Knockout Kings 99 Reveals Hidden Easter Egg: 'Barbie/Ken' Level Nudity Discovered by Memory_Fallen

During the late 1990s, the gaming world witnessed the meteoric rise of franchise icons such as Lara Croft, with Tomb Raider captivating audiences across multiple platforms.

The era was rife with urban legends, like the infamous 'nude code' rumoured for Tomb Raider—stories that spread among young gamers but rarely proved true.

Decades later, another piece of retro gaming folklore has surfaced, this time relating to EA Sports' boxing classic, Knockout Kings 99. Knockout Kings 99, developed by EA Sports and released in 1998 for platforms such as the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, has held a steady place in the memories of boxing and retro gaming enthusiasts.

The game, known for its detailed roster of boxing legends and realistic mechanics for the era, has now gained fresh attention thanks to a discovery by noted game archivist and hacker, memory_fallen. According to memory_fallen, a previously undisclosed Easter egg allows players to witness a character model with what they describe as 'Barbie/Ken' levels of nudity.

They explained that, "From most viewing angles, the effect resembles the anatomically neutral style of a Barbie or Ken doll, but there are certain perspectives where pixel details might be seen as questionable." Normally, Knockout Kings 99 randomizes features such as hair color and attire for its card girl character; this hidden code, however, overrides the function to produce the now-publicized effect. The existence of this Easter egg was originally shared with memory_fallen by one of Knockout Kings 99's own developers, lending further legitimacy to the discovery.

Memory_fallen is well-regarded within the game preservation and hacking scene for uncovering long-lost secrets in classic video games, and their methodical reverse-engineering process is documented in detail on their public channels. Knockout Kings 99 was released to critical and commercial acclaim as part of EA Sports' expansion into the fighting genre.

While its gameplay and roster are well remembered, it is the hidden secrets and developer Easter eggs like this one that continue to fascinate collectors, speedrunners, and preservationists. This revelation comes amidst ongoing interest in retro gaming and the preservation of video game history.

As more early titles are revisited with modern tools and fresh perspectives, new details continue to emerge about the creative—and sometimes mischievous—touches left behind by developers.

For those nostalgic for the era of the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation, this newly discovered Easter egg in Knockout Kings 99 stands as a testament to the hidden depths still waiting to be uncovered in the classics of gaming's past.

EA Ken retro gaming Knockout Kings 99 EA Sports memory_fallen Nintendo 64 PlayStation Core Design Eidos Barbie Lara Croft Tomb Raider