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Saga/Story Arc
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Is it canonical?
The King of Fighters
2nd
Orochi Saga
1st
Yes

Announcing the 1995 King of Fighters tournament. The event will be conducted as the previous one, and we welcome both new and old victims - er, teams. Break a spine... ®

-Intro

SNK's cast of fighting stars gather in a colossal conflagration!

-Tagline

The King of Fighters '95 (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ '95ナインティファイブ) is the second game in The King of Fighters series. It's also the first game in the series to be ported to other home consoles besides the Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo CD, with versions released for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in 1996.

The PlayStation version was published in North America and the PAL region by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., while the Saturn version (which required a ROM cartridge that came packaged with the game disc) was only released in Japan and Europe by SNK. A Game Boy game based on The King of Fighters '95 was also released. A possible bootleg Famicon release, mistakenly titled "The King of Fighters '99", was also made.

This game is also the first chapter of the story arc known as "The Orochi Saga".

Development[]

The KOF '95 project began with the concept of introducing Iori Yagami as Kyo Kusanagi's rival. As such, developers gave him traits to expand that relationship such as similar abilities and ancient rivalry between both of their clans. During the initial location tests to determine the popularity of the game, Iori was the character who stood out most, also becoming a favorite of the developers. The creation of the Rival Team was one of the things developers worked the hardest, focusing on their moves and lines. The character of Eiji Kisaragi was originally from Art of Fighting 2 and the staff had to adjust most of his moves to balance him with the other characters. Following this game, several Art of Fighting characters were removed from each sequel with developers saying it was "thanks to KOF jinx." The sub-boss character, Saisyu Kusanagi, was never meant to appear in the game as the staff wanted to make so that he died in The King of Fighters '94 during one of the cut-scenes from the Hero Team. However, Saisyu was added at the last moment to the game, becoming the sub-boss character. Fatal Fury boss character Geese Howard was meant to be playable in the game; various considerations at the time, however, led developers to abandon this plan.

The King of Fighters '95 was one of the first titles from SNK to be ported to the Sony PlayStation system. Chad Okada, a former member from SNK, mentioned it was one of his first works. He commented that he had to improve its marketability to the North American market. As a result, he added new options to the game that were not present in the original Japanese version such as selection from stages and improve the grammar and spelling, which was one of the biggest issues from the Neo Geo version.

Gameplay[]

Kof95ryovsmai

Gameplay of Ryo vs. Mai

The gameplay of The King of Fighters '95 was left largely intact from King of Fighters '94. The one major change SNK was to allow players to select any combination of characters to fight with, as opposed to the concrete teams that players were confined to in the previous game. In addition, almost all the teams from the first game returned, but were no longer affiliated with specific nationalities.

The American Sports Team from the previous game was replaced by a Rivals Team, composed of Iori Yagami (a new character designed to be Kyo Kusanagi's rival), and Eiji Kisaragi (Ryo Sakazaki's and Kyokugenryu Karate rival) and Billy Kane (bodyguard of Terry Bogard's rival, Geese Howard).

Story[]

The official story given by SNK is as follows:

"It's the year of our Lord, 1995. Once again invitations to the King of Fighters tournament have found their ways to the world's most powerful fighters.

And their author is none other than the mysterious "R!" Could the "R" be that of Rugal, who supposedly blew himself up on his aircraft carrier a year ago?

Among the contestants for this year's tournament is the newly selected team of Billy, Yagami, and Kisaragi, who sent the American Team packing.

But what in the end is Billy's scheme? What ambitions does Kisaragi cradle? And what evil designs for his old foe Kyo Kusanagi spur Iori Yagami on?

These new challengers join all of the previous tournament's contestants-except the American Sports Team, of course-both in battle and the all-consuming intrigue that forms the core of King of Fighters '95."[1]

Characters[]

Overview[]

The new characters added to the game roster (between originals and of other franchises) are:

