There’s no question that the once great developer Rare has fallen from grace in recent years. A majority of the games coming from the studio have been for Kinect, and all of the well-known properties that made the developer so wonderful have fallen by the wayside. One of these franchises was called Killer Instinct, and many gamers considered it one of the greatest fighting game series of all time. Microsoft is very aware of this, and that’s why they’ve opted to renew their trademark on the title.
Renewing trademarks isn’t anything new for any company in this industry, but what makes this one in particular so odd is that Microsoft actually came out and announced that they had done so. The announcement arrived via PlayXBLA earlier today, and (as many may have probably been able to piece together after reading the site’s name) it may allude the re-release of a Killer Instinct title on the Xbox Live Marketplace.
PlayXBLA reports:
“With all due respect to our friends in the media who like to frequent trademark sites, we thought we’d break this one ourselves.”
“Our legal eagles have authorized us to say: “We have either renewed or refiled a trademark application in various jurisdictions.””
It wouldn’t be the first time Rare brought its illustrious back catalogue to the Xbox 360′s digital storefront. Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie, and Perfect Dark have all made their way to the XBLA, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see Killer Instinct, or even its sequel, arrive at some point in the near future. In the past, the job of porting Rare’s games to the Xbox Live Marketplace has fallen to 4J Studios (the same devs that are responsible for bringing Minecraft to Xbox 360), and it’s easy to imagine that they may be called upon again to lend their expertise to a Killer Instinct port. With Rare hard at work on two games for the Xbox 720, 4J Studios is definitely a solid developer for the job.
Of course, there’s always a slight possibility that a brand new installment in the franchise, Killer Instinct 3, may currently be under development, but that doesn’t seem as likely as an HD port. Whatever the reason is for officially announcing the renewal of the Killer Instinct trademark, fans of the once popular fighting franchise now have hope that they may finally become reacquainted with the property – let’s just hope that Microsoft doesn’t let them down.
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Follow me on Twitter for updates on a new Killer Instinct, as well as other gaming news, @TheRileyLittle.
Source: PlayXBLA
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Wow. I was just playing this with my friends yesterday.
greatttt maybe HD XBLA port of original and Killer Instinct 3 for 720!
what is killer instinct
ULTRA COMBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CCCCOMBO BREAKER!
Yes I would like to know why Microsoft would decline such an incredible game K.I that is, I understand (Rare) works only on avatars and Kinect games. (Rare) was a major corner stone on Nintendo’s corporate pyramid now Microsoft owns (Rare) we want a sequel for Killer Instinct there are rumors of K.I 3 but K.I1 OR 2 would be sufficient in the xbox market place I have been to many rooms on this K.I dilemma. The bottom line is so many people want killer Instinct to be revived and brought to the 360. I mean one page i went to had 50,000 views about 95 percent likes K.I is a intriguing game legendary in it’s own class. And many of those viewers posted comment like my own KILLER INSTINCT is better than MK and Street fighter combined we want our Ultra Combos, Combo Breakers, air Ultras, glitched Ultras, Finishers, Ultimates, Humiliations, exc… it’s been 16 years we have waited long enough bring it back it will sell so fast their is no down fall for resurrecting K.I only an increase in productivity millions will play this game. I know for a fact those Nintendo and PS3 gamers will be picking up an Xbox just for that game converting to their competitors. Just go to youtube for example type killer instinct 3 and look at all the people who want it back oh and yes we want the original announcer’s voice on their as well if it’s not too much of an inconvenience online game play fixed pixels, new characters, new features, Longer combos and ultras and better graphics. I mean what game doesn’t need that but this would mean so much to people locally and globally who know of Killer Instinct and if they don’t they will very soon.
Almost forgot on youtube type killer instinct 3 look at the video by screw attack very upsetting news indeed. And Microsoft can show their competitors and K.I fans that Microsoft can make games for all people from the youngest tree sprout, the aged nor gender you can bring back a game every one would love. I bet MK and SF would be shivering with fear seeing how many people would purchase this amazing game, Sony and Nintendo, would be shell shocked seeing Microsoft making a roaring entrance to the top but please we miss K.I and would love to relive the 90′s, this game has been gone since 1995 it’s time for it to resurface and capitalize the gamer world for fighting games people have already made opening intros and K.I logos themes, this game is hot we are just waiting for Microsoft to light the fuse and make use all happy Thank You.