The Origins and Legacy of the King of Fighters’ "Tiger Team"

The "Tiger Team" in The King of Fighters has its roots in SNK's groundbreaking 1992 release, Art of Fighting. This game was notable for being the first to achieve a 100MB capacity, innovating with facial injury expressions, dynamic camera angles, and the introduction of the super move concept. Players could unleash powerful super moves once their energy gauge was full, and defeating female characters triggered unique clothing damage effects.

The release of Art of Fighting marked a significant milestone in gaming history, laying the groundwork for future titles. Its creation involved a pivotal figure: Takashi Nishiyama, the creator of Street Fighter I. After leaving CAPCOM due to creative differences, Nishiyama joined SNK, where his previously rejected ideas were realized, leading to the creation of Art of Fighting, Fatal Fury, and The King of Fighters. During this time, he also contributed to other classic SNK games.

Art of Fighting tells the story of Takuma Sakazaki, the master of the "Extreme Style" dojo, whose daughter Yuri is kidnapped by the criminal mastermind Mr. Big. Ryo Sakazaki and his friend Robert Garcia set out to rescue her. The game’s large character sprites and zoom functionality made it an immediate hit.

Several key characters in Art of Fighting are inspired by iconic figures from anime and movies. Their move names and concepts often draw directly from manga. Key inspirations include: Shura no Mon, Baki the Grappler, and Macho Man.

Takuma Sakazaki
Takuma Sakazaki, also known as Takuma Sakaki or Takuma Sakazaki, is depicted as a master of the Extreme Style. He is based on Masutatsu Oyama, a renowned Japanese karate master. Oyama’s signature technique, the "Flying Crane Kick," is reflected in Sakazaki’s super moves like "Flying Crane Gale Kick" and "Flying Crane Cyclone Kick." Other techniques, such as "Keima Attack" and "Hisha," are inspired by Japanese chess pieces and traditional martial arts movements. The "Three Battle Types" and the super move "Tiger Kill Formation" are inspired by martial arts manga.

Ryo Sakazaki
Ryo Sakazaki, often transliterated as "Ryo Sakazaki," is also known as "Ryo Sakaki" or "Ryo Sakazaki" in Hong Kong comics. His move "Tiger Roar" is inspired by Mutsuki Kizaki’s "Tiger Cannon" from Shura no Mon. In Art of Fighting, Ryo is depicted as the "Invincible Dragon," while Robert Garcia is the "Strongest Tiger." These nicknames draw from real-life martial artists Kyokushin’s Masutatsu Oyama and Shidokan’s Yoshinobu Inaba. Ryo’s techniques often bear the "Tiger" name, contrasting with Robert’s "Dragon" moves, reflecting SNK’s playful approach to character design.

Robert Garcia
Robert Garcia’s character is inspired by American martial artist and actor Steven Seagal, known for his realistic combat skills. Seagal, the first foreigner to establish a dojo in Japan, heavily influences Robert’s design. Robert’s moves, such as the "Head Cutter Throw," are inspired by TECMO’s Ninja Gaiden. His super move "Nine-Headed Dragon Flash" is drawn from Kenshin Himura’s aerial attack in Rurouni Kenshin.

Yuri Sakazaki, Takuma's daughter, made a notable impact by incorporating elements from Street Fighter, parodying the "Annihilation Fist" with similar moves to Ken's "Shoryuken" and Ryu's "Shinryuken." Her character and moves parody popular fighting game elements and characters, showcasing SNK’s playful engagement with its competitors.

The intricate character backgrounds and design inspirations highlight SNK's creativity and the game's significant impact on the fighting game genre. As we explore these classic characters, we gain a deeper appreciation for SNK's contributions to gaming history.

Stay tuned for more insights into classic characters and their origins in future posts.