Mortal Kombat 3 Classic
Super Nintendo · Fighting / Action
Killer Instinct
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1995 (originally 1994) |
| 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 | M |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 6 |
Released for the Super Nintendo in 1995, Killer Instinct is a fighting game developed by Rareware and published by Nintendo. This SNES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1994. It blends fighting and action elements.
It landed about 4 years into the SNES's life. Other notable SNES releases from 1995 include Chrono Trigger, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island and Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. Among the 62 SNES fighting games in our database, it ranks #21 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 (Game Boy). Rareware also made Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! for the SNES.
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
35 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Master Code - Must Be Entered | 3C61-D4DF |
|---|---|
| Start A Game And Watch The Ending (Use `Practice Mode' To Select Different Characters) | CB64-4D61 |
| Win After 1 Victory | CCE8-47D2 |
| Win After 2 Victories | C8E8-47D2 |
| Win After 3 Victories | CAE8-47D2 |
| Win After 4 Victories | C2E8-47D2 |
Killer Instinct walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Killer Instinct.
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Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Killer Instinct FAQ
When did Killer Instinct come out on the SNES?
Killer Instinct was released for the Super Nintendo in 1995; the original game dates back to 1994.
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.