IN a press release on April 20th, SNK announced the release of The King Of Fighters: The Ultimate History, in a collaboration with Bitmap Books. Priced at USD$45.50, The Ultimate History seeks to be a fully comprehensive collection of the franchise’s thirty year history. This is a first – no official source covering the extensive lore of the franchise has ever been released until now. The book is scheduled to release this summer.
The King Of Fighters is an iconic and celebrated franchise within the genres of fighting games. The King Of Fighters franchise started in 1994 with the release of The King Of Fighters. However, some of its characters, such as Terry Bogard, were first seen in 1991’s Fatal Fury: King Of Fighters.
Since then, The King Of Fighters has seen a grand total of fifteen entries. The newest entry, The King Of Fighters XV , has released this year to critical acclaim and praise from fans. The series has also seen a surge in popularity as a result of its recent crossovers. In 2017, major antagonist Geese would appear in Tekken 7 while his rival, Terry Bogard, would appear in Super Smash Brothers. Ultimate.
The Ultimate History also contains an aesthetic history of the series. Filled with concept art, sprite-work and discussions with the original creative talent – it is a tribute to legacy of the series. The King Of Fighters is well known for its sleek and modern identity. Who wouldn’t be interested in a behind-the-scenes look?
The All-Star edition of The Ultimate History also seems to contain exclusive content. It is bundled with art prints and a postcard done by lead artist and creative director Eisuke Ogura. A unique slipcase is also provided for the book, which features touch-panels that recreate in-game noises. The All-Star edition is priced at USD$71.50.
The King Of Fighters has an enormous history, both in and outside of the game itself. The Ultimate History is great not just for fans who want to show off their love for the franchise – but also for newcomers, who might want to get into the series and learn all about it.
That, or you might just think Terry is really cool. BUSTER WOLF!
