The Kizuna Encounterfighting system is similar to the Real Bout Fatal Fury fighting system. Notable additions include the tag system, in which players have the ability to switch characters in-game by pressing the tag button while standing in their team's tag area. If a player loses one character, regardless of their other character's vitality, he or she loses the match. A roll system similar to the one used in The King of Fighters is also present in Kizuna Encounter as well.
Plot
One year ago, King Leo had made and held the Battle of the Beast God tournament in order to see who was worthy enough to challenge and fight against him from within their own given time and opportunity. Nine fighters had entered the tournament upon sight and that each of them had battled against one another from within a strong and relentless manner, but in the end, Sho Hayate had proven to be the strongest warrior and that he had won the tournament while defeating both King Leo and his fake impersonator King Lion from within the finals of the competition. To seek revenge against Hayate and those who caused his humiliating downfall, King Leo has organized a second version of the Battle of the Beast God tournament, but this time, there's a new rule: teams of 2 people must work together from within this new tournament so that they can either ensure victory or face defeat. The competitors from last year's tournament have learned of King Leo's new tournament and that each of them have decided to join forces with each other on either friendly or temporary terms. With the exception of Carol Stanzack and Nicola Zaza, Hayate and the fighters from the previous tournament have returned for combat and that they're ready to face the latest challenge that's presented to them by King Leo. However, the previous fighters aren't the only ones from within this tournament, as two new challengers have entered into the fray as well and that they have their own reasons in participating from within King Leo's new competition. The gathered fighters must be ready and prepared to not only fight against each other and King Leo from within this tournament, but also, they must deal with an unknown threat that lies directly from within the shadows of this competition as well.
Characters
Returning Characters
Sho Hayate
Max Eagle
Gordon Bowman
Chung Paifu
Joker
Gozu
Mezu
King Lion
New Characters
Rosa - A young woman who wields a sword in combat and leads a strong resistance force against King Leo. When her young brother and a couple of her friends are kidnapped by King Leo, Rosa heads to the tournament in the hopes of defeating King Leo and saving her young brother and her friends.
Kim Sue Il - A young Korean police detective who uses taekwondo and wields a staff. He is investigating Joker's involvement in the tournament and that he seeks to arrest Joker and disband his gang, the Looly Po Po. It is heavily implied that Sue Il is a descendant of Kim Kaphwan from the Fatal Fury series and that he shares some of his ancestor's traits.
Bosses
King Leo
Jyazu - An unknown cruel and sadistic fighter who wears a golden crow's helmet on his head and that he dresses in the same attire as Gozu and Mezu. He fights with a pair of sharp claws and that he uses vicious attacks and relentless abilities in battle while also imitating some of Gozu and Mezu's own moves. Jyazu's background is shrouded in mystery and that his intentions are unknown, though he is known for being the leader of the terrorist organization, the Jaguar. He can transform into a crow at will and can mask his evil intent from his enemies, giving him an unfair advantage.
