History Fridge / TheKingOfFightersXV

Fridge entries that require an answer can be found [[Headscratchers/TheKingOfFightersXV in the Headscratchers page]].

!!FridgeBrilliance

!!FridgeHorror

!!FridgeLogic
* While Omega Rugal in his ''[='98=]'' outfit makes some sense, as it's also his outfit back in ''[='94=]'', it ''doesn't'' explain why his Boss Challenge version uses his Omega armor. The only other time this outfit was used was in ''2002'', a DreamMatchGame, which was only for his intro before it fell off.

** Geese's version is a concentrated pure blue blade of energy. Being the creator of the move itself, his version is the best of the three, being the best non-super zoning tool in the entire game. Not only is Geese's regular Double Reppuken as massive as Rugal's EX Reppuken, but it also knocks down on hit, something that Rugal and Rock can only accomplish by spending half of the Power Gauge.

* If Shun'ei's red fist is derived from [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIV Verse]] (e.g., whenever he uses [[DashAttack Scarlet Phantom]] or [[{{Shoryuken}} Rising Efreet]]), then it's safe to say that his blue claw is derived from Otoma=Raga in this game, since she uses a claw swipe that looks remarkably similar to Shun'ei's Blau Wing, but performed on the ground.

* While Rugal in his Omega form being his default makes sense as that was the state he was in when he was seemingly killed for good back in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters95'', him being in a slightly revised ''[='98=]'' variant of his usual outfit also makes sense as that was his most iconic look.

* Similarly, Geese's access to the Rashomon Climax Super is likely due to his guest star in ''VideoGame/Tekken7'', where he has it as his Super. Like Terry, Geese being able to pull off a move he's likely most remembered by in this game is also for the best.

** Geese's version is a concentrated pure blue blade of energy. Being the creator of the move itself, his version is the best of the three, being the single best zoning tool in the entire game (only beaten out by Krohnen's [[MoreDakka Fusion]] [[ArmCannon Blaster]]). Not only is Geese's regular Double Reppuken as massive as Rugal's EX Reppuken, but it also knocks down on hit, something that Rugal and Rock can only accomplish by spending half of the Power Gauge.

** Rock's version, carrying over from his home game, is entirely different. As a consequence of his undying hatred for Geese and the abandonment of his mother, his Reppuken is an [[UnskilledButStrong uncontrolled shade]] [[PurpleIsPowerful of purple]] that, despite being called the Reppuken, is more in common with Terry's Power Wave. Carrying from ''XIV'', the Double Reppuken is exclusively an EX attack, unlike in ''Garou''. This further showcases Rock's reluctance to use his father's techniques to execute the move properly.

** For that matter, if SNK characters can appear as guests in other games, and vice versa, what's stopping Otoma from consuming the worlds of those games? It's not impossible to assume that [[VideoGame/{{Tekken}} any]] [[VideoGame/SoulCalibur one]] [[VideoGame/ForHonor of]] [[VideoGame/GuiltyGear those]] [[VideoGame/DeadOrAlive worlds]] could be subject to a very nasty, unexpected DownerEnding courtesy of the Goddess of Truth.

* Why is the New Faces Team now called Team Orochi? Because at this point, it's a LateArrivalSpoiler.
** Likewise, their alternate/EX selves, are now called Team ''Awakened'' Orochi, partly to avoid confusion with their normal counterparts and partly because of the above spoiler.

-->Ángel, the name's Krohnen. Next time you screw that up, you'll regret it.

!! FridgeBrilliance

* A bit of Brilliance and {{Tearjerker}}, Kukri's antics (notably with how perverted he is towards the female fighters and the entirety of ''VideoGame/SNKHeroinesTagTeamFrenzy'') might have some degree of FreudianExcuse to them. His backstory states that he grew up in harsh desert streets only to be taken in by Dolores (quite the looker herself) from a young age. Due to a rather tragic case of PowerIncontinence, though, Dolores ended up sacrificing herself to contain Kukri's abilities, ultimately leading to Kukri feverishly looking through her study to find ways to bring her back to life. Granted, this does nothing to excuse or vindicate Kukri from his actions in ''SNK Heroines'', but it does put his perversions and {{jerkass}} behavior in a whole new light.

