History ShoutOut / TheKingOfFighters

** His striker (and [[WhatCouldHaveBeen prototype design]]), Syo Kirishima, was meant to resemble common fighting games martial artists (in terms of clothes) at the time and even seems to share a few aesthetic traits with [[StreetFighter Ryu]].

** Although his last name is ''not'' [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Steel]], some fans saw this as a homage to '''Clark''' Kent aka [[Comicbook/{{Superman}} Superman]], The Man of '''Steel'''.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpNk7g4tIY4 At least one person has theorized]] that Kim Kaphwan was modeled after RealLife Taekwondo master [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hwang_Jang_Lee Hwang Jang Lee]], a man famed for his prowess in martial arts, especially the fact that most of his fights [[ExtremityExtremist only saw the use of his legs]] (earning him the nickname of "King of the Legfighters", among many others). Additionally, the Korean releases of the Eolith-sponsored games (i.e. ''2001'' and ''2002'') gave Kim and the rest of his fellow Taekwondokas actual Korean voiceovers.
** He also seems to unleash his inner [[FistOfTheNorthStar Kenshiro]] during some of his moves.
-->''"[[CallingYourAttacks Hou'ou Kyaku!]] [[SpamAttack ATATATATATATATATA!!]] [[FinishingMove WATAA]][[ForMassiveDamage AA!!!]]"''
** It's been speculated that Kim was named after the Korean president of Viccom (the publisher of the NeoGeo fighter ''Fight Fever'', and SNK's Korean distributer at the time), who had a similar pronunciation to Kim's name (金甲煥). Additionally, Kim's sons are also named after the real Kim's son (Jae Hoon) and younger brother (Dong Hwan). Later, the "Kaphwan" part of Kim's has been dropped.

* Chris seems to show signs of being a CaptainErsatz to [[RurouniKenshin Soujiro Seta]], with similar haircuts, similar outfit color scheme (blue and white) and they are both [[FragileSpeedster fast on their feet.]]

* According to his profile, Duo Lon would also fit here as a shout-out to ''VampireHunterD''.

* Arguably, Chae Lim is an {{Expy}} of Kim Kaphwan.

** Luise could very well be seen as an {{Expy}} of both Chizuru from the main series and Rose from ''StreetFighter [[VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha Alpha]]'' (the latter especially, given her powers, demeanor, connection to the BigBad, and [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou her efforts to stop the cast from fighting said Big Bad]]).

** At times (such during victory quotes), his voice acting in the dub seems to impersonate the like of AustinPowers.

** He also possesses a move where his arm stretches, impales his opponent, and then reels them in. He shouts "Come over here!" This all seems to pay homage to [[MortalKombat Scorpion.]]

* When speaking of Rugal's [[AndIMustScream prized "trophies"]] there is one of note that is interesting. It's of a man with a [[StreetFighter familar hairdo, a sleeveless shirt, with military fatigue pants and boots.]] Sadly this man is nameless, but he does have a rather eerie resemblance to a U.S. special forces officer named Guile. Apparently, the point of the resemblance was not lost since in ''[[SNKVsCapcom Capcom Vs. SNK]]'' the two have an intro of said "trophy" is standing between them and them destroying it.

** In ''2000'', his alternate striker is himself, but dressed like Capcom's AlternateCompanyEquivalent, [[StreetFighterAlpha Dan]] "[[MemeticBadass The Man]]" [[JokeCharacter Hibiki]], who was conceived as a TakeThat to SNK. Note that their hair is already similar to begin with.

* Compare this [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:KofXI_poster.jpg promotional poster]] for ''XII'' to that of [[http://capcomdatabase.wikia.com/wiki/File:SFA3Group.png promotional artwork]] for ''StreetFighterAlpha 3''. Specifically, notice the positions of [[FatalFury Terry]][=/=][[ArtOfFighting Ryo]] and [[StreetFighter Ryu]][=/=][[FinalFight Cody]].

