#Killer instinct 2 music series

It has been critically acclaimed by the original KI fans and newcomers alike to be the best version of the theme song. While a bit slower than the previous two versions, it makes up for the small change with a powerful heavy metal sound, befitting the reboot's darker, grittier tone and direction. Though not as heavily scaled back in quality as the SNES, KI Gold, released on the Nintendo 64, had a small music quality decrease in both the Main Theme rendition and the Character Select rendition.Īfter almost 18 years since the release of KI Gold, Killer Instinct made its return from hiatus to the Xbox One in 2013 with a new version of 'The Instinct', now performed by new composer Mick Gordon.

#Killer instinct 2 music series

So far, this is the only game in the series in which both renditions of 'The Instinct' – the Main Theme rendition and the Character Select rendition – would be separated into two tracks on the Killer Instinct Gold Cuts soundtrack, called 'Title Tune' and 'Select', respectively. The Character Select rendition replaced the synthesized melodies with rock instrumentals and trumpets. When the sequel was released to arcades in 1996, a new and heavier rock version of 'The Instinct' was produced, with an greater emphasis on drums and electric guitar. 'The Instinct' and the other songs were overall rearranged to fit the handheld's 8-bit/ chiptune format.Īs stated above, 'The Instinct' does not appear in the official credits, nor does it appear in the Character Select screen, instead being replaced by Spinal's ' Ya Ha Haa' theme in the latter. On the (Super) Game Boy version of KI1, the game's music quality was lowered even further due to the handheld's limitations. The original programmers had to rearrange each track to fit into the console's 16-bit built settings.

While not as crisp or arranged sonically as the official Killer Cuts rendition, the original arcade version of 'The Instinct' has received plenty of high praise.Įxcept for the Game Boy version, the main theme also serves as the official credits theme for all versions of KI1, following the second and final half of boss character Eyedol's ' The Extreme' theme.ĭue to the hardware limitations of the Nintendo console, the overall soundtrack – including the main theme – was lowered in quality. At the end of the track as it fades out, there is an almost sinister and foreboding orchestrated piece that subsequently serves as the official Character Select theme. The theme overall is best described as a 1990s industrial hard rock/metal track, featuring electric guitars performing the well-known melodies and synthesizers that set an almost brooding atmosphere, befitting the game's urban, gritty tone and setting.