History Videogame / TheKingOfFighters

The ''{{King of Fighters}}'' series started out as a crossover fighting game, featuring some of the most popular characters from {{SNK}} Playmore's (known as ''SNK'' back then) fighting game franchises: ''FatalFury'' and ''{{Art of Fighting}}'', as well as classic SNK games such as ''IkariWarriors'', ''PsychoSoldier'', and ''Athena'', splitting them up into teams of three (four in the NESTS Saga), duking it out in one-on-one battles similar to its major competition at the time, ''StreetFighter''. Although the first game was merely intended to be a MascotFighter, the series became more popular than the others that inspired it, and [[ContinuityCreep an overreaching plot soon developed that took the other SNK fighters along for the ride]].

The ''{{King of Fighters}}'' series started out as a crossover fighting game, featuring some of the most popular characters from {{SNK}} Playmore's (known as ''SNK'' back then) fighting game franchises: ''FatalFury'' and ''{{Art of Fighting}}'', as well as classic SNK games such as ''IkariWarriors'', ''PsychoSoldier'', and ''Athena'', splitting them up into teams of three (four in the NESTS Saga), duking it out in one-on-one battles similar to its major competition at the time, ''StreetFighter''. If one looks carefully at Rugal's statue collection in ''[='94=]'', you can see a few familiar characters.

The main ''KOF'' storyline has thirteen games. Although the first game was merely intended to be a MascotFighter, the series became more popular than the others that inspired it, and [[ContinuityCreep an overreaching plot soon developed that took the other SNK fighters along for the ride]].

!The King of Fighters '94
The first game of the ''KOF'' series, '''The King of Fighters '94''', concerns BloodKnight and notorious crime lord Rugal Bernstein. Seeking to establish a title as the [[WorldsStrongestMan world's strongest fighter]], he resurrects the [[TournamentArc international tournament]] "The King of Fighters" (initially held by [[FatalFury Geese Howard]]) to challenge the strongest combatants of each nation. Team Japan, consisting of [[OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent high schooler]] [[PlayingWithFire flame wielder]] Kyo Kusanagi, {{Casanova}} [[ShockAndAwe lightning wielder]] Benimaru Nikaido, and BadassNormal [[MightyGlacier judo master]] Goro Daimon, make it to the finals aboard Rugal's personal [[CoolShip aircraft carrier]], the ''Blacknoah''. Kyo's father Saisyu is already aboard the ship, having tried to take down Rugal by himself, but to [[TheWorfEffect no avail]]. During the final match of the tournament, Benimaru and Daimon are [[TheWorfEffect swiftly defeated]] by Rugal, leaving Kyo to face the villain by himself. Kyo sees his father's unconscious body, and, assuming the worst, goes into an UnstoppableRage that allows him to overwhelm Rugal who, sore loser that he is, [[TakingYouWithMe activates a series of timed bombs]] set around the ship. The heroes (as well as Rugal's secretaries, Mature and Vice) escape just in time.

!The King of Fighters: The Orochi Saga
''The Orochi Saga'' (the name given by the CompilationRerelease launched in 2003, see below) is composed by four of the games of the series: from '''The King of Fighters '95''' all the way to the dream match '''The King of Fighters '98''' and the UpdatedRerelease ''The King Of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match'''.

The first major plot arc of the series, the {{Orochi}} Saga, begins in '''The King Of Fighters '95'''. Rugal, having [[NeverFoundTheBody survived the destruction]] of the ''Blacknoah'', once again invites the world's strongest fighters to partake in KOF. This time, however, Rugal is not the first of the problems Kyo Kusanagi is about to deal with. [[TheRival Iori]] [[MrFanservice Yagami]], a [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes peculiarly-clothed]], [[AnimeHair red-]][[YouGottaHaveBlueHair headed]] [[WalkingTheEarth drifter]], has revealed himself as Kyo's rival, thanks to a [[AncientTradition thousand-year-old]] [[FeudingFamilies blood feud]] between his family (formerly the Yasakani, now the Yagami) and Kyo's. Like Kyo, Iori also wields flames, although the [[BlessedWithSuck price for their use]] comes from a blood pact [[DealWithTheDevil made with the being]] known as {{Orochi}} that tints the flames blue. Kyo's team makes it to the finals but Iori's does not, resulting in Iori ruthlessly [[KickTheDog beating]] [[TeethClenchedTeamwork teammates]] [[SimpleStaff Billy]] [[TheDragon Kane]] and [[{{Ninja}} Eiji Kisaragi]] for their [[YouHaveFailedMe failure]]. Kyo is forced by Rugal to fight his own BrainwashedAndCrazy [[LetsYouAndHimFight father]], and although Kyo succeeds in defeating and de-brainwashing him, he faces Rugal [[ItGotWorse immediately thereafter]], who reveals that he has gained Orochi's power, transforming himself into [[SuperMode Omega Rugal]]. Kyo wins by the [[NearVillainVictory skin of his teeth]], and an enraged Rugal attempts to [[OneWingedAngel use more of the Orochi power]], but (as Iori points out) he is not of the Orochi bloodline, and [[HoistByHisOwnPetard instead of]] giving him strength, [[PhlebotinumOverload it consumes him]] [[PlotlineDeath and kills him from within]].