** Luise could very well be seen as an {{Expy}} of both Chizuru from the main series and Rose from ''StreetFighter [[StreetFighterAlpha Alpha]]'' (the latter especially, given her powers, demeanor, connection to the BigBad, and [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou her efforts to stop the cast from fighting said Big Bad]]).

** During the NESTS saga, two of his moves changed to look more and more like [[StreetFighterII Guile's]] Sonic Boom and Flash Kick, to the point of being charge attacks as well.

** One of her alternate color schemes in ''XIII'' that restores her braid also gives her a hue resembling [[StreetFighterII Cammy]].

** Given that SNK does enjoy having fun at {{Capcom}}'s expense due to their competing fighters, this and the other tropes aboard the Blacknoah maybe part of a larger joke. Rugal is said to be attempting to become [[WorldsStrongestMan world's strongest fighter]], now look at the sub-title of the first ''StreetFighterII''...[[hottip:*:''The World Warrior'']], after all of that... Look at the collection. Now do the math.

** "Shinkuu Katategoma", "Handou Sandangeri", and "Genei Hurricane" moves are inspired by ''[[TatsunokoProduction Hurricane Polymar]]''.[[hottip:*:[[HilariousInHindsight Funnily enough]], KunihikoYasui, the seiyuu of TheRival to Benimaru's best bud (i.e. Iori Yagami), is Polymar in ''[[TatsunokoVsCapcom Tatsunoko vs. Capcom]]''.]]

** She also pinches a few moves from the Shotoclones, including the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku and in 2001, borrows Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu as an SDM. Her intro in ''2001'' also resembles [[{{Darkstalkers}} Felicia's]].

* Xiao Lon is a rather blatant copy of [[{{Darkstalkers}} Hsien-Ko/Lei-Lei]] in appearance and fighting style. Even developers acknowledged that she was based on a jiang-shi.

** One of his alternate color schemes in ''XIII'' is none other than [[FatalFury Rock Howard]]. The activation of his Neo MAX is similar to his intro with [[StreetFighter Ryu]] in ''[[CapcomVsSNK2MarkOfTheMillennium Capcom vs. SNK 2]]''.

* ''XIII'' [[http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110514173326/snk/images/c/c7/K15.jpg also adds a meter that keeps track of how many drinks Chin Gentsai has stomached,]] much like [[VirtuaFighter Shun Di]]. It seems to have been removed in current builds, though.

** It's been speculated that Kim was named after the Korean president of Viccom (the publisher of the NeoGeo fighter ''Fight Fever'', and SNK's Korean distributer at the time), who had a similar pronunciation to Kim's name (金甲煥). Additionally, Kim's sons are also named after the real Kim's son (Jae Hoon) and younger brother (Dong Hwan). In recent years, the "Kaphwan" part of Kim's has been dropped.

* Lucky Glauber's prototype design and fighting style were based on the character Hakim in the martial arts film, ''Game of Death''. His current design might come from ''Dunk Dream''/''Street Hoop''/''Street Slam'', a sports game for the NeoGeo made by Data East.

* ''XIII'' also adds a meter that keeps track of how many drinks Chin Gentsai has stomached, much like [[VirtuaFighter Shun Di]]. It seems to have been removed in current builds, though.

** Her alternate outfit in ''Maximum Impact 2'' is that of Ai, the OriginalGeneration female lead of ''NeoGeoBattleColiseum''.

** In ''Maximum Impact 2'', he has an alternate costume that makes him resemble Yuki, the OriginalGeneration male protagonist of ''NeoGeoBattleColiseum''.

* Clone Zero is a living shout out to [[FistOfTheNorthStar Han the Rasho]]. His infamous [[FanNickname Zero Fart]] special resembles a method of how Han dispatched a mook in the series.

** One of his alternate color schemes in ''XIII'' is none other than [[FatalFury Rock Howard]]. The activation of his Neo MAX is similar to his intro with [[StreetFighter Ryu]] in ''[[CapcomVsSNK2MarkOfTheMillenium Capcom vs. SNK 2]]''.

