Something went wrong. Try again later
    Follow

    Killer Instinct

    Franchise »

    A series of fast-paced fighting games from famous second-party developer Rare.

    Looks Like Microsoft’s Bringing Back Killer Instinct

    • 110 results
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    Avatar image for patrickklepek
    patrickklepek

    6835

    Forum Posts

    1300

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    Edited By patrickklepek
    Even I'll admit to enjoying the Killer Instinct games back in the day, but do they hold up?
    Even I'll admit to enjoying the Killer Instinct games back in the day, but do they hold up?

    Microsoft is teasing the return of Killer Instinct in some form.

    On the Play XBLA website, the company mentions that Microsoft has “either renewed or refilled a trademark application [for Killer Instinct] in various jurisdictions.”

    It’s a teaser for a game, but what kind of game? Breaking the news on an Xbox Live Arcade-centric website suggests it’s a port or revamp of an existing Killer Instinct game, but we don’t know. And unless Microsoft has access to the original character models and backgrounds or decided to re-do everything, it’s really hard to imagine how the Killer Instinct games aren’t going to look odd today.

    If Jet Set Radio’s recent re-release has taught us anything, maybe some of our old “favorites” are better left in the past. Will Killer Instinct join that pile?

    (In the interest of full disclosure, I totally owned a copy of the Killer Cuts CD. And liked it.)

    Avatar image for patrickklepek
    patrickklepek

    6835

    Forum Posts

    1300

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #1  Edited By patrickklepek
    Even I'll admit to enjoying the Killer Instinct games back in the day, but do they hold up?
    Even I'll admit to enjoying the Killer Instinct games back in the day, but do they hold up?

    Microsoft is teasing the return of Killer Instinct in some form.

    On the Play XBLA website, the company mentions that Microsoft has “either renewed or refilled a trademark application [for Killer Instinct] in various jurisdictions.”

    It’s a teaser for a game, but what kind of game? Breaking the news on an Xbox Live Arcade-centric website suggests it’s a port or revamp of an existing Killer Instinct game, but we don’t know. And unless Microsoft has access to the original character models and backgrounds or decided to re-do everything, it’s really hard to imagine how the Killer Instinct games aren’t going to look odd today.

    If Jet Set Radio’s recent re-release has taught us anything, maybe some of our old “favorites” are better left in the past. Will Killer Instinct join that pile?

    (In the interest of full disclosure, I totally owned a copy of the Killer Cuts CD. And liked it.)

    Avatar image for morningstar
    morningstar

    2548

    Forum Posts

    351

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #2  Edited By morningstar

    Yes! Bring back all the old favorites!

    Avatar image for plottwist
    FinalBoss

    132

    Forum Posts

    298

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 3

    User Lists: 18

    #3  Edited By FinalBoss

    Sweet

    Avatar image for cabbages
    CABBAGES

    616

    Forum Posts

    7

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #4  Edited By CABBAGES

    Hope its KI 1 2 was pants !

    Avatar image for nightriff
    nightriff

    7248

    Forum Posts

    1467

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 4

    User Lists: 7

    #5  Edited By nightriff

    Love Killer Instincts but I don't know if it plays now, probably won't get it

    Avatar image for crushed
    crushed

    916

    Forum Posts

    70

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #6  Edited By crushed

    Killer Instinct is still awesome, and I will strike down the hordes of comments below me that claim that it's awful and shouldn't come back.

    Avatar image for tosshi
    Tosshi

    28

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #7  Edited By Tosshi

    This was my fighting game of choice. So many hours in the arcade with KI. I never came close to being decent at any other fighting game, but I could crank out 101 hit B Orchid combos like the world was ending.

    Avatar image for dougcl
    DougCL

    370

    Forum Posts

    155

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 11

    #8  Edited By DougCL

    i dont think my nostalgia for this will be ruined if it gets an xbla release. ive known it was garbage for years and it doesnt really bother me.

    Avatar image for onan
    onan

    1356

    Forum Posts

    8845

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 2

    User Lists: 10

    #9  Edited By onan

    Don't hate on Jet Set Radio. Love that game, warts and all.