In '''The King of Fighters '96''', the plot begins to thicken once again as new tournament invitations are sent out. [[ColonelBadass Heidern]] and [[OldMaster Takuma]] have decided to leave their posts as members of the [[TheSquad Ikari Team]] and Kyokugen school teams and are replaced by their [[DistaffCounterpart daughters Leona and Yuri]], respectively, and Kasumi Todo, a rival of the Kyokugen school, joins the [[AmazonBrigade Women Fighters Team]] to make up for Yuri's loss. Iori Yagami once again returns to the fray with the deceased Rugal's [[SexySecretary secretaries]], [[DarkActionGirl Vice and Mature]]. And to make matters worse, a new team has entered the fray, consisting of [[BloodKnight Wolfgang]] [[LightningBruiser Krauser]], [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname Mr.]] [[DualWielding Big]], and their leader -- none other than the legendary [[{{Immortality}} Geese Howard]] himself, long thought to be dead since his defeat at the hands of Terry Bogard which sent him [[DisneyVillainDeath careening off of his tower]]. Kyo's team once again makes it to the finals, and they meet the tournament sponsor: a [[BarrierMaiden woman]] named Chizuru Kagura. Chizuru tests Kyo to see if he is worthy of fulfilling his [[BecauseDestinySaysSo 1800-year destiny]] of destroying Orochi. Kyo defeats Chizuru, and shortly afterwards, the first messenger of Orochi appears: [[SinisterMinister Leopold Goenitz]], the Heavenly King of [[BlowYouAway Wind]]. He is attempting to revive Orochi by [[SealedEvilInACan breaking his seal]], which is being held in place by Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru. Goenitz fights Kyo, and begins to overpower him, but just as all hope seems lost, Iori steps into the fray and [[IWasJustPassingThrough helps his rival]]. Goenitz is defeated, but reveals the truth of the blood pact that Iori's family made with Orochi: it a terrible curse upon them that causes every woman in the family to die in childbirth. Iori, tired of Goenitz's blathering, kills him by engulfing him in flames...which suddenly become crimson red - their original color. Chizuru also reveals another side effect of Yagami's curse - a state known as the Riot of the Blood which causes the afflicted to [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity lose control of their minds]] and become mindless zombies, [[VillainOverride slaves to Orochi's will]] that [[AxCrazy kill everything in their path]]. Iori, at first, simply brushes it off, but later while he is conversing with Vice and Mature, he starts to feel sick. Suddenly, he becomes blind and starts [[BloodFromTheMouth coughing up blood]], finally becoming overwhelmed with pain. When his teammates try to console him, they do not realize that Iori has finally lost control of himself as he slashes the secretaries' throats wide open. As they die, Iori lets out a deranged, inhuman scream.

In '''The King of Fighters '97''', the Orochi storyline was concluded. The roster saw many new combatants, such as Ryuji Yamazaki, [[PsychoForHire insane criminal mercenary]], who was working for Geese Howard alongside Billy Kane, and Blue Mary, who joins the team to investigate their true motives. Chizuru joined the Women's Team, and there was an entirely new team, known as the [[TerribleTrio New Faces Team]], made up of [[TheBrute Yashiro Nanakase]], [[HiddenEyes Shermie]] and [[CreepyChild Chris]], a [[FiveBadBand group of musicians]] who hated Iori due to his success as a professional guitarist. Their reason for entering the event was simply to publicly defeat Yagami, but deeper reasons would be revealed. At the conclusion of the official event, Iori once again enters the Riot of the Blood, but to everyone's shock, Ikari Team member Leona does the same. Her pupils dilate to an extreme degree, her hair turns bright red, her skin turns a shade of violet, and she vomits blood rather than simply coughing it as Iori does. Leona experiences these symptoms because she is actually the daughter of the Heavenly King of Water, Guidel, who betrayed his cause in exchange for a life of peace. Goenitz awakened her Orochi blood as punishment for Guidel's betrayal, and she killed every single person in her village, including her father. After their defeat, the New Faces Team appeared, revealing their [[HiddenAgendaVillain real purpose]]... they were the [[NotSoHarmless other three Heavenly Kings of Orochi]], completing the revival of Orochi begun by Goenitz. With the powerful people in the event, as well as several other Orochi descendants (such as Yamazaki), it had been easy to gain the power needed. A grueling battle with them turned out to be [[TheBattleDidntCount pointless]], as their plan was to [[ThanatosGambit sacrifice themselves]] to embody Orochi in the single most powerful Orochi descendant: their own team's Chris. Orochi, saying that nothing about [[HumansAreBastards humanity had changed]] in 1800 years, intended to finish its duty of [[KillAllHumans eliminating the race]]. In the ensuing [[FinalBattle final battle]], Orochi is easily defeated once again by Kyo, Iori, and Chizuru due to Orochi embodying a ''human'' host. Orochi tries one last attempt at victory: activating Iori's Riot of the Blood state. [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters It doesn't work]], and while Iori is holding Orochi at bay, it gives Kyo enough time to deal one final blow so that Chizuru can reseal him. The plan succeeds, and Orochi is sealed again, but Kyo and Iori are nowhere to be found...

