Killer Instinct Gold Joins Nintendo Switch Online Library

Killer Instinct Gold, the latest addition to the Nintendo Switch Online library, brings the excitement of a classic Nintendo 64 game to modern audiences. As a port of the arcade fighter Killer Instinct 2, this game joins its predecessor, Killer Instinct, in the growing collection of retro titles available to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers.

Originally released in 1996, Killer Instinct Gold was developed by the renowned British studio Rare, which was a key partner for Nintendo at the time. Rare is celebrated for creating iconic titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Goldeneye 007, and Perfect Dark for Nintendo's early systems. In Killer Instinct Gold, players can choose from a roster of 10 fierce fighters and engage in various game modes, boasting "hundreds of thousands of moves and killer Combos at your fingertips."

Although Rare, and thus the Killer Instinct franchise, is now under Microsoft's ownership, Killer Instinct Gold marks another Xbox Game Studios title available on the Switch. Since the release of the Xbox One's Killer Instinct in 2013, there have been no signs from Microsoft about plans for a new sequel to the series.

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View 11 ImagesNintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that enhances the Nintendo Switch gaming experience with online multiplayer functionality, allowing players to connect and play with friends around the world. The service also provides access to a rich catalog of classic Nintendo games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, the new GameCube libraries with the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. A free seven-day trial is available for those interested in exploring the service before committing to a subscription.

Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened at the end of April, with the console priced at $449.99. Demand was exceptionally high, leading to Nintendo issuing a warning to U.S. customers who pre-ordered through the My Nintendo Store that release date delivery might not be guaranteed. Despite this, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser expressed confidence to IGN that the company would have sufficient units to meet consumer demand "through the holidays."