Iori-95art2
Iori Yagami, the last heir of the Yagami clan (A.K.A. Yasakani clan), other clan that sealed Orochi. He is rival and enemy of Kyo Kusanagi, besides the leader of Rivals Team. His clan owns the artifact Yasakani Jewel.[2]
Eiji95art
Eiji Kisaragi, from Art of Fighting series, is the master of Kisaragi-ryu style and member of Rivals Team, and continues with the goal of defeating Ryo Sakazaki, the Sakazaki family and his Kyokugenryu Karate. He was summoned by Billy Kane.[3]
Billy-95
Billy Kane, from Fatal Fury series, is Geese Howard's rightman and member of Rivals Team. He enters to the KOF tournament to avenge his master, who had been defeated by the Bogard brothers.[4]
Saisyu-95
Saisyu Kusanagi, the sub-boss of the game, is Kyo's father and leader of the Kusanagi clan. He was brainwashed by orders of Rugal.[5]
Omega-rugal
Omega Rugal, the final boss of the game, is a new version of Rugal Bernstein with a small parcel of Orochi's Blood.[6]

In this year, the formation of the teams are as follows:

Kof-95-hero-team-new-2
Kyo Kusanagi, Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon, the champions of the previous year and the Hero Team, were given a surprised meeting by Mature, one of Rugal Bernstein's secretaries (and, as discovered later, a Orochi servant), who gives them the invite letters to the tournament. They enter to discover the intentions of this meeting.
Kof95fatalfuryteam
The Fatal Fury Team, formed by the siblings Terry and Andy Bogard and their close friend Joe Higashi, gets a surprise letter from his biggest enemy, Geese Howard, stating that he "prepared something fun for the tournament". Believing that Wolfgang Krauser, the Strohiem Castle's owner, may have a hand in this, they enters in the tournament.
Kof95teamaofnew
The master Takuma Sakazaki forces his dispicles, his elder son Ryo Sakazaki and Robert Garcia, to participate in the tournament, wheater they like it or not, forming the Kyokugenryu Team (Art of Fighting Team) again. The three enters to prove the force of its martial style.
Kof95ikariteam
The Commander Heidern, after several months of nightmares, is unconvinced that his biggest rival, Rugal Bernstein, is truly dead. When his trusty soldiers Ralf Jones and Clark Still show him the invitation, they immediately went to enroll, forming again the Ikari Warriors Team.
Kof95teampsychonew
The master Chin Gentsai, after teaching his disciples Athena Asamiya and Sie Kensou to sense negative energy, enlists them into KOF to put their new powers and abilities to the test, and enters in the tournament as the Psycho Soldier Team once more.
Kof95womenfighters
The bartender King runs into her friends Mai Shiranui and Yuri Sakazaki (with Mai passed over by Andy to form a team with her, and Yuri wanting to prove her skills to her family), asking they to join her in the tournament as the Women Fighters Team once again.
Kof95teamkim
The criminals Chang Koehan and Choi Bounge recieves the KOF invitation and discover that Rugal Bernstein is alive. The two devises a plan to switch sides when they meet the drug dealer. Unfortunately for them, their master and head of the Rehabilitation Project, Kim Kaphwan, sees the invite and forces them to train twice as hard to prepare for the KOF tournament, as the Korea Justice Team for the second time.
Kof95teamrivalnew
The South Town's evil emperor Geese Howard learns about the Orochi power, and becomes intrigued with it. He sends his right-hand man, Billy Kane, to form a team and enter KOF '95 to investigate. Billy seeks out the help of the ninja Eiji Kisaragi to join its team, but not without retaliation. Their fight comes to a draw when a mysterious man appears dragging one of Geese's assassins. His name was Iori Yagami. Billy tries to convince him to join to the KOF with him, although his behavior. Each of these men had something to do with one of the participants of the tournament. Billy wanted revenge against Terry Bogard for defeating Geese in the past, Eiji wanted to continue his agenda against all Kyokugenryu practitioners (precisely Ryo Sakazaki), and Iori wanted his chance to kill his clan enemy, Kyo Kusanagi, in a fight. The 3 enter to the KOF as the Rivals Team, with Iori being the leader. They were able to enter KOF by stealing the American Sports Team's Invitation (formed by Heavy-D!, Lucky Glauber and Brian Battler).