!The King of Fighters: The NESTS Chronicles
This saga consists of the games going from '''The King of Fighters '99''' (and the UpdatedRerelease '''The King of Fighters '99: Evolution''') all the way up to the dream match '''The King of Fighters 2002''' and '''The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match'''.

The NESTS plot arc concerns the NebulousEvilOrganisation known as NESTS. After the Orochi battle, Kyo is taken by the organization and used to create an army of clones, all who have his pyrokinetic powers. In addition, his DNA is also injected into several kidnapped children as a step to creating a perfect clone, one of whom is K'. He gains Kyo's powers, although due to a flaw in the process he must wear a special gauntlet to control them. He is assigned by NESTS to enter the '99 tournament, along with his cyborg partner Maxima. The two form the K' Team along with Benimaru and [[AscendedFanboy Shingo Yabuki]], both of which are looking for the missing Kyo. The team's success eventually leads them to an underground warehouse where they meet the head of the Kyo clone project: Krizalid. Like K', he is a human injected with Kyo's DNA. Krizalid reveals that the tournament was a ruse to gather battle data for the various armies of Kyo clones around the world, so they could be activated and sent out in one simultaneous strike. K' and co. defeat him, however, and his unknown superior terminates the project... and [[YouHaveFailedMe Krizalid]]. After the battle, Kyo reveals himself to the fighters, but as always, Iori is one step behind him, and the two fight in the collapsing base.

'''The King of Fighters 2000''' continues the NESTS arc. Once again, K' enters the tournament with Maxima, but this time they are joined by two agents investigating NESTS' activities: Vanessa and Ramon. NESTS has not forgotten K's betrayal, and in the meantime has created a new clone of Kyo to terminate him: [[OppositeSexClone a young girl]] named [[AnIcePerson Kula Diamond]]. Kula, along with her caretakers Foxy and Diana, are also investigating a rogue agent within NESTS: Zero, Krizalid's superior who killed him the previous year. K' confronts him along with Kyo and Iori, and he reveals [[KillSat the Zero Cannon]], a weapon designed to destroy NESTS' Southtown base so that Zero can take over the organization. Although he is defeated by K', the Zero Cannon still manages to fire, destroying the majority of Southtown in the process. As Zero is apprehended by Heidern's newest officer, Whip, he reveals that she is actually a clone of K's sister created by NESTS. Shocked by this information, she shoots Zero and kills him.

The NESTS arc concludes in '''The King of Fighters 2001'''. NESTS begins putting its final plan into motion, sending out new agents Foxy (a fencer), Angel (a Luchador wrestler), and their latest experiment, K9999, who is an {{homage}} to [[{{Akira}} Tetsuo Shima]], [[CaptainErsatz right down to the]] [[NozomuSasaki same voice actor]]. K' and his team are once again the tournament finalists and are taken to the NESTS orbital space station via blimp, but they find a familiar foe waiting for them: Zero! He explains, however, that the Zero they faced last year was [[CloningBlues a clone]] of himself that developed self-awareness and [[AGodAmI delusions of grandeur]]. The ''Original'' Zero is an older, more experienced man and is truly loyal to NESTS' cause. He also reveals a past foe long thought dead: Krizalid, who was resurrected by the real Zero after he was crushed by the boulder that the Clone Zero threw on top of him. The {{Ninja}} Lin's master Ron also appears, and confirms that he is a traitor to Lin's clan, the Hizoku. Zero is defeated by K' as they arrive aboard the space station, and Zero presumably dies as the blimp plummets to the earth. K' finally meets with the leader of NESTS, an elderly man wielding a broadsword. He at first asks for their mutual cooperation, but in a surprise move, his right hand man Igniz kills him in front of the team's eyes. Igniz explains that the numerous experiments, and the true aim of NESTS, was to help him [[AGodAmI become a God]] and TakeOverTheWorld. Despite his power, K's team defeats him, and he instead decides to use the station for a ColonyDrop, hoping to take out the planet with him, explaining that [[LargeHam if he cannot become a God, then he will become the Devil]]. Unbeknownst to the fighters, Ron had escaped from the plummeting blimp that Zero was on and stopped the space station from colliding with the Earth. Igniz had used all of his remaining energy to fuel the ColonyDrop, and since it failed, he died shortly afterward. With NESTS finally destroyed, K', Maxima, Kula, and the other clones created by NESTS are free to live out their lives as they choose. Kula, however, doesn't get off that easy. Foxy is attacked (but not killed) in front of her eyes by K9999, who disappears. In that instant, Kula's emotions are reawakened, and she realizes the true nature of the organization she served. Angel leaves to follow K9999. Kula is left only with Diana and Foxy, and decides to join K' in rebuilding their lives.

