History Videogame / TheKingOfFighters

* The '''NESTS''' arc, about the eponymous organisation and their conspiracy to [[CloningBlues create weaponized clones]] of the most powerful warriors in the world. As Kyo is absent for the majority of this arc, the main protagonist is a new character called K' (pronounced "kay dash").

* TheArtifact: It's what happens when [[DemotedToExtra you're not]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad the protagonist]], regardless of whether or not you've been a mainstay. The biggest cases of this are probably [[TheHero Terry Bogard]], [[MsFanservice Mai]] [[JigglePhysics Shiranui]], and [[FatalFury Kim Kaphwan.]] While they are still around more than the others whom are generally DemotedToExtra or [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome just mysteriously disappear]], but they are generally just simply around to only appease older fans.

* AudioAdaptation: There are numerous drama [=CDs=] for the series, usually one or two per game, with individual characters sometimes getting their own [=CDs=]. They go from [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/Neo_Geo_DJ_Station_Special very cracky skits]] bordering on {{Gag Dub}}s, to [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/The_King_of_Fighters_%2794_%28Dengeki%29 pretty]] [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/The_King_of_Fighters_2000_%28drama%29 interesting]] [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sun_and_The_Moon_~_Prologue characterization wise.]] (i.e. ''Dengeki Bunk0'' explains how both the Japan Team and the Women's Team came out to be among other things, ''The Sun and the Moon'' has Iori Yagami's life outside KOF and the Yagami/Kusanagi deals, and '''KOF 2000'' shows some more background stuff on K' snd his group [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment and also features Athena's mis-adventures through the world.]])

* CreepyTwins: The two that appear in the Ikari Team's ''XI'' ending. They reappear during a handful of cutscenes in ''XIII'' with the creepy factor arguably toned down.

** ...but that's not the case with Vice and Mature, who not only appeared in ''98'' and ''2002'', but also ''XIII''[[hottip:*:[[DontExplainTheJoke Which is actually a canonical installment.]] as full-fledged members of Iori's team [[spoiler:only for the duo to fade into darkness again after they become champions.]]

** To his defense, at the time Orochi has just been incarnated into Chris' body, therefore not at his full-strength. Yet the three sacred treasure team's attack on him did little damage, and Kyo was only able to defeat Orochi with the help from (Blood Rioting) Iori, Chizuru and himself's sacred moves.

** Mature and Vice. The former is more speed-oriented, while the latter is a grappler; they only share one move [[spoiler:(two if you count their ''XIII'' [[LimitBreak Neo MAX]])]].

** 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.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Two things not found in ''[=KOF=] '94'': The ability to create your own team of fighters[[hottip:*:It did made the cut in ''[=KOF=] '94 Rebout'']] and recurring antagonist Iori Yagami.

*** ... while Bao, King, Jhun, Hinako, Xiangfei, Shingo, Lin, and Foxy, for some unrevealed reason, '''skipped the original 2002'''! King and Shingo, however, were brought back to home versions. As for the others... expect background cameos.

** You can actually see everyone's attitude towards how their team is set up by holding start at the Order Select screen in '98 (depicted by either an angry, neutral or happy smiley). Beware: Some versions of the game randomize everyone's attitude according to the system's internal clock.

* SoLastSeason: Subverted: the rosters rotate with every new season, but the special moves rarely do.

* StableTimeLoop: [[spoiler:The whole Ash saga was revealed to be one in ''XIII'' due to Saiki and [[MeaningfulName Those From the Past]]. It's broken in the ending by Ash's HeroicSacrifice.]]

* TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything: In ''XI'', one of the stages is set in an alleyway outside of the [[FatalFury Pao Pao Café in Southtown]]. If you hang out in the center and right areas of the stage, nothing exactly spectacular goes on besides some civilian spectators cheering you on. Move far enough to the left, however, and a motorcycle comes barreling down the street--the very same road the combatants were obstructing earlier.

