In addition to being a reboot, the game is a sequel to 2019's Mortal Kombat 11, taking place in a new timeline created by Liu Kang in his ending of 11's Aftermath expansion.[5] In this new timeline, Fire God Liu Kang assembles a clique of fighters to participate in the latest Mortal Kombat tournament in Outworld while contending with an alliance formed by Titan Shang Tsung. In the follow-up expansion, Khaos Reigns, Liu Kang and his allies must contend with Titan Havik.[6]
The PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows versions of Mortal Kombat 1 received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise towards its visual fidelity, roster, and new mechanics, but criticism for its microtransactions. The Nintendo Switch version was negatively received for its technical issues, graphics, and long loading times. Mortal Kombat 1 has sold more than 4 million copies by August 2024.
Mortal Kombat 1 features a story mode, online multiplayer with rollback netcode, and offline gameplay, as well as cross-play and cross-progression, a first in the series. However, cross-play and cross-progression are unavailable at launch on Nintendo Switch, though cross-play support was added on February 27, 2024, while the King of the Hill online mode will support cross-play in the future. The game introduces a feature called Kameo Fighters, who provide assistance to the player during fights in a similar fashion to the tag assist fighters of the Towers of Time mode in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019). These characters are separate from the main roster and are chosen before each fight. There are two types of assists provided by each Kameo Fighter: Summons, which can be performed while the player remains in one place, and Ambushes, which can be performed regardless of what the player is doing. They can also be called in to perform their own Fatalities and Brutalities. In addition, the chosen Kameo Fighter also affects how much health the players will have in a fight.[7][8]
Fatal Blows, first introduced in Mortal Kombat 11, returns with a different functionality. These special moves can still be triggered when a player's health drops below 30%, however in this game, they are performed as collaborative offensive moves between a player and a Kameo Fighter, with each delivering an attack in tandem. Additionally, the most significant attack performed during the Fatal Blow features the X-Ray effects seen in Mortal Kombat X (2015).[9] Also returning is the Air Kombat combo system which was featured in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006) and the action spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005).[10]
For single-player, the game features the return of the plot-driven Story Mode and the traditional form of Towers mode from the previous games, while introducing the addition of the seasonal Invasions mode, an online mode combining fighting mechanics with board game and role-playing game elements.[11] The players are tasked with moving around the board while completing various challenges on each space they move to, earning rewards such as skins, in-game currency, or concept art for completing the challenges. Each Invasion season lasts around six weeks and has its own board and theme.[12] For multiplayer, the versus modes include Local mode to play a match on the same console, Online mode to play against opponents all over the world, and Tournament mode to host a tournament with a unified rule set for the matches.[11]
Returning as an additional finishing move in a free update released alongside the Khaos Reigns expansion DLC is Animalities, first introduced in Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and its updates Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996), which allows the player to morph into an animal and maul their opponent.[6]
Plot
After defeating Kronika and Shang Tsung,[c] Fire God Liu Kang uses Kronika's Hourglass to recreate the universe before relinquishing control of it to Geras to become Earthrealm's protector. Over time, he forms a tenuous alliance with Outworld under the auspices of continuing the Mortal Kombat tournaments. In the present, Shang Tsung, now a powerless Outworlder, struggles to make a living selling quack medicine until he is approached by a mysterious individual named "Damashi", who reveals to him that he has the potential to become a sorcerer and that unseen forces have been working against him. Meanwhile, Liu Kang recruits farmhands Kung Lao and Raiden, financially struggling Hollywood actor Johnny Cage, and former yakuza gangster Kenshi Takahashi to compete in the latest tournament, with Raiden eventually being named Earthrealm's champion and winning the tournament.
After learning from Geras that Shang Tsung has regained his abilities and is serving as an advisor to Outworld's Empress Sindel, Liu Kang tasks Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Johnny with investigating Shang Tsung's activities. They travel to Outworld's wastelands, where they encounter Tarkatans, victims of the Tarkat virus outbreak, and witness Shang Tsung extracting bone marrow from the Tarkatans' leader Baraka. The Earthrealmers intervene, though Shang Tsung escapes to his laboratory. With Baraka's aid, the group locates the lab and stops Shang Tsung from seemingly infecting Outworld's crown princess, Mileena, with the Tarkat virus. However, Mileena attacks them, blinding Kenshi before Shang Tsung injects her with a serum to control her Tarkat symptoms. Her sister, Princess Kitana, and General Shao arrive to capture the Earthrealmers. Shang Tsung misleads them before convening with his ally and fellow sorcerer Quan Chi. The Earthrealmers and Baraka are taken to the Flesh Pits, but escape with help of Reptile, a shapeshifting outcast, and encounter Ashrah, a Netherrealm Demoness in search of absolution, who reveals that Quan Chi is building devices capable of stealing souls on a massive scale. Though Quan Chi uses several souls to create Ermac, the group defeats them and destroys one of the soul stealers before all except for Baraka return to Earthrealm to warn Liu Kang.