!The King of Fighters: The Tales Of Ash
The third arc in the series begins with '''The King of Fighters 2003''' and ends with '''The King of Fighters XIII''', with '''The King of Fighters XII''' breaking up the saga as a DreamMatchGame.

The major player in this arc is a [[ViewerGenderConfusion girly-looking]], FrenchJerk teenager named Ash Crimson, who we are introduced to in '''The King of Fighters 2003'''. Ash is a strange individual with the ability to wield flames, much like those in the Yagami and Kusanagi bloodlines, but green in color as opposed to orange or purple. Joining Ash are Shanghai BloodKnight Shen Woo and Hizoku assassin Duo Lon, on the hunt for his rebellious father Ron. Despite being [[VillainProtagonist the central character]], Ash [[HiddenAgendaVillain hides a very villainous motive]]. Ash begins the saga as an EnigmaticMinion, simply participating in the tournament for an unknown purpose. The tournament this time is being hosted by Chizuru Kagura. However, everything becomes unhinged at the conclusion, where it is revealed that Chizuru is not the tournament host but merely [[PeoplePuppets a pawn]] of [[NebulousEvilOrganisation a sinister collective]] that call themselves "Those From the Past". They seem to be wanting to undo the seal on Orochi set in the '97 tournament. Chizuru is beaten and the real mastermind behind the tournament, an individual named "Mukai", appears representing Those From the Past. He is defeated by K's team but manages to escape. Chizuru's sacred treasure, the Yata no Kagami (or Mirror of Yata) is taken by Ash, revealing his [[MagnificentBastard true intents]]. Also during the tournament, a young man named Adelheid Bernstein and his sister Rose accept challengers aboard their [[CoolAirship flying aircraft]] ''[=SkyNoah=]'', facing off against the Ikari Warriors team.

The second game in the arc is '''The King of Fighters XI'''. Ash, who has secured the power of the Yata no Kagami, now seeks Iori Yagami and the Yasakani no Magatama. However, running counter to him is a woman named "Elizabeth Blanctorche". Elizabeth appears to have a past with the young Frenchman and is trying to redirect him towards a different end. Once again, Those From the Past helm the tournament, with a twisted individual named Magaki representing the organization and his [[ViewerGenderConfusion very effeminate henchman]], Shion. Adelheid and Rose once again attend the tournament but this puts Rose within striking distance of Those From the Past. At the tournament's end, Shion fails to sacrifice Kyo, Iori, and Shingo to break the seal on the Orochi. Magaki [[YouHaveFailedMe pulls Shion into a dimensional rift]] and chooses to confront Kyo's team himself. Unfortunately, Magaki is not able to contend with Kyo's team and is bested. He attempts to escape until Shion [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters breaks out of the dimensional gap and hurls his spear through Magaki's chest]]. Magaki falls but Kyo's team is now left weakened, which is the perfect opportunity for Ash to strike. Iori's Riot of Blood breaks out and he soundly defeats Kyo and Shingo but Ash is able to take him down with little difficulty, [[BroughtDownToNormal stealing the Yasakani no Magatama]] from Iori. Elizabeth arrives after the battle and confronts Ash, who whimsically blows her off. Meanwhile, Botan, the mind control specialist of Those From the Past and the one who was manipulating Chizuru's actions in the previous tournament, has put Rose Bernstein under her command.