** The ''entire'' "Tales of Ash" saga is pretty much a Wham ''[[UpToEleven Arc]]'' (Rugal has children, Chizuru and Iori lose their powers, the seal on Orochi is broken, Ash beats ''Orochi Iori'' effortlessly, etc.), but this is all compounded by [[spoiler:the death of Ash]].

* TheArtifact: It's what happens when [[DemotedToExtra you're not]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad the protagonist]], regardless of whether or not you've been a mainstay. The biggest cases of this are probably Terry Bogard, [[MsFanservice Mai]] [[JigglePhysics Shiranui]], and Kim Kaphwan. While they are still around more than the others whom are generally DemotedToExtra or [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome just mysteriously disappear]], but they are generally just simply around to only appease older fans. And as for Mai Shiranui, some people accuse SNK of the "real reasons" why Mai is still around.

* AudioAdaptation: There are numerous drama [=CDs=] for the series, usually one or two per game, with individual characters sometimes getting their own [=CDs=].

* 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''.
* BossDissonance: Like most of {{SNK}}'s bosses, this series has some nasty ones. How nasty? [[SNKBoss It has a trope!]]

** ''[='96=]'', ''2001'', and ''2002'' had the New Faces and NESTS teams. ''Especially 2002''.

* The '''NESTS''' arc, about the titular organisation and their conspiracy to [[CloningBlues create weaponized clones]] of the most powerful warriors in the world. As Kyo is absent for the majority of this arc, the main protagonist is a new character called K' (pronounced "kay dash").

--> --'''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7GcbCgEqcE Cipher]]''', ThematicThemeTune of ''VideoGame/{{The King of Fighters}} '98'' (and its UpdatedRerelease, ''Ultimate Match'', as a remixed version).

** "Mr. Karate" is Takuma in his classic ''Art of Fighting'' boss persona (he has it as an alt. costume of sorts but here it's a legitimate EX moveset). His moves (and by the looks of things, his personality here) are based around Serious Mr. Karate from ''[[VideoGame/SNKVsCapcomSVCChaos SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos]]'' while his Neomax is a whole new move starting with a punch and ending with a flashy, explosive karate chop with Taku--sorry, Mr. Karate powered by the golden spirit of a real tengu.

* ContinuityCreep: What was envisioned as a relatively story-less MascotFighter began to kick into overdrive starting in ''[='95=]''. The story has since become more and more complex, to the point that you'd be lost if you currently jumped into the games without knowledge of ''at least'' the first and third sagas (i.e. the arcs revolving around Orochi and the Three Sacred Treasures). And that's not even counting all of the plot elements and allusions carried over from ''VideoGame/FatalFury'', ''{{Art of Fighting}}'', ''VideoGame/IkariWarriors'', ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'', ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown'', ''The LastBlade'', ''[[FuunSeries Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter]]''... A few more titles and we might very well approach full-on ContinuityPorn[=/=]ContinuityLockout.

* RelationshipValues: Rare non-RPG example, and stealthily inserted at that. From ''[='94=]'' all the way up to ''[='98=]'', the teammates you chose affected who would actually be willing to jump in and initiate a Help Attack if their partner in the ring was dazed or being grappled. Allies are more likely to do so if the characters aren't hostile to one another and/or have strong ties (familial, romantic, or platonic) in canon. However, not all characters abide by this rule. Iori, for example, will ''never'' bust his neck to help out a teammate, '''period'''.

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

** ...but that's not the case with Vice and Mature, who not only appeared in ''98'' and ''2002'', but also ''XIII''[[hottip:*:[[DontExplainTheJoke Which is actually a canonical installment.]] as full-fledged members of Iori's team.

** ...but that's not the case with Vice, who not only appeared in ''98'' and ''2002'', but also ''XIII''[[hottip:*:Which is actually a canonical installment.]].

** The ''entire'' "Tales of Ash" saga is pretty much a Wham ''[[UpToEleven Arc]]'' (Chizuru and Iori lose their powers, the seal on Orochi is broken, Ash beats ''Orochi Iori'' effortlessly, etc.), but this is all compounded by [[spoiler:the climax of ''XIII'']].

