Killer Instinct

Killer Instinct
Developer	Rare
Publisher	Nintendo
System	Super Nintendo, Arcade, Game Boy
Release Date	Arcade US 1994 Super Nintendo US August 1995 EU September 21, 1995 Game Boy US November 1995 December 14, 1995
Rating	ESRB: T

Killer Instinct is a fighting game developed by Rare. The game was unusually dark for a fighter at the time. Despite its name, there is actually very little blood.

Story

Ultratech is a powerful company that organized a tournament called Killer Instinct. Along with regular participants, there are also creatures created by Ultratech. Ultratech has also discovered how to open portals to different dimensions and releases Eyedol, a two-headed warrior.

Gameplay

Killer Instinct borrowed the gameplay of Street Fighter II and combined it with the violence of Mortal Kombat. Players can choose one of eleven characters and fight them in one-on-one matches. Rather than having two matches, each player is simply given two health bars.

Unlike many fighting games, combos are automated in Killer Instinct. These combos could be linked, making a longer combo. Players stuck in a combo can get away by using a combo breaker. The player has several special moves that can be used to finish a player off. The Ultimate Combo finishes off with a No Mercy move (later renamed Danger Move) similar to the fatalities of Mortal Kombat. The Ultra Combo delivers a long series of blows, sometimes longer than 20 hits.

Legacy

Sequels

Killer Instinct was followed by Killer Instinct 2.

Ports and Remakes

• The game was ported to the Super Nintendo in 1995. The graphic quality of the game was reduced so the game would fit on a Super Nintendo cartridge.
• Later that year, the game was ported to the Gameboy. The graphics were severely altered, two characters were dropped, and the controls had to be altered.
• A perfect port was planned for the Nintendo 64, but was dropped in favor of Killer Instinct Gold.