The King of Fighters (series)

For the tournament, check The King of Fighters (tournament).

The King of Fighters (ザ・キング・オブ・ファイターズ, Za Kingu Obu Faitāzu), officially abbreviated KOF, is the most prominent series of fighting games by SNK. Its claim to fame is the large cast of characters and the innovative "team" system, with both original designs and characters from other SNK games.

The series was originally developed for SNK's Neo Geo video game systems, which would continue until SNK retired the Neo Geo completely in 2004. For the next few games, the Atomiswave would be used, and later the Taito Type X2. Aside from this, ports of the arcade games and original The King of Fighters games have been released for the various consoles of then and now, such as SNK's own Neo Geo Pocket, the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance, the Sega Saturn and the Dreamcast, the PlayStation and Xbox series of consoles, and even the N-Gage, among others.

The latest main game in the series, The King of Fighters XIV, was released on August 23, 2016 for PlayStation 4, and on June 15, 2017 for Steam. The next main game in the series, The King of Fighters XV, was announced in EVO 2019.

Overview

Special Illustration by Hiroaki for the SNK Brand 40th Anniversary.

The first game in the series, The King of Fighters '94, was released by SNK in 1994. The game was designed to be a dream match of characters from the company's various arcade titles, particularly Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Ikari Warriors, and Psycho Soldier. The success of the game lead to SNK to release yearly installments of the series and numbered the games for the year they were released. With yearly sports games, each new version is meant to be an "update"; SNK did differently, making each year unique with new rules and a constantly changing character rosters even to this day. By 2004, SNK abandoned yearly releases of the series and usually numbered future games in a more traditional manner: the first main series game released as such was The King of Fighters XI.

In 2004, SNK produced the first 3D installment of the series, KOF: Maximum Impact. The game and its two sequels use an alternate story for characters and settings from previous games of the series, leaning more towards the South Town-based series like FF and AOF. The producer of the Maximum Impact series, Falcoon, stated that the Maximum Impact games are in a different canon from the original series of games.

From right to left, Kyo Kusanagi, KOF's original hero and his rival Iori Yagami, in promotional artwork of The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match. Illustration by Hiroaki.

The King of Fighters tournament, the namesake of this series, actually originated in Fatal Fury, a classic SNK fighting game that predated the KOF series. The later Art of Fighting was centered around an earlier iteration, featuring typical sponsor Geese Howard in a younger self.

The King of Fighters games have had a number of villains as their individual end bosses. The first of these was Rugal Bernstein in '94 who had a tendency to submerge his defeated foes in liquid metal, turning them into grisly trophies commemorating his victories. During the Orochi saga, Orochi is introduced as an ominous force from ancient times bent on revenge on those who imprisoned it and was aided by his four heralds. In later games, a mysterious organization called NESTS attempts to kidnap and succeeds in cloning Kyo Kusanagi in hopes of using his power to take over the world. The leader of NESTS, who called himself Igniz, hoped to amass enough power to become a god. Other villains in later games include Mukai and "Those from the Past" that he affiliates himself with, including Magaki, as well as the Mephistopheles group (Maximum Impact series).

KOF series 20th Anniversary logo, by Ogura

In order to preserve their characters' images, SNK ceased to age their characters since The King of Fighters '95 and they have remained the same ages since then. This means that characters introduced in The King of Fighters '94 have only aged one year in the series. To stay true to this theme, newer characters following this year also keep the same age they have when introduced. Some concessions to age and the passing of time exist, though, such as Terry's switch to his Garou outfit, or Kyo no longer being in high school since 1998. Ages have stopped being officially listed since KOF XI, likely to avoid confusion amongst fans.