Official Team Roster[]

Hero Team (A.K.A. Japan Team, Protagonist Team or Kyo Team)[]

Kyo94
Kyo Kusanagi
Benimaru95
Benimaru Nikaido
Gorodaimon94
Goro Daimon

Fatal Fury Team (A.K.A. Garou Densetsu Team)[]

Terry95
Terry Bogard
Andy94
Andy Bogard
Joe95
Joe Higashi

Art of Fighting Team (A.K.A. Kyokugenryu Team)[]

Ryo94
Ryo Sakazaki
Robert95
Robert Garcia
Takuma95
Takuma Sakazaki

Ikari Warriors Team (A.K.A. Ikari Team)[]

Heidern94
Heidern
Ralf96
Ralf Jones
Clark95
Clark Still

Psycho Soldier Team (A.K.A. Athena Team)[]

Athena95
Athena Asamiya
Kensou94
Sie Kensou
Chin94
Chin Gentsai

Women Fighters Team[]

King95
King
Mai94
Mai Shiranui
Yuri95
Yuri Sakazaki

Korea Justice Team (A.K.A. Kim Team)[]

Kimkaphwan95
Kim Kaphwan
Chang95
Chang Koehan
Choi95
Choi Bounge

Rivals Team (A.K.A. Yagami Team or Deuteragonist Team)[]

Iori95
Iori Yagami
Eiji95
Eiji Kisaragi
Billykane95
Billy Kane

Sub-Boss[]

Saisyu95
Saisyu Kusanagi

Boss[]

Omegarugal95
Omega Rugal

Game Boy Exclusive Character[]

Stages[]

Note: The Hero, Fatal Fury & Art of Fighting Teams and Bosses stages (Sub-Boss & Boss) don't have intros.
Warning: The sight of some stages can cause epilepsy.

Normal Stages[]

  • Japan — Hero Team: The Neo Geo Land, a game house founded by SNK in Osaka. The battle takes in front of the park, and it's possible see people watching the fight and cheering. In the background, can be seen the SNK's headquarters.
Kof 95 fight

Gameplay of Mai vs. Iori

  • Mediterranean Sea — Fatal Fury Team: A pier next to the Mediterranean Sea. Can be seen some people watch the fight, boats, a tractor, typical buildings and windmills, in the background. Also can be seen a dog and Ukee, Terry's monkey.
    • Note: When the first round begins, the characters jump from the pier to the water.
  • U.S.A. (Dojo) — Art of Fighting Team: The Kyokugenryu Dojo. The fight takes in the main hall, in a night of a lot of wind. Can be seen lamps, stone faces, portraits of a dragon and a tiger, purple curtains and symbols of Kyokugen Karate. This stage also can be seen in KOF '98, in a new version. 
    • Note: When all rounds begins, the floor of the main hall, which is actually an elevator, goes up to the point of the stage.
  • Middle East, Brazil — Ikari Warriors Team: An aerial bridge, next to a helicopter crash. Can be seen a little smoke coming out of the helicopter, some bags and a garage with military aircraft in the background.
    • Intro: the rise to the point of the stage.
  • China — Psycho Soldier Team: The battle takes in a hillside, with water mirrors, a kanji with one of the stones, a statue in the left and mountains in the background. 
    • Intro: drops falling.
  • England — Women Fighters Team: The Illusion Bar. The battle occurs in the main hall of the bar. Musicians, barrels of beer, plants, clients in the tables (some SNK's characters) and Sally & Elizabeth, twins waitresses of King, can be seen passing in the background.
    • Intro: the stained glass of the bar.
  • Korea Forest — Korea Justice Team: A forest, in a rainy day. Can be seen a bonfire next to a tent, a burning tree, the root of other tree and a bucket.
    • Intro: a lightning burning the tree.
  • Abanoned Factory — Rivals Team: An oil refinery, in a sunset. Can be seen pipes, a great smoke coming off the structures with a fog in some rounds, a dump in the right, crows and a truck in the left. Also can be seen the city of New York, highlighting the Empire State and the Chrysler buildings. This stage is also available in KOF XIII.
    • Intro: a square focusing the stage.

Boss Stages[]

  • The Missile Base: A new version of Black Noah stage. Only the Earth's hologram remains. Can be seen gears and a closed secret compartment. Associated with Saisyu.
  • The Missile Base Balcony: The same stage. The changes in relation to the original stage are: the ground starts flashing and the secret compartment opens, revealing a giant missile. There is also an opening to the sky. Associated with Omega Rugal.

Critical Reception[]

Overview[]

In Japan, Game Machine listed The King of Fighters '95 on their September 1, 1995 issue as being the second most-successful arcade game of the month. The Neo Geo AES version sold 108,883 cartridges in its first week of release in Japan, at a price of £160–200 ($250–320 at the time, or $420–540 adjusted for inflation) per cartridge. The Neo Geo CD version also sold 142,825 copies in its first week on the market. They sold a combined 310,060 units in Japan.