* Vanessa's Champion Puncher DM ends with [[HajimeNoIppo a Dempsey Roll, followed by a blistering uppercut.]]

** One of his alternate color schemes in ''XIII'' is none other than [[FatalFury Rock Howard]]. The activation of his Neo MAX is similar to his intro with [[StreetFighter Ryu]] in ''[[CapcomVsSNK2MatchOfTheMillenium Capcom vs. SNK 2]]''.

* When speaking of Rugal's [[AndIMustScream prized "trophies"]] there is one of note that is interesting. It's of a man with a [[StreetFighter familar hairdo, a sleeveless shirt, with military fatigue pants and boots.]] Sadly this man is nameless, but he does have a rather eerie resemblance to a U.S. special forces officer named Guile. Apparently, the point of the resemblance was not lost since in ''[[CapcomVsWhatever Capcom Vs. SNK]]'' the two have an intro of said "trophy" is standing between them and them destroying it.

!Characters and stuff introduced in the Rugal Saga ('94)

** One of his alternate color schemes in ''XIII'' is none other than [[FatalFury Rock Howard]]. The activation of his Neo MAX is similar to his intro with [[StreetFighter Ryu]] in ''[[SNKVsCapcom Capcom vs. SNK 2]]''.

** Although his last name is ''not'' [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Steel]], some fans saw this as a homage to '''Clark''' Kent aka [[{{Comicbook/Superman}} Superman]], The Man of '''Steel'''.

** He was also visually modelled after StevenSeagal and Andy Garcia.

** During the NESTS saga, two of his moves changed to look more and more like Guile's Sonic Boom and Flash Kick, to the point of being charge attacks as well.

** The upper portion of his new (if not somewhat goofy-looking) stance in ''XIII'' seems to be taken from [[BakiTheGrappler Doppo Orochi]]. His Kyokugen Kuzure Geki Neo MAX from the same game ends with a brutal chop similar to Akuma's ''[[SNKVsCapcomSVCChaos Capcom vs. SNK]]''-exclusive [[DeathFromAbove Misogi]].

** One of her alternate color schemes in ''XIII'' that restores her braid also gives her a hue resembling [[StreetFighter Cammy]].
** She also pinches a few moves from the Shotoclones, including the Tatsumaki Senpukyaku and in 2001, borrows Akuma's Shun Goku Satsu as an SDM. Her intro in 2001 also resembles [[{{Darkstalkers}} Felicia's]]

** In XIII, his pre-fight conversation with Maxima references the [[PowerLevels Over 9000]] [[MemeticMutation meme]].

* ''XIII'' gives Andy a [[CharacterCustomization color scheme]] resembling [[{{Dragonball}} Son Goku]].

!Characters and stuff introduced in the Orochi Saga ('95-'98)

* Shermie has a speical similar to [[StoneColdSteveAustin the Stone Cold Stunner]].

!Characters and stuff introduced in the NESTS Saga ('99-2002)
* K9999 is pretty much [[{{Akira}} Tetsuo]] with some Kusanagi DNA thrown in. He goes as far has having the same seiyuu, NozomuSasaki. This came full circle at a point, when Tetsuo's rival was [[strike:Kyo's]] [[{{Akira}} Kusanagi's]] [[MitsuoIwata seiyuu]], followed by them yelling at each other in their shared intro. Bear in mind [[{{Akira}} where the quotes for this intro came]]. He indeed seems to have gone too far, as in ''[[UpdatedReRelease The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match]]'' he has been [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replaced]] by a very similar character called "Nameless".
* Western Shout Outs also exist. For example, Angel uses [[ProfessionalWrestling the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow]] in ''2002''.

* May Lee's "Hero Mode" turns her into ''KamenRider''.

