History ShoutOut / TheKingOfFighters

* Clone Zero is a living shout out to [[Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar Han the Rasho]] from the Shura saga. His infamous [[FanNickname Zero Fart]] special resembles a method of how Han dispatched a mook in the series. Some of his other special moves are named after techniques used by the Shura Generals in ''Fist of the North Star''.

[[caption-width-right:350:Tropers, meet K9999. ''[[SarcasmMode Totally]]'' not [[Manga/{{Akira}} Tetsuo]] in any way, right?]]

!Characters and stuff introduced in ''XV''

* 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.

* Dolores's design resembles [[ComicBook/XMen Storm]], with abilities that call the [[Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay T-1000]] and [[LightNovel/FateZero Volumen Hydragram]] to mind.

* Dolores is a cross between [[ComicBook/XMen Storm]] design-wise, with abilities that call the [[Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay T-1000]] and [[LightNovel/FateZero Volumen Hydragram]] to mind.

There are multiple [[ShoutOut Shout-Outs]] to various {{Anime}}, {{Manga}}, and {{Toku}} present within the series. Here's the place for every ContinuityNod, MythologyGag, NoCelebritiesWereHarmed, CaptainErsatz, {{Expy}}, and ShoutOut in ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''.

!Characters and stuff introduced in The Rugal Saga (''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters94'')

!Characters and stuff introduced in The Orochi Saga (''[[VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters95 '95]]-[='98=]'')

!Characters and stuff introduced in The Tales of Ash (''2003-XIII'')

!Characters and stuff introduced in ''XIV''

!Characters and stuff introduced in other games (''Maximum Impact'', ''Neowave'', etc.)

!Characters and stuff introduced in The Orochi Saga (''[='95=]-[='98=]'')

!Characters and stuff introduced in The Rugal Saga (''[='94=]'')

** Terry's taunt in ''2002'' has him say "[[Memes/TouhouProject Take it easy!]]"

** He was also visually modeled after Creator/StevenSeagal and to a lesser extent to Creator/AndyGarcia, although his ''AoF 1-2'' / ''KoF '94-'95'' clothing was based on Frankie Santana from the final season of ''Series/TheATeam''.

** He was also visually modeled after Steven Seagal and Andy Garcia.

* 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'' 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, as 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'' or ''Gwang Tin Lung fo Wooi'' (played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai fighter 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, as 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'' (played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai fighter Saskia Merk van Rijswijk). This includes having her shirt ripped off revealing her chest and gender (this instance happened in both ''Art of Fighting'' and ''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 henchwoman in the movie ''China White'' (played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai fighter Saskia Merk van Rijswijk). This includes having her shirt ripped off revealing her chest and gender (this instance happened in both ''Art of Fighting'' and ''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 henchwoman in the movie ''China White'' (played by Dutch actress and Muay Thai fighter Saskia Merk van Rijswijk). This includes having her shirt ripped off revealing her chest and gendr (both instances happened in ''Art of Fighting'' and ''China White'').

* Oswald is based on [[DeathDealer card master]] Tubalcain Alhambra, one of the first notable villains of ''[[Manga/{{Hellsing}}]]''. His name is probably based on [[WhoShotJFK Lee Harvey Oswald]].

** His Striker (and [[WhatCouldHaveBeen prototype design]]), Syo Kirishima, was meant to resemble common fighting games martial artists (in terms of clothes) at the time.

** In the ''XI'' backstory, Adel gives Heidern the nickname "Heidi", the eponymous protagonist of a German novel.

** Her "Disposition Frog" Super Desperation Move ends with her striking Sailor Moon's iconic In the Name of the Moon pose. She also shares other ''{{anime}}'' references, like her "Shining Thunder Blow" (which is probably a reference to Shaina's "Thunder Claw" from ''Manga/SaintSeiya'') and some references to ''Franchise/DragonBall''.

