One of the main objectives planned for The King of Fighters '95 was to properly introduce Iori as Kyo's rival. Creators have stated Iori's personality and other aspects to his character "broke the mold for characters in fighting games at that time". In several interviews for their official anniversary site for the series, several creators and developers-such as C.A.C Yamasaki and Mr. Marito-predicted that Iori would be popular on his release, which they admit happened during their observations of initial location testing for The King of Fighters '95.
A handheld port for the Nintendo Game Boy called Nettou The King of Fighters '95 (1995) was released. Featuring the cut character Nakoruru from the scrapped Samurai Shodown Team but is now a special guest who is playable since a good 20 years before she actually joined the roster in The King of Fighters XIV (2016).
Early artwork shows both Saisyu and his son Kyo having the Kusanagi symbol on their foreheads. The idea was referenced in one of the KOF Manhua's.
Lucky Glauber, Heavy D! and Brian Battler of the American Sports Team is the only team from the previous game The King of Fighters '94 (1994) to be absent and replaced by a new team.
The King of Fighters '95 project began with the concept of introducing Iori Yagami as Kyo Kusanagi's rival. As such, developers gave him traits to expand that relationship such as similar abilities and ancient rivalry between both of their clans. During the initial location tests to determine the popularity of the game, Iori was the character who stood out most, also becoming a favorite of the developers.