The Complete Story of the Fatal Fury Franchise

There's no denying that SNK was one of the most important fighting game producers in history, and the company accumulated several high-quality titles and became synonymous with excellence in the genre. Among them is The King of Fighters, SNK's biggest fighting game franchise, which is based on one of the company's most innovative and different fighting games: Fatal Fury, or as it was originally known, Garou Densetsu.

And to understand the trajectory of this beloved franchise, we need to revisit its origins and see how, in an ironic twist of fate, one of the best games ever produced by SNK was created with the indirect participation of their main rival in the arcades: Capcom.

Let's talk a little about the origin of the Fatal Fury franchise and its story, going through the three main games and preparing for the launch of Garou: City of Wolves and, if you have any questions, leave a comment.

After the release of Street Fighter, its creator and producer, Takashi Nishiyama, was interested in greatly expanding the game's potential. He wanted to focus on a cinematic story, innovate with the mechanics and make the game much bigger than the first one.

Many of his ideas for the first game had already met a lot of reluctance from the company to be implemented, such as the pressure button in SF arcades, where the force with which the player pressed down on the button defined the strength of the character's blow (something that was expensive and broke easily, so it was implemented only in a few machines distributed in Japan), which left him quite dissatisfied with the Japanese producer.

It was then that he received a job offer from SNK, who saw the potential to refine his ideas and include them in a game. Feeling limited at Capcom, Nishiyama saw a tempting opportunity: even though he couldn't use the Street Fighter name, he’d have complete freedom to develop a new fighting game any way he wanted.

SNK hired not only Nishiyama, but also several members of Capcom's development team, resulting in the creation of what many consider to be the true sequel to Street Fighter, but now under a new name: Art of Fighting! The game brought a breath of fresh air to the genre, introducing the all-new Danger Move, a move which was a precursor to the special moves that would become standard in fighting games.

In Art of Fighting, when players filled up a secondary energy bar, it required them to press a sequence of buttons to then unleash a devastating blow. This move was also available when the player's energy was very low, hence the name “Danger Move.”

Fatal Fury was released on November 25, 1991, and brought with it several ideas that Nishiyama was unable to implement in the first Street Fighter. Among its innovations were the two-plane combat system, which allowed the player to switch between the background and foreground of the scenario to evade attacks, and a simplified control scheme, with just three buttons (punch, kick and grab). The gameplay was fluid and dynamic, offering normal and special attacks for all characters.

SNK also innovated by introducing co-op battles: in two-player matches, both players each faced an enemy and, at the end of the fight, had to duel each other to determine who would continue in the tournament. Art of Fighting was connected directly to the story of Fatal Fury: the plot is set 10 years before the events of the first Fatal Fury, and its sequel, Art of Fighting 2 (1994), deepens the story of Geese Howard's rise in the underworld of South Town, telling us the events that led to the murder of Terry and Andy Bogard's father.

Set in the fictional South Town, the game revolved around brothers Terry and Andy Bogard and their friend, Muay Thai champion Joe Higashi. Geese Howard, an underworld boss, is searching for the greatest secrets of the martial arts and, to achieve this, challenges and kills fighter Jeff Bogard in front of his sons, Terry and Andy. The young men decide to take revenge and spend years training for it, waiting for an opportunity to one day face off against Geese.

After this traumatic event, the brothers split up: Terry remained in America with Tung Fu Rue, strengthening his martial arts skills even further and facing the strongest opponents he could find across the country, while Andy was sent to Japan to train with Hanzo Shiranui, an old friend of his father, learning the ninja art of the Shiranui style.

Years later, Geese Howard, now a powerful crime boss who controls the city with an iron fist, is bored by not finding opponents up to his standards. He decides to organize a martial arts tournament, the King of Fighters, to attract the best fighters in the world and find a worthy opponent.

Seeing this as their chance to get revenge, Terry and Andy sign up for the tournament and, with the help of Andy's friend, Joe Higashi, they face several opponents to reach the grand finale and fight Geese. SNK took advantage of the power of the Neo Geo to create large, well-animated sprites, with sophisticated visual effects that gave depth to the battles and helped the game become one of the greatest fighting franchises of all time.