Aside from fighting games and tie-ins, there were the rather infamous DatingSim games for mobiles and NintendoDS, ''Days Of Memories'' allowed the Player Character to venture in Southtown and date most of the fighting divas from the series ([[VideoGame/FatalFury and]] [[ArtOfFighting from]] [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown others]]); later versions also allowed a girl Player Character to date the male fighters as well.

* 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 and MsFanservice girls they had in ''The King of Fighters'' and other [[ArtOfFighting fighting]] [[VideoGame/SamuraiShodown games]] [[FuunSeries as]] [[VideoGame/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.

* The original '''King of Fighters''' arc (known alternatively as the '''Rugal Saga'''), focusing on notorious crime lord Rugal Bernstein and his attempt to establish himself as the world's strongest fighter by staging a [[TournamentArc grand tournament]] and inviting contenders from all across the world.

* The '''NESTS''' arc, which focuses on the titular organisation and their conspiracy to [[CloningBlues create weaponized clones]] of the most powerful warriors in the world. As Kyo is absent for the majority of this arc, the main protagonist is a new character called K' (pronounced "kay dash").

--> --'''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7GcbCgEqcE Cipher]]''', ThematicThemeTune of ''{{The King of Fighters}} '98'' (and its UpdatedRerelease, ''Ultimate Match'', as a remixed version).

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: ''VideoGame/FatalFury'' and ''{{Art of Fighting}}'', as well as classic SNK games such as ''VideoGame/IkariWarriors'' and ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'', 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''.

* The original '''King of Fighters''' arc, focusing on notorious crime lord Rugal Bernstein and his attempt to establish himself as the world's strongest fighter by staging a [[TournamentArc grand tournament]] and inviting contenders from all across the world.
* The '''Orochi Saga''' arc, which concerns Kyo Kusanagi (the winner of the first King of Fighters tournament) and a thousand-year blood feud with the Yagami family, who have gained demonic power thanks to a pact with a being known as "Orochi".

* The '''Tales of Ash''' arc, which introduces androgynous French pretty boy Ash Crimson as the new main character. The story involves a sinister plot to capture the powers of the Kusanagi, Yagami and Kagura clans and [[SealedEvilInACan seize the sealed power of Orochi]], and the question of [[EnigmaticMinion just whose side Ash is on]].

(More detailed summaries of each arc- and the individual games- can be found in the [[Analysis/TheKingOfFighters Analysis]] section.)

These include ''Maximum Impact'', a 3D FightingGame series which takes place in an AlternateContinuity, right down to having characters not featured in the main KOF storylines; an RPG that ties the events of ''[='96=]'' with ''[='97=]''; a BulletHell spinoff called ''KOFSkyStage'' for the Xbox Live Arcade; and ''The King of Fighters-i 002'', an iPhone game that ties into ''XIII''

Aside from fighting games and tie-ins, there were the rather infamous DatingSim games for mobiles and NintendoDS, ''Days Of Memories'' allowed the Player Character to venture in Southtown and date most of the fighting divas from the series (and [[FatalFury from]] [[ArtOfFighting others]]); later versions also allowed a girl Player Character to date the male fighters as well.

* DreamMatchGame: Both the TropeNamer (thanks to the Japanese subtitle of ''[='98=]'', ''Dream Match Never Ends'') and TropeCodifier.

* 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 ''[[LargeHamAnnouncer that's]]'' saying something.

* TheArtifact: It's what happens when [[DemotedToExtra you're not]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad the protagonist]], regardless of whether or not you've been a mainstay. The biggest cases of this are probably Terry Bogard, [[MsFanservice Mai]] [[JigglePhysics Shiranui]] and Kim Kaphwan. While they are still around more than the others whom are generally DemotedToExtra or [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome just mysteriously disappear]] but they are generally just simply around to only appease older fans. And as for Mai Shiranui, some people accuse SNK of the "real reasons" why Mai is still around.

