Highlights
- Mortal Kombat 1 is shaping up to be quit the release, with a story mode, a new board game-like mode, and refined multiplayer offerings.
- The roster for Mortal Kombat 1 includes 24 unique fighters, each with their own moveset, strengths, and weaknesses, making it one of the franchise's most varied rosters. 6 DLC fighters have been announced, too.
- Kameo Fighters, a new feature in Mortal Kombat 1, allow players to choose secondary characters who can assist them in battle, providing a chance for both classic and obscure characters to shine. 12 are currently confirmed.
While the vast majority of gamers' eyes are on Starfield at the minute, fighting game fans have a different September release on their minds. Set to release in just a few weeks, Mortal Kombat 1 is the next entry in the long-running fighting game franchise, and it's far from being just another iterative sequel. With a whole story mode centered around Liu Kang's new universe, a brand-new board game-like mode called Invasions, and an even more refined version of the series' classic multiplayer offerings, Mortal Kombat 1 is shaping up to be something truly special.
But, of course, a fighting game is only as good as its roster, and thankfully Mortal Kombat 1 isn't set to disappoint in that area either. At launch, Mortal Kombat 1 will have 24 individual fighters, all with their own unique moveset, strengths, and weaknesses, just like usual. While only 21 fighters have been confirmed so far, each one is incredibly deserving of their spot on the roster, either being fan-favorite characters making their long-awaited return, or franchise staples that have been given some fresh new twists. But those aren't the only characters on Mortal Kombat 1's roster.
Every Fighter Confirmed For Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
- Liu Kang
- Kung Lao
- Raiden
- General Shao
- Sindel
- Geras
- Reptile
- Havik
- Ashrah
- Scorpion
- Sub-Zero
- Smoke
- Rain
- Kenshi
- Johnny Cage
- Kitana
- Mileena
- Li Mei
- Baraka
- Tanya
- Shang Tsung (Pre-Order)
As mentioned up top, Mortal Kombat 1 will ship with 24 fighters on launch, meaning that another three are yet to be confirmed. But even without those last few Kombatants, Mortal Kombat 1's roster is extremely impressive. Though it isn't technically the largest roster ever seen in the franchise, it is one of the most varied, with almost every character bringing something completely new to the table, whether that's a unique visual flair, a varied moveset, or both.
Though there are some odd omissions, Mortal Kombat 1 brings back the vast majority of classic characters that fans have come to expect from a Mortal Kombat game. Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Johnny Cage, and Kitana are all present on the base roster, all of whom have been given a handful of new moves, including some flashy air combos. Then there are some lesser-known fighters making their triumphant return in Mortal Kombat 1, including characters like Havik, Ashrah, and Li Mei. Already, it's clear that Mortal Kombat 1's roster is a celebration of the franchise's 30-year history, and it feels like it's only just getting started.
Every Kameo Fighter Confirmed For Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
- Motaro
- Shunjinko
- Stryker
- Sareena
- Sektor
- Cyrax
- Frost
- Goro
- Sonya
- Jax
- Darrius
- Kano
The big new feature of Mortal Kombat 1, Kameo Fighters are a secondary character that players choose at the start of the match who can assist them in battle. By pressing a directional key and L1, players can use their Kameo Fighter to deliver a handful of unique attacks during a match. This ambitious system still needs to prove its worth, but its concept is great, allowing a slew of both classic and obscure Mortal Kombat characters to have their chance in the spotlight without NetherRealm needing to put in all the effort to give them a full moveset. It's currently unclear how many Kameo Fighters will be in Mortal Kombat 1 at launch, or how many of the base roster fighters will also be available as Kameos.
Every DLC Fighter Confirmed For Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
- Homelander
- Peacemaker
- Omni-Man
- Ermac
- Takeda
- Quan Chi
Mortal Kombat 1 wouldn't be a true fighting game if it didn't have DLC, and the game's first Kombat Pack has already been announced. Homelander, Peacemaker, and Omni-Man are all excellent pulls for Mortal Kombat 1's guest characters, while Ermac, Takeda, and Quan Chi are all solid fan-favorite additions. Kombat Pack 1 is set to begin its gradual rollout in Spring 2024, with Homelander being the first character to release and the rest coming in the following months.
Mortal Kombat 1 releases on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
