"Killer Instinct Gold Joins Nintendo Switch Online Library"

The latest addition to the Nintendo Switch Online library is Killer Instinct Gold, a beloved Nintendo 64 game. This classic is a port of the arcade fighter Killer Instinct 2, joining the original Killer Instinct in the ever-growing collection of retro titles accessible to subscribers of the Online Expansion Pack.

Originally released in 1996, Killer Instinct Gold was crafted by the renowned British studio Rare, which was a key second-party developer for Nintendo back then. Rare's portfolio from that era includes iconic titles like Donkey Kong Country, Goldeneye 007, and Perfect Dark. In Killer Instinct Gold, players can choose from a lineup of 10 fierce fighters and engage in various game modes, boasting "hundreds of thousands of moves and killer Combos at your fingertips."

Despite Rare and the Killer Instinct franchise now being under Microsoft's ownership, Killer Instinct Gold marks another Xbox Game Studios title to grace the Nintendo Switch. Since the release of the Xbox One launch title Killer Instinct in 2013, there's been no word from Microsoft about plans for a new installment in the series.

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Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription-based service that enhances the Nintendo Switch gaming experience. It provides online multiplayer functionality, allowing you to play with or against friends, alongside a rich catalog of classic games from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and soon, the new GameCube libraries with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. A free seven-day trial is available for those interested in trying it out.

Preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 opened at the end of April, maintaining a price point of $449.99. The demand was predictably high, and although Nintendo has warned U.S. customers that pre-orders from the My Nintendo Store might not guarantee a release date delivery due to overwhelming demand, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser reassured IGN that the company expects to meet consumer demand "through the holidays."