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A new gaming generation means another new King of Fighters game to rival Capcom’s offering. The King of Fighters XV was announced and features a nifty art style, some new battle mechanics in its 3v3 combat, and the return of fan favourites.
Here are the revealed characters so far, each with their own trailers.
Team Rival
Isla
This KOF newcomer fights with her kicks and magic hands. She has great footsies and buttons, a plethora of air moves, and a sick DM dropkick that can be used in many, many combos.
Dolores
Another newcomer to KOF, Dolores has a mix of grapples and footsie tools to deal good damage.
Heidern
Love defensive charge motion characters? Heidern is your man.
Team Krohnen
Krohnen
It’s K9999/Nameless but for KOF XV. He’s got the drill moves, the close-ranged flames, and a Super DM where he launches a giant arm into your face.
Angel
The most complex grappler-esque character to use in fighting games is back and is dressed as tasteful as ever.
Kula Diamond
The anti-K’ has a new snowman-summoning move in addition to her projectile, her ice-skating spin-kick moves, and her ever-useful giant icicle DM.
Team Hero
Shun’ei
Your main character for this KOF. He plays like he does in KOF XIV, with his aerial attacks, his anti-air, and projectile moves.
Meitenkun
This sleepyhead fights with a modified version of the Drunken Fist way involving his pillow, just like in KOF XIV.
Benimaru
This latest reveal of Benimaru proves that EX moves can be pulled off even without being in MAX mode.
Team Sacred Treasures
Chizuru Kagura
The KOF ’96 mid-boss is back and is helping Kyo and Iori out with mystical legendary flames and stuff. She still has her previous illusion-based moveset, along with a new orb-related DM.
Iori Yagami
Everybody’s favourite murderous bass player is back. He has his old moves back (he’s an SNK-style shoto with uppercuts, projectiles, 3-hit special chain), though he learned a few new tricks. He can use the EX version of his 212 Shiki Kotosuki move to OTG opponents for an extra hit.
Kyo Kusanagi
The KOF mainstay is obviously back. He has kept most of his moves from KOF’98 and KOF’99, from his Rekkas to his R.E.D. Kick, which now has juggle properties when using the EX version.
Team Orochi
Yashiro
Shermie
Chris
The trio that bookended the Orochi saga in KOF is back and possibly better than ever. The three fighters still retain their moves from KOF ’97/KOF ’98/KOF 2002, albeit with new cancel and EX move options.
Ikari Team
Leona
Ralf/Clark
Fatal Fury Team
Terry Bogard
Andy Bogard
Joe Higashi
Joe Higashi is best known for his Muay Thai fighting style. He made his debut in 1991’s Fatal Fury King Of Fighters and last appeared in 2016’s The King Of Fighters XIV. He’s not the best at combos, but he does hit hard, has good range, and has a decent projectile.
Team Art of Fighting
Ryo/Robert Garcia
King
Team K’
K’
Whip
Maxima
Team Superheroine
Mai Shiranui
Fatal Fury’s sexy ninja, she has her slew of fast moves, divekicks, and fan projectiles. Speaking of which, the EX version of her fan has an extra bounce property ala Guilty Gear Anji’s butterfly.
Athena Asamiya
Yuri Sakazaki
Team Secret Agent
Vanessa
Blue Mary
Luong
Team G.A.W
Ramon
Speedy grappler with mixups and crossups aplenty. He’s a tough one to keep away thanks to his mobility.
Antonov
Slow heavy hitter with big moves. Has less combo potential compared to the cast, but he slaps hard.
King of Dinosaurs
Heel Tizoc. Big moves, great command grabs, pretty slow.
Characters Who Aren’t In Teams Yet
Kukri
Ash Crimson
Prettyboy Guile archetype. Has a DM where he temporarily has no charge time for all his moves.
Elisabeth Blanctorche
Straight out of KOF XI and KOF XIII, Elisabeth Blanctorche has magic light powers that she can use to teleport back and forth, as well as do close-up attacks that hit pretty hard but isn’t as combo-savvy compared to the rest of her mid-sized peers.
