History ShoutOut / TheKingOfFighters

* The remake of King's stage from ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting 2'', Southtown Park, contains several references to various horror games. From the revamped environment resembling something out of ''Franchise/SilentHill'', to an added haunted house attraction on the right side of the stage featuring a creepy animatronic bear on top of the entrance, referencing ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys''.

* The remake of King's stage from ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting 2'', Southtown Park, contains several references to various horror games. From the revamped environment resembling something out of ''VideoGame/SilentHill'', to an added haunted house attraction on the right side of the stage featuring a creepy animatronic bear on top of the entrance, referencing ''VideoGame/FiveNightsAtFreddys''.

* Kyo's design is lifted straight from Ricky Jones, the main character of the early UsefulNotes/NeoGeo BeatEmUp ''Mutation Nation''. [[http://www.neogeoforlife.com/images/photoalbum/album_162/563060_57667_front.jpg See here.]]

* Lucky Glauber's prototype design and fighting style were based on the character Hakim in the martial arts film, ''Film/GameOfDeath''. His later design might come from ''VideoGame/StreetSlam'', a sports game for the UsefulNotes/NeoGeo made by Data East.

* Bao's throws are named "Genei Tō Gi" (Phantom Head Technique) and "Critical Slow". These names are a homage / parody of Racdym's UsefulNotes/PlayStation fighting games ''VideoGame/GeneiTougi'' ("Phantom Fight") and ''Critical Blow''.

** His status as a legendary mercenary and military commander, along with his eyepatch and assassination techniques that have an air of stealthy maneuvers to them, calls [[Franchise/MetalGear Big Boss]] to mind. Especially in later games where the Ikari Warriors are portrayed almost in a more familial light, just as Big Boss's own groups (MSF and Diamond Dogs, which would later become Outer Heaven) were portrayed.

* Many of Clark's moves are borrowed from ''Manga/{{Kinnikuman}}'': '96-XI's Napalm Stretch (Kinniku Ataru), '96-'02's Clark Spark (Muscle Spark, Kinnikuman), '03-XI's Clark Special (Robin Special, Robin Mask) and XIV's Climax move (Big Ben Edge, [[Anime/UltimateMuscle Kevin Mask]]). More obscurely, his Ultra Argentine Backbreaker is a nod towards the Triple Benkei Breaker from the wrestling manga "The Momotaroh." Also, his Flashing Elbow was popularized by real-life professional wrestler Keiji Mutoh (aka The Great Muta) and his Clark Lift (a follow-up to his Mount Tackle) is a [[JustForPun direct lift]] from Russian wrestler-turned-politician Aleksandr Karelin's "Karelin Lift."

** His default color scheme is the purple and gold, the same as [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation the Los Angeles Lakers]] (the team that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for). In ''KOF '98'' his alternate color schemes are references to the Chicago Bulls, Seattle Supersonics, and San Antonio Spurs.

* Malin shouts "[[Franchise/SpiderMan MAXIMUM]] [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom MALIN]]!" as she performs her aerial Queen Bee DM.

** During his Volanic Bomb Level 3, Duke shouts, [[Franchise/{{Superman}} "Up, up, and away!"]]

* Bao's throws are named "Genei Tō Gi" (Phantom Head Technique) and "Critical Slow". These names are a homage / parody of Racdym's UsefulNotes/PlayStation fighting games ''Genei Tougi'' ("Phantom Fight") and ''Critical Blow''.

** One of her win poses also consists of a very ''Franchise/SailorMoon''-ish [[MemeticHandGesture pose]]: a [[VSign V-for-victory sign]] and a wink.

* Jhun Hoon has many references to ''Fight Fever'', a 1994 Korean fighting game developed with the help of SNK: He shares name with character Kim Hoon and the technique name "Shusokyaku", and FinalBoss Karate Kenji's "Mangetsuzan" and "Haiki Geki". Kang Baedal, Jhun's Another Striker, also shares name with main character Han Baedal and the name of his technique, "Ko Netsufu".

** His intro poses with Kensou in ''KOF '97'' and ''[='98=]'' are a common {{Kansai|RegionalAccent}} [[BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine shtick.]]

* Duo Lon is physically based on the main character from ''LightNovel/VampireHunterD'', and his fighting style and some of his moves are based on Shishiwakamaru from ''Manga/YuYuHakusho''.