The story ends in '''The King of Fighters XIII'''. Ash now possesses two of the sacred treasures of the Guardians of the Orochi and it seems that Those From the Past will successfully undo the seal holding back the mythical beast. Elisabeth gathers two of Ash's former team members, Shen Woo and Duo Lon, and is determined to interfere in his progress on capturing Kyo's Kusanagi no Tsurugi. The tournament host this time is Rose Bernstein, who is being controlled by Botan and Those From the Past. The mysterious leader of the organization finally reveals himself in ''XIII'' as "Saiki", a man who bears a very high likeness to Ash Crimson. Iori Yagami, despite not being able to wield his Yasakani flames, still participates in the tournament, eager to seek revenge against Ash Crimson. At the tournament's end, all appears to be going smoothly until time itself freezes and a gigantic monolith emerges from the ground. Those From the Past immediately descend on the championship arena, lead by Saiki. Saiki reveals his ability to manipulate time and the monolith in the arena is in fact a gateway to the past, through which Saiki intends to use to seize the power of the Orochi. Right before the battle begins, Mukai offers to challenge Elisabeth's team but Saiki treats this is as insubordination and drains his follower before transforming into his true image. He engages Elisabeth's team but is unable to hold the gate open despite the negative energy from the fight pouring into it. At this point, Ash reveals his BatmanGambit: he hasn't been collecting the sacred treasures for the sake of Those From the Past, he's been doing so in order to ''stop'' them. To cap this plan off, he steals Saiki's power as well. Unfortunately, he is unable to control this power and Saiki's mind overtakes Ash's. Saiki tries to cross through the gate but is defeated regardless. Ash uses his remaining will to prevent Saiki from crossing into the past and the gate closes. In doing so, both Saiki and Ash have become [[TimeParadox displaced in the time stream]], as Ash is descended from Saiki. Ash and Saiki [[RetGone both vanish]] from history, with Ash leaving his headband as a final memento to Elisabeth. Iori's Yasakani no Magatama returns and despite the opportunity to live out the rest of his life without its curse, Iori decides to take it back inside his being and restore his flame powers.

!Other games
There are also 6 [[DreamMatchGame "dream match"]] titles, which combine all the characters of that particular saga into one game. 2 of these dream matches are remakes of the 2 classic dream matches, and ''Neowave'' is like an updated version of ''2002''. The remaining one is a completely new game with high-definition graphics. Most of them have Rugal as the FinalBoss because StatusQuoIsGod, according to WordOfGod.

There are also two games in the ''KOF: Maximum Impact'' series, a 3D FightingGame series which takes place in an AlternateContinuity, right down to having characters not featured in the main KOF storylines.

And there are also 3 non-FightingGame spin-offs: an RPG that ties the events of ''[='96=]'' with ''[='97=]'', a BulletHell spinoff called ''KOFSkyStage'' for the Xbox Live Arcade, and an upcoming one which will be released soon.

There's also ''The King of Fighters-i 002'', an iPhone game that ties into ''XIII''.

* PartsUnknown: Unlike most fighting games, who ''mostly'' restrict this trope to bosses, a good chunk of the characters in the series have "unknown" listed against their birthplaces.

* CapcomSequelStagnation: [=KOF XIII=]'s arcade game gets a minor one; After the game is released in console and given extra contents and [=DLCs=], the arcade game gets an upgrade called ''The King of Fighters XIII Climax'' which feature all these bonuses.

*** ''Ultimate Match'' got its own rerelease with the PGM 2 version, which brings in some balance fixes and new moves.

** Kyo and Iori were actually RyuAndKen in ''[='95=]'', but then became wildly different in the next game; in fact, when Iori lost his flames and became a more physical fighter ala Kyo post-''[='95=]'', Kyo ''went back'' to his old moveset.

** [[ForegoneConclusion Well, they]] ''[[ForegoneConclusion were]]'' [[ForegoneConclusion villains...]]
* DoomedHometown: Southtown, the setting of sister series/AlternateContinuity ''Fatal Fury'' and ''Art of Fighting'', is all but systematically wiped out by Clone Zero's KillSat at the end of ''2000'' [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters in his attempt to rebel against the NESTS cartel]]. (This ''does'' lead to Takuma's [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome CMOA]] where he redirects the Zero Cannon's laser with a [[KamehameHadoken Max-Power Haoh Shi Koh Ken]] to save King.) However, this plot point is absent in the next game, and by the time of ''2003'', the citizens seemingly have worked together to rebuild the shambled city.

* EasterEgg: In ''XI'', certain characters have alternate taunts depending on who they're facing. Iori has specific taunts for Kyo and Ash. Ash has the same in regards to Kyo and Iori. Oswald happens to have three different poses for his taunt, although it's not character-specific.

* GameMod: No matter which NeoGeo installment of the series you pick, there's always a hack of it.

* IdleAnimation: K''s is notable in that it doesn't loop, which is unique for a sprite. The only way to see him in his fighting stance again after he's put his hands in his pockets is to move him from his spot.
** This even extended to the characters on your team who waited their turn on the sidelines (from ''[='94=]'' to ''[='98=]'') as you fought. The combatants who had yet to fight would stand and react accordingly (positive gestures if you landed a hit, not-so-positive ones if you were getting your block knocked off); KO'ed fighters would sit there silently in a defeated slump, only acknowledging the ongoing fight if their teammate(s) managed to avenge them.

** On the other hand, Igniz has two of them. His ''2001'' theme, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFIg7zmrAs "Kare koso Saikyo" ("He Is The Strongest!"),]] is a faster rock version of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OivRHzXUm2A Original Zero's theme.]] His new theme in ''2002UM'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy16dCouwc8 "Save The Universe,"]] sounds like [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6cfOUgt0h4 "Save A Universe,"]] Mildred Avalon's theme from ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart''.

