Mortal Kombat 1: Everything We Know About the Rebooted Fighting Game Coming September 2023
Get ready for the return of Mortal Kombat – the iconic fighting game series is back with a new reboot simply called Mortal Kombat 1!
Bringing fan-favorites like Scorpion and Sub-Zero into an all-new 16th century setting, MK 1 aims to redefine the series’ boundary-pushing combat and outrageous Fatalities. Brand new guest characters will join the mix too for added surprise.
Veterans and newcomers alike can expect the signature Mortal Kombat blend of hard-hitting action and jaw-dropping spectacle when this hotly anticipated reboot launches later this year. Each white-knuckle match will let you creatively demolish opponents in brutal fashion.
While details are still scarce, Mortal Kombat is clearly gearing up for an epic, gory return on next-gen platforms. When MK 1 arrives, will you be ready to master new combat mechanics and unleash the most intense Fatalities yet?
Get hyped – a reinvented Mortal Kombat experience is just over the horizon!
| Key Takeaway | Description |
| Reboot of Franchise | Mortal Kombat 1 serves as a reboot, restarting the story and gameplay. |
| Release Date | Launching on September 19, 2023. |
| Platforms | Releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. |
| Setting | Set in 16th century with Liu Kang mentoring Great Kung Lao. |
| Returning Characters | Brings back classics like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kitana. |
| Guest Fighters | Adds Homelander and Peacemaker from other franchises as DLC. |
| Preorder Bonuses | Preorders unlock Shang Tsung and other bonuses. |
| Fatalities | Trailer showcases extremely gory fatalities indicating their return. |
| Beta | Beta coming in August 2023 for preorders. |
| Visuals | Uses Unreal Engine 5 for cutting-edge graphics. |
| Retitled | Previously assumed to be MK12, now called MK1. |
| Pop Culture Characters | Continues tradition of guest stars from other franchises. |
| Liu Kang’s Motives | Story hints he may become controlling like Kronika. |
| Lore Reimagining | Allows rethinking of character origins and mythology. |
Get ready fighting game fans – the iconic Mortal Kombat series is back with a brand new reboot titled Mortal Kombat 1, launching on 19 September, 2023!
After the wild events that closed out Mortal Kombat 11, NetherRealm Studios is hitting the reset button and starting fresh. Mortal Kombat 1 will introduce a reimagined MK universe with both classic characters and new twists.
So what platforms can you unleash fatalities on?
Mortal Kombat 1 will be available on:
Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new Mortal Kombat entry since 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11. Now the wait is nearly over, and we’ll get to explore the next era of Mortal Kombat on both current and last-gen hardware.
While story details remain mysterious, the epic trailer gives us a taste of the brutal, over-the-top violence NetherRealm is known for. Let’s dig into everything we know so far about Mortal Kombat 1!
Mortal Kombat 1 Story and Setting
The story and setting for Mortal Kombat 1 take the series in some intriguing new directions!
Picking up after the alternate ending from MK11’s DLC, Liu Kang has created a whole new universe and timeline. We’re transported back to the 1500s to follow this reimagined mythos.
- Liu Kang takes on the role of mentor to the legendary Great Kung Lao, Earthrealm’s champion from centuries ago. It’s a chance to revisit MK’s rich lore from a fresh perspective.
- Meanwhile, the sinister Shang Tsung has somehow returned as the main villain once again. He already meets a gory demise in the reveal trailer, but something tells me the sorcerer has a few more tricks up his sleeve…
- Series mainstays like Raiden and Kung Lao are recast as simple farmers in this new era. While Kitana and Mileena exist as true royal sisters.
- It’s unclear if modern characters like Johnny Cage will get reinvented to exist in the 16th century, or if they’ll time travel to the past. That could make for some great fish-out-of-water humor!
- Liu Kang seems benevolent for now, but his growing powers and talk of “redefining” MK’s heroes hints that he could turn into yet another controlling deity like Kronika did. Keeping the peace between realms is no easy task.
The reboot allows NetherRealm to shed new light on Mortal Kombat’s extensive mythology and lore. I’m pumped to see where they take the story next!
Fan-Favorite Mortal Kombat Characters Joining MK 1
Now let’s break down the characters confirmed so far for Mortal Kombat 1’s roster!
The reveal trailer shows these MK icons returning to kombat:
- Kitana
- Kung Lao
- Liu Kang
- Mileena
- Raiden
- Scorpion
- Shang Tsung (preorder bonus)
- Sub-Zero
No MK game would be complete without those fan-favorite fighters.
- Johnny Cage is heavily teased but yet to be officially confirmed. Gotta have Johnny’s swagger and movie star vibes!
Some wild guest characters are coming as DLC:
- Homelander from The Boys
- Peacemaker from the DCEU
Plus, the leaked DLC lineup includes:
- Ermac
- Omni-Man from Invincible
- Quan Chi
- Takeda
I love seeing MK incorporate popular characters from other franchises. And there are surely plenty more combatants still to be revealed before launch!