Liu Kang orders Lin Kuei warriors Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Smoke to destroy the soul stealers and capture Shang Tsung, but Shang Tsung sways Sub-Zero to his side by promising him access to the undead Dragon Army. As Scorpion and Smoke escape, Geras, upon further investigation, informs Liu Kang that "Damashi" hails from a parallel timeline.
With Constable Li Mei's help, Liu Kang returns to Outworld to provide Sindel and her daughters with evidence of the sorcerers' treachery and reveal his influence on the current timeline. Shao attempts to ambush the group, but is defeated and captured. The Earthrealmers and Outworlders team up to destroy the remaining soul stealers, only to be ambushed by Ermac. Mileena defeats him, allowing the soul of her father and Sindel's husband, Emperor Jerrod, to manifest and take control of Ermac's body. Upon confronting the sorcerers, they are joined by "Damashi", who is revealed to be the previous timeline's Shang Tsung. He reveals further that while fighting Liu Kang for the Hourglass, they fractured time, creating a separate timeline where he defeated Kronika and Liu Kang and became a Titan. Intending to absorb Liu Kang's timeline, he betrays the sorcerers and summons warriors from his own. Liu Kang's group narrowly drives them off, though Sindel is fatally wounded and appoints Mileena her successor before dying and having her soul absorbed by Jerrod.
Forming a temporary alliance to deal with the threat, Shang Tsung hypothesizes that there are more timelines outside his counterpart's knowledge. Geras adds that he had stored Liu Kang's Titan powers should the need for them arise. As the others leave to destroy the Dragon Army, Liu Kang regains his Titan powers and reunites with his friends from the previous timeline to recruit forces for the upcoming battle. Anticipating this, Titan Shang Tsung summons an army of their evil counterparts. Following a grueling battle, Liu Kang's group prevails, allowing him to erase Titan Shang Tsung and his timeline from existence. After returning everyone he recruited to their native timelines, Liu Kang returns to his own to congratulate his champions over dinner before departing to assist Scorpion and Smoke in founding the Shirai Ryu clan and preparing Earthrealm for future conflicts.
In a mid-credits scene, alternate timeline warriors led by Titan Havik observe the aftermath of Liu Kang and Titan Shang Tsung's battle. Feeling it ended too quickly, Titan Havik vows to start a new, longer battle.
Khaos Reigns
Sub-Zero leads the Lin Kuei in an ambush on the Shirai Ryu during the wedding of Scorpion and Harumi alongside two of his armored warriors, Sektor and Cyrax, the latter of whom he deceived into believing Scorpion and Liu Kang had betrayed Earthrealm. After learning of Sub-Zero's deception, Cyrax turns on him and helps the Shirai Ryu and wedding guests fend off the Lin Kuei and capture Sub-Zero and Sektor, though Scorpion refuses to forgive Cyrax despite showing mercy at Harumi's behest. Due to them aiding and abetting Shao's rebellion, Liu Kang takes Sub-Zero and Sektor to be judged by Mileena and attempts to convince her to spare them to mend further conflict.
During the negotiation, they are attacked by Titan Havik, who previously fought alongside Titan Shang Tsung and now seeks to merge other timelines with his own. As his Khaosrealm warriors capture Geras, Sub-Zero pursues them, only to be captured too. He soon learns from Havik that he intends to combine Geras' time crystals with six artifacts called the Kamidogu to destroy the multiverse and reshape it in his image before experimenting on Sub-Zero.
Knowing he and Mileena must remain in their timeline to protect it, Liu Kang sends Scorpion, Cyrax, and Sektor to Khaosrealm to rescue Geras. There, they ally themselves with three members of a rebellion against Havik: Lieutenant Colonel Johnathan Cage of a WWII-esque timeline and Emperor Rain and Empress Tanya, who had been deposed when Havik's forces absorbed their timeline. Havik traps them in a deadly maze, where Rain sacrifices himself to save Sektor and Tanya. After Tanya negotiates with a trapped, powerful dragon named Orin, they are able to escape and infiltrate Havik's citadel. There, they encounter Sub-Zero, who has been transformed by Havik into a dark being of chaos called Noob Saibot. After defeating Saibot, they rescue Geras and escape with him and the Kamidogu.