* 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''.

* CharacterCustomization: While its still impossible to change costumes in ''XIII'' because of 2D, SNK have been very creative with color palettes (Robert Garcia with very convincing Terry Bogard palette for example), especially with skin color and skintight clothing (Most notable are "no pants" Yuri and Raiden's many "costumes"). And then, as soon as the arcade version was released, it's been revealed that there's alternate palettes that give certain characters actual headswaps: Yuri gets her long hair back, Raiden loses his mask (revealing that he is, in fact, Big Bear), and Takuma gets his Mr. Karate tengu mask back.
** The console version adds to this with Kyo getting his old 94 school uniform back (And this is without counting his DLC form which comes with a whole new costume altogether.)

* ContinuityCreep: What was envisioned as a relatively storyless MascotFighter began to kick into overdrive starting in ''[='95=]''. The story has since become more and more complex, to the point that you'd be lost if you currently jumped into the games without knowledge of ''at least'' the first and third sagas (i.e. the arcs revolving around Orochi and the Three Sacred Treasures). And that's not even counting all of the plot elements and allusions carried over from ''FatalFury'', ''{{Art of Fighting}}'', ''IkariWarriors'', ''PsychoSoldier'', ''SamuraiShodown'', ''The LastBlade'', ''[[FuunSeries Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter]]''... A few more titles and we might very well approach full-on ContinuityPorn[=/=]ContinuityLockout.
* CreepyTwins: The two that appear in the Ikari Team's ''XI'' ending.

* DependingOnTheArtist: Iori's hair is either a gravity-defying pompadour or a more realistic bang that covers part of his face. Sometimes it's in between the two styles!
** K' usually has a (relatively) normal hairstyle, disheveled with a fair amount of bangs. This is consistent throughout the most of the series in terms of sprites and most artwork, but his hair will sometimes appear thick and bushy like a miniature afro, slicked, or even straight-up ShonenHair.

** Clark and Ralf used to be basically the exact same character; Little more than headswaps. Over time, they evolved to the point it was downright bizarre to think they were ever similar ([[RedOniBlueOni Ralf likes to punch things, Clark tosses you around]]) Fan reaction was '''''extremely''''' negative when Clark was brought back to the rank of "[[PaletteSwap Ralf 2]]" in ''XII''.
** Mature and Vice. The former is more speed-oriented, while the latter is a grappler; they only share one move [[spoiler:two if you count their ''XIII'' [[LimitBreak Neo MAX]]]].

** The console version of ''XIII'' then added the original flames Iori and "rekka" style NESTS-saga Kyo as DLC playable characters thus restoring the Kyo-Iori side of this trope two-fold (So you can have old "rekka" Kyo versus new "melee" Iori or new/old "fireball" Kyo versus old "flames" Iori.)

** "Iori with the Power of Flames" is Iori as he used to be, using his old moveset from other KOF games before Ash stole his powers. He also claims the SDM version of his Ya Otome from KOF 99, his Yamisogi DM from KOF 2000 and his Neomax is the Homurahotogi HSDM from 2002 with a mch, MUCH larger explosion.
** "NESTS Kyo" is Kyo in his KOF 99 outfit with his signature "rekka" moveset from 96 to XI. He loses his aerial Orochinagi DM but reclaims his Mu Shiki DM. His Neomax "Totsuka" is a whole new move involving a charging fire punch tat causes a gigantic explosion.
** "Mr. Karate" is Takuma in his classic ''ArtOfFighting'' boss persona (He has it as an alt costume of sorts but here its a legitimate EX moveset). His moves (And by the looks of things, his personality here) are based around Serious Mr. Karate from SNK vs Capcom Chaos while his Neomax is a whole new move starting with a punch and ending with a flashy, explosive karate chop with Taku- sorry, Mr. Karate powered by the golden spirit of a real tengu.

