Killer Instinct is a fighting game by Rare and Nintendo. Initially released in arcades in 1994, and claiming to use an "Ultra 64" hardware engine. The game received a high profile launch on the Super Nintendo, as well as on the Game Boy. It led to a sequel, Killer Instinct 2.

Developed using SGI computers and 3D modeling software from Alias, Killer Instinct was considered a graphical and aural leader when it was released. It featured animated backgrounds that were pre-rendered movies which changed angles depending on the character location on many of the stages. This technique causes the backgrounds to have an unprecedented three dimensional look — a look far better than was possible at the time in real time 3D rendering. (Bram Stoker's Dracula for the Sega CD later used this technique.) Killer Instinct also gained notoriety for its memorable background music and over the top sound effects and was the first arcade game with an internal hard disk.