Games

• Main titles
• Remakes & Dream Matches
• Others
• Mobile
• Cancelled
• Pachinko

• 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: Dream Match Never Ends
• The King of Fighters '99
• The King of Fighters 2000
• The King of Fighters 2001
• The King of Fighters 2002: Challenge to Ultimate Battle
• The King of Fighters 2003
• The King of Fighters XI
• The King of Fighters XII
• The King of Fighters XIII
• The King of Fighters XIV
• The King of Fighters XV

The King of Fighters '95 (Game Boy)

The King of Fighters '96 (Game Boy)

The King of Fighters R-1: Pocket Fighting Series

The King of Fighters R-2: Pocket Fighting Series

The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood

The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood

The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999

The King of Fighters '99: Evolution

The King of Fighters '94 Rebout

The King of Fighters Neowave

KOF: Maximum Impact Maniax

KOF: Maximum Impact Regulation "A"

The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match

The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match

The King of Fighters XIII: CLIMAX

The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match Final Edition

The King of Fighters '97: Global Match

Quiz King of Fighters

The King of Fighters '96: NEO-GEO Collection

The King of Fighters: Kyo

KOF: Maximum Impact

KOF: Maximum Impact 2

The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise

KOF: Sky Stage

The King of Fighters Online (DragonFly)

The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match Web

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy - It's a canonical tie-in sequel to The King of Fighters XIV

The King of Fighters: Extreme

The King of Fighters Mobile

The King of Fighters: Volleyball

KOF: Gals Mahjong

The King of Millionare

The King of Reversi

The King of Fighters Mobile R-2

The King of Fighters: Mahjong

KOF: Kentei ~Mezase Cult Quiz Ou!~

Moeyo! KOF: Daiundokai

The King of Fighters: Chapter of NESTS ~SNK Slot Panic~

KOF × Garou Densetsu

The King of Fighters: Battle Festa

The King of Fighters-i

The King of Fighters Android

The King of Fighters: Encounter

The King of Fighters-i 2012

The King of Fighters-A 2012

The Rhythm of Fighters: SNK Original Sound Collection

The King of Fighters M for Kakao

BEAST BUSTERS featuring KOF

The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match Online

BEAST BUSTERS featuring KOF: DELUXE

The King of Fighters '97 OL

The King of Fighters '97: HD ver.

The King of Fighters D ~DyDo Smile STAND~

The King of Fighters: World

The King of Fighters: Destiny (Game)

The King of Fighters: All Star

The King of Fighters: Orochi Go

The King of Fighters M: Fighting Stars Assembly

KOF: Chronicle

The King of Fighters for Girls

The King of Fighters Online (UnoTechnology)

The King of Fighters Online (Cancelled)

KOF: Maximum Impact 3

KOF: Maximum Impact 360

KOF Maximum Impact Regulation "A2"

The King of Fighters' World

The King of Fighters (Pachinko) - It follows the Orochi Saga

The King of Fighters: Chapter of NESTS - It follows the NESTS Saga

The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact (Pachinko) - It follows the Maximum Impact Saga