    Killer Instinct by comparison was just there as a graphic showcase, an extension of the same rendering techniques that made Donkey Kong Country look good. Rare had no business making a fighting game, and matches that are decided in seconds as opponents race to dial in the commands that kick off hundred-hit combos on each other.

    Unless it's a complete reboot, I'm not at all interested.

    Avatar image for ntm
    NTM

    12222

    Forum Posts

    38

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #10  Edited By NTM

    Eh, I'm sure my brother will love it. He loves Killer Instinct.

    Avatar image for nephrahim
    Nephrahim

    1265

    Forum Posts

    3

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #11  Edited By Nephrahim

    There are so many fighting games out these days, I can't imagine what kind of audience a KI remake could get.

    Avatar image for re_player1
    RE_Player1

    8074

    Forum Posts

    1047

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #12  Edited By RE_Player1

    Kinect Killer Instinct...

    Avatar image for suicrat
    Suicrat

    3829

    Forum Posts

    1057

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 9

    User Lists: 0

    #13  Edited By Suicrat

    I spent a hell of a lot of time with KI for the SNES when I was a kid. Something about mashing the buttons and getting 8-11 hit combos was just so awesome. Patrick's right though, gotta feel that it's best to let sleeping Sabrewulves lie.

    Avatar image for blacklagoon
    BlackLagoon

    2136

    Forum Posts

    106545

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 4

    #14  Edited By BlackLagoon

    Minecraft skins.

    Avatar image for briansanderson
    briansanderson

    142

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 6

    #15  Edited By briansanderson

    Man I grew up on Killer Instinct. Would be awesome if they made an HD remake of the original.

    Avatar image for arrested_developer
    Arrested_Developer

    855

    Forum Posts

    180

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 3

    @msavo said:

    Kinect Killer Instinct...

    Just think how many fat out of shape dudes are going to keel over trying to pull off an ultra combo.
    Avatar image for iamjohn
    iamjohn

    6297

    Forum Posts

    13905

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 5

    #17  Edited By iamjohn

    To be fair, they could just be renewing the trademark so they don't lose it and don't intend on doing something with it right now.

    @Crushed said:

    Killer Instinct is still awesome, and I will strike down the hordes of comments below me that claim that it's awful and shouldn't come back.

    Bring it, fool.

    Avatar image for drazat
    Drazat

    176

    Forum Posts

    83

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #18  Edited By Drazat

    Dam i could play the shit out of some killer instinct about now.

    Avatar image for damian
    Damian

    1521

    Forum Posts

    10

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #19  Edited By Damian

    This has to be a port/feeler for a potential remake. Who would throw a real development budget blindly at Killer Instinct in this day and age? And would Rare do it? Could Rare do it? They're super busy making cartoon clothing.

    I'd be shocked and pleased if Microsoft decides to go big with this. I just can't see it happening right now.

    I hope I'm wrong.

    Avatar image for alexander
    Alexander

    1760

    Forum Posts

    731

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 4

    #20  Edited By Alexander

    I used to play the hell out of this on Game Boy. I have no interest in playing it again.

    Avatar image for ntm
    NTM

    12222

    Forum Posts

    38

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #21  Edited By NTM

    How about a nice new Perfect Dark?

    Avatar image for rvone
    RVonE

    5027

    Forum Posts

    8740

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 6

    #22  Edited By RVonE

    SO GOOD!!

    Avatar image for jakkblades
    jakkblades

    423

    Forum Posts

    4

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 9

    #23  Edited By jakkblades

    Yes, and yes, and oh yeah, yes.

    Avatar image for galacticpunt
    GalacticPunt

    1512

    Forum Posts

    4

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 4

    #24  Edited By GalacticPunt

    Juggle mania!

    EDIT: Needs a dose of C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!

    Avatar image for gunstarred
    GunstarRed

    6071

    Forum Posts

    1893

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 10

    #25  Edited By GunstarRed

    Fuck!

    Avatar image for blair
    blair

    2265

    Forum Posts

    3572

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 2

    #26  Edited By blair

    SUPREME VICTORY!

