Mortal Kombat 1

Running on Unreal Engine 4, Mortal Kombat 1 is the twelfth main installment—and second full reboot—of the long-running franchise, arriving September 19, 2023 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Upon release, it earned praise for its stunning visual fidelity, tightly balanced roster, and deep combat systems, although some players criticized its microtransaction shop and the grind required for seasonal Invasions rewards.

Like its predecessors, MK1 is a 2.5D fighting game, retaining beloved finishers—Fatalities, Brutalities, and Friendships—while also reintroducing Animalities and Stage Fatalities for over-the-top flair. The Preset Variation system replaces MK11's gear-style customization, offering carefully tuned movesets for each character without the complexity of load-outs.

Combat is elevated by airborne combo chains (a nod to the series' classic high-flying style) and the refined Flawless Block mechanic, which rewards perfectly timed defenses with a critical comeback window. Brand-new to MK1 are Kameo Fighters—support characters you summon mid-match to unleash Ambushes, perform Kameo Fatalities, or turn the tide with unique abilities.