The
Mortal Kombat franchise is a long-running and highly influential fighting game series, first developed by Midway Games in 1992 and now produced by NetherRealm Studios. It is widely known for its brutal, over-the-top violence, iconic characters, and a dense, convoluted storyline that has been rebooted multiple times.
Signature gameplay and mechanics
The series’ signature elements have evolved, but its core has always revolved around one-on-one, fast-paced combat.
- Fatalities: These notoriously graphic finishing moves, where a victorious player executes a brutally cinematic maneuver to kill their opponent, are a key feature. The controversy they generated helped lead to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).
- A unique control scheme: Unlike the six-button system of its main rival, Street Fighter, early Mortal Kombat games used five buttons: high punch, low punch, high kick, low kick, and block.
- Different finishing moves: Beyond Fatalities, the series has introduced other finishers, such as non-violent “Friendships,” transforming “Animalities,” and “Brutalities,” which are long combos that end in a graphic finale.
- Interactive stages: Modern games, starting with Mortal Kombat X, feature interactive environments where players can use objects to their advantage.
A tale of two timelines
The Mortal Kombat story, set across various realms and dimensions, is notoriously complex.
Original timeline (1992–2006)
- The first trilogy: The story begins with Earthrealm’s warriors, including Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade, defending their world in the Mortal Kombat tournament against the forces of Outworld and its tyrannical emperor, Shao Kahn.
- Later games: Subsequent entries featured alliances between evil sorcerers Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, the return of the ancient Dragon King Onaga, and the climactic, realm-destroying battle in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.
Rebooted timelines (2011–Present)
- Mortal Kombat (2011): The series was rebooted, with Raiden attempting to change the events of the original trilogy to prevent Armageddon.
- Mortal Kombat 11: This game expanded on the time-travel narrative, with the Titan Kronika attempting to rewrite history, forcing heroes from different time periods to team up.
- Mortal Kombat 1 (2023): Following the defeat of Kronika, the main protagonist Liu Kang becomes a god and creates a new, peaceful timeline. However, threats inevitably arise that disrupt his plans for peace.
Iconic characters
Mortal Kombat has introduced dozens of iconic characters, many of whom are instantly recognizable by gamers and non-gamers alike.
- Scorpion: The vengeful, hell-forged specter known for his catchphrase “GET OVER HERE!” and his signature spear attack.
- Sub-Zero: The cryomancer ninja who can manipulate ice, and is involved in a long-standing blood feud with Scorpion.
- Liu Kang: Earthrealm’s original champion, a skilled Shaolin monk who eventually ascends to godhood and becomes the timeline’s keeper.
- Raiden: The Thunder God who long served as Earthrealm’s protector and guide.
- Johnny Cage: A cocky movie star who evolves into a genuine hero.
- Shang Tsung: The treacherous sorcerer who can steal souls and morph into other characters.
