Not to be outdone by its original competitors post the Evo Japan whirlwind, Nintendo released a trailer for Killer Instinct Gold’s release yesterday. The classic 1996 Rare Nintendo 64 fighting game is available now on the Nintendo Expansion Pack and Switch Online. The game is an enhanced arcade port of Killer Instinct and is a history lesson for those who came into the series through the 2013 remake of the same franchise. Arcade, versus, and Tournament modes will be playable. The game’s 11 characters get to go at it back in its original appearances for some.
Experience explosive hits and hundreds of thousands of killer combinations in KILLER INSTINCT® GOLD, available to play now on #NintendoSwitch for #NintendoSwitchOnline + Expansion Pack members! #Nintendo64 pic.twitter.com/J2ZBRCLMTg
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 16, 2025
Killer Instinct 2 has already been available for the Xbox and Steam ecosystems, so it’s quite the surprise to see it finally return to the Nintendo system. The series itself was the originator of the 2.5D games trend that the likes of Street Fighter VI and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves continue. Its high hit count combos and finishers have solidified Killer Instinct’s presence in fighting game history. The sound of C-c-c-combo Breaker always stands out.
Killer Instinct Gold is available now for the Nintendo Switch Online service.