!Characters and stuff introduced in the Ash Saga (2003-XIII)
* Compare this [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:KofXI_poster.jpg promotional poster]] for ''XII'' to that of [[http://capcomdatabase.wikia.com/wiki/File:SFA3Group.png promotional artwork]] for ''StreetFighter Alpha 3''. Specifically, notice the positions of [[FatalFury Terry]][=/=][[ArtOfFighting Ryo]] and [[StreetFighter Ryu]][=/=][[FinalFight Cody]].

!Characters and stuff introduced in other games (''Maximum Impact'', ''Neowave'', etc)
* [[FatalFury Rock Howard]] is a CaptainErsatz of [[LastBlade Kaede]]. {{Lampshaded}} in ''Maximum Impact'', where Kaede is his alternate costume.

* Bonne Jenet is a {{pirate}}, there's the ''Bonne'', and stalks a main character. (Rock Howard in ''Mark of the Wolves'') Yep, she seems to be SNK's matured version of [[MegaManLegends Tron Bonne]].

* Lilly Kane's "Another" costume is modeled after Billy's original outfit from ''Fatal Fury'' and ''KOF '95''.
* One of Nagase's desperation attacks is based around one of [[SamuraiShodown Hanzo Hattori's]] [[WrestlerInAllOfUs special grabs]].

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

** It's been speculated that Kim was named after the Korean president of Viccom (the publisher of NeoGeo fighter ''Fight Fever''), who had a similar pronunciation to Kim's name (金甲煥). Additionally, Kim's sons are also named after the real Kim's son (Jae Hoon) and younger brother (Dong Hwan). In recent years, the "Kaphwan" part of Kim's has been dropped.

There are multiple {{Shout Out}}s to various {{Anime}}, {{Manga}} and {{Toku}} present within the series. Here's the place for every ContinuityNod, MythologyGag, "NoCelebritiesWereHarmed", CaptainErsatz, {{Expy}} and ShoutOut in TheKingOfFighters:

* Robert Garcia is SNK's AlternateCompanyEquivalent to [[Game/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''' ''{{Art of Fighting}}'' came out.

* Ryo is SNK's AlternateCompanyEquivalent to [[Game/StreetFighter Ryu and Ken]], at least [[CharacterDevelopment at first]].

** His intro poses with Kensou in ''KOF '97'' and ''[='98=]'' are a common [[KansaiRegionalAccent Kansai]] shtick.

* Clone Zero is a living shout out to [FistOfTheNorthStar Han the Rasho]]. His infamous [[FanNickname Zero Fart]] special resembles a method of how Han dispatched a mook in the series.

** Other attacks have their namesakes in various anime and manga, including the Benimaru Coleda (''{{Gunbuster}}''), Elec-Trigger (''Super Robot Red Baron''), Flying Drill and Raijiken (''Neo Human Casshern''), and Iai Geri (''Kako Teito: Ore wa Shubei!''). [[hottip:*:DaisukeOno, the seiyuu of Nameless, voices Casshern in ''Tatsunoko vs. Capcom''. See a trend here?]]
* Heidern is an {{Expy}} of [[StreetFighterII M. Bison]] and [[FistOfTheNorthStar the God's Army Colonel]].

** During the NESTS saga, two of his moves changed to look more and more like Guile's Sonic Boom and Razor Kick, to the point of being charge attacks as well.

--> '''Ryo''': "Kyokugen-ougi! ORAORAORAORAORA!!! Moratta!"
* Expect Takuma to throw in the ocassional [[{{Kiai}} battle cry]] of [[KousokuSentaiTurboranger "CHESTO!"]].

* Yuri's taunt in ''KOF '97'' is "Anta baka?" ([[NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka]]'s CatchPhrase) and one of her winposes had her saying "Service, service" (like Misato).

* RockHoward is a CaptainErsatz of [[LastBlade Kaede]]. {{Lampshaded}} in ''Maximum Impact'', where Kaede is his alternate costume.
* Makoto Mizoguchi is an Expy of Momotaro Tsurugi, the protagonist of ''Sakigake!! Otokojuku''.

