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Killer Instinct (SNES) artwork

Killer Instinct (SNES) review


"If you're looking for a good Super Nintendo fighting game, you can't go wrong with Killer Instinct. It's a very solid game. However, the combo system might not be too fly with everyone."

Killer Instinct was a fighting game released first in the arcade. It was a huge success, the likes of which Nintendo had not seen in the arcade business since Mario Brothers. So naturally, it was ported over to the Super Nintendo, with very successful results.

The plot behind Killer Instinct is fairly intelligent, for a fighting game. Each fighter has their own seperate background, but they're attracted for the same reason. Each year, a giant corporation throws a fighting tournament. The winner of the tournament is granted one wish. Everyone has their own motive for wanting to win the tournament.

However, make no bones about it, the main appeal of Killer Instinct is the fighting. The story is just fluff. And the game doesn't disappoint with the fighting, for the most part. It revolves around a revolutionary new ''combo'' system. In the combo system, executing various attacks in a row will automatically launch two to eight more attacks. The number of hits you land are counted and announced. Special attacks can be integrated at the end of the combo also.

This is an interesting new twist on a tired genre. Unfortunately, it makes the game turn into a lot of blocking and combo-ing. When you're being beaten into a pulp by a combo, there's little you can do. Combo Breakers are present, but they are inconsistent, unless the computer executes them...

The special attacks in the game are a mixed bag. Some are incredible useful, but others are just mundane. There's your standard variety of projectile and ''Ryu Attacks'' for each character. The finishing blows are extremely generic and even boring. The humiliations just downright stupid.

Character balance is also an issue. Some characters (Orchid, Jago) are far too powerful and have special attacks that make them nearly invulnerable. And you better pray a human opponent doesn't know the secret code to get Eyedol.

Graphically, Killer Instinct is the best looking fighting game available for the Super Nintendo. It features rendered character models, a la Donkey Kong Country. It does not feature the high gore levels of Mortal Kombat 2. Depending on your vantage point, this may be a good or a bad thing. The entire game has a dark perspective, like the entire tournament is played at night.

The sounds in Killer Instinct are strong. The music is strangly addictive. If you're lucky enough to find a completly new version of the game, a music CD is included. There's a different track for each stage. The effects are also strong, with a variety of fighting noises. It's much better then its competitors, Mortal Kombat 2 and Street Fighter 2.

If you're looking for a good Super Nintendo fighting game, you can't go wrong with Killer Instinct. It's a very solid game. However, the combo system might not be too fly with everyone. If it isn't your cup of tea, you might want to try Street Fighter Alpha 3, the elite fighting game of the system, if you can find it.



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Community review by sgreenwell (Date unavailable)

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