The King of Fighters XV
Officially THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV (KOF XV)
SNK's 2022 fighting game — 15TH main entry in landmark KING OF FIGHTERS series (started 1994). 3-VS-3 TEAM FIGHTING (each player brings 3 characters, sequentially fought in order chosen). 39 characters (all classic + new). Uses UNREAL ENGINE 4 for detailed 3D-look 2D fighter. EVO 2022, 2023 official; rebuilding scene after KOFXIV's struggles.
Quick facts
Category
Esports
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~8 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Released February 17, 2022 by SNK Corporation. 15th mainline King of Fighters entry (series started 1994 with KOF '94). DLC Team Passes 1-4 with additional characters (Rock, Krohnen, Sylvie, Whip, Kim Kaphwan, etc.).
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
DEFEAT OPPONENT'S ENTIRE 3-CHARACTER TEAM before yours falls; character order chosen strategically pre-match.
Rules
Basic rules
3-VS-3 TEAM FORMAT: bring 3 characters; loser stays defeated + next comes in for follow-up round; incoming character retains FULL HEALTH
Signature team-elimination format.
4-BUTTON layout: LP (light punch), LK (light kick), HP (heavy punch), HK (heavy kick)
Signature 4-button system.
MAX MODE: activate 1-bar to speed up character + enhance moves for limited time
Signature MAX Mode.
SHATTER STRIKE: universal armored attack (1 stock) — armor through opponent's move + guard-crushes on hit
Signature Shatter Strike.
SUPER SPECIAL MOVES (2-3 bar): powerful cinematic supers; can COMBINE into 'CLIMAX SUPERS' (3-bar signature finish)
Signature Climax Super moves.
39 CHARACTERS: 4 characters per team (base game 39) — Kyo, Iori, Terry, Athena, Mai, Ryo, Chizuru, Meitenkun, Kula + many more
Signature large SNK roster.
ROLLBACK NETCODE — significantly improved from XIV's delay-based; enabled international play
Signature online improvement.
Scoring
First team to eliminate opponent's 3 characters wins the set.
Win condition · Defeat all 3 opponent team members.
Equipment
PC (Windows via Steam / Epic) OR PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Multi-platform.
Fight stick / arcade stick / hitbox / controller / keyboard
Wide input options.
Terminology
- Team order
- Strategic pre-match choice of which character plays first / second / third.
- MAX Mode
- Meter-consuming buff mode with special combo cancels.
- Shatter Strike
- Universal armored offensive tool.
- Climax Super
- Signature 3-bar cinematic super finish.
- Hop
- Short jump — signature SNK KOF movement mixup.
- EX Move
- Enhanced special move consuming 0.5-1 bar.
Major competitions
EVO Championship Series (KOF XV main-lineup 2022+)
annual · USA + regional qualifiers · since 1996
SNK World Championship (SNK's official tour)
annual · Global · since 2022
SoCal Regionals + Combo Breaker + Frosty Faustings (majors)
annual · USA majors · since 2000
Where it is played
Governing bodies
SNK Corporation (developer/publisher)
Founded 1978 · Osaka, Japan
EVO Championship Series (host)
Founded 1996 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Xiao Hai (CN, KOF world champion + KOF XIV EVO 2016 winner)
- ET (TW, veteran KOF pro)
- Reynald (MX/US, KOF world champion)
- Mago (JP, top KOF XV player)
- Dune (JP, top KOF XV player)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — The King of Fighters XV— Wikipedia
- KOF XV official— SNK