10 years have passed since Terry Bogard won the King of Fighters Tournament. Since then, many warriors from around the world have been honing their skills, waiting for a chance to win the greatest title a fighter can earn. Now invitations have been sent to 12 new contenders from around the globe -- signifying the end of their wait and the chance to take part in the toughest contest of martial arts known to man. Only one fighter walks away unscathed, the rest face certain destruction.