A new Mortal Kombat game is just around the corner — so warm up those thumbs and get ready to mash some buttons. But first things first — you might be wondering what that name's all about. Well, Mortal Kombat 1 is the second reboot in the franchise's history, and is actually set after the events of Mortal Kombat 11. Yep, a bit confusing, but stay with us.

In the upcoming game from NetherRealm Studios, you'll discover a completely reborn universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang — ushering in a fresh era of the legendary fighting series. We're talking a whole new combat system, game modes and of course, a boatload of those fan-favourite fatalities. Finish him!

The gory story campaign includes all the classic characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Johnny Cage and many more. But you won't need to face these formidable opponents alone, as you can call for backup from the 'Kameo Fighters' to get the upper hand and secure that flawless victory.

Take a gander at our Mortal Kombat 1 guide, which answers all your burning questions about the game’s release date, price, modes, and much more…

What is Mortal Kombat 1’s release date?

Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition and Kollector’s Edition are set to be released on September 14th, 2023. Customers who purchase Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition will be able to access the game a few days later (September 19th).

Aside from early access, the Premium Edition offers a ‘Kombat Pack’ comprising 6 new playable characters, 5 new Kameo characters, and a Jean-Claude Van Damme skin for Johnny Cage. You'll also get early access to DLC characters and 1,250 Dragon Krystals (in-game currency for some extra skins). Kollector’s Edition delivers the same perks, with the addition of a Liu Kang sculpture, an exclusive steel case, limited edition art prints and 2700 Dragon Krystals.

How much will Mortal Kombat 1 cost?

The release price for Mortal Kombat 1 (Standard Edition) will be £54.99 for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, while the Nintendo Switch version comes in at a slightly more affordable £49.99. The Premium Edition for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S ramps up to £79.99, and then there’s the Kollector’s Edition which will cost you the princely sum of £239.99. How you choose your destiny is up to you.

Can I pre-order Mortal Kombat 1?

You can pre-order Mortal Kombat 1 right now and save 25% with code MKP25. Digital pre-orders are available via the PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo online stores, while PC players can pre-purchase on Steam to get ahead of the game.

Mortal Kombat 1 platforms and crossplay

As we’ve already mentioned, Mortal Kombat 1 will be available on all 9th generation consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch) as well as PC. Crossplay will not be available at launch, although strong rumours are circulating online that NetherRealm Studios have this feature in their post-launch pipeline.

How to play Mortal Kombat 1

Like most ”beat ‘em up” console games, Mortal Kombat 1 will be a controller-bashing thrill-ride — bringing the franchise back to its roots. It’ll be filled to the brim with over-the-top violence and glorious gore, which is what Mortal Kombat does best. Pick a character and let battle commence against a CPU, or head online to face human adversaries that’ll test your skills to the limit.

Mortal Kombat 1 might be another reboot but all the key gameplay ingredients of previous instalments will remain, so seasoned Mortal Kombat fans should feel right at home. Having said that, Mortal Kombat 1 will introduce a new feature called ‘Kameo Fighters’ — offering a unique roster of partner characters that can assist you during matches for expanded gameplay possibilities.

How many hours of gameplay will Mortal Kombat 1 have?

NetherRealm Studios haven’t officially shared the length of Mortal Kombat 1’s story mode. However, the game’s director Ed Boon has confirmed that it’ll be of a similar length to Mortal Kombat 11’s story mode, so expect a runtime of about 5-7 hours. This could stretch to 15+ hours if you’re a fastidious fighter who wants to complete everything (and takes “finish him!” very seriously).

What are Mortal Kombat 1’s main factions/characters?

As part of NetherRealm Studio’s bold reboot, Mortal Kombat 1 will boast reimagined fighters like you’ve never been seen before. Enduring fan favourites including Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, and Johnny Cage will all be playable — complete with their signature bone-krushing finishing moves that won’t be for the faint of heart.

There will be six new additions to the character roster too, such as Ermac, Homelander, Omni-Man and Takeda. These characters will only be available to play via the ‘Kombat Pack’ included with the Premium Edition and Kollector’s Edition versions of the game. There are also the new ‘Kameo Fighers’ of course, and these characters are chosen separately from the main roster of Kombatants.

What Mortal Kombat 1 features are player-customisable?

From what we’ve seen so far, there will be plenty of customisation potential in Mortal Kombat 1. This is perfect if you want to personalise your character with various cosmetic changes, with the possibility to tweak fighter movesets also rumoured online.

We already know that the Premium Edition and Kollector’s Edition’s included ‘Kombat Pack’ features a Jean-Claude Van Damme skin for Johnny Cage, so there are sure to be many other skins for different characters that you can buy with those coveted Dragon Krystals.

What are the different Mortal Kombat 1 game mode options?

Mortal Kombat 1 will offer a story mode with a brand-new cinematic narrative, featuring unexpected twists on old rivalries and original backstories for the wide-ranging cast of legendary fighters. As you would expect, online multiplayer (with rollback netcode) and offline gameplay have also been confirmed.

Interestingly, there has been speculation of another in-game mode dubbed ‘Invasions’. In this single-player adventure, it’s rumoured that you’ll be able to fight invasions in different realms — adding even more intrigue to this highly-anticipated release. More news on that to follow.

Will Mortal Kombat 1 have a multiplayer mode?

Fighting games are practically built around their multiplayer mode(s) — it’s essential. Mortal Kombat 1 is no exception and will indeed have online multiplayer elements. However, as you’d expect, a PlayStation Plus subscription, Xbox Live Gold membership, or Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

Previous Mortal Kombat releases in chronological order

Mortal Kombat is one of the world’s longest-running video game franchises. With over 30 years of bloody history stretching all the way back to 1992, the series has spawned 12 main instalments, various spin-offs, and even a couple of movies! Instead of listing everything, we’re going to stick with the main console releases from the last few years.

Mortal Kombat (2011)

Protector of Earth, Raiden, seeks to change the aftermath of Armageddon by reaching his past self as he faces defeat at the hands of the evil emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn.

Mortal Kombat X (2015)

Two years after the death of villain Shao Khan, a powerful tyrant of the Outworld throne, the heroes of Earthrealm must reunite with their fallen comrades and prevent the evil Shinnok from tampering with the Jinsei — the source of Earthrealm's life-force.

Mortal Kombat 11 (2019)

Taking place after the events Mortal Kombat X, lightning-wielder Raiden has disturbed the precarious balance of good and evil. Kronika, Goddess and ‘Keeper of Time’, aims to defeat Raiden and restore order to the universe — even if it means changing the past.

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