5 Things 2XKO Needs to Thrive

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After a six-year wait, the fighting game 2XKO is now available. Unlike many new game releases that are buggy or disappointing, 2XKO is remarkably polished, likely thanks to extensive playtesting, a lengthy development process, and the financial backing of Riot Games from League of Legends. However, it’s not flawless – 2XKO still has potential for growth and will need time to fully realize its features.

Speaking of, here are just five features or changes 2XKO needs in order to be a true knockout.

5) A Switch 2 Port

The fighting game 2XKO recently became available on PC and PlayStation 5/Xbox Series X|S, and Riot Games is likely planning a release for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Fighting games and portable consoles have always been a great match, as the genre is perfect for short bursts of gameplay. While handhelds sometimes have less precise controls, 2XKO avoids this issue with its simplified controls. Complex moves requiring precise timing are replaced with easier inputs – most special moves only need a button or two and a direction on the D-pad.

The game is already a good entry point for people new to fighting games, thanks to its easy-to-learn controls and approachable design. Releasing it on the Nintendo Switch makes sense, as that platform is popular with a younger audience. While it would be fantastic to see it on Steam and the Steam Deck as well, that doesn’t seem probable.

4) Regular Character Updates

2XKO is generally well-balanced, but a few characters and gameplay elements feel too strong or frustrating. Riot Games recognizes these issues, acknowledging the game can be intimidating and plans to make significant changes to help players get back into the action faster. This is a positive sign so early in the game’s life, as consistent adjustments will be crucial to maintaining player interest beyond the initial excitement.

As a fan, I’m excited to hear Riot is planning five new characters this year! What I really hope is they release them at consistent times, though. It’s awesome when new characters drop, but it feels like other big games do a better job of spacing them out and keeping things fresh consistently. I’m eager to find out when the next one is coming and what the plan is for the rest of the year!

3) Better Single-Player Options

Lately, fighting games have been focusing more on single-player experiences. We’ve seen this with modes like the World Tour in Street Fighter 6, the story mode and Arcade Quest in Tekken 8, and the story campaigns made popular by NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat and Injustice games. 2XKO also includes helpful tutorials and combo challenges that teach players the basics and some advanced techniques. However, for players who prefer to play offline, that’s pretty much all the game offers.

Because the game is free and easy to pick up with simple controls and automatic combos, it needs more single-player content to keep people engaged. Adding things like an arcade-style ranked mode or a mission mode would be great – a mission mode could even subtly help players learn how to play effectively. Luckily, Riot has acknowledged this need and plans to add more solo modes in the future.

2) A Currency Rework

Like most free-to-play games, and even many you buy upfront, 2XKO uses different types of in-game currency. Fortunately, you can earn characters, stages, and some costumes by playing the game – fighting, completing tutorials, practicing combos, and finishing daily and weekly challenges. It does take a long time to save up enough currency, as everything costs thousands of Credits. It’s frustrating that there’s a limit of 12,000 Credits, seemingly designed to make players keep playing consistently rather than save up. However, it’s positive that most items can be unlocked just by playing the game.

The main issue is that most of the best items, like the battle pass and costumes, can only be bought with KO Points, which is the game’s premium currency. Currently, you can’t earn these points through gameplay, which is disappointing for players who don’t want to spend real money just for different color variations of the basic characters. Other games, such as Mortal Kombat 1 and Overwatch 2, later added ways to earn their premium currencies, and while those methods were slow, they were appreciated because they allowed players to eventually unlock desired skins without spending a lot of money. If 2XKO allowed players to earn KO Points through gameplay and slightly increased the limit on Credits, the game’s economy would feel much fairer.

1) Menu-Based Matchmaking

Arcades were incredibly important for fighting games in the 1990s, but home consoles eventually led to their decline. Now, many modern fighting game creators are trying to recreate the social atmosphere of arcades with online spaces where players can interact and challenge each other. 2XKO offers this type of system, and it functions pretty well. However, it shouldn’t be the only way to find and start an online match.

Currently, joining online battles in 2XKO is clunky. Players have to virtually walk their character to an arcade cabinet to start a match, which feels unnecessary and time-consuming. Even ranked matches require this step, though they do offer practice while waiting. 2XKO should consider adopting the matchmaking system from Street Fighter 6. Street Fighter 6 offers both a lobby system for players who enjoy the social aspect, and a quick, menu-based option to jump directly into matches, with practice mode available between rounds. This would streamline the experience for players who just want to play.

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2026-02-02 17:47