During its release week, the Sega Saturn port of the game sold 135,214 copies in Japan. As of 2004, the game sold 257,294 copies. The game also sold 145,389 units for the PlayStation in Japan, adding up to a combined total of 712,743 units sold in Japan.

Upon release, Computer and Video Games magazine called it "arguably the greatest 2D fighting game ever" made. The King of Fighters '95 was awarded Best Neo-Geo Game of 1995 by Electronic Gaming Monthly in 1996.

The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly declared the Neo Geo AES version a solid improvement over the previous King of Fighters, particularly applauding the addition of the team edit feature. Major Mike of GamePro agreed that this was the game's best feature, but also expressed approval for the replacement of the U.S. team with the new "Rival" team and the control modifications. He did criticize that the game "didn't improve '94's graphics, it just added to them", but concluded King of Fighters '95 to be "one of the best brawlers out there". A reviewer for Next Generation was unimpressed, however, remarking that "The idea behind fighting as a three-person team ... adds an interesting flare to the game, but the final result is still a one-on-one fighting game with nothing much new to offer the seasoned fighter."

Reviewing the Neo Geo CD version, Maximum deemed that "SNK remain masters of the sprite-based one-on-one fighting genre, leaving all competitors way behind with King of Fighters '95." They elaborated that the team combat makes for greater variety than the average fighting game, the team edit feature greatly increases the game's enjoyability and longevity, the unusually high difficulty of executing combos makes pulling them off more satisfying, and the animations are greatly improved from The King of Fighters '94.

The PlayStation version, however, was much less well received, as reviewers stated it has poor design in comparison to other fighting games from the same year. IGN criticized that the characters are not very responsive to controls and "even though these are difficult hurdles to jump, they're not impossible". However, they noted it to be a likeable game, saying it has "that 2D anime look that everyone loves". A reviewer for Next Generation said that the PlayStation version compounded the game's lack of fresh and original gameplay with long load times. Jeff Gerstmann from GameSpot also criticized the long loading times from the PlayStation version as well as how frequent they are since every round requires loading time. Game Revolution noted the game to be very entertaining but still not as good as other fighting games from the year it was released in North America. They criticized that the fighting system is very similar to other SNK games such as Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting. However, Scary Larry defended the PlayStation version in GamePro, saying it "plays well, looks good, and sounds the same as the arcade version. You could do worse." 1UP.com praised the introduction of Omega Rugal, noting him to be "one of the most stylish boss designs in fighting history", although players could hate him due to how difficult it is to defeat him.

Rich Leadbetter of Sega Saturn Magazine stated that the Saturn port is nearly arcade perfect, the ROM cartridge enabling it to recreate the look of the arcade version with only brief load times. He found the level of skill and technique involved in the game to be both its strongest point and the main limiting factor on its appeal: "SNK fans swear blind that King of Fighters is far superior to Street Fighter Alpha (and its sequel) simply because the element of skill required is that much tougher - making the rewards that much sweeter. The majority of us are unlikely to reach that pinnacle of skill ... but the fact is that if you're good enough, it remains one of the greatest fighting games of all time." He added that while The King of Fighters '96 was already out for the Saturn in Japan, the two installments are different enough from each other that it is worth getting both.

IGN commented that the characters' designs and abilities are very similar to the ones from Street Fighter Alpha. Jeff Gerstmann complained that the characters have unattractive moves as well and over pixelated sprites. 1UP.com praised SNK's characters designs and the addition of the team edit option, making the game a good competition for Street Fighter Alpha. However, Game Revolution liked the large number of playable characters and the several options featured in the game such as the team fights and special moves.

Game designer Masahiro Sakurai regarded the game as one of his favorite competitive experiences when being young. However, after realizing he had been defeating rookies, Sakurai decided that fighting games should also be accessible to newcomers.