** Her alternate outfit in ''Maximum Impact 2'' is that of Ai, the OriginalGeneration female lead ''NeoGeoBattleColiseum''.

There are multiple [[ShoutOut Shout Outs]] to various {{Anime}}, {{Manga}} and {{Toku}} present within the series:

** His ''XII[=/=]XIII'' outfit is the same one he wore back in ''Psycho Solider''.
** The PsychoSoldiers team's ending in ''XIII'' is a parody of ''[[ScienceNinjaTeamGatchaman Gatchaman]]'', right down to the silly costumes worn by Kensou (Red), Athena (Blue), Bao (Yellow), and Momoko (Pink). This additionally has led to the FanNickname of "[[PowerRangers Psycho Rangers]]" ([[NamesTheSame no]], [[ThePsychoRangers not]] [[PowerRangersInSpace them]]), complete with a ''SuperSentai''-esque naming scheme for the characters (i.e. Kensou = Psycho Red).

* Benimaru Nikaido was modeled after [[JojosBizarreAdventure Jean-Pierre Polnareff]], and his "Shinkuu Katategoma", "Handou Sandangeri", and "Genei Hurricane" moves are inspired by ''[[TatsunokoProduction Hurricane Polymar]]''. It's funny how both of them [[SNKVsCapcom faced]] [[TatsunokoVsCapcom characters]] from SNK's [[{{Capcom}} rival]] [[CapcomVsWhatever company]].
* ''{{Kinnikuman}}'' references continually pop up throughout the series, in the form of Heidern (and by extension, Leona) taking moves straight from [[ThoseWackyNazis Brocken Jr.'s]] playbook, and Clark and Maxima having variations of the {{Finishing Move}}s of both TheHero and the BigBad of the final arc of the series (The "Clark Spark" and "Maxima Revenger", respectively).
** Clark now has the Clark Special, copying Robin Mask instead of King Muscle.
* In some games, Clark and Ralf will perform the "Cross Changer" transformation sequence from ChoujinSentaiJetman.
* May Lee's "Hero Mode" turns her into ''KamenRider''.
* K9999 is pretty much [[{{Akira}} Tetsuo]] with some Kusanagi DNA thrown in. He goes as far has having the same seiyuu, NozomuSasaki. This came full circle at a point, when Tetsuo's rival was [[strike:Kyo's]] [[{{Akira}} Kusanagi's]] [[MitsuoIwata seiyuu]], followed by them yelling at each other in their shared intro. Bear in mind [[{{Akira}} where the quotes for this intro came]]. He indeed seems to have gone too far, as in ''[[UpdatedReRelease The King of Fighters 2002: Unlimited Match]]'' he has been [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replaced]] by a very similar character called "Nameless".
* Western Shout Outs also exist. For example, Angel uses [[ProfessionalWrestling the Rock Bottom and People's Elbow]] in ''2002''.
* ''[='96=]'' and ''[='97=]'' contain numerous homages to the other hot property at the time, ''NeonGenesisEvangelion''.
* According to his profile, Duo Lon would also fit here as a shout-out to ''VampireHunterD''.
* Compare this [[http://snk.wikia.com/wiki/File:KofXI_poster.jpg promotional poster]] for ''XII'' to that of [[http://capcomdatabase.wikia.com/wiki/File:SFA3Group.png promotional artwork]] for ''StreetFighter Alpha 3''. Specifically, notice the positions of [[FatalFury Terry]][=/=][[ArtOfFighting Ryo]] and [[StreetFighter Ryu]][=/=][[FinalFight Cody]].

* In XIII, Maxima and Kensou's pre-fight conversation references the [[PowerLevels Over 9000]] [[MemeticMutation meme]].

* Maxima is both an hommage to the main character of the SNK BeatEmUp ''Robo Army'' and an expy of Hary Ness from the obscure fighting game ''The Fallen Angels'', whom his character designer worked on before joining SNK.