Image credit: Riot Games

Riot’s Fighting Game 2XKO Launches Fully on PC and Consoles in January 2026.

TL;DR

2XKO launch (Jan 20, 2026) — what it is, how it plays, and why this release matters
Riot’s League of Legends fighting game 2XKO is launching as a full release on January 20, 2026, hitting PC and consoles at the same time after early access. It’s a free-to-play 2v2 tag fighter built for both newcomers and competitive players.

What was announced

  • Release date: January 20, 2026.
  • Platforms: full launch on PC + consoles simultaneously.
  • Context: Riot confirmed details publicly after a trailer circulated online as a leak.

What 2XKO is

  • Free-to-play fighting game set in the League of Legends universe.
  • 2v2 tag format: you pick two champions and swap during the match.
  • Goal: fast, readable fights that still have depth for high-level play.

Core gameplay (Point + Assist roles)

  • Point = the active fighter on screen doing most of the work.
  • Assist = the partner who jumps in to extend combos, apply pressure, and save you in scrambles.
  • Tagging keeps momentum high and makes teamwork the whole identity of the game.
  • Fuse system changes how your duo functions, letting you build different team styles.

Accessibility and online play

  • Simplified controls so you’re not blocked by complex motion inputs.
  • Rollback netcode is the plan, aimed at smoother online matches.
  • Designed to work for casual play and also competitive grinding.

Who’s making it (and why that matters)

  • Developed by Radiant Entertainment (Cannon brothers), a fighting-game-focused studio under Riot.
  • Roots trace back to Rising Thunder — ideas evolved into 2XKO with Riot’s budget + LoL champions.

Why the launch is a big deal

  • Same-day PC + console launch reduces fragmentation and helps the community form faster.
  • Riot’s live-service track record suggests: regular updates, balance support, and likely esports plans.
  • Being free-to-play massively lowers the barrier to trying it, which can boost player numbers at launch.

Important tips: If you want a tag-team fighter that’s easier to learn than traditional hardcore games — but still built for ranked and tournaments — 2XKO’s Jan 20, 2026 launch is the moment to jump in.

Riot Games has confirmed that its long-awaited fighting game 2XKO will officially launch as a full release on January 20, 2026.

It will arrive simultaneously on PC and consoles after a successful early access period. It means players around the world will finally be able to jump into the complete version of the game at the same time, no matter which platform they play on.

The Announcement Details – 2XKO

Riot Games recently shared more details about 2XKO along with a trailer that first appeared online as a leak.

2XKO - Official Cinematic Trailer

Even though leaks are usually uncertain, this one can be trusted because Riot quickly confirmed it and officially announced the release date. That confirmation made it clear the game is ready for a full launch.

What 2XKO Is About

2XKO is a free-to-play 2v2 fighting game set in the League of Legends universe. Players choose two champions to form a team in this fast-paced tag team fighter. They can switch between them during matches, working together to control the fight.

Teemo Gameplay Reveal Trailer | 2XKO

The game is designed to keep matches fast, fun, and easy to understand, while still offering enough depth for skilled play. It makes 2XKO welcoming for newcomers, even if they don’t usually play fighting games. At the same time, it still appeals to experienced fans of the genre.

The Gameplay and Team Roles

In each match, players have two roles on their team:

  • Point – the main fighter on screen who leads the action and deals most of the damage.
  • Assist – the supporting character who jumps in to extend combos, apply pressure, and help the Point.

Players can switch characters at any time, which keeps the action moving. The Fuse system lets players change how their team works together, giving them different ways to play and try new strategies.

Accessibility and Online Play

Riot has also made the game easier to learn. 2XKO uses simple controls, so players don’t need complicated button motions to perform special moves.

2XKO Console Sneak Peek

Online play is expected to be smooth thanks to rollback netcode. Plus, Riot’s experience running competitive games means 2XKO is designed with both casual players and competitive fans in mind.

The Developers of 2XKO

The development of 2XKO started many years ago. The game is made by Radiant Entertainment, a studio founded by the Cannon brothers, who are well known in the fighting game community. Riot Games later bought Radiant Entertainment to use their experience and help create a fighting game that appeals to all types of fans.

The Game’s Origins

Before 2XKO, the team was working on a game called Rising Thunder. That game was cancelled, but its ideas were not lost.

Vi Gameplay Reveal Trailer | 2XKO

Many of its core concepts were reused and expanded, eventually becoming 2XKO, now set in the League of Legends universe and supported by Riot’s larger team and resources.

Riot’s Bigger Picture

With its full launch, 2XKO becomes part of Riot’s group of games, alongside popular titles like League of Legends and Valorant. Riot is known for supporting esports, so many fans have high expectations:

  • Regular updates to keep the game fresh and balanced.
  • Long-term support from Riot to maintain the community.
  • Competitive tournaments and esports opportunities.

It could help it become a major new title in the fighting game community.

The Launch Impact

Launching the game on PC and consoles at the same time makes it easier for more players to start playing right away.

It helps the community grow faster and gives 2XKO a better chance to stand out in the fighting game market from day one.