About

<h2>Overview</h2><figure data-align="right" data-size="small" data-img-src="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/8273/1910114-103504_king_of_the_monsters_neo_geo_screenshot_osakas.png" data-ref-id="1300-1910114" data-ratio="0.73684210526316" data-width="304" data-embed-type="image" style="width: 304px"><a class="fluid-height" style="padding-bottom:73.7%" href="https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/0/8273/1910114-103504_king_of_the_monsters_neo_geo_screenshot_osakas.png" data-ref-id="1300-1910114"><img alt="No Caption Provided" src="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/8273/1910114-103504_king_of_the_monsters_neo_geo_screenshot_osakas.png" srcset="https://www.giantbomb.com/a/uploads/original/0/8273/1910114-103504_king_of_the_monsters_neo_geo_screenshot_osakas.png 304w" sizes="(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px" data-width="304"></a></figure><p>King of the Monsters is a <a href="/kaiju/3015-104/" data-ref-id="3015-104" data-mce-href="/kaiju/3015-104/">kaiju</a>-themed <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/belt-scrolling/3015-8588/" data-ref-id="3015-8588" data-mce-href="https://www.giantbomb.com/belt-scrolling/3015-8588/">belt-scrolling</a> fighting/wrestling hybrid game developed and released by <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/snk/3010-616/" data-ref-id="3010-616" data-mce-href="https://www.giantbomb.com/snk/3010-616/">SNK</a> for <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/arcade/3045-84/" data-ref-id="3045-84" data-mce-href="https://www.giantbomb.com/arcade/3045-84/">arcades</a> (running Neo Geo MVS hardware) on February 25, 1991.</p><p>Set in cities throughout near-future Japan (circa 1996), players pick one of six giant monsters (resembling famous kaiju, including <a href="/godzilla/3005-3643/" data-ref-id="3005-3643" data-mce-href="/godzilla/3005-3643/">Godzilla</a> and <a href="/king-kong/3005-4239/" data-ref-id="3005-4239" data-mce-href="/king-kong/3005-4239/">King Kong</a>) and attempt to subdue other giants in various <a href="/destructible-environment/3015-243/" data-ref-id="3015-243" data-mce-href="/destructible-environment/3015-243/">destructible environments</a>. Most of the fighting mechanics in the game resemble those in <a href="/professional-wrestler/3015-26/" data-ref-id="3015-26" data-mce-href="/professional-wrestler/3015-26/">professional wrestling</a> games (including a <a href="/grapple/3015-1622/" data-ref-id="3015-1622" data-mce-href="/grapple/3015-1622/">grappling system</a> and the use of pinfalls to win). Similar to beat-'em-ups, defeated players can re-join the match by continuing, restoring their stamina while not restoring the enemy's.</p><p>Unlike most fighting games, a second player cannot interrupt a single-player game for a versus match. Instead, joining in immediately turns the game into a two-on-two co-operative mode. Before the game starts, players can optionally change it into a single one-on-one versus match (where the losing player can restore their stamina by continuing).</p><p>It was released for the <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/neo-geo/3045-25/" data-ref-id="3045-25" data-mce-href="https://www.giantbomb.com/neo-geo/3045-25/">Neo Geo AES</a> for all regions during their respective <a href="https://www.giantbomb.com/launch-titles/3015-238/" data-ref-id="3015-238" data-mce-href="https://www.giantbomb.com/launch-titles/3015-238/">launch dates</a>. It was also ported to the <a href="/super-nintendo-entertainment-system/3045-9/" data-ref-id="3045-9" data-mce-href="/super-nintendo-entertainment-system/3045-9/">Super Nintendo Entertainment System</a> in 1992 and the <a href="/genesis/3045-6/" data-ref-id="3045-6" data-mce-href="/genesis/3045-6/">Sega Genesis</a> in 1993, both by <a href="/takara-co-ltd/3010-110/" data-ref-id="3010-110" data-mce-href="/takara-co-ltd/3010-110/">TAKARA</a>. Unlike most Neo Geo games of the era, this game did not receive a port to the <a href="/neo-geo-cd/3045-59/" data-ref-id="3045-59" data-mce-href="/neo-geo-cd/3045-59/">Neo Geo CD</a>.</p><p>The game would eventually be followed up with a sequel, titled <a href="/king-of-the-monsters-2-the-next-thing/3030-9432/" data-ref-id="3030-9432" data-mce-href="/king-of-the-monsters-2-the-next-thing/3030-9432/">King of the Monsters 2: The Next Thing</a>, which adds more elements from beat-'em-ups. It's also a likely inspiration for the <a href="/game-boy-advance/3045-4/" data-ref-id="3045-4" data-mce-href="/game-boy-advance/3045-4/">Game Boy Advance</a> game <a href="/godzilla-domination/3030-18444/" data-ref-id="3030-18444" data-mce-href="/godzilla-domination/3030-18444/">Godzilla: Domination!</a></p><h2>Characters</h2><ul><li><strong>Geon</strong> - A reptilian monster likely inspired by <a href="//www.giantbomb.com/godzilla/3005-3643/" data-ref-id="3005-3643" data-mce-href="//www.giantbomb.com/godzilla/3005-3643/">Godzilla</a>.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Woo</strong> - A <a href="/ape/3015-5516/" data-ref-id="3015-5516" data-mce-href="/ape/3015-5516/">primate</a> likely inspired by <a href="/king-kong/3005-4239/" data-ref-id="3005-4239" data-mce-href="/king-kong/3005-4239/">King Kong</a>. Doesn't appear in the third-party ports.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Poison Ghost</strong> - A <a href="/acid/3055-2062/" data-ref-id="3055-2062" data-mce-href="/acid/3055-2062/">sludge</a> monster. Doesn't appear in the third-party ports.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Rocky</strong> - A giant living stone statue.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Beetle Mania</strong> - A <a href="/beetles/3015-4369/" data-ref-id="3015-4369" data-mce-href="/beetles/3015-4369/">beetle</a> likely inspired by <a href="/megalon/3005-4951/" data-ref-id="3005-4951" data-mce-href="/megalon/3005-4951/">Megalon</a>.</li></ul><ul><li><strong>Astro Guy</strong> - A <a href="/superhero/3015-1798/" data-ref-id="3015-1798" data-mce-href="/superhero/3015-1798/">superhero</a> who grows to massive size to fight the monsters. Likely inspired by <a href="/ultraman/3005-7261/" data-ref-id="3005-7261" data-mce-href="/ultraman/3005-7261/">Ultraman</a>.</li></ul>