The time has come, and Netherrealm has finally announced it is working on a new Mortal Kombat title that will act as a reboot of the franchise, Mortal Kombat 1.
This article will get you up to speed on what Mortal Kombat 1 is. How it came to be, what it’s all about, and every piece of information that has been confirmed so far. As new information is released, we’ll update this article, so be sure to stop by often as new info is always being released.
That said, here’s what we know about Mortal Kombat 1.
Here’s the Mortal Kombat 1 reveal trailer
What is Mortal Kombat 1?
Mortal Kombat 1 is a reboot of the acclaimed Mortal Kombat gaming franchise that has been ongoing for 30 years. Since this is a reboot, many things are changing, including the fighting system, lore, and more. So far, Netherrealm has been hush on the details and will be revealing bits and pieces as we get closer to the release date.
That said, they have revealed one new bit of info, the Kameo Fighters, which we’ve talked about further in this guide.
Do I need to play Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath to understand the game?
Normally with a reboot, everything changes up, so you don’t have to. However, things are different with Mortal Kombat 1. I do recommend that you play either Mortal Kombat 11, or Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate and Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Both games explain how the Mortal Kombat 1 reboot came to be. Or, at the very least, watch a YouTube video that explains it, as we do feel that understanding the cause makes Mortal Kombat 1 make more sense.
Does Mortal Kombat 1 continue the story from Mortal Kombat 11?
So, here’s the funny thing. If you did play Mortal Kombat 11, you’d know that due to Raiden, Fire God Lui Kang was created. This is the same character who went on to visit Great Kung Lao and train him for the events to come. Now, in a recent Kommunity Chat, Ed Boon has stated that Mortal Kombat 11’s story has no bearing on Mortal Kombat 1. Despite that, we definitely see Fire God Lui Kang appearing in the Mortal Kombat 1 trailer. He goes on to say that Mortal Kombat 1 is a new beginning.
Of course, this could be Ed Boon being himself, and it wouldn’t be the first time he’s “not been truthful” about the series, and we believe this is him just not trying to give away too much.
If Lui Kang did go back in time and change the events of the time, this reboot would be the story of that. This would be a new story, would be a new beginning, since he’s gone back to the beginning of Mortal Kombat for Earth Realm. Oh course, the biggest hint is that in the trailer, Lui Kang specifically says, “In my new era.” So, this has to be the same Lui Kang, and he is making it known that this is all his doing, which would be due to the events in MK11.
We’ll have to wait and see how this all plays out.
Which characters are returning?
Below is a list of all of the characters that have been confirmed to be available in Mortal Kombat 1. Shang Tsung is also returning, as a preorder bonus, that hopefully will be available to everyone at a later date or as an unlockable character.
- Scorpion
- Sub-Zero
- Liu Kang
- Raiden
- Kung Lao
- Kitana
- Mileena
- Shang Tsung
- Johnny Cage
- Kano
- Jax
- Kenshi
- Smoke
- Rain
- Tanya
- Baraka
- Li Mei
- Geras
- Reptile
- Ashrah
- Havik
- Homelander from The Boys (Kombat Pack DLC)
- Omni-Man from Invincible (Kombat Pack DLC)
- Peacemaker from DC Comics (Kombat Pack DLC)
- Quan Chi (Kombat Pack DLC)
- Ermac (Kombat Pack DLC)
- Takeda (Kombat Pack DLC)
The Kombat Pack, which comes with the Premium and Kollector’s Editions of the Mortal Kombat, will add early access to six several characters from Warner Bros.-owned IPs. Thanks to a mistake on Amazon Italty’s part, we know that those characters are Quan Chi, Omni Man, Ermac, Peacemaker, Takeda, and Homelander.
What are the Kameo Fighters?
The Kameo Fighters will be non-playable characters that can be called in during matches and will provide assists. Thanks to the recent Mortal Kombat 1 gameplay reveal during the 2023 Summer Game Fest, we have a bit more information regarding the Kaemo Fighters. When players pick their main character, they will also have to pick from the available Kaemo Fighters. They are not random as we originally thought.
Kameo Fighters also share the same health pool as your main character. If they take damage, it will be reflected in your health bar. Kaemo Fighters will be required to perform a breaker, as well as all three bars of your meter.