* Given how K9999 has been gone from a meta standpoint for the better part of 20 years, it gives SNK justification to replace his original psychic moves with the Kusanagi flames. At the same time, the fact that his newer moves are functionally the same as his older ones implies he's still using psychic powers to some extent, but better control of his flames and a way to disguise them helps make him less recognizable.
* It makes sense Rugal would be resurrected in his Omega form, as that was the state he was in when he was seemingly killed for good back in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters95''.

** Rock's version, carrying over from his home game, is entirely different. As a consequence of his undying hatred for Geese and the abandonment of his mother, his Reppuken is an [[UnskilledButStrong uncontrolled shade]] [[PurpleIsPowerful of purple]] that, despite being called the Reppuken, is more in common with Terry's Power Wave. Furthermore, the Double Reppuken requires a meter to pull off, unlike in ''Garou'' further showcases Rock's reluctance to use his father's techniques to execute the move properly.

* On the topic of Otoma, how many worlds could she have consumed and recreated in her own image? Suppose she can travel across dimensions at will. What's to stop her (besides Shun'ei and Isla) from paying a visit to the mainline ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' or ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'' continuities and wreaking havoc there? For the latter, even Ambrosia and Yuga would be like ants to her.

* Team Samurai are gonna have to either show restraint or use replicas of their weapons if they're participating in the tournament as killing is explicitly forbidden.

-->Ángel, the name's Krohnen. Next time you screw that up, you'll regret it.

** For that matter, Dolores' words, "The crucible of souls connects all universes, converging all possibilities in TheMultiverse. However, these can only be perceived as illusions, and only a limited few are capable of meddling with them", suddenly make the events of ''SNKH'' being self-contained (despite otherwise being canon) make more sense. After all, it's very likely Kukri might've found a way to [[RealityWarper create pocket dimensions]] in his quest to revive Dolores.
* Given how K9999 has been gone (from a meta standpoint, at least) for the better part of 20 years, it makes sense that he'd eventually get the hang of the Kusanagi flames come his return as Krohnen in ''KOF XV''. Compare K9999's "Split!" (Z-Motion plus Punch) to Krohnen's equivalent, Heat Shield, and the difference is pretty substantial, to say the least.
* It makes sense Rugal would be [[VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXV resurrected]] in his Omega form, as that was the state he was in when he was seemingly killed for good back in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters95''.
* Terry's redesign into his most well-known appearance likely has to do with his previous outing as a GuestFighter in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate''.
* Similarly, Geese's access to the Rashoumon Climax Super is likely due to his guest star in ''[[Franchise/{{Tekken}} Tekken 7]]'', where he has it as his Super.
* The Reppuken being used by three different characters in this game (Rock, Rugal, and Geese), tells a lot of what each character is on a story level.

** Rock's version, carrying over from his home game, is an entirely different matter altogether. As a consequence of his undying hatred for Geese and the abandonment of his mother, his Reppuken is an [[UnskilledButStrong uncontrolled shade]] [[PurpleIsPowerful of purple]] that, despite being called the Reppuken, is more in common with Terry's Power Wave. Furthermore, the fact that the Double Reppuken requires meter to pull off unlike in ''Garou'' further showcases Rock's reluctance to use his father's techniques to execute the move properly.

* Wonder why K9999's missing from the character section of SNK's official KOF portal? ''Krohnen'', for all intents and purposes, [[ThatManIsDead considers him dead and buried]]:

* Terry's redesign into his most well-known appearance likely has to do with his previous outing as a GuestFighter in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltiamte''.

* The team theme for the Rivals in ''XV'' is, for all intents and purposes, an ImageSong for Isla. So then why is it the team's theme and not a special versus theme for her and another character? Because in their team story, Heidern and Dolores agreed to Isla's terms to make her the leader, thus letting her call the shots for the team.