In addition to the three characters that could be chosen by the player, the roster of fighters was quite diverse and interesting. Among the characters who stood out were:

• Michael Max, an undefeated heavyweight boxer champion, whose career was cut short after a street fight that nearly resulted in the death of his opponent. Expelled from the official circuit, he entered the tournament to feel once more the adrenaline of fighting and test his boxing skills.

• Raiden, an extremely effective and dangerous fighter with his grappling techniques, who caught Geese Howard’s attention. He hired Raiden as one of his personal bodyguards and entered him into the tournament.

• Richard Mayer, owner of the Pao Pao Café, the Brazilian capoeira fighter entered the tournament to draw public attention to both his sport and his establishment. His stage has a unique mechanic that allows Richard to hold onto bars on the ceiling of the stage and deliver kicks, making him a very dangerous opponent.

So, Fatal Fury not only marked the beginning of SNK's golden age of fighting games, but also profoundly influenced the genre, setting standards that would be followed for decades. If you want to know this story in detail, it’s worth playing the first two Art of Fighting games and then Fatal Fury, to see how the plot develops and connects these two iconic SNK franchises.

In 1992, now with a solid fan base, SNK dedicated themselves to create a more polished sequel to rival the massive success of Street Fighter II. Fatal Fury 2’s highlight was the introduction of "Desperation Moves", powerful moves that were triggered when the fighter's energy bar flashed, allowing for exciting comebacks.

Both the "Desperation Moves" and the new movement commands were innovations that no other fighting game had implemented until 1992, proving that SNK was determined to compete on equal grounds with Street Fighter II.

The character roster was revamped, featuring eight selectable fighters from the start and four more secret bosses, accessible by defeating all opponents. The main trio from the first game received visual updates, and the characters were improved with more sprites, resulting in smoother and more detailed animations.

SNK also raised the bar on the design, introducing diverse and detailed stages with multiple layers and a rich color palette, in addition to a memorable soundtrack that helped intensify the atmosphere of the fights.

With each new release, the company strengthened its player base, soon gathering a legion of fans who were eager for the next titles over the years. Fatal Fury 2 also kept the tradition of differentiating the series from other fighting games of the time, having an elaborate plot that justified the actions and motivations of the participants in the new King of Fighters tournament.

The story introduced a powerful fighter named Wolfgang Krauser. Unbeatable in technique and strength, he became curious to meet and fight the man who defeated the legendary South Town crime boss, Geese Howard. He organizes a new The King of Fighters tournament and calls back the hungry wolf Terry Bogard to fight him. Andy Bogard, still bitter about being defeated by Geese, enters the tournament to defeat his brother and prove that he’s the more powerful out of the two, and Joe Higashi, Andy's friend, enters the tournament to also prove his strength.

The new cast has some interesting additions and new features:

• One of the highlights is the first appearance of one of the most iconic fighting game characters of all time, Mai Shiranui, a student of the Shiranui clan's ninja arts style and Andy's promised bride to be, who entered the tournament to demand that the young man fulfill his promise.

• Kim Kaphwan, an honorable and skilled Taekwondo fighter, who’s in the tournament to prove his skill and win over Terry Bogard. Kim is one of the kindest fighters there is, and uses his martial arts to fight criminals.

• Jubei Yamada is a legendary judo master who takes part in the tournament in Fatal Fury 2 to prove that he’s still a formidable fighter despite his age. He also seeks to face off against his old friend and rival, Tung Fu Rue.

In 1993, SNK decided to release Fatal Fury Special, a premium version of the game, which brought several improvements, extra characters and new stadiums. The main difference in this version was the technical focus because SNK removed the canonical storyline but kept the gameplay and combat balance. The secret fighter Ryo Sakazaki was also included, the star of the Art of Fighting title, who made a welcome appearance in the game.

In 1995, with the franchise already established, SNK released Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory, bringing significant evolution in gameplay and story. This time, the game moved away from the traditional tournament format, focusing on a more elaborate plot and the threat posed by a new group of enemies.

One of the main innovations was the reformulation of the battle plane system. Now, instead of just two battle planes, characters could move between three distinct ones, allowing for more strategic depth in fights. In addition, “Desperation Moves” were improved, and were accompanied by the new “Super Desperation Moves”, even more devastating specials that could only be executed under specific conditions.