Liu Kang is unable to cure Saibot of his condition, but manages to free him from Havik's control. Havik and his forces invade Liu Kang's timeline, where he steals back and empowers himself with the Kamidogu. Nonetheless, Saibot and Liu Kang defeat him. Saibot attempts to kill him, but Liu Kang and Geras stop him to protect the survivors of Havik's destruction. Liu Kang allows Sektor to leave and become the Lin Kuei's grandmaster while promising to find a way to restore Saibot, keeping him at the Temple of the Elements for safety in the meantime. Scorpion ultimately forgives Cyrax for her transgressions and invites her to join the Shirai Ryu.
The base roster of Mortal Kombat 1 features 22 playable characters, called Kombatants, in the form of recreated versions of past Mortal Kombat characters, including several who have not appeared since Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006). An additional character, Shang Tsung, was offered as a pre-order bonus.[10] Six additional characters (guest characters are shown below in italics) are released post-launch via the "Kombat Packs" downloadable content, with the first pack also including a skin for Johnny Cage featuring the likeness and voice of Jean-Claude Van Damme, while the second pack will have its three original fighters being released together with "Khaos Reigns" storyline before releasing its three guest fighters in later separate dates.[10][6]
Kameo Fighters are a unique roster of partner characters that assist the main fighters during matches, creating expanded gameplay possibilities for players. The base game includes 15 Kameo Fighters, with an additional five added later to the game as downloadable content, all drawn from throughout the Mortal Kombat franchise and one new character listed in Bold. These characters are chosen separately from the main roster of fighters.[10] Some characters can appear as both Kameo Fighters and main roster fighters.[13]
After ceasing support for Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), NetherRealm Studios disclosed that it was working on a new project in July 2021. Johnny Cage voice actor Andrew Bowen indicated that the 12th installment was in development in a hastily deleted tweet.[14] In February 2023, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced during a 2022 fourth-quarter earnings call that a twelfth installment in the series was set to be released later in that year.[15]
On May 18, 2023, NetherRealm Studios announced Mortal Kombat 1 with a release date of September 19, 2023. It is the second reboot of the series and is set in the New Era timeline created by Liu Kang after he attained godhood in Mortal Kombat 11.[16] NetherRealm Studios announced that those who preorder any version of the game for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S would receive access to a beta in August, and after the game launches, NetherRealm Studios would provide cross-platform play and cross-progression.[17] The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game were developed by NetherRealm Studios, the Windows version by QLOC, and the Nintendo Switch version by Shiver Entertainment (who previously developed the Nintendo Switch port for Mortal Kombat 11) and Saber Interactive.[10]
Marketing
In August 2023, Dave Bautista appeared in a trailer homaging the 1993 "Mortal Monday" commercial for the original Mortal Kombat (1992).[18] The following month, actress Megan Fox was revealed to be voicing Nitara,[19] which was met with a very poor reception by players upon release.[20][21]
Release
Mortal Kombat 1 was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on September 14, 2023, for those who have ordered the game's Kollector's Edition and Premium Edition, while purchasers of the Standard Edition were able to access the game on September 19, 2023.