* GirlsWithMoustaches: In ''XI'', the Kyokugen team's ending has Yuri, of all people, don a fake moustache as part of her disguise. Needless to say, Ryo and King aren't fooled, [[http://youtube.com/watch?v=_V8Ta2KILHs nor are they amused]].

* 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 and to add to that his eyes close progessively slower til he's outright fallen asleep.

* 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."]]
* 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 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.

** Of course massive doses of AlternateContinuity, HandWave, and {{Retcon}} were shoehorned in the games for the characters whom were already in a relationship, had love interests of their own, or just wasn't up to start a relationship with anyone in the first place, to suddenly open their hearts for the average player character to succeed at conquering their love.
* 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 Future,"]] 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.

* TheMovie: There's one, starring RayPark as Rugal... and let's leave it at that.
* MundaneMadeAwesome: Several.

*** EX Takuma whipping out his [[KamehameHadoken Max Power Suburu Ou Shikoh Ken]] HSDM, coincidentally the same attack he shows off in the AOF team's 2000 ending
*** EX Kensou's super repulse touch palm attack HSDM, and keep in mind this version of Kensou was based off of his powerless form from 99 to 2000.

** 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.]]

* NoEnding: Usually in the case of characters added to home ports of games (who usually receive some sort of congratulatory artwork in place of an actual ending), as well as all the hidden characters in ''Maximum Impact 2''. The case of the former, this also results in no character-specific prologues and cutscenes for the sub-boss and boss.

* SiblingTeam: The Bogard Bros., who usually team up in ''KOF'' alongside their good buddy Joe. The current saga (until ''XIII'') marks the first time Andy wasn't on the roster alongside Terry.

** ''[='98=]: Ultimate Match'', which added Eiji from ''[='95=]'', Kasumi, the Boss Team and Goenitz from ''[='96=]'', and Orochi Iori, Orochi Leona and Orochi himself from ''[='97=]''.
** ''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 though he was found as a DummiedOut element.

** [=KOF XIII=]'s arcade game: 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.

* HiddenDepths: Take the time to find the official bios for each character, and you'll be surprised by some of their hobbies and other aspects of their lifestyles. For example, Kyo is ''literally'' a WarriorPoet and several characters are quite the talented musicians.

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: ''VideoGaem/FatalFury'' and ''{{Art of Fighting}}'', as well as classic SNK games such as ''VideoGame/IkariWarriors'' and ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'', 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''.

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''.

The games were initially released on the (ridiculously expensive) NeoGeo home arcade system, so they had a hard time catching on with North American home gamers, but remained very popular in Japan, as well as with arcade gamers worldwide. It released new editions of the game every year with [[JohnMaddenFootball Madden-like regularity]], introducing new characters and rosters into the storyline, while the old characters have seemingly retained their basic sets of special moves throughout the series, probably to dodge the problem of the older games being SoLastSeason.

* NebulousEvilOrganisation: NESTS, as well as Addes (and its sub-syndicates/branch organizations the Children of Kokaviel, Kusiel, Mephistopheles, and Belphegor) in the ''MI'' series. Those from the Past started as this, but quickly became a GenericEvilOrganizationSquad as time progressed.

* The '''NESTS''' arc, which focuses on the titular organisation and their conspiracy to [[CloningBlues create weaponized clones]] of the most powerful warriors in the world. As Kyo is absent for the majority of this arc, the main protagonist is a new character called K' ("K dash").

* The '''NESTS''' arc, which focuses on the titular organisation and their conspiracy to [[CloningBlues create weaponized clones]] of Kyo Kusanagi. As Kyo is absent for the majority of this arc, the main protagonist is a new character called K' ("K dash").

* The '''Tales of Ash''' arc, which introduces androgynous French pretty boy Ash Crimson as the new main character. The story involves a sinister plot to capture the powers of the Kusanagi, Yagami and Kagura clans in order to [[SealedEvilInACan seize the sealed power of Orochi]], and the question of [[EnigmaticMinion just whose side Ash is on]].