《格鬥天王94》（The King of Fighters '94，簡稱KOF '94）是SNK於1994年推出的劃時代2D格鬥遊戲，開啟該系列的輝煌篇章。它不僅融合多款經典SNK遊戲的角色，還開創全新的團隊對戰概念，對格鬥遊戲史產生深遠影響。

故事設定由神秘富豪「盧卡爾‧伯恩斯坦」（Rugal Bernstein）舉辦的全球格鬥大賽中。盧卡爾是殘忍且強大的國際犯罪頭目，他以娛樂為目的，發送寫著「R」的邀請卡，請來自各地頂尖格鬥家參賽，並將打敗的對手製作成雕像以彰顯自己的優越。將控制來自不同國家的隊伍，在比賽中挑戰其他格鬥團隊，最終面對盧卡爾這位最終頭目。共有8隻隊伍，分別是日本、義大利、墨西哥、巴西、英國、美國、韓國。最終舞台在航空母艦上，需要擊敗最終頭目兩場才能全破。

盧卡爾的野心與比賽的真實意圖成為系列劇情的起點，他的存在象徵著對正義與力量的挑戰，也為後續的「大蛇篇」埋下伏筆，最終被來自日本的主角草薙京所擊敗。

核心設計以「團隊戰鬥」為特色，創造全新格鬥模式。與以往單人對決不同，遊戲將角色分為三人一組的固定隊伍。每場比賽由雙方隊伍依序派出角色，採用「接力賽」的形式進行戰鬥，直到一方全員被擊敗。操作方面，延續SNK的四按鍵系統，分別對應輕拳、重拳、輕腳和重腳，並加入以下特性：

能量槽系統：透過蓄氣填滿能量槽，釋放必殺技或強化攻擊，增加戰鬥的策略性。

翻滾閃避：可用來閃避攻擊，帶來更多的防守和進攻選擇。

必殺技：每位角色擁有專屬的超必殺技，能在特定條件下造成致命打擊。

每個角色的技能和戰鬥風格各具特色，根據隊伍組合設計自己的策略，例如以遠程攻擊牽制對手或以近戰壓制敵人。比賽場景設置於全球各地，從日本的京町街道到美國的機場停機坪，關卡風格多樣且富有地域文化特色。每個場景的背景細節設計精美，搭配生動的動畫效果，創造出濃厚的街機氛圍。音樂與聲效同樣出色。背景配樂涵蓋多種風格，從熱血搖滾到民族音樂，強化比賽的緊張感和娛樂性。每支隊伍擁有專屬主題曲，這一設計不僅加深玩家對角色的印象，也為賽場注入活力。

自推出後獲得巨大的商業成功與玩家好評，為SNK的街機遊戲版圖奠定更堅實的基礎。評論家和玩家普遍讚揚其團隊對戰的創新玩法，認為這一系統賦予格鬥遊戲新的層次，擴大玩家的戰略選擇。此外，角色設計和跨作品的世界觀整合也受到高度肯定，SNK經典角色如草薙京、不知火舞和金家藩的登場更讓粉絲們熱血沸騰。然而，作為系列的首作，遊戲也存在一些不足之處，例如角色平衡性稍有欠缺，某些角色過於強勢，影響比賽的公平性。此外，三人固定隊伍的設計在初期雖帶來新鮮感，但限制自由搭配的可能性，這點在後續作品中得到改進。

《KOF '94》對格鬥遊戲行業的影響不容忽視。它開創團隊格鬥的模式，為同類型遊戲樹立標杆，並奠定該系列的經典地位。同時，作品中的角色、世界觀以及其所展現的競技精神，吸引許多忠實粉絲，使其成為90年代街機文化的重要象徵之一。總而言之，這是格鬥遊戲歷史上的璀璨明珠。其創新的團隊對戰系統、深具魅力的角色陣容和精緻的視覺呈現，使它成為SNK的代表作之一，並為日後《格鬥天王》系列的長期成功奠定堅實基礎。

The King of Fighters '94 (KOF '94) is a groundbreaking 2D fighting game released by SNK in 1994, marking the inception of the iconic King of Fighters series. It merged characters from SNK's existing franchises with a new team-based combat system, introducing a novel approach to fighting games and leaving a lasting impact on the genre.

Storyline

The game’s plot revolves around a mysterious global martial arts tournament organized by Rugal Bernstein, a ruthless international crime lord. Rugal sends invitations bearing his signature "R" to the world's top fighters, inviting them to compete. His sinister twist? Defeated fighters are turned into statues to decorate his lair, showcasing his superiority. Teams from eight nations—including Japan, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, England, the U.S., and Korea—enter the competition, culminating in a showdown on Rugal's aircraft carrier. Here, players face Rugal as the final boss, requiring two victories to defeat him.

The narrative introduces series protagonist Kyo Kusanagi from Japan, who defeats Rugal in the finale. Rugal’s motives and the KOF tournament set the stage for deeper plotlines in later games, especially the "Orochi Saga."

Gameplay and Mechanics

KOF '94 innovates with its "team battle" system, where players select teams of three fixed characters to fight in a relay-style format. The match ends when all fighters on one team are defeated. The game uses SNK’s four-button control scheme (light punch, heavy punch, light kick, heavy kick) and incorporates these mechanics:

Power Gauge System: Players can charge a power gauge to unleash devastating special moves or enhance their attacks.

Dodge Roll: This maneuver lets players evade incoming attacks, adding defensive depth to gameplay.

Super Moves: Each character has unique ultimate attacks that can be triggered under specific conditions.

The diverse move sets and fighting styles among characters allow players to develop various strategies, from long-range zoning to close-combat dominance.

Visual and Audio Design

The game boasts detailed backgrounds representing locales worldwide, such as Japanese streets and American airport tarmacs, rich with cultural elements. The hand-drawn sprites and animations exude personality and energy. Each team has its own theme music, blending styles like rock and ethnic melodies, heightening the tension and excitement of battles.

Reception and Legacy

KOF '94 was both a commercial and critical success. It was praised for introducing the team-based fighting system, which added layers of strategy and fresh gameplay dynamics. The integration of characters from SNK's franchises like Fatal Fury and Art of Fighting—alongside original fighters—was a major draw, with Kyo Kusanagi becoming a fan favorite.

Critics noted some drawbacks, such as uneven character balance and the restrictive fixed-team format, which limited player freedom. Later installments addressed these issues, allowing customizable teams and refining gameplay.

Despite these limitations, KOF '94’s impact on the fighting game genre was profound. It pioneered team-based mechanics, inspiring similar features in other games, and established the foundation for one of gaming's most enduring franchises. Its characters, settings, and innovative spirit have cemented it as a symbol of 1990s arcade culture.

In summary, The King of Fighters '94 is a landmark title that redefined fighting games with its innovative systems, memorable characters, and engaging world-building. It laid the groundwork for the series' future success, becoming one of SNK's most iconic creations.