One of the first hands on previews I've seen for the game: Xboxer360 - Killer Instinct preview.
Also Game Informer has an article about cloud updating for the game:Game Informer - Balancing without a patch

New Sadira breakdown from Max. She's still might not be my first pick for a character, I think that will either Saberwulf or Thunder, but I think having an ariel rushdown character that used projectiles to get in close is pretty cool.

Sidira impressions

The Mad Catz Killer Instinct TE2 fightstick pre-order have gone live: Killer Instinct TE2 Fightstick.

I ordered mine, but I think that price point is a little ridiculous. Considering the price of the system, the fightstick and games, I'm looking at a $1,000 bill when the XBO launchs .

Fancy. Fancy, fancy looking stick. I don't know if I like the general shape of the base, but that's a weird thing to have a complaint about. How have the MadCatz sticks been over the past few years? I know they tried to change their image with the fight sticks for SF4 and other fighters, but I heard some people had issues with those wearing out or breaking not too long after purchase. I don't know. I'll wait for the game to come out, I'll wait for the stick to get some product reviews, and I'll wait to see if I can use it on my PC. Looks solid though. 200 dollars does seem more expensive than usual for a fight stick.

I have an older TE-S fightstick. While I don't use it much (mostly because the weight is kind of uncomfortable) it does seem pretty durable. Plus it's not hard to swap/replace parts. This new design looks like it it will be even easier using a hinged lid. It may also be more lightweight like the Injstice stick, which has been growing on me lately.

I'm just not crazy about this new price point. The fight sticks in the past ran $160. I feel the $200 price point is kind of steep. Especially when you figure in it's for a brand new system that gamers are also going to have to get, and that there is currently only 1 fighting game available for it. Not to mention any other games, consumers might have been looking to buy.
[edit]: Looks like a retail boxed copy has been outed:
Killer Instinct Ultimate Pin Edition It comes out 11/29 and It doesn't even include a physical disk, only a download code for the $40 edition of the game and some pins. It's also only available through Microsoft's own store. There is a discussion over on the Double Helix forum about the emblems that are on the cover that represent each character, last two character hinted. Right now it looks like a possibility of either Spinal, Cinder and or Fulgore.

There have been some character leaks, and Maximillian talks about them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG65D8ZzfyQ

Oh yeah, MegaMan is totally on the roster. It all adds up.

Max has a new direct feed video and it truly is the closest thing I've seen to representing what the game actually looks like, running in person: Killer Instinct Direct feed.

I saw that video. Not much to really say except visually that game looks really nice, and I like the new colors.

Part of the Orchid theme (?)

Have I finally figured out how to put links in the posts on this forum?

Orchid slipped out during a random select during today's live streaming:

Credit goes to Double Helix Games/Killer Instinct forum member Jagokuken

Y'know how they said they were still working on her face? I hope they haven't stopped yet, because from the looks of it, at the moment it's actually worse than it was the first time, maybe they should've just left it alone. There's something wrong with her cheeks/lips, almost like she's got a mouthful of food or making duckface...

Could be worse, she could end up looking like Wonder Woman or Raven.

Yeah, she does look a bit bloated on there... and her eyes look tired. Not a good look. :P

I have so much to write about, but I haven't had much time these days. To put it short, this game is looking unbelievable. Hopefully some time this weekend I can post more of my thoughts.


I've had my TE for over two years, and it's still going strong. Out of the half dozen of my friends who use TE's, none of them have complained of technical problems.

But as great as the product is, even I think $200 is ridiculous.

Whoa! It's like they took the original Orchid model and gave her Botox/plastic surgery! That's not what I had in my mind when they said they were fixing her face

I'm sure they'll fix it though.....right??

I think anyone who is concerned about the price and already owns an existing fightstick might be better off waiting and keeping an eye on the PS360+. To see if it gets a firmware update to work with both next- gen systems.

I'm still getting one personally, but I might trade in my older sticks after I've spent some time with new stick and see how customizable it is.

Right now I just have a ton of ideas for various mods and set-ups I would like to try with it.

Max has another video up from his Killer Instinct Raw series. Second match has Chris Sudderland as the original announcer.

Killer Instinct Raw 2

I don't know what it is, but the announcer sounds so off to me compared to the first 2 games. I don't know if it's the stage music that is throwing it off, but I don't like it. I'm preferring the new announcer over Chris.

IGN will be showing the first Orchid gameplay on 31st October. Yay!

Max has posted a new Jago combo breakdown video: FilthieRich - Jago Combo Breakdown .

The combo was performed by Double Helix's FilthieRich, the game's community manager. From a damage perspective it isn't very impressive, but the combo utilizes 1-2 frame links and a mid combo cross-up.
I think this video shows perfectly just how deep the gameplay mechanics are in the new game.

Some MS folks were at my local Future Shop with the game the other day, and I got a chance to play two rounds before my lady nudged me out the door. Feels like classic KI, and really smooth. I enjoyed.

Glad to hear it. I'm kind of jealous though, I only got to play 1 match. I can't wait for the game.

Who did you happen to pick to play as for your matches? Also was it the Thunder build or the Sadira build?

Thunder build. Sad to say it was two Jago mirror matches (for the sake of basic Shoto-familiarity on my part), and the guy had been playing all day so he completely whooped my ass nevertheless. It was the Thunder build.

And I say goddamn, that 'c-c-c-c-combo breaker' yell is so fucking satisfying to hear in person. No online vids do it justice.

So which version of the announcer is better? Chris Sudderland as the original, or the new one they have?