2XKO on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S – Here Are 15 Must Know Things

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Riot Games’ fighting game, 2XKO, is launching on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in January 2026 after initially gaining attention on PC. The game lets champions from League of Legends battle it out directly. With so many fighting games already available – like Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 – what makes 2XKO stand out? Here are 15 things you should know before you start playing on consoles, beginning with…

What the Heck is League of Legends?

Simply put, 2XKO is a hugely popular MOBA. The core idea is to take its famous characters and pit them against each other in a fighting game format. If you’re looking for fast-paced action, it’s definitely worth checking out, particularly because…

This is Free?

Riot Games’ games have their issues, but the fact they’re free to play is a big advantage. With 2XKO, that continues – you don’t need to worry about paying for new characters, arenas, game types, or anything else down the line.

Who Are You People?

A fighting game lives and dies by its character selection, and with over 170 characters available in League of Legends, you’d expect a huge roster. However, 2XKO currently has only 11 playable fighters. The good news is that popular champions like Ahri, Jinx, Vi, Warwick, Yasuo, Ekko, and even Teemo are included, along with some new characters added after the game’s initial release.

2v2 Tag Battles

So, what can you expect from 2XKO? The name should give it away – it’s a tag-team fighting game where you battle with teams of two. But it’s flexible! You can play traditional 1-on-1 matches, or even go for unbalanced 2-on-1 fights. And if you want the full team-based experience – including the chance to blame your partner – you can play 2-on-2 with a friend, just like in League of Legends.

Point and Assist

In this fighting game, the first character you control is called the Point, and the second is the Assist. If you’re familiar with tag-team fighters, you’ll understand the basics: call in your Assist to have them perform a special move, or even a powerful Super if you have enough meter. You can switch between characters with a ‘Handshake Tag,’ both normally and during an Assist move, which keeps your opponent uncertain. Plus, for those who played previous Killer Instinct games, Assists can now perform Breaks to stop an opponent’s combo when you really need to.

Arcade Mode, Versus, Casual and Training

The game offers several ways to play. Arcade Mode is the classic experience where you fight a set number of computer-controlled opponents. You can play against friends locally in Versus Mode, which doesn’t require an internet connection. For online competition, try Casual Mode. Plus, you can create your own private online matches or practice in Training Mode, where you can fine-tune things like AI difficulty, how easily you land special moves, and even unique character abilities.

Ranked Mode

Ranked Mode is the most challenging way to play, unlocking after you reach level 3. To get your initial rank, you’ll first need to play five placement matches. After that, it works like other competitive modes: winning earns you Ranked Points and helps you climb the tiers, while losing can cause you to drop down. The system does offer some protection against demotion, like ‘forgiveness matches’ where you lose fewer points when playing heroes you don’t use often.

Critical Strikes and Fury

Like most fighting games, this title features standard attacks – light, medium, and heavy – along with movement options like dashes and air dashes, and unique special moves for each character. However, it stands out with two key features: Critical Strikes, which are powerful charged attacks, and Fury. Fury activates when you’re low on health (after performing a ‘Break’) and gives you a temporary boost – reducing damage taken, increasing your attack power, and speeding up health recovery. It’s designed to help you turn the tables, even letting you take risks with your attacks to create longer combos.

Push Assists and Parries

Sometimes, the best way to attack is to focus on defense. Features like Push Assist – which lets a teammate help you push back an opponent while you block – and Retreating Guard can give you space. You can also use Parry, which costs one bar of your ultimate meter to stun an enemy and counter with a powerful attack. If you successfully parry, you get your meter bar back, letting you unleash more attacks. But be careful – a failed parry means losing that meter!

Light the Fuse

Let’s talk about Fuses, the most interesting part of 2XKO. These are like special gameplay modes that dramatically change the 2v2 tag fighter experience, making each match unpredictable. For example, ‘2X Assist’ lets you call in your partner for help twice, while ‘Juggernaut’ locks you into one character but gives them more health, damage resistance, extra meter, and an immediate Fury Break. While they sound unusual, Fuses really shake things up and make every match feel different.

Mastery Levels

Players who really enjoy specific heroes can advance through a Mastery system. This system offers increasingly challenging goals to complete, and the rewards are worth the effort. You can earn things like new outfits for your character, special color schemes (Chromas), player cards, and unique taunts. Keep in mind that you’ll need to buy these rewards with in-game Credits after unlocking them.

Missions

I’m really enjoying 2XKO, and the Battle Pass is a great way to level up! To get XP for it, you complete Missions, which are pretty standard – things like getting Assists or using your Special abilities in matches. They have Daily and Weekly Missions, and you even get Credits from them, which is awesome because you can use those to unlock new Champions and cool outfits. But don’t worry if you don’t have a ton of time for Missions, you still earn Credits just by playing, and you get even more if you win!

Top-Tier Rollback Netcode

These days, it’s fantastic that most new fighting games include rollback netcode for smooth online play, and 2XKO’s implementation is particularly well done. While we’ll have to wait and see how it runs on consoles, it’s worth noting that the creators of the GGPO rollback netcode – Tom and Tony Cannon – also founded the EVO Championship Series. Clearly, their expertise is making a big difference, as PC players have reported very few issues with the online experience.

Cross-Play and Cross-Progression

Good news for players switching from PC to PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S! You’ll be able to carry over all your progress, including Mastery Levels and unlocked items. Plus, the game features cross-play, letting players on all platforms play together. And even if you stick with the PC version, expect to see more players joining the community – so be welcoming to newcomers!

Cosmetic-Only Microtransactions

It’s not really a surprise, considering Riot Games includes in-game purchases in all of its free-to-play games. While these purchases are just cosmetic, they aren’t always the most convenient for players. For instance, if you enjoyed the show Arcane and want the character skins for Vi, Ekko, and Jinx, you can’t buy them individually. You have to purchase the $100 Ultra Starter Edition. It’s currently unclear if this bundle will be available on consoles at a lower price, but it’s quite expensive for those who like to customize their characters.

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2026-01-07 15:13