List of The King of Fighters video games

The King of Fighters is a series of fighting games developed by SNK Playmore. Originally, the series was developed for SNK's Neo-Geo MVS arcade systems. This would continue to be the main platform for King of Fighters games until 2004, when SNK Playmore adopted the Atomiswave arcade system as its primary. SNK-Playmore has since stated that it will release its latest arcade titles for the Taito Type 2X arcade system.

The first game in the series, The King of Fighters '94 was released by SNK in August 25, 1994. The game was originally designed to be a dream match of characters from the company's various arcade titles, particularly Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Ikari Warriors and Psycho Soldier. Sequels from the series have been released each year until The King of Fighters 2003. By 2004, SNK abandoned yearly releases of the series and numbered future games in a more traditional manner.

The King of Fighters XII, the latest game is expected to be released in April 2009. KOF XII will use newly-drawn 2D sprites on detailed 2D backgrounds. Producers informed that the game is one hundred percent hand drawn.

In 2004, SNK produced the first 3D installment of the series, KOF: Maximum Impact. The game and its two sequels revises much of the backstory for characters and settings from previous games. Several characters from the series appear also in cross-over video games such as the Capcom VS SNK series. In addition to the remakes of individual games such as Re-bout, Ultimate Match, and Unlimited Match, SNK Playmore has released compilations of their KOF games.


Main series

The King of Fighters '94

Original release dates:
Japan 1994-08-25 System release:
1994—Arcade
1994—Neo Geo
2004—PlayStation 2
2008—Wii
Notes:

* The game was remade and released in 2004 for the Sony Playstation 2 as The King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout in Japan. This version has several new features like hi-res graphics, online play, team edit, a playable Rugal Bernstein, and the addition of Saisyu Kusanagi.

The King of Fighters '95

Original release dates:
Japan 1995-07-25 System release:
1995—Arcade
1995—Neo Geo
1996—Sega Saturn
1995—Neo Geo CD
1996—PlayStation
Notes:

* Introduces the team edit feature which allows players to create their own 3-character team.

The King of Fighters '96

Original release dates:
Japan 1996-07-30 System release:
1996—Arcade
1996—Neo Geo
1996—Sega Saturn
1996—Neo Geo CD
1997—PlayStation
Notes:

* Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Japan. The Saturn port requires a memory expansion cartridge to run. It contains the ability to play as Chizuru and Goenitz using a code. The Saturn version is arcade perfect thanks to the cartridge.

The King of Fighters '97

Original release dates:
Japan 1997-07-28 System release:
1997—Arcade
1997—Neo Geo
1998—Sega Saturn
1997—Neo Geo CD
1998—PlayStation
Notes:

* Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Saturn in Japan. The Saturn port requires a memory expansion cartridge to run. It contains a special art gallery feature as well as the ability to play as Orochi using a code. This game was never released in the US.

The King of Fighters '98

Original release dates:
Japan 1998-07-23 System release:
1998—Arcade
1998—Neo Geo
1998—Neo Geo CD
1999—Play Station
1999—Sega Dreamcast
2008—PlayStation 2
Notes:

* Ported to the PlayStation and Sega Dreamcast. SNK refitted the Dreamcast version (renamed The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999) with an extended hand-animated
introduction, link-up capability with KOF R-2 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, and 3D backgrounds

* Separate from the KOF story line, this dream match contains fighters from all previous King of Fighters games except for Eiji Kisaragi, Kasumi Todoh, Goenitz and the Boss Team (Geese Howard, Wolfgang Krauser, and Mr. Big) from KOF '96. Saisyu Kusanagi also makes his first appearance as a non-secret playable character.

* Like KOF '94, this game was also remade and released in 2008 for the Sony Playstation 2 as The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match in Japan. Like its '94 counterpart, the update features redesigned backgrounds, online play, and new characters (Eiji Kisaragi, Kasumi Todoh and the boss team from KOF '96 among others).

The King of Fighters '99

Original release dates:
Japan 1999-07-22
North America 2001-04-22 System release:
1999—Arcade
1999—Neo Geo
1999—Neo Geo CD
2000—Sega Dreamcast
2000—PlayStation
Notes:

* Introduces the striker system, which allows the player to call on a teammate to aid the current fighter.

* Ported to the Sega Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation in the US. The Dreamcast version was titled The King of Fighters: Evolution, while the PlayStation retained the '99 namesake. In the Dreamcast version (regarded as the better port of the two, due to its massive visual updating), Seth and Vanessa are hidden strikers, and Krizalid is a selectable character (only in his second form).

The King of Fighters 2000

Original release dates:
Japan 2000-07-26 System release:
2000—Arcade
2002—Sega Dreamcast
2002—PlayStation 2
2000—Neo Geo
Notes:

* This game was ported to the Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation 2. The US/North American and European PS2 was bundled together with King of Fighters 2001.
* Allows the player to select alternates as strikers instead of just playable characters.

The King of Fighters 2001

Original release dates:
Japan 2001-11-15
North America 2002-03-14 System release:
2001—Arcade
2002—Sega Dreamcast
2003—PlayStation 2
2002—Neo Geo
Notes:

* In this version, the player decides on how many out of 4 fighters will participate in a match. Those left unselected become strikers.

The King of Fighters 2002

Original release dates:
Japan 2002-10-10
Europe 2005-10-07 System release:
2002—Arcade
2003—Sega Dreamcast
2004—PlayStation 2
2002—Neo Geo
2005—Xbox
Notes:

* This game was ported to the Dreamcast and the Sony PlayStation 2. The US/North American and European PS2 release is bundled together with King of Fighters 2000.