* Igniz' prideful personality, {{Bishounen}} looks, choice of clothing and [[spoiler: treason against his superior]] are based on Oskar von Reuenthal from ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'', even [[Creator/NorioWakamoto sharing the same voice actor]] -- in addition, he has a penchant for screaming "Feuer!" (German for "Fire!", although technically ''Galactic Heroes'' uses the mispelled "Faieru") when shooting lasers, just like the German-speaking Imperial army commanders do. His "Galient Sword" wrist-mounted [[WhipSword whip blades]] are based on the Galient Blade from ''Anime/PanzerWorldGalient'', and his "Irys Lance" [[ClothingCombat coattails]] are based on the CombatTentacles of Irys from ''Film/Gamera3AwakeningOfIrys''.

* Kusanagi, the Kyo clone, references Domon Kasshu from ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'' with his one of his super moves ("Ore no Kobushi wa Makka ni Moero!" = "This fist of mine is burning red!").

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

* '''Gato''' from ''VideoGame/GarouMarkOfTheWolves'' is based on Retsu Kaioh from ''Manga/BakiTheGrappler''. His "Reiga" / "Zero Fang" is identical to Retsu's "Tenrenge" / "Spinning Lotus" neckbreaker.

* Both K' and Maxima are remodelled humans fighting against the ones who modified them, just like ''Manga/Cyborg009'' and ''Franchise/KamenRider'' -- in fact, Maxima's story of avenging a friend by letting himself be modified by his friend's assassin is taken straight out ot ''Series/KamenRiderStronger''. Their names are taken from a VOTOMS spin-off ''Blue Knight Beserga Story'', namely K' (a clone of main character [=Kane McDougall=]) and the mecha [=ATM-FX1 Zerberus VR-Maxima=].

* May Lee is one big shout out to Japanese superheroes.
** Her "Hero Mode" basically turns her into Franchise/KamenRider.
** "May the End" has her strike a Kamen Rider pose, complete with [[DefeatEqualsExplosion an explosion]].
** Her "Disposition Frog" Super Desperation Move ends with her striking Franchise/SailorMoon's iconic InTheNameOfTheMoon pose.

** The names of all of her moves are song titles from left-wing Japanese band Soul Flower Union.

* Li Xiangfei's moveset is filled with name references to Osaka (SNK's former hometown) written in chinese ''kanji'', like "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namba Nanba]]", "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tenpo Tenpōzan]]", "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senri-Chuo_Station Senri-Chūō]]" [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_International_Airport Kankū]] / [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinsaibashi Shinsaibachi]], "[[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B1%9F%E5%9D%82 Esaka]]", and "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Commemoration_Park Bampaku kōen]]" / [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_%2770 E Ku Su Po (EXPO)]]. ''Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition'' also gives her techniques named "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-Senri_Station Kita-Senri]]" (also the name of a SNK illustrator) and "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suita Suita]]".

** Some of his move names are taken out of ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'', namely "Savage Firecat" and "Birds of Paradise".

* Seth looks like [[VideoGame/RivalSchools Boman Delgado]].
* Hinako's "Daisharin Nodowa Otoshi" special move from ''2002: Unlimited Match'' is a reference to wrestler Akira Taue (of [[Wrestling/AllJapanProWrestling AJPW]] / [[Wrestling/ProWrestlingNOAH NOAH]] fame) 's "Nodowa Otoshi" chokeslam. Taue himself had a background in Sumo just like Hinako, and his chokeslam was inspired by the permitted ''nodowa'' throw.

** Likewise, Zero shares name and palette with Black Sword Zero from ''Manga/SpaceAdventureCobra'', even sharing a quote ("The only one who exceeds Zero is a Zero").

* Both K' and Maxima are remodelled humans fighting against the ones who modified them, just like 'Manga/Cyborg009'' and ''Franchise/KamenRider'' -- in fact, Maxima's story of avenging a friend by letting himself be modified by his friend's assassin is taken straight out ot ''Series/KamenRiderStronger''. Their names are taken from a VOTOMS spin-off ''Blue Knight Beserga Story'', namely K' (a clone of main character [=Kane McDougall=]) and the mecha [=ATM-FX1 Zerberus VR-Maxima=].

** His new super move in ''2002: Unlimited Match'', "Disintegrational Universe", is copied from Gemini Saga's super move in ''Manga/SaintSeiya'', "Galaxian Explosion". Likewise, his tactic after being defeated is [[ColonyDrop letting his satellite fall to earth]], ''Franchise/{{Gundam}} style.