THE KING OF FIGHTERS HISTORY

The 1990s saw a fighting game boom in arcades throughout the world. In 1994, said to be the craze’s golden age, one title would imprint its name on the genre forever.

Its name was “THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’94.” This was to be the memorable first title in “THE KING OF FIGHTERS" commonly known as KOF series which even now continues to be a remarkable best seller in the fighting game genre.

The series centers around the story regarding the opening of a fighting tournament called “King of Fighters” and the various characters that join it. Popular characters from SNK titles at the time, such as fighting games like FATAL FURY and ART OF FIGHTING, and in addition to famous SNK action game classics like IKARI WARRIORS and PSYCHO SOLDIER, make their way into the fight. These popular SNK characters cross the boundaries of their respective titles to clash in teams of three in a truly all-star battle suitably referred to as “dream matches” that have garnered the attention of legions of game fans.

Hot on the debut title’s tails came the 1995 sequel “THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’95.” Added to the original concept of the 3-on-3 team battles were the “team edit” function that let players form their own teams and the new character Iori Yagami―rival of the hero team’s main character Kyo Kusanagi―whose debut brought new popularity to the game and established its unwavering fandom across the globe.

A world-class fighting game developed entirely within Japan.

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Thereafter, new titles in the KOF series kept on coming and now currently in its 28th year with its 15th mainline release, the series boasts the greatest number of titles of any other fighting game. Its popularity does not just end in Japan but has widened beyond country boundaries to find a countless fans throughout the world.

And the KOF popularity that grows with each title has influenced other spheres outside the world of games. One prime example is cosplay that has spread like wildfire, owing to the popularity of our charismatic characters. The principal KOF characters at the time were sleekly proportioned and wore stylish costumes that added a new flashy dimension to the Spartan genre. This became a major factor in the sudden rise of popularity in fighting games among previously uninterested female fans in Japan.

However, it also proved true worldwide as well and has contributed to the KOF’s unwavering popularity.

The one and only 3-on-3 fighting competition in the world.

The system most worthy of mention among KOF game systems is the realization of team battles among teams of three characters for the first time in fighting game history. Doing away with the tired one-on-one character battle formula, KOF’s match format for the first time ever employed 3-on-3 character team battles providing players with the fresh and complex experience of controlling three characters in a single match.

Match rules are simple and easy to understand. During elimination battles, two teams of three square off, and members change when one is defeated, while the victor remains to continue fighting. The team to finally defeat all the opposing team’s members is the winner. For that reason, the order characters appear can affect the tide of battle, so questions like “Where do I put my best character?” and “What is the make-up of the opposing team?” become crucial to your game strategy. After you lose two characters, a special KOF feature to enjoy is the thrilling developments of gameplay that keep you on your toes and just may allow you to turn the tables to win with your last remaining character.

Team battles. That is what KOF brought into this world, and it is what the series continues to perfect upon, to bring the hypest and most exciting matches possible within fighting games.

This team battle format has earned the full support of fans and players, and has become synonymous with KOF. Throughout the series with certain titles we have made new attempts to change match rules by employing the Striker System and Multi-shift System, but this old standard has prevailed and in THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV, the series saw a shift from 2D to 3D graphics.

A DRAMATIC STORY THAT BEGINS WITH A SINGLE INVITATION

With one single invitation, passionate fighters from across the globe are pulled into an expansive multi-POV story.

The year, 1994. Once again the invitations to the King of Fighters find their ways to the world's most wicked warriors. But the patron of this little party remains unknown. It cannot be Geese, nor can it be Krauser. So, who could they be from...?

Among all the hopes and doubts, the legendary superstars of the fighting world begin to form their mighty teams. What type of battles will these magnificent fighters, which are sure to go down in history, show us? The voltage of the fan's excitement reaches a fevered pitch as the tournament finally approaches its beginning...

KOF's long-standing series begins its first story in KOF '94. One of the things KOF is adored for is its multiple story arcs that revolve around each arc's heroes, culminating into a massive epic unseen by typical fighters. In fact, there are more than 100 characters that show up in the story! Each have their own personal episode, which layered upon each other build upon the game's massive setting. Though at heart it's a fighting game series, its story is akin to a long-running anime with how deep and complex it becomes, even being compared to a novella due to the various twists and turns. To this day, there are fans across the world that enjoy the series for this very aspect.

[ 1994 ] PROLOGUE CHAPTER

nvitations for the fighting tournament “King of Fighters” are delivered to fighters throughout the world. Who is its mysterious sponsor “R”? What are 3-on-3 team battles? Among these eddying doubts, one after another the famous fighters create their teams. This curtain to this battle of dreams sure to make its mark on history is about to rise.

[ 1995 - 1997 ] CHAPTER OF OROCHI

The Chapter of Orochi opens with the arrival of invitations from Rugal, presume slain during KOF ’94. Iori Yagami, the fated rival of the hero of this story and manipulator of flame Kyo Kusanagi effects his debut. A majestic battle between the Orochi Hakkesshu, a clan seeking to revive the world's will known as Orochi, and Rugal, who covets that power, is about to explode.

[ 1999 - 2001 ] CHAPTER OF NESTS

This new story depicts the battle against the mysterious secret cartel NESTS that plot to create the world’s mightiest soldiers. The main characters are K´, whose memory has been erased by NESTS, and his cyborg sidekick Maxima. To regain his own memory and to wreak his vengeance, they take up the gauntlet NESTS has tossed in their path.

[ 2003 - 2011 ] CHAPTER OF ASH

Ash Crimson appears as the newest KOF protagonist. During his battle with “Those From The Past,” an enigmatic syndicate that seeks the power of Orochi, Kyo Kusanagi and Iori Yagami also become involved. Beginning with Ash, the aims and stories of those involved remain, for the most part, veiled in mystery.

[ 2016 - ] NEW CHAPTER

Antonov, the self-proclaimed "First Champion," announces suddenly that he's hosting the next KOF tournament. This announcement sends the world into a frenzy as invitations reach the hands of many hardened warriors. After such a long time, a hope filled KOF is back with a new chapter.