History VideoGame / TheKingOfFighters96

* '''Team Japan:''' Still comprised of [[PlayingWithFire Kyo Kusanagi]], [[AgentPeacock Benimaru Nikaido]] and [[TheBigGuy Goro Daimon]], with Kyo's role in this story about to come to fruition.

* MechanicallyUnusualFighter: In this game, Goro and Clark have access to both the Emergency Evasion roll and the evasion dodge, something no other characters (including themselves) could do in the series.

** Most characters who could fire an energy attack, like Terry and Ryo, can no longer spam it, as they now only travels a little before disappearing. Even the newcomers like Geese and Mr. Big got their moves like this.
** ''KOF '96'' adds the Guard Crush. Blocking too many hits will forcefully disable your character's defense stance, so you can no longer block forever without some risk.
* RealPlaceBackground: The Korea stage is a 1:1 replica of Hwahongmun Gate, the north water gate of Hwaseong Fortress located in Suwon city. Compare [[https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g424960-d3805593-Reviews-Hwahongmun_Gate-Suwon_Gyeonggi_do.html#/media-atf/3805593/485303122:p/?albumid=101&type=0&category=101 the real-life location]] and [[https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/snk/images/4/49/Kof96koreabg.gif the KOF version]], and it's clear they're one and the same.

* SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration: ''KOF '96'' expands the "Mood" system for how your teammates will act when you call them for assistance. If said teammate isn't on friendly term with your current fighter, there's a 50-50 chance they'll help you or not, or if they really don't like it, they won't help you at all. Examples inlcude Terry refusing to help Geese, or Iori not helping anyone except his canonical team. This system would be in all future Orochi Saga games, but removed in ''KOF '99'', as the teammates were removed from the side in it.

** ''KOF '96'' is also the first game to build on its own unique continuity separate from other SNK games, instead of just a CrisisCrossover with some original characters. A StoryArc named "the Orochi Saga" was announced, radioactively integrating ''KOF '94'' and '''95'', and would continue on ''KOF '97'', [[SeasonFinale the arc finale]].

** Final Boss: [[PersonOfMassDestruction Leopold Goenitz]], one of the Four Hakkeshu [[note]]Heavenly Kings of Orochi[[/note]] who was essentially just acting as an envoy and a preview of the much bigger threat to come.

** Final Boss: [[PersonOfMassDestruction Leopold Goenitz]], one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi who was essentially just acting as an envoy and a preview of the much bigger threat to come.

* '''Team Korean Justice:''' [[JusticeWillPrevail Kim Kaphwan]] returns to the tournament, with [[{{Acrofatic Chang Koehan]] and [[PintSizedPowerhouse Choi Bounge]] in tow.

* '''Hero Team''': Still composed of Kyo, Benimaru, and Goro
* '''Fatal Fury Team''': Still composed of Terry, Andy and Joe
* '''Art of Fighting Team''': Ryo and Robert return, but now Yuri takes her father's place as the third on her team.
* '''Ikari Warriors Team''': Likewise, Heidern passes on this tournament, introducing his adopted daughter, Leona Heidern as the third to the returning Ralf and Clark.
* '''Psycho Soldier Team''': Still composed of Athena, Kensou and Chin
* '''Women Fighters Team''': With Yuri on another team, the third to Mai and King is filled by Kasumi Todoh (first introduced in ''Art of Fighting 3'').
* '''Korea Justice Team''': Still composed of Kim, Chang and Choi
* '''Rivals Team''': Iori returns, but his two slots are filled by Vice and Mature, Rugal's former secretaries.
* '''Boss Team'''': Composes of Fatal Fury bosses, Geese, his half-brother, Wolfgang Krauser and Art of Fighting first boss, Mr. Big

** Mid Boss: Chizuru Kagura - Sponsor of the tournament who's looking for strong fighters to fight against the coming threat of the Orochi
** Boss: Goenitz - One of the Four Heavenly Kings of Orochi, essentially just acting as an envoy and a preview of the much bigger threat to come.

* Special Team: '''Three Sacred Treasures''': While not an offical team, there's a special canon in-story cutscene and ending if you pick Kyo, Iori and Kagura on the same team.

* Special Team: '''Three Sacred Treasures''': While not an offical team, there's a special canon in-story cutscene and ending of you pick Kyo, Iori and Kagura on the same team.

It was ported to the UsefulNotes/PlayStation and the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn, and the UsefulNotes/GameBoy port was released as ''The King of Fighters: Heat of Battle'', adding Takuma in his Mr. Karate persona.

