Killer Instinct Season 3 is now available for Xbox One and PC

Microsoft Studios and Iron Galaxy are excited to announce the global launch of Killer Instinct: Season 3 on Tuesday, March 29 on Xbox One and through the Windows Store on Windows 10. Season 3 delivers a slew of new features, most notably cross-device play between Xbox One and Windows 10 players (across all three Seasons of Killer Instinct), as well as new characters, customizations, and content for frenetic fighting action.

Cross-Device Play Means More Challengers to Jump into the Fray

Take on all challengers from Seasons 1, 2, and 3 and unleash your inner fighting spirit on your opponents. All previous content and characters are now available for the first-time to players on Windows 10 as well. If you already own Killer Instinct on Xbox One, it gets even better: Everything you already own, earned or purchased (characters, costumes, accessories, etc.) can be accessed on either the Xbox One or Windows 10 version. If you’re planning to play on both Xbox One and Windows 10, we recommend making sure you’ve updated the Xbox One version, and then starting the game and signing into your account on Xbox One first (to initiate the save sync) before starting it on Windows 10.

No matter which platform you start the fight on, know that you can see it through to completion by accessing your fighters and unlocks, whether you’re playing on the TV through your Xbox One or playing on the go with your Windows 10 PC. Jump into matches against friends on either Xbox One or Windows 10, and because you’re on the same Xbox Live network, you can party chat and send and receive messages between platforms. Enriching the Windows 10 experience is an astonishing 60FPS performance with 4K support. We know how important framerate is in a fighting game, and made sure that everyone — players on Xbox One or on gaming rigs — can take the fight online with smooth 60FPS gameplay.

A Roster of Returning Favorites and Familiar Faces

Emerging from the shadows for Killer Instinct: Season 3 on day one are two fan favorites set to get a leg-kick up on the competition: martial artist-design student Kim Wu and Tusk the Immortal Barbarian. Appearing alongside Kim Wu and Tusk are two guest characters who might be new to Killer Instinct, but are very familiar to gaming fans: Rash from Rare’s Battletoads and Arbiter from 343 Industries’ Halo. Each character harnesses their own unique fighting style, which is sure to lead to explosive encounters and devastating Ultra Combos.

Like previous seasons, the new faces on launch day are just the beginning. Throughout the coming months, more challengers will appear and Season 3 will conclude with eight new fighters in total. Combined with the character lineups of Seasons 1 and 2, players on Xbox One and Windows 10 will have a roster of 26 available fighters.

Revamped Visuals to See Every Hit in Devastating Detail

Season 3 adds several improvements to the overall graphics and showcases them in three completely new fighting stages such as the “Arena of Judgment” based on the Sangheili homeworld from Halo 5: Guardians. While these new stages help to truly let the revamped graphics engine shine, each of your favorite stages from previous seasons will also benefit from the improved graphics, as the developers have conducted a complete visual overhaul of all 17 existing stages—giving you 20 stages total (17 existing and 3 new) full of new detail and “pop.”

In technical terms, Season 3 implemented reflection tech across the stages, re-introduces screen space color adjustments, and adds an all-new lighting system. In terms of pure eye candy, this means you’ll notice even greater realism for characters and stages. Try not to get too distracted by the pretty colors and astonishing textures though, or you might let your guard down long enough to open yourself up to a finishing combo.

Put Your Quarter In

How can you get in on the action? As in the first two seasons, fans will have access to bundled offerings to suit their own fighting style, including the Supreme Edition and the features-packed Ultra Edition.

Killer Instinct: Supreme Edition – ($59.99/£44.99/€59.99 on Xbox One, $49.99/£34.99/€49.99 on Windows 10)

For the uninitiated fighters set to experience Killer Instinct for the first time on Xbox One or Windows 10, there’s no better option to go in fully equipped with the Killer Instinct: Supreme Edition. In addition to the exciting newcomers of Season 3, the Supreme Edition includes characters from all 3 seasons (25 total), all retro costumes, all premium accessory sets, the VIP Double XP Booster and 18,000 KI Gold (limited time only). On Xbox One, the Supreme Edition also includes Killer Instinct Classic and Killer Instinct 2 Classic. No matter what platform you purchase the Supreme Edition on, you’ll be able to pick up the fight on both Xbox One and Windows 10.

Killer Instinct: Season 3: Ultra Edition – ($39.99/£31.99/€39.99 on Xbox One and Windows 10)

The Ultra Edition includes all eight Killer Instinct: Season 3 fighters, starting with the release of Kim Wu, Tusk, Arbiter, and Rash on launch day followed by the remaining Season 3 fighters rolling out on a monthly basis. Additional content in this Edition include a VIP Double XP Booster, 8 retro costumes, accessory sets, bonus retro character colors, and 18,000 KI Gold (limited time only). Even more, owners of the Ultra Edition will get early access to characters and customization items before they’re available to Combo Breaker Pack owners or for individual sale.

Killer Instinct: Season 3: Combo Breaker – ($19.99/£15.99/€19.99 on Xbox One and Windows 10)

Purchase all eight fighters up front at a significant discount over the individual character price. Play as Kim Wu, Tusk, Arbiter, and Rash immediately on launch day, with the remaining Season 3 fighters rolling out on a monthly basis.

Killer Instinct: Season 3 – Characters a-la-carte ($4.99/£3.99/€4.99)

Individual characters from the Season 3 roster will be available for purchase after they have been released for both the Ultra Edition and Combo Breaker Pack. Characters will appear on a regular schedule for you to purchase, starting with Rash on launch day.

Ready to enter the next round in a Fulgore vs. Arbiter match-up? Get set to land precise punches (or just mash buttons) when Killer Instinct: Season 3 launches March 29.