The roster of characters underwent a major overhaul. Although Terry, Andy and Joe returned, several fighters from Fatal Fury 2 and Special were replaced by new faces. SNK introduced five new characters, as well as three secret bosses, expanding the series’ universe. The graphics also received major enhancement, with more detailed sprites, refined animations and vibrant environments that brought an even greater sense of immersion.

Terry Bogard and his friends return to South Town and find out that the brothers Jin Chonshu and Jin Chonrei are after the Qin Scrolls, artifacts that grant power and immortality. In the midst of this search, Ryuji Yamazaki, a violent criminal hired to recover the scrolls, appears. Blue Mary, an investigative agent, and Hon-Fu, a Hong Kong police officer, also get involved in the fight to stop Yamazaki.

After several battles, Terry faces Chonrei and defeats him, making him realize the dangers of the power he was after. In the end, the scrolls are sealed but Yamazaki escapes, making it clear that crime in South Town is far from over. The new characters brought variety and depth to the cast:

• Blue Mary, a combat agent who’s a specialist in Sambo, and is investigating the activities of the Jin family.

• Hon-Fu, a Hong Kong police officer who masters the nunchaku and seeks to capture criminals.

• Franco Bash, a kickboxer motivated by revenge against the Jin family.

• Sokaku Mochizuki, an exorcist monk who fights to contain the dark powers of the Jin.

• Ryuji Yamazaki, a violent mercenary and one of the most brutal villains in the series.

• Bob Wilson, a capoeira fighter and apprentice of Richard Mayer.

With this new title, SNK not only improved the gameplay, but also further developed the Fatal Fury universe, paving the way for future games in the franchise and consolidating even more its identity in the world of fighting games.

With the success of Fatal Fury Special, SNK continued to improve their games and attract players from all over the world. The main Fatal Fury trilogy concluded with Real Bout Fatal Fury in 1995, establishing the series' prestige and leaving an important legacy in the 2D fighting game genre that sought to further refine the Fatal Fury formula, with new mechanics and an engaging storyline.

This time, the focus was on more realistic battles and more fluid combat, with fighters being able to move freely between the two battle planes, without the limitations of previous games.

The cast of characters has been revamped again, with the return of favorites like Terry, Mai, and Joe, as well as the introduction of new faces like Raiden, Yamazaki, and Hon-Fu, each bringing their own motivations and stories to the tournament.

The game's story, which works both as a reboot and a sequel, refines the events of the first game and revolves around Geese Howard, who returns to avenge his past defeat and to fight for control of South Town. Terry and his friends find themselves once again in the middle of a battle for the city, facing off against a new threat. Geese, now more dangerous, seeks to destroy Terry and anyone else who challenges him. The fighters, each with their own agendas, unite against this growing evil, leading to a final showdown.

Additionally, the game maintains the focus on intense and dynamic combat, with the addition of “Real Bout Moves”, more powerful special moves that help to further differentiate the fighting styles. SNK also had a greater focus on the story, exploring each fighter’s personal motives and the bonds between them.

With its more mature plot and new mechanics, Real Bout solidified SNK’s reputation, keeping fans hungry for more and leaving a significant mark on the franchise, although the Real Bout Fatal Fury subseries do influence the Fatal Fury series canon, they do so in different ways. They advance the story and introduce new characters and events, but aren’t as crucial to the main plot of the franchise as the initial titles.

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (1997)

Although this game is an enhanced version of Real Bout Fatal Fury, it doesn’t have a major influence on the main plot. The plot itself doesn’t really advance the canon significantly, since it basically retells the ending of the previous game and keeps Geese as the main antagonist, despite him already being defeated.

The focus is more on gameplay and game balance, and many of the additional characters, such as Billy Kane and Eiji Kisaragi, don’t have much of an impact on the central story, although Eiji does appear in future titles like The King of Fighters.

Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers (1998)

This game brings new characters and is a direct continuation of Real Bout Fatal Fury. However, it doesn’t change the course of the Fatal Fury story. The introduction of new characters, such as the aviator Alfred and the insane final boss White (who, after being defeated, still attacks you treacherously and can reverse the outcome of the fight), doesn’t change the main timeline, but does expand the universe with new fighters.