* MirrorMatch: Not just a game mechanic, considering the number of Kyo clones there are. He even complains about how many of them there are in a few games set after the NESTS Saga (namely ''[=SvC=] Chaos'').
* TheMovie: There's one... and let's leave it at that.

*** [[BonusBoss Nightmare Geese]]'s HSDM, wherein [[PowerGlows his hands glow]]. If he [[CounterAttack counters]] a move then, [[ShirtlessScene he rips his shirt off]], encases you in a giant Reppuken, and fires it at you. It sounds mundane, and yet the visual delivery is surprisingly epic.

*** EX Takuma whipping out his [[KamehameHadoken Max Power Haoh Shi Koh Ken]].

*** Not to mention that ''2001'' was the ''only'' installment to include Foxy. Officially. Save for ''2002UM''.

* UnblockableAttack

** ''2002: Unlimited Match'', which has EVERYONE who was in the NESTS saga games (except K9999, who gets a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute in the form of Nameless), INCLUDING Geese (with his added Nightmare mode from ''[[FatalFury Real Bout Fatal Fury Special]]'', [[SNKBoss cheapness and all!]]) and Goenitz, last seen on the PlayStation2 port of ''2002''. Though for some reason, Orochi Iori is not present as a playable character.
*** ''Ultimate Match'' got its own rerelease with the PGM 2 version, which do some rebalancing and add new moves.

* IWasYoungAndNeededTheMoney: When SNK Playmore was in dire need for some quick profit in 2005, they pulled a desperate gamble, make a game to gather many as fans as they could, but another fighting game wasn't their aim, seeing how many {{Bishoujo|Genre}} and MsFanservice girls they had in ''The King of Fighters'' and other [[ArtOfFighting fighting]] [[SamuraiShodown games]] [[FuunSeries as]] [[FatalFury well]], a series of {{dating sim}}s were made for mobiles and later ported over for the NintendoDS. The series was called ''Days of Memories'' with a subtitle for each new installment, it proved to be rather successful as seven ''mobile'' games and two [[UpdatedRerelease rereleases]] for NintendoDS were made until 2008.

* AnnouncerChatter: In the ''Maximum Impact'' series. This might be the only announcer in the series to rival those of ''StreetFighter'', ''[[MarvelVsCapcom Marvel vs. Capcom]]'', and ''[[SNKVsCapcom Capcom vs. SNK]]''. And ''that'''s saying something.

* BootstrappedTheme: Aside from [[{{Leitmotif}} the repeated use]] of "Geese Ni", nearly every theme for the ''Art of Fighting'' Team is based off of Ryuhaku Todoh's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg0VBBo3Abo theme]] from the first ''AOF''. To date, the only notable exceptions are [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvC7HQxiZCc Kamikirimushi (Praying Mantis)]] from ''[='96=]'' and [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46uVnQVGL2A Fight to the Limit]] from ''2001''.

* ImageSong: A crapload. Besides the numerous individual ones for the more popular characters (see the individual character sheet), SNK decided to create an entire ''band'' off of this concept called "The Band of Fighters". The lineup was Kyo (guitarist), Iori (bassist), Athena (lead vocalist), Terry (drummer), and [[SamuraiShodown Nakoruru]] (pianist) as a band in some bizarre AlternateUniverse. On occasion, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMII_gzYuTc other characters will lend their vocal talents to the group.]] Perhaps their best known song is [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1CEfymvmp4 The Song of Fighters II]] and its live version, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVlip4H6MqM Bright & Fly.]]

* TheJimmyHartVersion: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ovCp9HXn-o Jungle Bouncer,]] the theme of the ''Ikari'' team in both ''[='94=]'' and ''2002'' sounds very similar to Faith No More's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upWUuByQLxQ "Surprise, You're Dead!".]]
** On the other hand, Igniz has two of them. His ''2001'' theme, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFIg7zmrAs Kare koso Saikyo (He Is The Strongest!),]] is a faster rock version of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OivRHzXUm2A Original Zero's theme.]] His new theme in ''2002UM'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy16dCouwc8 Save The Universe,]] sounds like [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6cfOUgt0h4 Save A Universe,]] Mildred Avalon's theme from ''VideoGame/ArcanaHeart''.
** The Korea Team's theme in ''2000'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lrlut8oXZ0 Wild Party,]] has a few riffs indicative of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbPWcLode0 Crazy Train]] by "The Prince of Darkness" himself, Music/OzzyOsbourne. In particular, compare the beginning of both songs.
* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: While several {{Victory Pose}}s seemed to be aimed at the player directly (such as Yashiro giving a sly pointer gesture, Kim's TwinkleSmile, Benimaru's "I love you." and "Thank you.", Shermie blowing multiple kisses, etc.), but they're also combatants in a wildly popular international fighting tournament, so it's possible that they're also [[FourthWallPsych appealing to their fanbase]].