To coincide with the trailer for the second season of the animated series Invincible (2023–2024), actor J.K. Simmons was announced to reprise his role of Omni-Man from the series.[25] In August 2023, voice actor Jamieson Price was revealed to be reprising his role of Ermac from Mortal Kombat X.[26] Later that same month during Gamescom 2023, Boon confirmed John Cena would voice Peacemaker, after portraying the character from both the 2021 film The Suicide Squad and the television series Peacemaker (2022–present).[27] Shortly around the game's release, Ed Boon revealed that there was an attempt to get John Wick as a potential guest character, alongside actor Keanu Reeves as a skin for Kenshi.[28] In November 2023, actor Antony Starr revealed he would not be reprising his role as Homelander from the television series The Boys (2019–present) for the DLC through an Instagram comment.[29] In June 2024, coinciding with the release of the fourth season, Jake Green was revealed to be the new actor voicing the character.[30] Moreover, Ed Boon revealed there was an attempt to get Michonne from The Walking Dead as a guest character before they went with Omni-Man.[31]
Mortal Kombat 1 received "generally favorable reviews" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[32][33][34] 87% of critics recommended the game on review aggregator OpenCritic.[35]
The Nintendo Switch version was critically panned upon release for its poor graphical quality, extensive load times, poor performance, and numerous bugs.[44][46] Mitchell Saltzman of IGN, who had given the version on PlayStation 5 an 8 out of 10,[56] gave the Switch port a 3, stating, "There's a hint of a great fighting game still peeking through the blurry backgrounds, but its horrendous load times, inconsistent framerate, muddy visuals, and plethora of bugs make the Switch version an altogether aggravating way to play what is a great fighting game on other platforms."[57]
To address the Switch's version launch issues and NetherRealm Studios' commitment to the Switch version, series creator Ed Boon addressed media outlets like BBC Newsbeat that "Anything that we see that is not acceptable will absolutely be addressed," and "it (the Switch version) will be supported, like we did with Mortal Kombat 11!" [58]
On January 27, 2024, Warner Bros. Games announced that Mortal Kombat 1 had sold 3 million units.[60] By August 2024, the game had sold more than 4 million copies.[61]
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance is a 2002 fighting game developed and published by Midway for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance. It was the first all-new Mortal Kombat fighting game produced exclusively for home consoles, with no preceding arcade release. It is the fifth main installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise and a sequel to 1997's Mortal Kombat 4. Its story focuses on the eponymous alliance between sorcerers Quan Chi and Shang Tsung and their schemes to revive an ancient army to conquer Outworld and Earthrealm. The game is the only main installment not to feature series protagonist Liu Kang as a playable character. It is also the first game in the canon series to not have the involvement of co-creator John Tobias, as he left Midway in 1999 to pursue other interests.
Sub-Zero is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. A warrior from the fictional Lin Kuei clan, he possesses ability to control ice in many forms. He is the only fighter to appear in every main installment of the series, along with the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997).
Johnny Cage is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. Introduced in the original 1992 game, he is an action film star with an extensive martial arts background. The series depicts Cage as one of the primary heroes defending Earthrealm from various threats, as well as the comic foil. In the first rebooted timeline, Cage is also the love interest of Special Forces officer Sonya Blade and the father of their daughter Cassie. He is inspired by martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme, particularly Van Damme's character, Frank Dux, in the 1988 film Bloodsport. A staple of the franchise, Cage has appeared in various media outside of the games.
Shang Tsung is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. He debuted as the final boss in the original 1992 game and has remained one of the franchise's primary characters. A powerful sorcerer, he is principally defined by his abilities to shapeshift into other characters and to absorb the souls of defeated warriors. Shang Tsung is usually portrayed as the right-hand man of Outworld emperor Shao Kahn and the archenemy of Shaolin monk Liu Kang. He also appeared in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), alongside Quan Chi as the eponymous Deadly Alliance, as well as in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath (2020) and Mortal Kombat 1 (2023).
This is a list of playable and boss characters from the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise and the games in which they appear. Created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the series depicts conflicts between various realms. Most characters fight on behalf of their realm, with the primary heroes defending Earthrealm against conquering villains from Outworld and the Netherrealm. Early installments feature the characters participating in the eponymous Mortal Kombat tournament to decide their realm's fate. In later installments, Earthrealm is often invaded by force.
Kitana is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat media franchise originally by Midway Games and later by NetherRealm Studios. Debuting in Mortal Kombat II (1993) as a player character and as a royal from the fictional realm of Edenia. She uses steel fans as her primary weapon. In the series, Kitana is aligned with multiple characters, especially Mileena who originally served as her clone, however, as the series evolves, Mileena suddenly becomes the older sister of Kitana and takes her place being the empress of Outworld. Kitana also shares the relationship as the love interest for the series' protagonist Liu Kang.
Kung Lao is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. He debuted in Mortal Kombat II (1993) as a Shaolin monk and close friend of series protagonist Liu Kang, and his trademark characteristic is his wide razor-brimmed hat that he uses as a weapon. Kung Lao is depicted as one of the series' primary heroes, including a main role in the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005).
Kenshi Takahashi is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. He makes his series debut in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) as a blind swordsman and Special Forces operative. In addition to his sword skills, he possesses telekinetic abilities.