    Avatar image for lordofultima
    lordofultima

    6592

    Forum Posts

    25303

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 4

    User Lists: 9

    #27  Edited By lordofultima

    @onan said:

    Don't hate on Jet Set Radio. Love that game, warts and all.

    Killer Instinct by comparison was just there as a graphic showcase, an extension of the same rendering techniques that made Donkey Kong Country look good. Rare had no business making a fighting game, and matches that are decided in seconds as opponents race to dial in the commands that kick off hundred-hit combos on each other.

    Unless it's a complete reboot, I'm not at all interested.

    That's weird, the game had really interesting mechanics. Certainly a more deep combo system than UMK3 for instance. Just because you played it like *mash mash mash* doesn't mean every one else was.

    Avatar image for psylah
    psylah

    2362

    Forum Posts

    100

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 2

    #28  Edited By psylah

    SHE TOTALLY KILLS GUYS WITH HER TITS DUDE

    Avatar image for lukeweizer
    Lukeweizer

    3304

    Forum Posts

    24753

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 2

    #29  Edited By Lukeweizer

    My friend used to love KI. He always goes off about how he placed in some KI tournament at a local fair back in the day. Now I'll have to listen go off about it even more now that this is coming out. I hate people.

    Avatar image for sooty
    Sooty

    8193

    Forum Posts

    306

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 2

    User Lists: 3

    #30  Edited By Sooty

    There's no room for a Killer Instinct game anymore. It will sell some based off nostalgia but it won't compete in the competitive scene, not at all.

    It's all about Street Fighter and Marvel, with Tekken and MK fighting for scraps. Actually that's a bit unfair on Tekken.

    Avatar image for seroth
    Seroth

    775

    Forum Posts

    936

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 10

    #31  Edited By Seroth

    Whaaat? Since when does Microsoft care about fighting games? This is potentially exciting...

    Avatar image for jillsandwich
    jillsandwich

    807

    Forum Posts

    1054

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 5

    #32  Edited By jillsandwich

    Killer Cuts is dope as fuck. Don't be ashamed of that.

    Avatar image for larrydavis
    LarryDavis

    1698

    Forum Posts

    23

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 0

    #33  Edited By LarryDavis

    Shut up, Patrick. JSR still rules.

    Avatar image for somejerk
    SomeJerk

    4077

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #34  Edited By SomeJerk

    The realistic best case scenario:
    - Rare will drop some KI themed avatar items

    What actually happened:
    - MS didn't want to let it expire so that other companies could apply for and use the name.

    Avatar image for orange_pork
    orange_pork

    726

    Forum Posts

    420

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 12

    #35  Edited By orange_pork

    @Sooty: You're conflating the "scene" to be more than it actually is. Not everyone cares if their games are played in tournaments. In fact, Team Ninja pretty much came out and said that they're not even focusing on that crowd for Dead or Alive. What matters is what people actually buy. Tekken might not attract as many spectators as Marvel, but guess which series has sold more copies.

    Avatar image for auron570
    AURON570

    1778

    Forum Posts

    1029

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 4

    #36  Edited By AURON570

    I actually have Killer Instinct II on the SNES, woot.

    Avatar image for scotto
    Scotto

    1316

    Forum Posts

    14

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 3

    #37  Edited By Scotto

    Modern gameplay mechanics layered under a revamp of the CGI-based graphics, with the classic characters, could be awesome.

    If it's just a port or "HD remake" of the old game, it probably won't be good.

    My money is on the latter, just because KI isn't a proven enough commodity in 2012 to be worth the money and time investment of the first option.

    Avatar image for bane122
    Bane122

    972

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #38  Edited By Bane122

    Couldn't this have just been a move to block someone else fro picking up the name?

    Avatar image for swick
    Swick

    266

    Forum Posts

    699

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 2

    User Lists: 6

    #39  Edited By Swick

    Interesting...

    Avatar image for soupbones
    soupbones

    378

    Forum Posts

    1143

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 3

    User Lists: 14

    #40  Edited By soupbones

    Would rather see Eternal Champions get a reboot.

    Avatar image for petitfool
    petitfool

    643

    Forum Posts

    29

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 0

    #41  Edited By petitfool

    @msavo said:

    Kinect Killer Instinct...