* OddballInTheSeries: It seems that this title would originally go to ''2001'' with its bizarre spin on the [[AssistCharacter Striker System]] (your team can go anywhere from all four characters to only one member with three Strikers), the low-quality, highly-repetitive, technofied music that lasts for all of 30 seconds, its lukewarm conclusion to an already controversial saga, and (most of all) [[SNKBoss "lovable" Igniz]], one of ''the'' cheapest bastards in fighting game history, but you could make a case for the [[ObviousBeta bare bones]] ''XII'' too.

*** [[{{Akira}} With the second being dead in a]] BusCrash. [[WordOfGod Permamently.]]

** ''96'', ''2001'', and ''2002'' had New Faces and NESTS teams. ''Especially 2002''.

* SomeDexterityRequired: The series had a problem with this early on. Then there's the legendary Raging Storm: Down-Back, Half-Circle Back, Down-Forward. There's a reason it's called "[[FanNickname The Pretzel]]". Most games starting with ''[='96=]'' averted this, but SNK still throws curveballs from time to time. K9999's inputs are also ridiculously difficult as are Duck King's in ''XI''. The Raging Storm is notoriously difficult ''for the sake of nostalgia''.

* SubmarinePirates: The Lillien Knights

[[Characters/TheKingOfFighters This is the character sheet]]. Be warned, the gross [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters amount of characters]] in this series is taken to ''[[BeyondTheImpossible an extreme degree]]''.

* ObviousBeta: ''XII''[='s=] home version was released with very spartan single-player features (only five fights and no boss), a poorly regulated and hastily-patched online mode (to the point of being unplayable,) and massive {{Game Breaking Bug}}s. Studious crackers have found files on the game disc regarding DummiedOut characters, those of whom will probably be used for the inevitable sequel.
** It seems that ''XIII'' is adressing almost all of the complaints directed at ''XII'', as well as including most of what was DummiedOut. It still has some bugs and infinites, though.
** All bugs and infinites known were fixed with the second (and apparently final) new patch.

** The announcer from ''XIII''.

* MurderingOverMyShoulder: Iori does this in one of his desperation moves.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotAwesome: Several.
** One of Rugal's super moves is an overhead stomp. If it connects, he breaks his opponent's neck, crushes them into the ground, and proceeds to '''''[[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning perpetually spin in 360 degrees]] [[ThisIsADrill and drill the opponent in the gut]]'''''. Damage is sub-par, but it's well worth it. This eventually contributed to the [[MemeticMutation You Spin Me Right Round/Rugalspin meme]].
** In ''2002: Unlimited Match'':
*** [[BonusBoss Nightmare Geese]]'s HSDM, wherein [[PowerGlows his hands glow]]. If he [[CounterAttack counters]] a move then, [[ShirtlessScene he rips his shirt off]], encases you in a giant Reppuken, and fires it at you. It sounds mundane, and yet the visual delivery is surprisingly epic.
*** Clone Zero traps you in a black hole, follows you in, and seems to [[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Shun Goku Satsu]] you.
*** Original Zero has Ron whack your soul from your body, and then has his gang of strikers physically smash it to bits before he slots it back in.
*** Igniz [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill traps you in a galaxy and then blows it up]]. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFdo8xgMyFA Check it out]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCXYfZme4Aw for yourselves.]]
*** EX Takuma whipping out his [[KamehameHadoken Max Power Haoh Shi Koh Ken]].
*** Krizalid's Lightning Disaster, where he expels all of his battle data into physical form.
** Before all of this, there was Orochi in ''[='97=]'', who could rip your soul out of your body, and crush it in the palm of his hand. ''Your soul''.
** The above [=HSDM/MAX2=]s gain {{Spiritual Successor}}s in the form of the [=Neo MAXs=] from ''XIII''. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_SDcV-5DaA Here's a compilation of them.]]
** Not even the songs are safe! [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vH4t4XOOdg To the rhythm! T-t-to the rhythm!]]

** On the other hand, Igniz has two of them. His ''2001'' theme, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFIg7zmrAs Kare koso Saikyo (He Is The Strongest!),]] is a faster rock version of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OivRHzXUm2A Original Zero's theme.]] His new theme in ''2002UM'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy16dCouwc8 Save The Universe,]] sounds like [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6cfOUgt0h4 Save A Universe,]] Mildred Avalon's theme from ''ArcanaHeart''.