Confirmed Kaemo Fighters include Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, Kano, Goro, Kung Lao, Stryker, and Jackson “Jax” Briggs. Quan Chi, Omni Man, Ermac, Peacemaker, Takeda, and Homelander will also be added as with the Premium and Kollector’s Editions of the game.
They also are able to perform Fatalities!
Will Character Variations seen in Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11 make a return?
We’ve spoken to several people who’ve played the Mortal Kombat 1 demo during the Summer Game Fest, and it would seem that the character variations, which gave characters a number of unique attacks based on the selected variation in Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11, are not returning for Mortal Kombat 1.
This was also offically confirmed by the official Mortal Kombat Twitter account that variations weren’t coming back.
Kameos have replaced the variation mechanic.
— Mortal Kombat 1 (@MortalKombat) June 10, 2023
Mortal Kombat 1 gameplay from the 2023 Summer Game Fest
Does Mortal Kombat 1 have a release date?
Yes. The announced Mortal Kombat release date is September 19, 2023. Preorders are currently live, and anyone who preorders the game will get beta access in August 2023, and early access on September 14, 2023.
Best Buy
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – PS5 – $69.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – PS5 – $109.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition PS5 – $249.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $69.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $109.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $249.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – Switch – $69.99
Best Buy Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – Switch – $109.99
Amazon
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – PS5 – $69.99
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – PS5 – $109.99
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition – PS5 – $249.99
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $69.99
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $109.99
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $249.99
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – Switch
Amazon Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – Switch
Gamestop
Gamestop Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition -PS5 – $69.99
Gamestop Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – PS5 – $109.99
Gamestop Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition – PS5
Gamestop Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $69.99
Gamestop Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $109.99
Gamestop Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition – Xbox Series X|S – $249.99
Gamestop Mortal Kombat Standard – Switch – $69.99
Gamestop Mortal Kombat Premium – Switch – $109.99
What platforms will Mortal Kombat 1 release on?
Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store). The PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions are being handled by Netherrealm, Switch is being handled by Saber Interactive, and the PC versions (Steam, Epic Games Store) by QLOC.
Sadly, this will not make an appearance on the PS4, or Xbox One, despite the game being developed for the Nintendo Switch.
What game engine is Mortal Kombat 1 using?
While it hasn’t been confirmed, Mortal Kombat 1 could be one of the first fighting games to use Unreal Engine 5. Yes, Mortal Kombat 1 Unreal Engine 5 goodness, and a better move than using Unreal Engine 4, and its well-noted issues. It is definitely a UE game engine, as mentioned in several pieces of advertisement, but it merely states Unreal Engine.
Have the PC requirements been revealed yet?
Nope, not as of yet.
Will Mortal Kombat 1 include a simplified controller setup for newer players?
That’s a good question, but we don’t know. Netherrealm did mention that Mortal Kombat 1 will include a new fighting system, which could include a simplified controller setup, nothing has been announced. However, seeing how newer fighting titles such as Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8 are adding this, we could see the same for Mortal Kombat 1.
How many different versions are there of Mortal Kombat 1?
There are three SKUs for the game: Standard, Premium, and Kollector’s Edition.
- Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition will be available physically and digitally for $69.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, including Steam and Epic Games Store.
- Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition will be available physically and digitally for $109.99 and will include all Standard Edition content, along with the Kombat Pack, early access to the game beginning Sept. 14, and 1,250 Dragon Krystals (in-game currency). The Kombat Pack will feature a Johnny Cage character skin with the likeness of famed actor and martial artist, Jean-Claude Van Damme (available at launch), early access to six new playable characters (available post-launch), and five new Kameo Fighters (available post-launch).
- Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition will be available physically at select retailers for $249.99 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S only and will include all Premium Edition content, and early access, along with a 16.5-inch Liu Kang sculpture designed by COARSE and an inspired Liu Kang in-game character skin, three exclusive art prints, a steel case, and 1,450 additional Dragon Krystals (2,700 total).
Are there any new fighting game mechanics?
While there has been mention of a new fighting system, there haven’t been any details revealed as of the release date.
Will Mortal Kombat 11 feature crossplay and/or crossprogession
Mortal Kombat 1 will include crossplay and cross-progression, but not until after the game is released. Netherrealm hasn’t revealed exactly when these will be added, but they are supported.
What netcode will Mortal Kombat 1 use?
Mortal Kombat 1 will utilize rollback netcode, and it will be implemented at launch.