Reception table[]

Review scores[]

Publication
Info
CVG
93% (Neo Geo CD)
EGM
31.5/40 (Neo Geo)
GameFan
286/300 (Neo Geo)
GamePro
4.5/5 (Neo Geo)
GameRevolution
C+ (PlayStation)
GameSpot
5.3/10 (PlayStation)
IGN
5/10 (PlayStation)
NextGeneration
2/5 stars (Neo Geo & PlayStation)
Maximum
5/5 (Neo Geo CD)
Sega Saturn Magazine
89% (Sega Saturn)

Award[]

Publication
Info
EGM
Best Neo Geo Game of 1995

Box Art[]

References[]

External links[]

The King of Fighters series
Mainline '94'95'96'97'98'992000200120022003XIXIIXIIIXIVXV
Remakes Dream Match 1999'99 Evolution'94 Re-Bout'98 Ultimate Match2002 Unlimited Match'98 Ultimate Match Final Edition
Offshoots R-1R-2EX: Neo BloodEX2: Howling BloodNeowave
Spin-offs Quiz King of FightersThe King of Fighters: KyoBattle de ParadiseKOF: Maximum ImpactKOF: Maximum Impact 2KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A"KOF Sky StageOnline'98 Ultimate Match WebSNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy
Mobile The King of Fighters -Mobile- / R-2-Volleyball-KOF Gals MahjongThe King of MillionaireThe King of ReversiMahjongKOF Kentei - Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!Moeyo! KOF DaiundokaiKOF x Garou DensetsuBattle Festa-i/AndroidEncounterThe Rhythm of Fighters'98 Ultimate Match OnlineBeast Busters featuring KOFWorldDestinyAll StarOrochi GoM: Fighting Stars AssemblyKOF: Chroniclefor GirlsArena
Pachinko The King of FightersChapter of NESTSMaximum ImpactIIICR The King of Fighters
Compilations Orochi CollectionThe Orochi SagaNESTS Collection
Films/Animations Another DayThe King of Fighters (movie)DestinyAwaken
Mangas/Comics/Novels/Manhwas The King of Fighters: Kyo (Manga)The King of Fighters: A New BeginningThe King of Fantasy (Manga)The King of Fighters Side Story: The Origin of Flame - Shingo Travels Through Time! Let's Go!The King of Fantasy (Novel)The King of Fighters: R's Letter
Cancelled Online (UnoTechnology)Fighters' WorldKOF MI "A2"KOF: Maximum Impact 360Online (DragonFly/Triple A Games)
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The King of Fighters games
Prologue KOF '94 Logo Sprite
Orochi Saga KOF '95 Logo Sprite KOF '96 Logo Sprite KOF '97 Logo Sprite KOF '98 ENG Logo Sprite
NESTS Chronicles KOF '99 Logo Sprite KOF 2000 Logo Sprite KOF 2001 Logo Sprite KOF 2002 Logo Sprite
Tales of Ash KOF 2003 Logo Sprite KOF XI Logo Sprite KOF XII Logo KOF XIII Logo
New Age Saga KOF XIV Logo The King of Fighters XV Logo
Remakes KOF Dream Match 1999 Logo KOF '99 Evolution Logo KOF '94 Re-Bout Logo KOF '98UM Logo KOF 2002UM Logo KOF '98UMFE Logo
Maximum Impact series KOF MI Logo KOF MI2 Logo KOF MIRA Logo
Offshoots Kofr1logo Kofr2logo KOF EX Logo KOF EX2 Logo KOF Neowave Logo
Spin-offs Quiz King of Fighters Logo Sprite KOF Kyo Logo KOF Battle de Paradise Logo Sprite KOF Sky Stage Logo The King of Fighters Online (MOBA) KOF '98 UM WEB Logo SNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy ENG Logo
Mobile The King of Fighters -Mobile- / R-2The King of Fighters -Volleyball-KOF Gals MahjongThe King of MillionaireThe King of ReversiMahjongKOF Kentei - Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!Moeyo! KOF Daiundokai KOF x FF logoBattle FestaKOF-i 2012 LogoEncounter ROF logo KOF98UMOL logo Beast Busters KOF logo The King of Fighters: World The King of Fighters Destiny (拳皇命運) KOF All Star LogoOrochi GoSNK All Star Logo KOF Chronicle (Logo) The King of Fighters for Girls (Logo) KOF Arena Logo KOFSC Logo
Pachinko The King of FightersChapter of NESTSMaximum Impact Kof3 logo CR KOF Logo
Compilations The King of Fighters Orochi Collection KOF Collection -The Orochi Saga- LogoThe King of Fighters NESTS Collection
Cancelled The King of Fighters Online (UnoTechnology)The King of Fighters' WorldKOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A2"KOF: Maximum Impact 360The King of Fighters Online (Cancelled)
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