Summary
AsKiller Instinctreaches its 10th birthday, Iron Galaxy announces a special Anniversary Edition of the game with new bonuses and a massive balancing patch impacting nearly the entire roster. Originally releasing as a launch title for the Xbox One, the free to playKiller Instinctquickly became a fan favorite fighting game, successfully reviving the franchise which was previously managed by Rare when they were still part of Nintendo. The2013Killer Instinctwould go on to receive 3 full seasonsof content as well as one final update to round out the roster with three additional characters.
With the Xbox Series X/S consoles releasing, fans began to wonder if a new Killer Instinct would ultimately make its way there as rumors continued to swirl. In 2021, fans attempted to bringawareness toKiller Instinctby holding a Twitch Rivals tournamentand getting “BringBackKI” trending over social media. The groundswell of continued support led to a surpriseKiller Instinctannouncement at Evo 2023, confirming a huge 10th anniversary update to be announced later in November. As promised, developer Iron Galaxy held a special stream to announce a new edition of the game as well as a huge balance update.
Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition Details
Thefirst big announcementfrom Iron Galaxy and Microsoft was the reveal ofKiller InstinctAnniversary Edition. This all-encompassing bundle includes all 29 characters, VIP Double XP Booster, and all other Premium Content ever released over the past 10 years. While the game is $29.99 for new buyers, Definitive Edition owners on Xbox andKISteam players will be getting a free upgrade to the Anniversary Edition. Steam owners also get a permanent VIP Double XP Booster and Gargos’ Golden God and Argent Shroud colors as well. Finally, a base version of Killer Instinct will be free to play on Xbox consoles and PC, featuring one free weekly rotating fighter as well as Single-Player, Local, and Ranked modes.
It’s also worth noting that with this release, players will no longer be able topurchaseKiller Instinctcharacters like Gargos individually, though anything previously purchased will remain active and available as expected. Digital Definitive Edition owners will also need to download the Definitive Edition App and KI Classic 1&2 again as they aren’t included within the Anniversary Edition bundle.
As promised during theKiller Instinct10th Anniversary announcement at Evo 2023, Iron Galaxy is putting the final touches on a massive update for the game, the first in five years. In a newblog postand accompanying VOD, Iron Galaxy explained that the changes are meant to reduce frustrations with some of the game’s strongest characters, like the Battletoad Rash, as well as provide some buffs to those deemed as low tier. The update even fixes a number of bugs, potentially holding certain characters back from reaching their intended heights. While the patch is massive, Iron Galaxy did mention that they had to prioritize certain tweaks that would have the biggest impact overall.
Killer Instinct (2013)
WHERE TO PLAY
Celebrate 10 years of Killer Instinct! The legendary fighting game franchise returns with an all new Anniversary update with improved matchmaking, balance updates, and more!Experience the thrill of combat with 29 characters, each with their own unique fighting style, combos, and finishers. Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, you’ll find plenty of challenges and rewards in the single-player modes and online multiplayer. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the ultimate fight club and prove yourself as the supreme champion of Killer Instinct!