The King of Fighters III - It follows the Ash Saga

CR The King of Fighters

Comics

• Mangas
• Manhuas
• Manhwas

• The King of Fighters '94 (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '94 - Made by Tatsuya Shinkyoji
• The King of Fighters '94: Gaiden - Made by Ryo Takamisaki
• The King of Fighters '94 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters '95 (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '95: Amusement Anthology Series 18
• The King of Fighters '95 (Comic Anthology)
• The King of Fighters '95: Side-2 (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '95 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters '96 (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '96 (Comic Anthology)
• The King of Fighters '96: Orochi no Senrei
• The King of Fighters: Kyo - Made by Masato Natsumoto
• The King of Fighters '96
• The King of Fighters: Kyo vs. Iori ~Honō no Taiketsu~ (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '96: Anthology Comic ~Kyo vs. Iori Fight!~
• The King of Fighters '96 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters: Giga - Made by Ryo Takamisaki
• The King of Fighters '96: Comic Anthology ~The Complete~
• The King of Fighters Chō: '96-'97 Kikaku Hon!!
• The King of Fighters '95-'96 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters '97 (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '97: Comic Anthology ~Orochi no Kakusei~
• The King of Fighters '97: Side-2 (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '97: Comic Anthology ~Kakutō no Ōsama~
• The King of Fighters '97 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters: 4COMA COMIC ~Mezase! King of Fighters~
• The King of Fighters '97: Comic Anthology ~Orochi Shūen~
• The King of Fighters '97: Anthology Comic ~97 Kyo vs. Iori Fight!~
• The King of Fighters '97: 4-koma Gag Battle ~Sanshu no Jingi-hen~
• The King of Fighters: Best Selection
• The King of Fighters Chō-2: '97-'98 Kikaku Hon!!
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (4-koma Ketteihan)
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (Comic Anthology) ~Gun'yūkakkyo~
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (Comic Anthology)
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (4-koma Kings)
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (Short Comic Kings)
• King of Fighters R-1: Gag Paradise
• King of Fighters R-2: Gag Paradise
• King of Fighters R-2: 4-koma Gag Battle ~Perfect~
• The King of Fighters Chō-3: '98-'99 Kikaku Hon
• The King of Fighters '99 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters '99 (4-koma Kings)
• The King of Fighters '99 (Comic Anthology)
• The King of Fighters '99: Evolution (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters 2000: Short! ~Comedy Show Stadium~
• The King of Fighters 2000 (4-koma Gag Battle)
• The King of Fighters 2000: 4-koma Manga ~Comedy Show Stadium~
• The King of Fighters 2000: Comic Anthology ~K' no Yukue~
• The King of Fighters 2000 (4-koma Kings)
• The King of Fighters: Moe ×2 Fighters+ (Anthology Comic)
• The King of Fighters 2001 (Anthology Comic)
• The King of Fighters 2001 (4-koma Kings)
• The King of Fighters 2000 (Comic Anthology)
• Nettō! The King of Fighters 2000
• The King of Fighters: A New Beginning - Made by Kyoutarou Azuma
• The King of Fantasy: Yagami Iori no Isekai Musō ~Tsukio Miru Tabi Omoidase!~

The King of Fighters '95 - Made by Zhuo Zhuohua

The King of Fighters '96 - Made by Yan Shijie, Deng Yaorong & Zheng Jianhe

The King of Fighters '97 - Made by Yan Shijie, Deng Yaorong & Zheng Jianhe

The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends - Made by Yan Shijie, Deng Yaorong & Zheng Jianhe

The King of Fighters: Special - Made by Yan Shijie

King of Fighters R-2: Pocket Fighting Series - Made by Lucky

The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle - Made by Xu Jingwei

The King of Fighters: Evolution - Made by Li Gao & Shan Hanxun

The King of Fighters RemiX: The Beginning of NESTS EPISODE - Made by Lucky

The King of Fighters: Zillion - Made by Andy Seto

The King of Fighters 2000 - Made by Andy Seto

The King of Fighters RemiX: NESTS EPISODE PROJECT '00 - Made by Lucky

The King of Fighters: Return - Made by Andy Seto

The King of Fighters 2000: Omega-X Series - Made by Andy Seto

The King of Fighters 2001 - Made by Wing Yan & King Tung

The King of Fighters RemiX: The End of NESTS EPISODE - Made by Lucky

The King of Fighters 2002: Challenge to Ultimate Battle - Made by Wing Yan & King Tung

The King of Fighters 2003 - Made by Wing Yan & King Tung

The King of Fighters '03: Xenon Zero - Made by Wing Yan & King Tung

KOF: Maximum Impact New Legend - Made by Wing Yan & King Tung

The King of Fighters XII: Manhua Series - Made by Qiu Fulong & K.O.King

The King of Fighters XIV: Original Comic - Made by Zhuo Zhuohua

The King of Fighters: R's Letter

Novels

• The King of Fighters '95 (Novel)
• The King of Fighters '96 ~Rumbling on the City~
• The King of Fighters '97: Jōkan ~Owarinaki Natsu no Saigoni~
• The King of Fighters '97: Gekan ~660-nen-me no Futari~
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends ~Nokosa Reta Mono-tachi~
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends ~Saidai Tasū no Saidai Kōfuku~
• The King of Fighters '99 ~Beyond the "K"~
• The King of Fighters 2000: Icicle Doll
• The King of Fighters 2000: Strikers Strike Back
• The King of Fighters 2001: Jō ~More Than Human~
• The King of Fighters 2001: Ge ~The Gods Themselves~
• The King of Fantasy: Yagami Iori no Isekai Musō ~Tsukio Miru Tabi Omoidase!~

