Killer Instinct Versions

With the launch of Killer Instinct’s free-to-play version, it’s never been easier to try out KI! Spend as much time as you’d like with the base game before upgrading to the Anniversary Edition – or, if you’re a returning KI player who’s previously bought legacy content, pick up the Anniversary Edition at no extra cost to you!

How do you know which version of Killer Instinct is right for you? Read below to see all the content included in both the free-to-play base game and the Anniversary Edition.

Both versions of Killer Instinct are available on Xbox consoles, Windows PC, and Steam – and thanks to our new Ranked Crossplay, you can fight other players on any platform.

 

Free-to-Play Killer Instinct Base Game 

This unlimited free-to-play demo gives you access to all available game modes, includes free unlocks, and more!

In addition to one free weekly rotating fighter chosen from the entire 29-character cast, the base game allows you to permanently unlock Jago after completing the Shadow Lords Tutorial. You can also permanently unlock Orchid after achieving 50% progress in Shadow Lords.

Here’s a run-down of all the available modes and content in the free-to-play base game:

  • Shadow Lords: Assemble a team of fighters during each playthrough to experience a single-player rogue-lite mode with numerous narrative branches influenced by your decisions and team composition.
    • Fight with the help of Power Guardians! These creatures from the Astral Plane add new perks (like poison) and combat mechanics (like parries or physic breakers) to your fighters. There are 10 Guardians with multiple tiers and no loot boxes, and because they’re on a fixed rotation, you are in control of which ones you collect and how you get them.
    • Fight Shadows, Mimics, and more as you undergo a quest to defeat Gargos.
    • Mimic skins of all 29 fighters can be unlocked in this mode through progression.
    • Available in Normal, Challenging, and Godlike difficulties.
    • Defeat Gargos on Challenging difficulty to unlock the Astral Plane Stage.
    • Shadow Lords Multiplayer lets you battle online against others with the Guardians and Consumables you’ve earned while playing Shadow Lords. 
  • Single-Player Modes:
    • Fight
      • Player vs. CPU
      • Shadow Lab: Create the best version of you by making an AI that copies your playstyle.
        • Directly challenge the Shadows of other players of all skill levels and avenge your Shadow’s losses via Bounties. Play Shadow Survival for an endless challenge!
        • Shadow Skins of all 29 fighters can be unlocked by earning Shadow points in this mode (and special Shadow Lord missions). 
        • You must unlock Jago playing the Shadow Lords tutorial to gain access to Shadow Lab.
      • Story
        • Featuring Season 1 and Season 2 story modes. Play Shadow Lords to experience the latest story featuring Season 3 characters!
      • Survival
        • Play endlessly to rack up high scores!
        • Play against traditional AI, or against other players’ Shadow Fighters!
      • CPU vs. CPU
        • Way better than a screensaver!
    • Master
      • Dojo
        • Individual lessons to teach you the ropes!
        • If you are new to KI, this tutorial is perfect for helping you understand the flow of combos and the heart and soul of KI: Combos > Combo Breakers > Counter Breakers!
      • Practice
        • A robust training room filled with options to help you level up your game.
      • Combo Breaker Training
        • Practice your combo breaking skills against opponents of multiple skill levels!
        • This is the secret weapon for new and competitive players to get comfortable at reading Combo animations.
      • Trials
  • Multiplayer Modes:
    • Fight
      • Local Play
        • Play offline VS matches.
      • Online Exhibition
        • Play casual matches online against players on any platform.
      • Online Ranked Leagues (Now with Crossplay between Xbox/Windows PC and Steam!)
        • Play Ranked against players to work your way up through the leagues.
      • Online Lobby Mode
        • Play in a rotation with a group of players online and spectate matches while you wait your turn.
    • Store and Fighter Customization:
      • View all your unlocked fighters, skins, and extras.
        • 87 new Anniversary Edition colors were added in April 2024 – three for each fighter!
        • Note that with Fighters rotating weekly in the free-to-play version of KI, your progression on each character is preserved every week; you will have to wait until the character is available again to continue your progress.
        • Double XP events take place throughout the year. Keep an eye on KI social media for announcements!
      • Unlock Shadow skins by spending Shadow Points earned in Shadow Lords.
      • Grab KI Gold to cash in boosters, which help level up your fighters to quickly unlock new character customization options.
        • There are also two daily reward systems (Shadow Lords mode and all others) that also provide a variety of rewards like XP, Astral Gems, Shadow Points and even KI Gold. Keep playing and make sure to check your daily rewards to get them!
    • Edit your Profile Card
      • Swap out your Icon, Background, and Taunt before you meet your next opponent online.
    • Alternate Skin
      • Pick up the Legend of Thunder pack created in collaboration with our Nez Percé consultants!
      • Mimic skins can be unlocked while playing Shadow Lords.
      • Shadow skins can be unlocked with Shadow Points earned in Shadow Lab.
      • You must unlock Jago playing the Shadow Lords tutorial to gain access to Shadow Lab.
      • Other alternate skins are unlocked in the Premium Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition.

 

Premium Killer Instinct Anniversary Edition 

  • Everything featured in the free-to-play base game!
  • Access to all 29 fighters.
  • VIP double XP boosters.
  • Access to all premium content.
  • Retro skins:
    • Jago, Sabrewulf, Glacius, Thunder, Sadira, Orchid, Spinal, Fulgore, TJ Combo, Maya, Kan-Ra, Riptor, Aganos, Hisako, Cinder, ARIA, Kim Wu, Tusk, Arbiter, Rash, Mira, Gargos, General RAAM, Eyedol, and Eagle
  • Premium accessories:
    • Jago, Sabrewulf, Glacius, Thunder, Sadira, Orchid, Spinal, Fulgore, TJ Combo, Maya, Kan-Ra, Riptor, Aganos, Hisako, Cinder, ARIA, Kim Wu, Tusk, Arbiter, Rash, Mira, Gargos, General RAAM, Eyedol, and Eagle 
  • Specialty holiday accessories:
    • Sabrewulf, Orchid, and TJ Combo
  • Terror skins (These are viewable when selecting your character -> Skins):
    • Riptor, Mira, and Fulgore
  • Gold skins:
    • Jago, Sabrewulf, Glacius, Thunder, Sadira, Orchid, Spinal, Fulgore, TJ Combo, Maya, Kan-Ra, Riptor, Aganos, Hisako, Cinder, ARIA, Kim Wu, Tusk, Rash, Mira, Eyedol, Kilgore, Shin Hisako, and Eagle
  • Shadow Jago silver skin
  • Omen color pack (These are automatically unlocked as Colors 7, 8, and 9)
  • Gargos Golden God and Argent Shroud colors
  • Previous owners of Any KI Season or edition, any Killer Instinct Fighter, any premium skin or color pack, retail KI disks, on Xbox or PC, have been automatically upgraded to KI Anniversary Edition for free!
  • For the full breakdown of other legacy content included in the Anniversary Edition, check out our KI 10th Anniversary blog post.