The first major plot arc of the series, the {{Orochi}} Saga, begins in '''The King Of Fighters '95'''. Rugal, having [[NeverFoundTheBody survived the destruction]] of the ''Blacknoah'', once again invites the world's strongest fighters to partake in KOF. This time, however, Rugal is not the first of the problems Kyo Kusanagi is about to deal with. [[TheRival Iori]] [[EstrogenBrigadeBait Yagami]], a [[ImpossiblyCoolClothes peculiarly-clothed]], [[AnimeHair red-]][[YouGottaHaveBlueHair headed]] [[WalkingTheEarth drifter]], has revealed himself as Kyo's rival, thanks to a [[AncientTradition thousand-year-old]] [[FeudingFamilies blood feud]] between his family (formerly the Yasakani, now the Yagami) and Kyo's. Like Kyo, Iori also wields flames, although the [[BlessedWithSuck price for their use]] comes from a blood pact [[DealWithTheDevil made with the being]] known as {{Orochi}} that tints the flames blue. Kyo's team makes it to the finals but Iori's does not, resulting in Iori ruthlessly [[KickTheDog beating]] [[TeethClenchedTeamwork teammates]] [[SimpleStaff Billy]] [[TheDragon Kane]] and [[{{Ninja}} Eiji Kisaragi]] for their [[YouHaveFailedMe failure]]. Kyo is forced by Rugal to fight his own BrainwashedAndCrazy [[LetsYouAndHimFight father]], and although Kyo succeeds in defeating and de-brainwashing him, he faces Rugal [[ItGotWorse immediately thereafter]], who reveals that he has gained Orochi's power, transforming himself into [[SuperMode Omega Rugal]]. Kyo wins by the [[NearVillainVictory skin of his teeth]], and an enraged Rugal attempts to [[OneWingedAngel use more of the Orochi power]], but (as Iori points out) he is not of the Orochi bloodline, and [[HoistByHisOwnPetard instead of]] giving him strength, [[PhlebotinumOverload it consumes him]] [[PlotlineDeath and kills him from within]].

* BlindIdiotTranslation: Most of the games up to ''2002'' will have at least one totally bizarre line that becomes almost way too funny. At a serious scene, just one slip up in translations and BAM: INSTANT [[DarthWiki/{{Narm}} NARMAGE]].

* OddballInTheSeries: It seems that this title would originally go to ''2001'' with its bizarre spin on the [[AssistCharacter Striker System]] (your team can go anywhere from all four characters to only one member with three Strikers), the low-quality, highly-repetitive, technofied music that lasts for all of 30 seconds, its lukewarm conclusion to an already [[YourMileageMayVary controversial]] saga, and (most of all) [[SNKBoss "lovable" Igniz]], one of ''the'' cheapest bastards in fighting game history, but you could make a case for the [[ObviousBeta bare bones]] ''XII'' too.

* OddballInTheSeries: It seems that this title would originally go to ''2001'' with its bizarre spin on the already LoveItOrHateIt [[AssistCharacter Striker System]] (your team can go anywhere from all four characters to only one member with three Strikers), the low-quality, highly-repetitive, technofied music that lasts for all of 30 seconds, its lukewarm conclusion to an already [[YourMileageMayVary controversial]] saga, and (most of all) [[SNKBoss "lovable" Igniz]], one of ''the'' cheapest bastards in fighting game history, but you could make a case for the [[ObviousBeta bare bones]] ''XII'' too.

'''The King of Fighters 2000''' continues the NESTS arc. Once again, K' enters the tournament with Maxima, but this time they are joined by two agents investigating NESTS' activities: Seth and Vanessa. NESTS has not forgotten K's betrayal, and in the meantime has created a new clone of Kyo to terminate him: [[OppositeSexClone a young girl]] named [[AnIcePerson Kula Diamond]]. Kula, along with her caretakers Foxy and Diana, are also investigating a rogue agent within NESTS: Zero, Krizalid's superior who killed him the previous year. K' confronts him along with Kyo and Iori, and he reveals [[KillSat the Zero Cannon]], a weapon designed to destroy NESTS' Southtown base so that Zero can take over the organization. Although he is defeated by K', the Zero Cannon still manages to fire, destroying the majority of Southtown in the process. As Zero is apprehended by Heidern's newest officer, Whip, he reveals that she is actually a clone of K's sister created by NESTS. Shocked by this information, she shoots Zero and kills him.

* CursedWithAwesome: The Orochi bloodline, which has ElementalPowers and blade-fingers by default for most members. Then the [[UnstoppableRage Riot of]] [[SuperpoweredEvilSide the Blood]] happens and things get a little messy for everyone nearby.

*** Clone Zero traps you in a black hole, follows you in, and seems to [[StreetFighterII Shun Goku Satsu]] you.

** The Korea Team's theme in ''2000'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lrlut8oXZ0 Wild Party,]] has a few riffs indicative of [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbPWcLode0 Crazy Train]] by "The Prince of Darkness" himself, OzzyOsbourne. In particular, compare the beginning of both songs.