* This game was ported to the Sony PlayStation 2 and the Microsoft Xbox. The US/North American PS2 and Xbox release is bundled together with King of Fighters 2003.

* An update is planned for release in 2009 in Japan on the PlayStation 2 under the title The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match. Among the major changes include a replacement character for K9999 named "Nameless". Numerous additional characters from elsewhere in the series are being added to the original roster with a complete roster size of 66, the largest roster in the history of the series.

The King of Fighters 2003

Original release dates:
Japan 2003-12-12
Europe April 2006 System release:
2003—Arcade
2004—PlayStation 2
2004—Neo Geo
Notes:

* Unlike previous games, KOF 2003 employs a tag team battle system.
* It is the final annual update to the series; the next game was not released until two years later.

The King of Fighters XI

Original release dates:
Japan 2005-10-26 System release:
2005—Arcade
2006—PlayStation 2
Notes:

* The game was released in Japan for the PlayStation 2 on June 22, 2006. This version updates the current game with additional music and stages, as well as an updated character roster with the reinclusion of Mai Shiranui, Geese Howard, EX Kyo, Robert Garcia, Mr. Big and new arrivals to the KOF arena, Hotaru Futaba and Tung Fu Rue.

* The game was released in Europe in July 2007 and in the U.S. in October 2007

The King of Fighters XII

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* The game will be the first in the series since 96 to use completely new graphics
* Upcoming title
* Unlike previous entries in the series, The King of Fighters XII forgoes the team structure of previous games and all characters appear as solo entrants. The roster is set at 20 characters, the smallest roster in the history of the series.


Spin-offs

The King of Fighters Neowave

Original release dates:
Japan 2004-07-30
Europe 2006-10-13 System release:
2004—Arcade
2006—PlayStation 2
2006—Xbox
Notes:

* King of Fighters: Neowave has notable improvements in background graphics and music quality. KOF: Neowave returns to the classic 3-on-3 battle system and features many teams from previous KOF games.

The King of Fighters EX: Neo Blood

Original release dates:
Japan 2002-01-01
Europe 2002-08-23
North America 2002 System release:
2002—Game Boy Advance
Notes:

* An adaptation of The King Of Fighters '99 for the Game Boy Advance, with a new character named Moe Habana.Geese Howard is the final boss with Iori being a sub boss

The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood

Original release dates:
System release:
2003—Game Boy Advance
Notes:

* An adaptation of The King Of Fighters 2000 for the Game Boy Advance.

The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact

Original release dates:
Japan 2004-08-12
North America 2004-08-12
Europe 2005-07-01
Australia 2005 System release:
2004—PlayStation 2
2005—Xbox
Notes:

* It was ported to the Xbox as "KOF: Maximum Impact - Maniax" with additional content, dual-language audio tracks, and online play via Xbox Live.

The King of Fighters 2006

Original release dates:
Japan 2006-06-19[32]
North America 2006-09-19 System release:
2006—PlayStation 2
2007—Xbox
Notes:

* Known in Japan as The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2

* The game was also packaged with a bonus DVD of "The King of Fighters: Another Day", supposedly a prequel leading up to the Maximum Impact 2 and involved characters from the King of Fighters XI.

* It was remade as The King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Regulation-A but with the classic 3 on 3 game play from the 2D KOF series as well as new characters.

Nettou The King of Fighters '95

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* An adaptation of The King of Fighters '95 for the Game Boy.

Nettou The King of Fighters '96

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* An adaptation of The King of Fighters '96 for the Game Boy, which featured the Orochi awakened versions of Leona and Iori Yagami.

The King of Fighters R-1

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* An adaptation of The King of Fighters '97 for the Neo Geo Pocket.

The King of Fighters R-2

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* An adaptation of The King of Fighters '98 for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Linkable with KOF '99 Dream Match for the Dreamcast.

Quiz King of Fighters

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* A KOF-themed quiz game released only in Japan for the Neo Geo. Roster includes select characters from Samurai Shodown.

The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* A KOF-themed board game released for the Neo Geo Pocket.

The King of Fighters Kyo

Original release dates:
Japan 1998-08-27 System release:
1998—PlayStation
Notes:

* An RPG for the PlayStation, released only in Japan.

The King of Fighters : Extreme

Original release dates:
System release:
Notes:

* A port of The King of Fighters EX2: Howling Blood for the Nokia N-Gage.


Compilations and collections
The King of Fighters NESTS

Original release dates:
Japan 2007-04-19 System release:
2007—Play Station 2
Notes:

* Contains The King of Fighters '99, '00 and '01

The King of Fighters 2000/2001

Original release dates:
Japan 2003-12-09 System release:
2003—Play Station 2
Notes:

* Contains The King of Fighters 2000 and 2001

The King of Fighters 02/03

Original release dates:
Japan 2004-02-11 System release:
2005—Play Station 2
2004—Xbox
Notes:

* Contains The King of Fighters 2002 and 2003

KoF Collection Orochi

Original release dates:
Japan 2006-04-20
North America 2008-10-21 System release:
2006—Play Station 2
2008—Wii
2008—PlayStation Portable<
Notes:

* Includes '94, '95, '96, '97, and '98.
* '94 and '98 are not included in the Japan release.
* Known in Japan as The King of Fighters Orochi Collection.


Related games

Neo Geo Battle Coliseum

Original release dates:
System release:
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium

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SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos

Original release dates:
System release:
Capcom vs. SNK

Original release dates:
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Capcom vs. SNK Pro

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Capcom vs. SNK 2

Original release dates:
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FONTE