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Finish Them in Style – Mortal Kombat 1’s Epic Gameplay Teased in Trailer
We still have a lot to learn about how Mortal Kombat 1 will play when it arrives this September. But the reveal trailer gives us a bloody taste of the over-the-top gameplay we can expect from the reboot!
- No official gameplay footage has been shown just yet. We’ll have to wait for a more in-depth look at MK 1’s combat mechanics and new features.
- However, the trailer concludes with gory glimpses of potential CGI fatalities. Expect the most brutal and creative Fatalities the series has ever seen when you pull them off in matches!
- Fans who preorder the game will get access to a beta beginning in August. This offers an early chance to experience Mortal Kombat 1 firsthand before launch.
While we eagerly await more details on gameplay, the prospect of even more visceral, bone-crunching, head-popping action has me ready to GET OVER HERE! Mortal Kombat is all about outrageous violence masterfully woven into a tight fighting system. I can’t wait to see how Mortal Kombat 1 evolves the iconic gameplay formula.
Score Epic Preorder Bonuses With Mortal Kombat 1
Preordering Mortal Kombat 1 comes with some killer bonuses that fans won’t want to miss out on!
- Shang Tsung joins the roster as a playable character right from launch when you preorder MK 1. Take control of the sinister sorcerer and feed on souls!
- A Jean-Claude Van Damme skin for Johnny Cage lets you kick butt 80s style. A perfect fit for Cage’s action hero persona!
- 5 exclusive Kombat Pass fighters also come with preorders:
- Ferra
- Khameleon
- Mavado
- Tremor
- Johnny Cage variant
Between early access to Shang Tsung, epic character skins, and additional fighters, preordering is the way to go for die-hard Mortal Kombat fans. These bonuses will let you experience even more of Mortal Kombat 1’s brutal action on day one! Get yours today.
Get 20% bonus trade credit with trading in towards the purchase or preorder of Starfield, NBA 2k24, Mortal Kombat 1, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Super Mario Wonder, or Spider-Man 2!
Release Date and Platforms
Get ready to experience the rebooted Mortal Kombat universe later this year!
Mortal Kombat 1 officially launches on September 14, 2023.
Fans won’t have to wait too long before they can start raining blows and busting heads with Scorpion, Sub-Zero and the whole returning cast.
MK 1 will be unleashed on the following platforms:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S
- PC
- Nintendo Switch
No matter your platform of choice, you’ll be able to join the fight when Mortal Kombat 1 hits stores this September.
With jaw-dropping graphics and new levels of gore-drenched spectacle, Mortal Kombat 1 aims to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Unreal Engine 5. I can’t wait to step into the next generation of the iconic fighting franchise later this year.
Will you be picking up Mortal Kombat 1 on day one? Let me know which character you’ll main first in the comments!
Final Thoughts
Mortal Kombat is back in bloodier, more brutal form than ever before with Mortal Kombat 1. This epic reboot launches on September 19, 2023 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch.
With a reimagined 16th century setting, returning fan-favorites like Scorpion and Raiden, and special guest stars like Homelander and Peacemaker, Mortal Kombat 1 looks primed to deliver outstanding kombat action.
We can’t wait to dive deeper into the new Mortal Kombat universe NetherRealm has crafted when the game drops later this year. Which fighter will you be playing as first – Sub-Zero or Mileena? Will you focus on mastering combos or unleashing the most vicious new Fatalities? Let us know what you think about Mortal Kombat 1 so far!
And don’t forget to preorder now to unlock Shang Tsung along with other epic bonuses! Mortal Kombat 1 is the blood-soaked, head-bashing, bone-crunching reboot we’ve all been waiting for. Get ready to FINISH THEM when Mortal Kombat returns this September!
Frequently Asked Questions – Mortal Kombat 1
Q: What is Mortal Kombat 1?
A: Mortal Kombat 1 is a reboot of the popular fighting game franchise Mortal Kombat. It serves as a restart of the series’ story and gameplay.
Q: When does Mortal Kombat 1 release?
A: Mortal Kombat 1 will be released on September 19, 2023.
Q: What platforms will Mortal Kombat 1 be available on?
A: Mortal Kombat 1 will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Q: Will Mortal Kombat 1 have a beta?
A: Yes, there will be a beta available in August 2023 for those who preorder the game.
Q: Which classic Mortal Kombat characters will be in MK 1?
A: Confirmed fighters so far include Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kitana, Mileena, Kung Lao, Raiden, and Shang Tsung.
Q: Are there guest characters in Mortal Kombat 1?
A: Yes, The Boys’ Homelander and Peacemaker from DC will be added as DLC.
Q: What are the pre-order bonuses for Mortal Kombat 1?
A: Pre-orders will unlock Shang Tsung as a playable fighter, a Jean-Claude Van Damme skin for Johnny Cage, and 5 Kombat Pass fighters.
Q: Will Mortal Kombat 1 have fatalities?
A: Yes, the reveal trailer showcases extremely graphic fatalities, indicating they will return in MK 1.
Q: Is Mortal Kombat 12 the same as Mortal Kombat 1?
A: Yes, Mortal Kombat 1 is the official name for what was previously assumed to be Mortal Kombat 12.