* How is Terry a top-tier character in ''KOF XV''? What was Terry's last appearance prior to this game? ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosUltimate A certain different crossover perhaps?]]'' It looks like fighting those challengers really paid off.
** That, and considering how his appearance in that game drew new players into the ''KOF'' series, why ''wouldn't'' SNK make him top-tier? Seeing as he's been, at best, middle of the road in the past three entries.
** It also has to do with the kind of fighters found in that crossover, which surpasses even ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum''. In the ''VideoGame/SNKVsCapcom'' crossovers, at best he had to deal with the ''VideoGame/{{Darkstalkers}}'' cast. In ''VideoGame/FightingEXLayer'' and ''VideoGame/XuanDouZhiWang'' there weren't many supernatural beings to deal with. But in ''SSBU''? There are big monsters such as Bowser and Ridley, sword users like the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Final Fantasy'' casts, creatures that appear cute on the outside but have monstrous abilities such as the ''Pokémon'' mons and Kirby, [[VideoGame/{{Megaman}} robots]]... Hell, he fought ''two'' eldritch entities hellbent on [[ApocalypseHow/ClassZ destroying everything known]] who can ''dwarf'' Otoma=Raga, ''and survived''. He fought so many varied enemies (yet still not to Ryu's level, of course) that he TookALevelInBadass.
* And speaking of guest appearances, every time you knock Geese down (e.g., a sweep or a combo), he'll get back up while roaring '''[[AtomicFBomb "SHIT!"]]''' in the process. Guess [[Characters/TheWalkingDeadTVShowNegan who else]] had quite the potty mouth in [[VideoGame/Tekken7 another game]] he guest starred in?
** Actually, going back to the ''Tekken 7'' example, that game alone has the likes of [[MadeOfIron Heihachi]], [[PhysicalGod Kazuya]] and [[FallenAngel Jin]], but in addition to them, you've also got [[MightyGlacier Gigas]], [[MechaMook Jack]], [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Feng]], and even ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXV Noctis Lucis Caelum]]'' to contend with as far as power level is concerned. And the less said about [[Franchise/StreetFighter Akuma]], the better. Going by Terry's appearance in ''SSBU'', it's safe to say that Geese ''also'' TookALevelInBadass with how much better he fares in ''KOF XV'' compared to ''XIV''.
* While on the topic of Geese, one of his {{Signature Move}}s, the Reppuken, is different compared to the other versions seen in ''KOF'' canon. Especially in ''KOF XV'', which has two of its other known users - Rock and Rugal - alongside Geese himself in the same game.
** Geese's version is a conentrated pure blue blade of energy. Unsurprisingly, being the progenitor of the move itself, his version is the best of the three from a gameplay standpoint, being the single best zoning tool in the entire game (only beaten out by Krohnen's [[MoreDakka Fusion]] [[ArmCannon Blaster]]). Not only is Geese's regular Double Reppuken as massive as Rugal's EX Reppuken, but it also knocks down on hit, something that Rugal and Rock can only accomplish by spending half of the Power Gauge.
** Rugal's on the other hand, while no slouch himself, is a colorless white and gray. While it's a nice showcase of Rugal's AwesomenessByAnalysis, it's nowhere near as refined as Geese's, as not only does he lack the Double version that both Geese and his son have, but the EX version doesn't even come close to Geese's normal Double Reppuken in sheer size or speed.
** And as for Rock's, he's an entirely different matter altogether. As a consequence of his undying hatred for Geese and the abandonment of his mother, his Reppuken is an [[UnskilledButStrong uncontrolled shade]] [[PurpleIsPowerful of purple]] that, despite being called the Reppuken, is actually closer to the projectile of his adoptive father, the Power Wave. Furthermore, the fact that the Double Reppuken is locked behind meter (and even then is nowhere near as large as Rugal's or Geese's versions) showcases that Rock doesn't come close to the mental fortitude of his father when it comes to executing the move properly.