After waiting what has felt like forever for the game to release, Mortal Kombat 1 is finally here, and it's bringing with it a bunch of new Fatalities, Fatal Blows, and plenty of stages to fight on. Developers NetherRealm truly went above and beyond when designing the stages for their latest game. Many are packed full of color and detail, to the point where it's hard not to get distracted by the visually stunning backdrops.
While a few of these stages are classic arenas with a fresh coat of paint, others have been introduced as part of Liu Kang's brand new timeline that the game is set in. This makes for some truly unique areas to fight in. Still, with such a wide selection of stages to choose from, some players are already beginning to gravitate towards some stages more than others.
8 Tarkatan Colony
The Tarkatan Colony stage might seem familiar to anyone who has played Mortal Kombat 11. That's because it's essentially a revamped version of the Tarkatan War camp that was featured in that game. However, this time around, the stage is a lot brighter and more colorful. The lack of bloody imagery and burning corpses reflects the more sympathetic view of the Tarkatans that the new game is going for.
The beautiful rock formations that cover the stage are truly a joy to admire in between rounds. Just make sure not to get too distracted, otherwise the opponent might decide to take advantage of the opportunity. For its stunning visuals and relevance to the lore, Tarkatan Colony is undoubtedly a stage players will return to.
7 The Flesh Pits
Shang Tsung's horrifying Flesh Pit makes its triumphant return in Mortal Kombat 1, and it's as gory as ever. By examining some of the unfortunate test subjects in the background, players can get a glimpse at how far Shang Tsung's mission to combine science and dark magic has come, resulting in some gross experiments.
Many players will like the mysterious and unnerving nature of the stage, which throws it back to classic Mortal Kombat arenas from the early games. There's also an option to turn the "Experiments" off to make things a little more pleasant to look at. For fans who worried that there would be too many clean and pretty stages in the game, they can rest assured that the Flesh Pits is reminiscent of the bloody battle arenas that have become synonymous with the series.
6 Ying Fortress
When the Ying Dynasty fell, they left behind their beloved fortress, which has since been covered in ice and haunted by the souls who never made it out alive. While it's always fun to duke it out in front of a crowd of spectators in an arena, there's also a time and a place for isolated stages. These locales emphasize that feeling of being in a one-on-one duel to the death with a rival.
Fans might remember the same type of atmosphere being related to the Dead Woods from Mortal Kombat X. The closed-off arena is often seen as the ideal place to prove who was truly the strongest, without distractions getting in the way. Ying Fortress seems to be replicating that notion, so it's a go-to stage for fighters looking to settle their differences.
5 Wu Shi Academy
If any stage in Mortal Kombat 1 emphasizes how much of an upgrade the visuals and lighting have received, it's Wu Shi Academy. The delicate sakura trees that sway in the background, green shrubbery surrounding the arena, and classic traditional Japanese temples all come together to create a beautiful, peaceful stage that is fun to play on.
The Shaolin students training in the background also help make this stage feel alive. Considering how iconic this stage has become, it's great to see it return with such a staggering upgrade.
4 Sun Do
Sun Do is the capital city of Outworld, and it might be the most vibrant and exciting stage in the game. Colorful fireworks pop off in the background and crowds of people celebrate the bloody spectacle before them. Meanwhile, players must try to keep their cool to prove their combat prowess to their opponent, but it's hard not to get wrapped up in the festivities.
Sun Do shows up a few times during the story mode, so players can expect to fight it out here on several occasions. That definitely isn't a bad thing, considering how lush and eye-catching the stage looks. While the day version of this stage will feature more bustling crowds in the background, the night version is where the stage shines in terms of visual spectacle. It's best to choose this when the option is available.
3 Tea House
The first stage fans got to see in the first trailers for Mortal Kombat 1 was the Tea House. This stage isn't like anything that's appeared in the series before. This is the closest Mortal Kombat fans can get to an all out bar fight. Crowds of people admire the bloody carnage from afar while sipping their favorite beverages, all while two combatants tear one another to shreds.
The brown color palette of the tea house is complimented by bright sun rays and low-hanging green plants, which add variety to this stage. Additionally, the small glowing red lanterns and tables scattered around the area lend this stage a somewhat cozy atmosphere, which makes it a great training stage.
2 Living Forest
Forest stages have always been present in Mortal Kombat games, but the Living Forest in Mortal Kombat 1 might be the best one yet. As the name suggests, the stage is filled with creepy trees whose glowing eyes fixate on the combatants while they go toe to toe. But there's also a bright, delicate atmosphere to the area, thanks to the multitude of vibrant colors and calming rays of sunlight that peek through the trees.
There's a storm version of the stage which completely changes its aesthetic, making it feel more dangerous and mysterious. This drastic variation makes the stage incredibly replayable. For anyone who loves those unnerving stages of Mortal Kombat's past, they're not going to want to skip out on this one.
1 Cage Mansion
Jonny Cage's not-so-humble abode is packed with small, quirky details to keep an eye out for, all of which display Cage's silly and charismatic personality. Not only does the stage look absolutely jaw-dropping, but it also feels much bigger than it is because of the variation in backgrounds.
At the center is Cage's luxurious pool with the sun gleaming in from the mountains in the background. The sides of the room are much more isolated, featuring plenty of ornaments, tables, and comfy couches. There's even a spiral staircase, which is just as fancy as could be expected from everyone's favorite movie star. Although Cage Mansion has been shown in nearly single trailer, the fact that players are still so drawn to it shows how amazing it is.
Mortal Kombat 1 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, and PC for owners of the Kollector's and Premium Edition. The Standard Edition is set to be released on September 19, 2023.