''KOF '96'' is a [[FranchiseCodifier huge turning point]] for the series. New systems are introduced, many replacing the old ones. An official StoryArc (the Orochi Saga) started to take place, encompassing everything from ''KOF '94'' to '''96''. In other words, this is the first step toward the ''KOF'' we know and love today.

* AscendedGlitch: In ''KOF '94'' and ''[='95=]'', some characters could use their DM in air. While this glitch was removed in this game, Kim's Hou'ou Kyaku can be performed this way, now with unique startup animation.

* CerebusRetcon: Rugal was a GenericDoomsdayVillain who got himself killed from his power of unknown source. ''KOF '96'' reveals it's a result from EvilVersusEvil, as that was the Orochi power Goenitz gave him in exchange of his left eye, knowing that it'll kill Rugal because anyone who isn't from the Orochi bloodline has no control over it.
* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: Goenitz in ''KOF '96'' can use his [=DMs=] without any restriction. Getting into the MAX Mode or being on low health boost their total damage even further.

After two worldwide annual fighting tournaments, KOF has become a international phenomenon that's grabbed the attention of many powerful sponsors. Nine teams of three are competing for the KOF title, among them are faces old and new to the series. Takuma and Heidern have stepped down from their respective teams, with younger blood, Yuri and Leona, taking their places. [[Characters/FatalFuryGeeseHoward Geese Howard]], the BigBad of ''VideoGame/FatalFury'', decides to join with fellow villains [[Characters/FatalFury2 Krauser]] and [[Characters/ArtOfFightingI Mr. Big]] to form Team Boss. [[Characters/TheKingOfFightersIoriYagami Iori Yagami]] is back forming a team with Rugal's former secretaries, Mature and Vice, and he continues to have a bone to pick with TheHero, Kyo Kusanagi. The even more mysterious figure is Chizuru Kagura, who seems to have a connection to both Kyo and Iori's clans and warns about the upcoming rebirth of the Orochi.

After two worldwide annual fighting tournaments, KOF has become a international phenomenon that's grabbed the attention of many powerful sponsors. Nine teams of three are competing for the KOF title, among them are faces old and new to the series. Takuma and Heidern have stepped down from their respective teams, with younger blood, Yuri and Leona, taking their places. [[Characters/FatalFuryGeeseHoward Geese Howard]], the BigBad of ''VideoGame/FatalFury'', decides to join with fellow villains [[Characters/FatalFury2 Krauser]] and [[Characters/ArtOfFightingI Mr. Big]] to form Team Boss. [[Characters/TheKingOfFighters95 Iori Yagami]] is back forming a team with Rugal's former secretaries, Mature and Vice, and he continues to have a bone to pick with TheHero, Kyo Kusanagi. The even more mysterious figure is Chizuru Kagura, who seems to have a connection to both Kyo and Iori's clans and warns about the upcoming rebirth of the Orochi.

''KOF '96'' is a huge turning point for the series. New systems are introduced, many replacing the old ones. An official StoryArc (the Orochi Saga) started to take place, encompassing everything from ''KOF '94'' to '''96''. In other words, this is the first step toward the ''KOF'' we know and love today.

* MechanicallyUnusualFighter: In this game, Goro and Clark has access to both the Emergency Evasion roll and the evasion dodge, something no other characters (including themselves) could do in the series.

The concept of the Dash and the Emergency Evasion roll was first introduced, as well as the Tech Grab (used to deflect the normal grab) and the Air Guard. Countering your opponent with a special move send them flying, opening a chance for extra Air Combo. Maxing out your power gauge, now called [[SuperMode the MAX Mode]], grants extra attack power and access to [[LimitBreak Desperation Moves]] ("DM" for short) as usual, but it can be quickly spent for Guard Cancel as a reversal, either as the Blow Back attack or the evasive roll. Some characters have more than one DM, and when you're both in the MAX Mode and on low health, using your [=DMs=] unleashes a stronger version of them, instead of just a recycled same DM with more damage.

* CerebusRetcon: Rugal was a GenericDoomsdayVillain who got himself killed from his power of unknown source. ''KOF '96'' reveals it's a result from EvilVersusEvil, as that was the Orochi power Goenitz gave him in exchange of his left eye, knowing that it'll kill Rugal because anyone who aren't from the Orochi bloodline has no control over it.

** ''KOF '96''[='s=] Guard Cancel works a lot differently from ''95''[='s=], but there's one evident downgrade. Unlike ''KOF '95'', the Guard Cancel in '''96'' drains your gauge immediately. If you want to keep the damage boost from the maxed out gauge, you'll need to bear the risk of not using it.

* SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration: ''KOF '96'' expands the "Mood" system for how your teammates will act when you call them for assistance. If said teammate isn't on friendly term with your current fighter, there's a 50-50 chance they'll help you or not, or if they really don't feel like it, they won't help you at all. Examples inlcude Terry refusing to help Geese, or Iori not helping anyone except his canonical team. This system would be in all future Orochi Saga games, but removed in ''KOF '99'', as the teammates were removed from the side in it.

''KOF '96'' is a huge turning point for the series. New systems are introduced, many replacing the old ones. An official StoryArc (the Orichi Saga) started to take place, encompassing everything from ''KOF '94'' to '''96''. In other words, this is the first step toward the ''KOF'' we know and love today.

The concept of the Dash and the Emergency Evasion roll was first introduced, as well as the Tech Grab (used to deflect the normal grab) and the Air Guard. Maxing out your power gauge, now called [[SuperMode the MAX Mode]], grants extra attack power and access to [[LimitBreak Desperation Moves]] ("DM" for short)
as usual, but it can also be quickly spent for Guard Cancel as a reversal, either as the Blow Back attack or the evasive roll. Some characters have more than one DM, and when you're both in the MAX Mode and on low health, using your [=DMs=] unleashes a stronger version of them, instead of just a recycled same DM with more damage.

* BattleIntro: For the first in the series, certain characters have unique intro quotes. Terry and Andy will swear their revenge against Geese, Clark and Ralf strike the "Cross Changer" pose (from ''Series/ChoujinSentaiJetman'') together, and Kyo and Iori taunt each other. Later installments would add a lot more of these.

After two worldwide annual fighting tournaments, KOF has become a international phenomenon that's grabbed the attention of many powerful sponsors. Nine teams of three are competing for the KOF title, among them are faces old and new to the series. Takuma and Heidern have standed down from their team, with younger blood, Yuri and Leona, taking their places. [[Characters/FatalFuryGeeseHoward Geese Howard]], the BigBad of ''VideoGame/FatalFury'', decides to join with fellow villains [[Characters/FatalFury2 Krauser]] and [[Characters/ArtOfFightingI Mr. Big]]. [[Characters/TheKingOfFighters95 Iori Yagami]] is back forming a team with Rugal's former secretaries, Mature and Vice, and he continues to have a bone to pick with TheHero, Kyo Kusanagi. Even more mysterious figure is Chizuru Kagura, who seems to have a connection to both Kyo and Iori's clans and warns about the upcoming rebirth of the Orochi.

** The Women Fighters Team stage has Mr. Todoh, who'll appear if her daughtere is the current fighter, and has unique reaction whenever she wins or loses.

The third installment of ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters''; released on July 30, 1996 for arcades and the UsefulNotes/NeoGeo.

After two worldwide annual fighting tournaments, KOF has become a international phenomenon that's grabbed the attention of many powerful sponsors. Nine teams of three are competing for the KOF title, among them are faces old and new to the series.

[[Characters/FatalFuryGeeseHoward Geese Howard]], the BigBad of ''VideoGame/FatalFury'', joins with fellow villains [[Characters/FatalFury2 Krauser]] and [[Characters/ArtOfFightingI Mr. Big]]. [[Characters/TheKingOfFighters95 Iori Yagami]] is back with two mysterious teammates, and he continues to have a bone to pick with TheHero, Kyo Kusanagi. Also introduced is the mysterious Chizuru Kagura, who seems to have a connection to both Kyo and Iori's clans.

New to the series is MAX Mode, an [[SuperMode empowered state]] that grants extra attack power and access to powerful [[LimitBreak Desperation Moves]] ("DM" for short).

** ''KOF '96''s Guard Cancel works a lot differently from ''95''[='s=], but there's one evident downgrade. Unlike ''KOF '95'', the Guard Cancel in '''96'' drains your gauge immediately. If you want to keep the damage boost from the maxed out gauge, you'll need to bear the risk of not using it.

** ''KOF '94'' and '''95'' were mostly derivative of SNK's bigger fighting games, borrowing gameplay elements from them. ''KOF '96'' was the first real installment to move out of their shadow and become its own beast, introducing systems not in any of previous SNK franchises. Examples include the Dash, replacing the quick step, and the "Emergency Evasion" roll, replacing the evasion dodge.

The third installment of ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters''; released on July 30, 1996 for arcades and the Neo Geo.

!This work shows examples of:

* GreaterScopeVillain: Goenitz is revealed to be [[ManBehindTheMan the one who granted]] Rugal Bernstein, the previous BigBad, his Orochi powers.