* Dolores's design resembles a cross between [[ComicBook/XMen Storm]] and [[VideoGame/{{Tekken}} Master Raven]], with abilities that call the [[Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay T-1000]] and [[LightNovel/FateZero Volumen Hydragram]] to mind.

** Kim's Color 5 is a nod to May Lee, his former teammate who [[BrotherChuck hasn't been seen since]] ''2002 Unlimited Match''.

** Also, while they attitudes are the opposite, she also looks a hell of a lot to Luchs from Anime/SaberMarionetteJ, with her bangs and ShortHairWithTail hairstyle, considering the anime debut the previous year, it's an interesting parallel to draw from. Also, Shermie's Awakened Orochi form is a lot more Luchs-like attitude-wise.

** Because of his love for motorcycles, charisma, and appearance (brown hair with bangs), some fans speculated that he was partially inspired by action star [[Creator/Tom Cruise]].

* [[AxCrazy Ryuji]] [[Characters/FatalFury3 Yamazaki]] from ''Videogame/FatalFury'' and ''Franchise/TheKingOfFighters'' has whipping ExtendableArms that serve as shout-outs to ''Manga/HajimeNoIppo'' character Ryo Mashiba and his similarly long-reaching "Flicker Jabs".

* Robert Garcia is SNK's AlternateCompanyEquivalent to [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ken Masters]]. Both are [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob rich-out-their-ass playboys]] who are friendly rivals to their respective best friends, although Robert dresses like he's rich. Also, both of their styles emphasize stylish kicking. Of note is that Robert was introduced that way whereas Ken had developed this '''after''' ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'' came out.

* King's androgynous fashion sense was inspired by [[Creator/GraceJones Grace Jones]]. Also, her fighting style and [[{{Expy}} physical appearance]] were influenced by a [[OneSceneWonder memorable]] [[EliteMook henchwoman]] in the movie ''[[https://youtu.be/QQhNHeEkbDo?t=82 China White]]'', also known as ''Deadly Sin'' or ''Gwang Tin Lung fo Wooi''.
** One similarity the two share is having their shirts ripped off revealing their chest and gender. This also happened in ''Art of Fighting'' and future games whenever King got kayoed with a projectile.
** The henchwoman was played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai world champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskia_van_Rijswijk Saskia Merk van Rijswijk]].

* King's androgynous fashion sense was inspired by [[Creator/GraceJones Grace Jones]]. Also, her fighting style and [[{{Expy}} physical appearance]] were influenced by a [[OneSceneWonder memorable]] [[EliteMook henchwoman]] in the movie ''[[https://youtu.be/QQhNHeEkbDo?t=82 China White]]'', also known as ''Deadly Sin'' or ''Gwang Tin Lung fo Wooi''. The henchwoman was played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai world champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskia_van_Rijswijk Saskia Merk van Rijswijk]]). One similarity they share includes having their shirts ripped off revealing their chest and gender (this also happened in ''Art of Fighting'' and future games whenever King got kayoed with a projectile, which is a shout-out inspired by ''China White'').

* King's androgynous fashion sense was inspired by [[Creator/GraceJones Grace Jones]]. Also, her fighting style and [[{{Expy}} physical appearance]] were influenced by a [[EliteMook memorable]] [[https://youtu.be/QQhNHeEkbDo?t=82 henchwoman]] in the movie ''China White'', also known as ''Deadly Sin'' or ''Gwang Tin Lung fo Wooi''. The henchwoman was played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai world champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskia_van_Rijswijk Saskia Merk van Rijswijk]]). Shout-outs to the OneSceneWonder include having her shirt ripped off revealing her chest and gender (this also happened in ''Art of Fighting'' and future games whenever King got kayoed with a projectile, which is inspired by ''China White'').

* King's androgynous fashion sense was inspired by [[Creator/GraceJones Grace Jones]]. Also, her fighting style and [[{{Expy}} physical appearance]] were influenced by a memorable [[https://youtu.be/QQhNHeEkbDo?t=82 henchwoman]] in the movie ''China White'', also known as ''Deadly Sin'' or ''Gwang Tin Lung fo Wooi'' (played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai world champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskia_van_Rijswijk Saskia Merk van Rijswijk]]). This includes having her shirt ripped off revealing her chest and gender (this also happened in ''Art of Fighting'' and future games whenever King got kayoed with a projectile, which is inspired by ''China White'').

* Don't confuse Heavy D! with the [[Music/HeavyD late rapper]] [[NamesTheSame of the same name]].