Ryu Hayabusa's iconic Izuna Drop was inspired by a move from Sanpei Shirato's manga series Nukenin Kamui (Kamui Gaiden). The game's director, Tomonobu Itagaki, had to get formal permission from Shirato to include the move in the game. It has since been one of Hayabusa's staple attacks throughout all of the character's appearances.

In the prototype version of the game, Raidou is given an end card sequence, hinting that he would have been unlockable in the final version.

"After all, this is all it is."
A long time had passed since Raidou was expelled from the Mugen Tenshinryuu village. He had only hungered for power ever since. He fought all and every fighter and claimed his technique his own.
Even as he received the invitation to participate in the tournament, he felt this might sate his hunger for power.
However, it seems all was in vain.
Raidou called for thunder and disappeared into the mist...

Bayman's codename "Gatsby" from the game's early development is based on the American novel The Great Gatsby.

The very first character developed for the game was a fighter codenamed "Kelly", who was originally cut from the final roster for being incomplete compared to later characters. However, since the team needed one more fighter, they decided to go back and develop a more complete version of Kelly. That character became the final version of Zack.