Ryo's design is based on Ryu from Street Fighter. Since the game's creator, Takashi Nishiyama, also created the first Street Fighter game when he was employed at Capcom, the character was made as a homage to the series he created.

Robert's design is based on actors Steven Seagal and Andy Garcia, and the character James Crockett from the Miami Vice series. The character artist, Shinkiro, expressed difficulties in designing Robert on the count of not knowing how rich people behaved.

While most versions of Art of Fighting end on a cliffhanger just before Yuri reveals the true identity of Mr. Karate to Ryo and Robert, the Super Nintendo version extends the ending to reveal that Mr. Karate is Ryo and Yuri's father Takuma, who was blackmailed by Geese Howard and Mr. Big into killing Jeff Bogard (Father of Terry from Fatal Fury)

If a player finishes off King with a special or super move in round two, it will shred his shirt, revealing that he is female. This was removed from the SNES version.