The pricing model for Killer Instinct Xbox One has always been a bit confusing for some. I think it’s fairly simple to grasp, but there are those who just haven’t quite come to terms with it yet, especially newcomers just starting to acquire the game. In this article, I’m going to go into detail explaining exactly how it all works, the different pricing structures for each version, and how the Ultra Edition gives you the most “bang for your buck”.
Killer Instinct Xbox One isn’t your traditionally developed video game. Microsoft opted to try something new with its development by releasing the game via “Seasons”, with a new season intended to be delivered each year throughout the duration of the Xbox One’s life cycle. Every season is its own individual purchase and includes its own set of characters, Retro Costumes, and Accessory Packs, but the UI, modes of play, online options and more is the same throughout each season. So how do you purchase each season and what is the cost? There is currently one season available with Season Two launching on October 15th (details here), and both seasons have the same pricing structure with three different ways to buy the game. Let’s take a look at each of those different versions…
Buy As You Play-– The “Buy As You Play” option is when your opting for complete freedom-of-choice in what you do or do not purchase. Not interested in Jago? Then don’t buy him. Don’t like that retro costume for Glacius or those third and fourth accessory packs for Sadira? Then don’t buy them either. You could literally have access to and play the entire Killer Instinct game with a measly $4.99 purchase of your favorite character. Not bad, right?
Combo Breaker Editions- The ‘Combo Breaker Editions’ are priced at $19.99 each. This edition includes all eight characters released for that particular season of the game. Retro Costumes and the third and fourth Accessory Packs would still need to be purchased separately.
Ultra Editions- The ‘Ultra Editions’ are priced at $39.99 each. This edition includes every piece of extra content that released for the season. That means all eight characters, every Retro Costume and additional Accessory Packs are included in the price. In addition to that, you’ll also exclusively receive the Classic Killer Instinct game (Season 1) and Classic Killer Instinct 2 game (Season 2) as well as early access to unreleased characters before other players.
So those are the three pricing models that Killer Instinct Xbox One offers, leaving it completely open ended on how you choose to buy into the game. As I said before, it seems pretty simple and basic, and yet there is an ample amount of confusion when it comes to the different seasons available. I’ve been tweeted at on numerous occasions and received more-than-a-few emails asking the same question: “If I bought the Ultra Edition for Season One, then does that mean I have to pay for Season 2?” The simple answer to that question is yes. Yes you do. Now let me explain why…
As detailed above, the Ultra Edition for each season includes all of the content available for that season. Many fans have been looking at it from a complete financial perspective, seeing it as having to spend $80 on the game by buying both Ultra Editions and conclude that it isn’t fair. Well that’s not exactly the case. Firstly, and to reiterate what I said earlier, it’s all about choice. How much you do or do not spend on the game is entirely up to you. Secondly, the Ultra Editions actually includes a significant amount of savings for that $40 you’ve spent on each of them. Let me put that into perspective for you…
Let’s talk specifically about Season One. Below is a chart showing an approximation of exactly how much money you’d spend, depending on how you choose to buy into KI:
| Edition | Character (8) | Retro Costume (8) | 3rd Accessory Pack (8) | 4th Accessory Pack (8) | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buy In | $4.99 | $2.99 | $1.99 | $1.99 | $95.68 |
| Combo Breaker | Included | $2.99 | $1.99 | $1.99 | $55.76 |
| Ultra | Included | Included | Included | Included | $39.99 |
As you can see in the provided chart, you’re saving quite a bit of money with the Ultra Edition. That $40 spent for Season One goes a long ways, and that’s not even counting the inclusion of the Classic Killer Instinct game and early character access. Yes, Season Two will set you back another $40 if you want all of its extra content too, but you’d be saving (not losing) money with that purchase as in comparison to the other two options available. But that’s only if you’re interested in all of that extra content. If you don’t want the Retro Costumes or extra Accessory Packs or the other benefits included with the Ultra Editions, then I suggest you steer away from it and stick with the Combo Breaker Edition (if you want all characters) or the buy-in option if you only plan to purchase a character or two.
The purpose and intent of this article was to show you–in detail–how Killer Instinct Xbox One’s pricing works and the true value behind the Ultra Edition versions of the game. How you choose to purchase each season is entirely up to you, but you get the most out of your money by opting for the $40 versions. I hope this article has been informative and cleared up any confusion. If you have any questions or anything that I didn’t touch up on that you’d like to know about, then leave a comment below!
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They should add retro costumes + premium accessory packs + classic KI (No Actual Characters, Just their costumes and accessories) as its own bundle’s/$20/per season but ONLY for people who already paid for and own Combo Breaker Packs as an upgrade to Ultra packs, seeing how my idea for this bundle doesn’t include the characters(just their extra DLC), you would already have to own them first from Combo Breaker Packs. Seems kind of ridiculous to pay $40 for content you already own half of and paid $20 for ultimately paying $60 for each session.