Drama CDs

• The King of Fighters '94: Dengeki CD Bunko ~Best Game Selection ⑬~
• The King of Fighters '96 (Drama CD)
• The King of Fighters '97: Drama CD ~Collision Chapter~
• The King of Fighters '97: Drama CD ~Destiny Chapter~
• The King of Fighters '98: Dream Match Never Ends (Drama CD)
• The King of Fighters '99 (Drama CD)
• The King of Fighters 2000 (Drama CD)
• The Sun and The Moon ~Prologue~
• The King of Fighters: The Best ~Selected by Characters~
• KOF: Mid Summer Struggle

Films & Animations

• The King of Fighters (Movie)
• The King of Fighters: Another Day
• The King of Fighters: Destiny

• The King of Fighters: Awaken

Card Games

• The King of Fighters 2006: Collectible Card Game - It is a collectible card game that was released in December, 2006, originally designed by Sabertooth Games as part of the Universal Fighting System (UFS). Other games like Samurai Shodown V, Street Fighter and Soul Calibur III are also included into the series. Character started packs were released for Terry Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and eventually Rock Howard.

• The King of Fighters: Trading Card Game - It is a collectible card game that was released on June 28, 2009, by the company Weiβ Schwarz as part of a campaign that allowed collectors to exchange premium points for CDs and other collectibles.

Characters Introduction

• '94
• '95
• '96
• '97
• Kyo
• '99
• '99 EVO
• EX
• 2000
• EX2
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• MI
• XI

• Kyo Kusanagi
• Benimaru Nikaido
• Goro Daimon
• Chin Gentsai
• Chang Koehan
• Choi Bounge
• Heavy-D!
• Lucky Glauber
• Brian Battler
• Rugal Bernstein

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Terry Bogard
  • Andy Bogard
  • Joe Higashi
  • Mai Shiranui
  • Kim Kaphwan
• From Art of Fighting:
  • Ryo Sakazaki
  • Robert Garcia
  • Takuma Sakazaki
  • Yuri Sakazaki
  • King

• From Ikari Warriors:
  • Heidern
  • Ralf Jones
  • Clark Still
• From Psycho Soldier:
  • Athena Asamiya
  • Sie Kensou

• Iori Yagami
• Saisyu Kusanagi - originally in '94 as a cutscene character
• Omega Rugal

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Billy Kane
• From Art of Fighting:
  • Eiji Kisaragi

• From Samurai Shodown:
  • Nakoruru - Gameboy only

• Leona
• Mature - originally in '94 as a cutscene character
• Vice - originally in '95 as a cutscene character
• Chizuru Kagura
• Goenitz
• Orochi Iori - Gameboy only
• Orochi Leona - Gameboy only
• Maki Kagura - Gameboy only

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Geese Howard
  • Wolfgang Krauser
• From Art of Fighting:
  • Kasumi Todoh
  • Mr. Big
  • Mr. Karate - Gameboy only

• Shingo Yabuki
• Yashiro Nanakase
• Shermie
• Chris
• Orochi Yashiro
• Orochi Shermie
• Orochi Chris
• Orochi

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Blue Mary
  • Ryuji Yamazaki

Souji Kusanagi

Kyoji Sendo

Junko Sendo

Syota Sendo

• K'
• Maxima
• Whip
• Bao
• Jhun Hoon
• Kyo-1
• Kyo-2
• Krizalid

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Li Xiangfei

Vanessa - Striker

Seth - Striker

Syo Kirishima - Striker

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Alfred - Striker
• From Buriki One:
  • Gai Tendo - Striker

