Killer Instinct Gold Now on Nintendo Switch Online

Killer Instinct Gold has recently been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library, bringing another classic Nintendo 64 game to subscribers of the Online Expansion Pack. This title is a port of the arcade fighter Killer Instinct 2, and it joins the original Killer Instinct in the growing collection of retro games available on the platform.

Originally released in 1996, Killer Instinct Gold was crafted by the British studio Rare, which was renowned at the time for its work as a second-party developer for Nintendo. Rare's portfolio during this period included iconic titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Goldeneye 007, and Perfect Dark. In Killer Instinct Gold, players can choose from a roster of 10 fighters and engage in various game modes, boasting "hundreds of thousands of moves and killer Combos at your fingertips."

It's worth noting that Rare, and thus the Killer Instinct franchise, is now under Microsoft's ownership. This makes Killer Instinct Gold one of several Xbox Game Studios titles to be released on the Nintendo Switch. Since the launch of the Xbox One's Killer Instinct in 2013, there has been no word on a new sequel, leaving fans to wonder about the future of the series.

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Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that enhances the gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch platform. It offers online multiplayer functionality, enabling players to engage in competitive and cooperative play with friends. Additionally, subscribers gain access to a rich catalog of classic Nintendo games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and, with the upcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. A free seven-day trial is available for those interested in trying 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. The demand was predictably high, leading to Nintendo issuing a warning to U.S. customers who pre-ordered through the My Nintendo Store that release date delivery is not guaranteed. However, Doug Bowser, the president of Nintendo of America, reassured IGN that the company expects to meet consumer demand "through the holidays."