    WAVE YOUR HANDS AROUND FOR AN ULTRA COMBO

    Avatar image for pixel_kaiser
    Pixel_Kaiser

    86

    Forum Posts

    68

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 7

    #43  Edited By Pixel_Kaiser

    Kind of off topic, but I really don't fucking understand why everyone jumps to the chance of shutting down anyone who legit enjoys Jet Set Radio. I sort of get the feeling that the people saying it "doesn't hold up" never actually played the original, and just remembered watching other people play it or saw screenshots years after the fact. Maybe my least favorite part of this new wave of HD ports is all the downers saying the games were never good.

    That said, yeah, Killer Instinct was always garbage. I'm sure if they give it to someone other than Rare, though, the IP could be used for some cool things.

    Avatar image for christaran
    ChrisTaran

    2054

    Forum Posts

    -1

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 9

    #44  Edited By ChrisTaran

    KI was the best fighting game to ever come out on the SNES, but I do not expect it to hold up even a little bit today.

    Avatar image for lobst
    Lobst

    172

    Forum Posts

    2525

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 1

    User Lists: 13

    #45  Edited By Lobst

    Counterpoint: Jet Set Radio is still amazing regardless of the Giant Bomb staff's consensus-via-osmosis, and has no right to be lumped in with Killer Instinct (which was bad when it was new).

    Avatar image for christoffer
    Christoffer

    2409

    Forum Posts

    58

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 2

    #46  Edited By Christoffer

    Loved me some Killer Instinct but, yeah, that might've been due to the lack of good SNES fighters once you've played MK and SF to death.

    Avatar image for sooty
    Sooty

    8193

    Forum Posts

    306

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 2

    User Lists: 3

    #47  Edited By Sooty

    @Orange_Pork said:

    @Sooty: You're conflating the "scene" to be more than it actually is. Not everyone cares if their games are played in tournaments. In fact, Team Ninja pretty much came out and said that they're not even focusing on that crowd for Dead or Alive. What matters is what people actually buy. Tekken might not attract as many spectators as Marvel, but guess which series has sold more copies.

    I would be shocked if the Tekken series hadn't outsold Marvel vs. Capcom when that series only has 3, or 4 games if you include Ultimate MvC3, as opposed to Tekken which is on what, 7 releases now? (and over a longer time period I might add)

    In addition, Tekken is definitely more casual friendly than both Street Fighter and Marvel have ever been. Tekken literally allows for combos to be mashed out, I'm not saying that's all there is to the game - as that would be moronic, but even I myself as a complete beginner was able to mash things together resulting in 50%+ damage combos as Bryan. I acknowledge there's a lot of depth to Tekken, but it's incredibly easy to get into which does leave good impressions on people who only play it one time at a demo booth or at a friends house.

    Competitive play still gives a game more longevity and the potential for extra sales down the line, I don't personally see Killer Instinct being a sales hit at any point in its lifespan as they've left it far too long.

    Avatar image for emtee
    emtee

    178

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #48  Edited By emtee

    Don't tease me with this shit Microsoft. Do something with it, please!

    Avatar image for revel
    revel

    155

    Forum Posts

    0

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 0

    #49  Edited By revel

    YES!!!!! Please be awesome!

    Avatar image for parademise
    GunnBjorn

    2905

    Forum Posts

    4

    Wiki Points

    0

    Followers

    Reviews: 0

    User Lists: 1

    #50  Edited By GunnBjorn

    I never understood why they chose to put the home version on the SNES. The Arcade KI was virtually an advertisement for the Ultra 64. Was it because the Arcade game had better hardware than the N64? And they couldn't make a faithful conversion to the N64. So they put it on the SNES to shroud the N64's graphical limitations. Or was it a data storage space problem?

    This edit will also create new pages on Giant Bomb for:

    Beware, you are proposing to add brand new pages to the wiki along with your edits. Make sure this is what you intended. This will likely increase the time it takes for your changes to go live.

    Comment and Save

    Until you earn 1000 points all your submissions need to be vetted by other Giant Bomb users. This process takes no more than a few hours and we'll send you an email once approved.