Mortal Kombat 3 is a 1995 fighting game developed and published by Midway Games for arcades. It is the third main installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise and a sequel to 1993's Mortal Kombat II. As in the previous games, it has a cast of characters that players choose from and guide through a series of battles against other opponents. The game avoids the tournament storyline of its predecessors, as various warriors instead fight against the returning Shao Kahn, who has resurrected his bride Sindel and started an invasion of Earthrealm.
Scorpion is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. A ninja dressed in yellow, his primary weapon is a kunai rope dart, which he uses to harpoon opponents. Since his debut in the original 1992 game, Scorpion has appeared as a playable character in every main installment except Mortal Kombat 3 (1995).
Mortal Kombat Trilogy is a fighting game released by Midway in 1996 as the second and final update to Mortal Kombat 3 for the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn and PCs. Further versions were also released for the Game.com and R-Zone. It features a similar basic gameplay system and the same story as Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, but adds characters and stages restored from Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II. New additions to the game included the "Aggressor" bar. The Brutality mechanic was introduced with this installment. The game was met with positive to mixed reviews upon release.
Fatality is the name given to a gameplay feature in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting video games, in which the victor of the final round in a match inflicts a brutal and gruesome finishing move onto their defeated opponent. Prompted by the announcer saying "Finish Him/Her", players have a short time window to execute a Fatality by entering a specific button and joystick or D-Pad combination, while positioned at a specific distance from the opponent. The Fatality and its derivations are notable features of the Mortal Kombat series and have caused a large cultural impact and controversies.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game in the Mortal Kombat series, developed and released by Midway to arcades in 1995. It is a standalone update of 1995's earlier Mortal Kombat 3 with an altered gameplay system, additional characters like the returning favorites Reptile, Kitana, Jade and Scorpion who were missing from Mortal Kombat 3, and some new features.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is a 2005 action-adventure beat 'em up video game developed and published by Midway for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. A spin-off of the Mortal Kombat franchise, it is a retelling of the events of Mortal Kombat II (1993). Players control the eponymous Shaolin monks Liu Kang and Kung Lao in either single player or cooperative play as they protect Earthrealm from the forces of Outworld.
Mortal Kombat is an American media franchise centered on a series of fighting video games originally developed by Midway Games in 1992.
Mortal Kombat: Live Tour was a martial art theatrical stage show featuring Mortal Kombat characters, sound, and laser light effects on stage. The plot was based on three fighters rescuing their friends and retrieving a magic amulet from the evil master of Outworld, Shao Kahn, in order to save the Earth.
Liu Kang is a fictional character of the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. Depicted as Earthrealm's greatest warrior and champion, he debuted in the original 1992 game as a Shaolin monk with special moves, which were intended to be the easiest for players to perform. Since his introduction, Liu Kang has appeared as playable in every main installment except Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002). He is also one of the protagonists of the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005).
Raiden is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. Based on the Japanese deity Raijin, he is depicted as the god of thunder who possesses control over lightning. He debuted in the original 1992 game and has appeared as a playable character in every main installment except Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and its first update. In the storyline of the games, Raiden is the protector of Earthrealm. He fulfills his duty by selecting and training the warriors who defend Earthrealm from various threats, while also participating directly in the realm's defense. Raiden generally serves as a mentor figure to the franchise's heroes, although he sometimes assumes a darker role in the story, which sees him become more ruthless in his protection of the realm. One of the franchise's central characters, Raiden has appeared in various related media outside of the Mortal Kombat games, including guest appearances in NBA Jam Tournament Edition (1995), NFL Blitz (1997), Unreal Championship 2 (2005), and Injustice 2 (2017). He has generally received a positive reception and is among the series' most popular characters for his design and special abilities.
Mortal Kombat 11 is a 2019 fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It is the eleventh main installment in the Mortal Kombat series and a sequel to Mortal Kombat X (2015). The game was announced at The Game Awards 2018 and was released in North America and Europe on April 23, 2019, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One—with the exception of Europe's Switch version which was released on May 10, 2019. It was released on Stadia on November 19, 2019.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms is a 2021 American direct-to-video adult animated martial arts film, directed by Ethan Spaulding from a screenplay by Jeremy Adams, based on the Mortal Kombat franchise created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, it is the second installment in the Legends series and a direct sequel to Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge (2020). Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and animated by Studio Mir, Boon returned from the predecessor as creative consultant.
↑ Dunsmore, Kevin (September 19, 2023). "Review: Mortal Kombat 1". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
↑ Saltzman, Mitchell (September 15, 2023). "Mortal Kombat 1 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
