Killer Instinct
Killer Instinct is a 1994 fighting game developed by Rare, originally released in arcades before a hugely popular Super Nintendo conversion. It pitted a roster of colorful combatants, from the werewolf Sabrewulf to the skeleton Spinal and the alien dinosaur Riptor, in fast, flashy one-on-one battles.
Its signature feature was the deep combo system, which rewarded long chains of hits with escalating on-screen praise from an announcer shouting phrases like "C-C-C-Combo Breaker," while opponents could interrupt those chains with precisely timed breakers. Pre-rendered 3D graphics, dramatic finishing moves including humorous "no mercy" finishers, and a driving soundtrack gave it a distinctive, aggressive personality that set it apart from other fighters of the era.
Killer Instinct spawned a sequel and was later revived for a new generation, and the earlier entries have appeared in modern collections, making it easy to revisit its combo-heavy, spectacle-driven brawling today.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Killer Instinct, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Skullgirls 2nd Encore Indie
€ 24,99A hand-animated fighter with a custom-assist combo system.
Skullgirls 2nd Encore runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Killer Instinct (2013)
Free + in-app purchasesA modern reboot with deep combo mechanics and rollback netcode.
Killer Instinct (2013) runs on PC, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
BlazBlue Centralfiction
€ 36,99Anime fighting with enormous combos and a huge roster, the closest thing to Killer Instinct's excess.
BlazBlue Centralfiction runs on PC, PlayStation, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Playable.
UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes
€ 49,99A combo-heavy 2D fighter with excellent netcode, for people who liked the long chains.
UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes runs on PC, PlayStation, Switch. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Xbox. It is Steam Deck Unsupported.
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