When the Xbox One launched in 2013, Microsoft brought back Killer Instinct. The game has since been made available across Xbox and PC and now in celebration of the game's 10th anniversary, Iron Galaxy is returning to the project.
Iron Galaxy announced plans for a new 10th Anniversary Edition of Killer Instinct. The base game will now be free to play, with access to the game's premium characters rotating on a weekly basis. The F2P version will include access to single-player, local co-op and online ranked modes.
The new Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition Premium Upgrade will be available for $30, granting access to all 29 fighters in the roster, a double XP booster and some unique cosmetics. If you already owned Killer Instinct: Definitive Edition, then you'll get upgraded to the Anniversary Edition for free.
Unfortunately, individual fighters will no longer be available to purchase, so you'll have to spring for the full Premium Upgrade package. However, any previous DLC purchases will still be accessible in the base version of the game.
It is unclear if Microsoft has further plans for Killer Instinct moving into 2024, like new fighters. However, it is also worth noting that the timing here is odd. Microsoft is placing a ban on ‘unauthorised' third-party controllers on its console, something that the fighting game community has been particularly worried about due to the potential locking out of custom controllers or arcade boxes.
KitGuru Says: Killer Instinct is on the more niche end of the spectrum when it comes to fighting games but it would be interesting to see if Microsoft could change that with some real money put behind it.