• From Metal Slug:
  • Fiolina Germi - Striker

Moe Habana

• Ramon
• Lin
• Hinako Shijou
• Kula Diamond
• Clone Zero
• Foxy - Striker
• Candy Diamond - Striker
• Another K' - Striker
• Another Iori - Striker
• Another Benimaru - Striker
• Another Robert - Striker
• Cosplayer Kyoko - Striker
• Kang Bae Dal - Striker
• Smart Chang - Striker
• Cool Choi - Striker
• Kaoru Watabe - Striker
• Baitang - Striker

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Duck King - Striker
  • Lilly Kane - Striker
• From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
  • Kim Jae Hoon - Striker
  • Kim Dong Hwan - Striker
• From Art of Fighting:
  • Unknown (Ryuhaku Todoh shaded) - Striker
• From Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter:
  • King Lion - Striker
  • Kim Sue Il - Striker
• From The Last Blade:
  • Kaede - Striker
• From Burning Fight:
  • Duke Edwards - Striker
• From Robo Army:
  • Rocky - Striker
• From Athena:
  • Athena - Striker
• From Quiz Dai Sousa-sen:
  • Neo & Geo - Strikers
• G-Mantle - Striker

• Reiji Oogami
• Jun Kagami
• Miu Kurosaki
• Sinobu Amou

• May Lee Jinju
• K9999
• Angel
• Zero
• Ron - Striker for Zero
• Glaugan - Striker for Zero
• Igniz

• Kusanagi

• Ash Crimson
• Duo Lon
• Shen Woo
• Malin
• Adelheid Bernstein
• Mukai

Brought from other games:

• From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
  • Tizoc (The Griffon)
  • Gato

• Alba Meira
• Soiree Meira
• Lien Neville
• Chae Lim
• Mignon Beart
• Duke

Brought from other games:

• From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
  • Rock Howard

• Oswald
• Elisabeth Blanctorche
• Momoko
• Shion
• Magaki

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Tung Fu Rue - PlayStation 2 Exclusive
• From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
  • B. Jenet
  • Hotaru Futaba - PlayStation 2 only
• From Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter:
  • Sho Hayate
  • Jyazu
• From Buriki One:
  • Silber

• MI2
• MIRA
• 2002 UM
• XII
• XIII
• XIV
• NPC

• Luise Meyrink
• Ninon Beart
• Nagase
• Hyena
• Jivatma
• Kyo Kusanagi Classic
• Armor Ralf

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Richard Meyer
• From Garou: Mark of the Wolves:
  • Wild Wolf (Terry Bogard)
• From Samurai Shodown:
  • Hanzo Hattori
• From Buriki One:
  • Mr. Karate II (Ryo Sakazaki)

• Xiao Lon

Brought from other games:

• From Fighter's History:
  • Makoto Mizoguchi

Nameless

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Raiden

Saiki

Evil Ash

Brought from other games:

• From Fatal Fury:
  • Hwa Jai
• From SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos:
  • Honki ni Natta Mr. Karate

• Shun'ei
• Meitenkun
• Gang-il
• Luong
• Hein
• Xanadu
• King of Dinosaurs
• Sylvie Paula Paula
• Kukri
• Mian
• Nelson
• Zarina
• Bandeiras Hattori
• Antonov
• Verse
• Najd - as DLC Character

Brought from other games:

• From Garou Densetsu The Legend of Wild Wolf:
  • Alice
• From Dragon Gal:
  • Mui Mui

• From Sky Love:
  • Love Heart

• Yuki (KoF)
• Rose Bernstein
• Botan
• Jan
• Gaidel
• Gustav Munchausen
• Diana
• Misty
• Nests
• Cool Guy
• Luan, Chat and Sai
• Lillien Knights
• Sally and Elizabeth
• Aya and Hermione
• Asuka and Maria
• Fate
• Judeim
• Dr. Makishima
• Shizuka Kusanagi
• Aoi Kusanagi
• Jokyojo
• Kogoro Daimon
• Ling
• Sandra and Clara Heidern
• Keisuke Sendo
• Antonio
• P-chan
• Yakov

External Links

• 15th anniversary site hub, Official Facebook
• 10th Anniversary Special - Saisyu and Shingo corner
• Spanish King of Fighters wiki
• KOF LINE Stickers, NESTS-style, Ash