Game Boy
Killer Instinct
| Graphics: Sound: Gameplay: Overall: |
8.17 8.33 8.17 8.33 |
| Votes: | 6 |
| Reviews: | 1 |
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| Reviewer: TheTruthGamer | Date: Nov 15, 2010 |
| Arguably the BEST fighting game on the original Game Boy, Killer Instinct is the humble little port of Rareware's classic 1994 arcade fighter. Ported to the SNES the following year, Rare developed this faithful, albeit pintsize, version for the GB. With 9 of the original 11 selectable characters playable (Cinder and Riptor n/a), those who enjoyed KI on the SNES or even the arcade will find that this little port packed the same fast hitting, high-combo action which made the series so famous.
Graphics: 8 You're basically playing on a colorless, portable NES so don't expect anything jawdropping. However, Rare managed to deliver the 3D-rendered character models here just like the 'Donkey Kong Land' series. For example, while just standing still, Orchid, Glacius, Spinal, and Fulgore will sway and breathe like realistic warriors that LOOK very good for Game Boy standards. The level designs are simplified versions of their 'big brother' versions, but you can adjust the "background" color from "light" to "dark", with the latter showing darker but more detailed stage designs. You can use the Super Game Boy (SNES) and have more pan-color variety (with exclusive KI border!), but not true color differentiation. Sound: 10 KI's audio always stood out on the SNES, and it continues the tradition here. You'll hear tinny (not tiny) versions of some of the best fighting game music. From Sabrewulf's haunting tune, to Fulgore's metallic drone, to TJ Combo's upbeat instrumental, and even the classic intro theme, almost every track follows the same catchy rhythm and pattern of the SNES game. The noticeable exception is Chief Thunder's stage, which had been altered into simpler instrumental without the chanting native Indian vocals. Gameplay: 9 I dare say THIS version played BETTER than the SNES! Yup, you heard me. The main advantage is the fact that there are only TWO buttons (A+B) on the GB, causing Rareware to come up with creative ways to perform punches and kicks. The original "Strong/Medium/Weak" buttons are no longer available, thus erasing those awkward shoulder taps. If you wanted to use Normal punch, you tapped "B" and if you wanted a quicker, weaker punch, you held down "Forward"+ tap B. You held "Back" and tapped B for a stronger punch, but only some characters had this ability. This meant combos are much easier to initiate, alternating between A and B during longer combinations. And for the TRUE fans, "tap-ins" are also available! Each character has ONE "Ultra Combo" (20+hits) and ONE "No Mercy" (Finishing move). On the original GB, you can link up two Game Boys with the Game Link and play 1-on-1 against a friend, but good luck finding another person with another Game Pak. It's much easier to just duke it out on the SNES using the Super Game Boy with two controllers. Unfortunately, since this IS an emulator and you have no proper controller, fighting games don't generally translate well on keyboards and KI will be almost impossible to play properly. Overall: 9 The Game Boy was never known for its incredible fighting game library, but Killer Instinct stood out as one of the best ports for a handheld at the time. The fact that it was on an 8-bit handheld made it even more special just because of how faithful the game was translated. I spent a good portion of my childhood mastering this game, discovering every No Mercy through trial-and-error, unlocking Eyedol, beating the hardest difficulty, even loving it more than the SNES version because of the simpler, yet intricate controls and combos. Great music, great gameplay, and decent graphics=COMPLETE WIN. -To this day, I have never been able to perform Orchid's "Ultra Combo" on the Game Boy. It either just doesn't register, or the instruction manual has been LYING to me for the past 14 years. -The maximum combo you can achieve is "99", and only two characters can actually do it. -This is a review of the real CARTRIDGE game for the Game Boy system, so unless you have played this on the Game Boy or even the Super GB, you CANNOT appreciate its value. This emulator version MUST BE PLAYED with a PROPER controller, NOT KEYBOARD! |
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