The game basically keeps the events of the Fatal Fury series going, but doesn’t create major changes in the central plot or in the dynamics of the main characters. It also introduces a new level of rivalry and fight for control of South Town.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves was released in 1999 for arcades. It represented an evolution in fighting games and redirected its focus to a more mature narrative and to the new generation of characters who inherited the legacies of the past.

This time, the story focuses on Rock Howard, Geese's biological son who was adopted by Terry Bogard. This duality shapes the core of the plot, exploring internal conflicts and the search for identity and redemption. Rock finds himself torn between the dark traits of his biological father's legacy and the ethics and warrior spirit he learned from his adoptive father.

Garou: Mark of the Wolves follows along this storyline, but directs its narrative to a new generation. The protagonist grew up learning the values ​​of honor and justice from Terry, but internally deals with the controversial legacy of his biological father. This contradiction is the central point of the game, which shows Rock trying to define his own identity in the middle of family conflicts and under the shadow of a violent past. The story is told in a straightforward way, addressing the challenges of reconciling inheritance and personal freedom.

The South Town setting is still present in Garou, but with an updated approach that reflects the evolution of the scenario. The martial arts tournament is the element which brings all the fighters together, functioning as the stage for the confrontations that also carry personal meanings.

Rock grew up without knowing his biological father and developed a strong respect for Terry, who taught him how to fight. Despite this, Rock carries doubts about his past and feels the need to understand more about his origins.

The "King of Fighters: Maximum Mayhem" tournament is announced in South Town, now under the control of a man named Kain R. Heinlein. Kain is the younger brother of Marie Heinlein, who was Rock's mother, so he’s the protagonist's maternal uncle. He believes that Rock needs to free himself from Terry's shadow to become stronger and devises a plan to make him abandon his mentor.

During the tournament, Rock faces several fighters, each having their own reasons for participating. When he reaches the finals, he discovers that Kain is the organizer and that his intention was to lure him there. After a difficult fight, Rock defeats Kain. In the end, Kain reveals that Rock's mother may still be alive, which shocks the young fighter. After being hit with this revelation, Rock makes an unexpected decision: he leaves Terry behind and decides to follow Kain, hoping to learn more about his family and his past.

In addition to Rock Howard, Garou's roster of characters is made up of fighters who have their own stories, each bringing traits of their personality, ambitions and secrets that enrich the tournament's narrative.

• Marco Rodrigues is a karate master who follows the teachings of the Kyokugenryu style. He wants to prove that his school is still strong and respected, especially after the absence of its founders. To do so, he enters the tournament to demonstrate his skills and promote the dojo.

• Tizoc is a masked wrestler who wants to inspire people with his strength and technique. He has become a popular figure within the professional circuit and sees the tournament as a chance to test his ability against truly dangerous opponents.

• Hotaru Futaba is a young martial artist who’s searching for her missing brother. She enters the tournament believing that she can find clues to his whereabouts there. Her fighting style is graceful and disciplined, reflecting her calm and determined personality.

• Gato is a cold and extremely skilled fighter who seeks revenge against his own father. He has no interest in the tournament itself, but sees it as an opportunity to track down his target. His reserved and ruthless demeanor makes him one of the most dangerous competitors in the tournament.

Garou also focuses on fluid gameplay and precise controls, but without overcomplicating the mechanics. Unlike Fatal Fury's two-plane system, the game opts for more linear combat, making it easier for players to execute attacks and techniques. The quality of the graphics, having detailed animations and effects that highlight the Neo Geo’s potential, guarantees a visual experience consistent with SNK's legacy, combining tradition with innovation.

In 2025, the sequel to Garou will arrive for next-gen consoles and PC, bringing back Terry, Rock and new fighters to South Town in Garou: City of the Wolves. We don't know what the plot will be yet, but the game will mark the return of classic characters, such as Mai Shiranui, who returns to South Town to fight new villains. The roster will feature 22 fighters, including Tizoc, Rock Howard, and Terry Bogard. Also, the game will introduce a new RPG mode called "Episodes of South Town", which will expand the story of the franchise started in 1991.

Now, tell me: do you like the Fatal Fury series? Do you have a favorite character? Are you waiting for the next game as eagerly as I am? Leave a comment and let's talk about this incredible fighting game series!