Oh yeah! And I don’t know if Ultra let’s you pick any other character than Jago for Dojo, I mean if we purchase a character they should come with a Dojo mode for them as well without paying extra, Mostly if one doesn’t even own Jago but Especially since the other characters don’t even have the same moves as JAGO!
the ultra edition you get all dlc for free and combo breaker edition not? nobody cares about costumes, i really only care about all characters..
i’ve got mortal kombat arcade it’s too hard so i guess it’s the same for killer instinct so classic games i don’t want to.
I downloaded the ultra edition but the classic game option it’s on the menu how the hell do I play the classic game?
you will find the classic game in your xbox one home menu just go to the my apps and games section and you should find it there ready to be installed i had this problem too please let me know if this was helpfull for you or if i can further help you with this hava a nice day
ii don’t understand… why is everyone complaining. people doesn’t even complain when they purchase a game called “COD”
You can’t compare this to COD? That’s a complete game with actual dlc. That’s like paying for final fantasy cause it’s a 3 disk game. So we should pay for each disk just to complete the game. No!
How about this… aham *cough cough*
We purchase combo breaker right?
then allow us to upgrade to ultra edition. are you getting me here.
IT’S SIMPLE AS THAT.!!!! i’ll been gripping about this for a long freakin time.
i unfortunately happened to purchase combo breaker. hoping to get a discount on ultra edition
Here’s the deal combo breaker cost 20$ while ultra edition cost$
in my perspective view of point.
after purchasing combo beaker 20$ the discount should definitely be an extra 20$ not @ full price 40$ it’s stupid & ridiculous
And your also getting a whole game including the new ki seasons killer instinct classic and ki 2 so u have to factor in whatvthey would coast on xbl a piece also
As far as how I see it buying the ultra pack every time goes $40 season 1 and $40 season 2 for a total of $80, let’s break that down: $20 for 8 characters X 2 seasons= $40, ki1 arcade $10, ki2 arcade $10, dlc $10 each season X 2 seasons= $20. With just the characters by the time season 3 rolls around you’ll have paid $60 for 24 characters and all the game modes and stages included which is a full game at that point. The extra $20 per season goes towards all the extra dlc that just about every game nowadays has an option for, and on top of that you get the classic arcade ports. So yeah you pay $80 for 2 seasons and you get a ton of dlc, 2 extra games, and a full Xbox one game. So quit complaining that you have to pay sooo much for it, just buy the combo breaker pack for $20, by season 3 you’d have a full game for $60 and anything besides that is optional extras. Another thing I just realized though is what season 3 will have. It’s a little too early to be thinking about season 3 I know, but I wonder with ki1 for season 1, ki2 for season 2, what could come with season 3? Or would they change the price model? Anyone got any ideas for that? Me personally I would love to see ki1 HD remix, it would play exactly like the original but add HD graphics and maybe extra costumes from ki3, that would be sick!! And if a season 4 happens then do the same to ki2.
well the doubt they will make an hd remix of any of the original ki games. that’s sounding a little too much like the capcom business model. from what I heard season 3 will be have a few returning characters from the original ki games and guest characters. I’m expecting people like masterchief, Joanna dark from perfect dark, and someone from gears of war, possibly Lara Croft just to promote her next game since it will only be on xbox for a little while so why not. I’m thinking iron galaxy will hold back someone like riptor for season 3. cinder will probably be the last character for season 2
Ya they’ll hold the most wanted character. Just to make us buy another season.
Lmao how could u NOT understand this anyway?!?! Smh
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I figured I would have to pay 80$ for both Ultra packs but there could have been some sort of bonus discount I could have missed. All is clear now.
People who are getting upset over the way they’re doing it need to be thankful that this isnt a call of duty approach. Every year sequel after sequel season pass after season pass map pack after map pack and so on. I just look at this as either a sequel or just a way to continue the game forward. I just hope they ultimately do not go towards the call of duty syndrome with this game…. that’s my main concern.
I pray people understand now. You can’t say I should get season 2 for free just because I spent 40 bucks for season 1. I mean think about it, you think you should get all 16 characters, all retro costumes, all accessories, both ki1 and ki2 for just 40 bucks. that would be a huge slap in iron galaxy face. People forget the money you paid b4 was to double helix moslty, ironot galaxy hasn’t made a dime off their work yet
Thank you for the informative article. A lot of people need to see this
I was always looking for a chart to see how much you save with the ultra and with how it looks I’m glad I can just feel more confident getting everything bundled and saving almost 60$ everytime
That’s exactly what I told, lol. This @jxweezy