The eleventh game in the KOF series following The King of Fighters 2003. According to Sega: 'For over 10 years, the King of Fighters series has been the choice of game players around the world. The 11th team of fighters continues this tradition. KOF11 is suited for one to two players, with continuous buy-in. Choose from 33 fighters, including 4 new characters. A fifth control button was added to enhance your skills by delivering a devastating blow to your opponent, if hit at the right time. A New Skill Gauge performs a variety of tag-off moves and new attacks. A player can also custom construct a Three-Fighter Tag-Team by selecting three choice combatants. '

During the previous series' installment, Mukai, a member of a group known as "Those from the Distant Land", stole the seal belonging to the demon Orochi. Taking advantage of this situation, Ash Crimson attacked Chizuru Kagura in her weakened state and stole the Yata Mirror from her, draining her powers in the process. During The King of Fighters XI, a new tournament is established, in which both established fighters and newcomers participate. "Those from the Past" are hosts of the tournament; they consist of a weapons expert named Shion and a dimension manipulator named Magaki, who serve as the respective sub and final bosses of the game. Following their defeat, Magaki tries to steal Orochi's power, but instead ends up being murdered by his own ally.