Game Boy · Fighting / Action
Killer Instinct
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fighting, Action |
| Developer | Rareware |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Killer Instinct |
| ESRB | KA |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 4 |
Developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo, Killer Instinct arrived on the Game Boy as a fighting game. It blends fighting and action elements.
Among the 17 Game Boy fighting games in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
It is part of the Killer Instinct series. The series also appears on other systems with Killer Instinct Gold (N64) and Killer Instinct (SNES). Rareware also made Donkey Kong Land, Donkey Kong Land 2 and Donkey Kong Land III for the Game Boy.
Killer Instinct supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you prefer story-driven games or have no one to play against
What playing Killer Instinct is like
Fighting games pit two characters against each other in short one-on-one bouts. Depth comes from learning special moves, combos and each character's strengths.
Tip for newcomers: Pick one character and learn their basic special moves before branching out. Fighting games are at their best against a friend at a similar skill level.
Killer Instinct cheats & codes
55 codes on file (Game Genie, GameShark, Xploder, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Time | 002-199-19E |
|---|---|
| Round Starts With 10 Seconds | 103-1CD-80C |
| Round Starts With 30 Seconds | 303-1CD-80C |
| Round Starts With 50 Seconds | 503-1CD-80C |
| Round Starts With 75 Seconds | 753-1CD-80C |
| Infinite Energy | FA7-B0B-4C1 |
Killer Instinct walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Killer Instinct.
If you like Killer Instinct, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic Battle Classic
Raging Fighter Deep cut
Mortal Kombat Classic
Mortal Kombat II Classic
Mortal Kombat 4 Classic
Playing Game Boy games today
Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.
Killer Instinct FAQ
Who made Killer Instinct?
It was developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo.
Is Killer Instinct multiplayer?
Yes. Killer Instinct supports up to 2 players.
How long does Killer Instinct take to play?
As a fighting game, Killer Instinct typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Killer Instinct on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.