Killer Instinct Gold Joins Nintendo Switch Online Library

Killer Instinct Gold has recently been added to the Nintendo Switch Online library, bringing the classic Nintendo 64 arcade fighter to the modern era. This game, a port of the renowned Killer Instinct 2, now joins the original Killer Instinct in the ever-growing collection of retro titles available exclusively to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers.

Originally launched nearly three decades ago in 1996, Killer Instinct Gold was crafted by the esteemed British studio Rare. At that time, Rare was a prominent second-party developer for Nintendo, known for iconic titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Goldeneye 007, and Perfect Dark on early Nintendo consoles. In Killer Instinct Gold, players can choose from a selection of 10 formidable fighters and engage in various game modes, offering "hundreds of thousands of moves and killer Combos at your fingertips."

It's worth noting that both Rare and the Killer Instinct franchise are currently owned by Microsoft. This makes Killer Instinct Gold another Xbox Game Studios title to grace the Nintendo Switch. Since the launch of the Xbox One with Killer Instinct in 2013, there has been no news of a new sequel in the works from Microsoft.

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Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that enhances the gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch. It provides online multiplayer capabilities, enabling players to compete or collaborate with friends worldwide. The service also offers a rich catalog of classic Nintendo games from the past four decades, including titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and, with the forthcoming release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the new GameCube libraries. Prospective subscribers can also take advantage of a free seven-day trial.

Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened at the end of April, with the console priced at $449.99. The response was overwhelming, as expected. However, Nintendo has cautioned U.S. customers who pre-ordered via the My Nintendo Store that they may not receive their console on release day due to high demand. Despite this, Doug Bowser, the head of Nintendo of America, reassured IGN that the company anticipates having sufficient stock to satisfy consumer demand "through the holidays."