A series that was once thought to be long dead and unlikely to work even if it was revived...
Killer Instinct
Mainline Entry 01 - Killer Instinct
Formats: Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy and Xbox One
Taking the basic premise of a fighter, Rare marked its new title out by two differences. The first was its visuals, which made use of their new rendering techniques and the Nintendo 64 hardware in addition to a core focus on combo based combat. The arcade release meant they could deploy a more grown up tone than most of their home content though the game did eventually find its way on the SNES with the obvious cut backs to make it possible once hype for the title and the visuals exploded.
Mainline Entry 02 - Killer Instinct 2
Formats: Arcade and Xbox One
Rare was quick to follow up on the success of the original with this sequel that expanded the character list and move set as well as updated the visual designs on several fronts. A Super bar was added as per the popular choice at the time as well in addition to four possible story endings. The game wasn't quite as warmly received as the original as the sheen had worn off for some but demand for a home port was loud and a SNES version was completed but never saw release.
Spin Off Entry 01 - Killer Instinct Gold
Formats: Nintendo 64
With the SNES port cancelled, Nintendo made sure KI2 made it to the N64 which excited fans hoping for an arcade perfect port at last. However, the N64 controller wasn't built with fighters in mind and the port wasn't as straight forward as expected. Instead Rare tinkered with the game by stripping out the FMV sequences and some voice overs. It also reduced the animation frames from the arcade version and though reviews were reasonable the game underperformed and Nintendo shelved the franchise.
Mainline Entry 03 - Killer Instinct
Formats: Xbox One and PC
After years of being dormant, Microsoft tapped Double Helix to relook at the series. The result was an attempt to be safe by launching it as a DLC fuelled project, however in reality the game was much more than that. DH managed to maintain the core essence of the series but at the same time rework its combo based gameplay in a manner that felt relevant, honouring of the past, yet responsive for basic to high level play. The title proved successful enough of a revival that it was given a second season of content before another developer took over to deliver the third season that itself was ultimately extended providing players with the largest and most liked entry in the franchise.
Share your thoughts and memories of Killer Instinct!
Killer Instinct
Mainline Entry 01 - Killer Instinct
Formats: Arcade, Super Nintendo, Game Boy and Xbox One
Taking the basic premise of a fighter, Rare marked its new title out by two differences. The first was its visuals, which made use of their new rendering techniques and the Nintendo 64 hardware in addition to a core focus on combo based combat. The arcade release meant they could deploy a more grown up tone than most of their home content though the game did eventually find its way on the SNES with the obvious cut backs to make it possible once hype for the title and the visuals exploded.
Mainline Entry 02 - Killer Instinct 2
Formats: Arcade and Xbox One
Rare was quick to follow up on the success of the original with this sequel that expanded the character list and move set as well as updated the visual designs on several fronts. A Super bar was added as per the popular choice at the time as well in addition to four possible story endings. The game wasn't quite as warmly received as the original as the sheen had worn off for some but demand for a home port was loud and a SNES version was completed but never saw release.
Spin Off Entry 01 - Killer Instinct Gold
Formats: Nintendo 64
With the SNES port cancelled, Nintendo made sure KI2 made it to the N64 which excited fans hoping for an arcade perfect port at last. However, the N64 controller wasn't built with fighters in mind and the port wasn't as straight forward as expected. Instead Rare tinkered with the game by stripping out the FMV sequences and some voice overs. It also reduced the animation frames from the arcade version and though reviews were reasonable the game underperformed and Nintendo shelved the franchise.
Mainline Entry 03 - Killer Instinct
Formats: Xbox One and PC
After years of being dormant, Microsoft tapped Double Helix to relook at the series. The result was an attempt to be safe by launching it as a DLC fuelled project, however in reality the game was much more than that. DH managed to maintain the core essence of the series but at the same time rework its combo based gameplay in a manner that felt relevant, honouring of the past, yet responsive for basic to high level play. The title proved successful enough of a revival that it was given a second season of content before another developer took over to deliver the third season that itself was ultimately extended providing players with the largest and most liked entry in the franchise.
Share your thoughts and memories of Killer Instinct!
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