, Mai Shiranui, Cheng Shizan and Jubei Yamada. The game included various modes such as Quick Play, Single Match, Tournament, Training and Survival. The game also includes a Saved section where you can save progress from Survival and Tournament modes by giving you an option to do so after every match(Right Soft Key). Only 4 save slots were available. Local Highscores were available too.
External links
- Anniversary site
- TGS 2006 - 15th Anniversary snippet
- Embers Fatal Fury Fan Film
- Embers Fatal Fury Official Website
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