Mortal Kombat 1

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 1, 2025) · 300 reviews sampled · 11964 total reviews in window · weighted 175.8 up / 54.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →

• 70
  ZdobywcyGier.eu

  trust 83Sep 21, 2023

  “Unfortunately, Mortal Kombat 1 is not the reboot the brand deserves, but it is a pretty enjoyable next installment in the series. If you've played the MK series for the past 10 years, then this installment will probably appeal to you, if you haven't already become tired of the formula. The ending of MK1, however, gives me a positive outlook for the future, if this direction will be continued.”

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• 70
  GameMAG

  trust 78Oct 20, 2023

  “If you're looking forward to a deep and engaging fighting game with great single-player content, and the game you can easily pick up with no prior experience, then we suggest you to try Street Fighter 6. As of right now, Mortal Kombat 1 feels like a game aimed strictly at the fanbase of the franchise, and people who are willing to see how the game will evolve in real time.”

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• 90
  INDIANTVCZ

  trust 78Sep 21, 2023

  “Mortal Kombat 1 is the best installment in the series. The reboot of the timeline made room for new, but also old chaotic plots that are now gripped a little more steadily. Beginners needn't fear starting off with this installment. Thanks to the cameo fighters, you get something new again. Unfortunately, the interactivity of the arenas has fallen off with this option, but given the dynamics of the combat, that's not entirely a bad thing. The soundtrack in Mortal Kombat is more ambient than some dynamic pumper. The changes from the last installment are many, but I can't say they're detrimental. On the contrary, I really enjoyed this fresh start.”

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• 60
  Slant Magazine

  trust 77Oct 12, 2023

  “Compared to just how expansive MK11 felt even at launch, MK1 feels a bit like Street Fighter V at launch. At least this game has a full-fledged campaign and Arcade style modes with fully voiced endings, but there’s a similar feeling of emptiness about it. That’s a bad vibe to get, especially for the first major fighting game to launch in Street Fighter 6’s shadow. There’s plenty of room for MK1 to expand, but as it stands, Mortal Kombat just tested its might on another reboot and may have broken something unnecessarily in the process.”

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• 80
  Gaming Professors

  trust 76Sep 27, 2023

  “Mortal Kombat 1 features classic characters and retains the brutal gameplay that fans have come to love. The visuals are captivating and highly polished. While the limited customization options and the decision to reboot the series may disappoint some players, overall it remains a solid addition to the Mortal Kombat franchise.”

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• 70
  Gadgets 360

  trust 76Oct 9, 2023

  “Ushering a new era in the bone-krunching franchise, Mortal Kombat 1 is a worthy competitor in the teeming fighting game space and serves as a gleefully violent entry point for newcomers to the genre. The reboot doesn't reinvent its blood-lusting roots in any form but drastically evolves over its predecessors from a visual perspective, delivering excellent particle effects and more gore via shocking Fatalities that look hyper-realistic. There are some noticeable attempts at shaking things up, with the new Kameo system opening room for diverse team-up combos. And while the Invasions mode goes beyond the campaign to offer something new, it soon devolves into a boring grind fest. For a while, it seemed like NetherRealm had once again nailed its story mode, but it drops in quality in the second half when dealing with multiversal mumbo jumbo on a grand scale. Overall, though, it's a fun entry that's here to dominate the FGC scene for a good while.”

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• 90
  eXputer

  trust 75Aug 16, 2023

  “Mortal Kombat 1 is a triumphant return to form for the franchise, and it’s the most innovative the series has felt in well over a decade.”

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• 85
  PLAY Zine

  trust 75Oct 5, 2023

  “MK 1 is a definite upgrade in the gameplay department, making fights faster, more explosive and skill-based, bringing back the old special meter with 3 bars and introducing great new mechanics such as Cameo Fighters and aerial combos. It is a culmination of what NetherRealm has learned from the last two MK iterations and poses a great baseline for the future.”

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• 75
  GRYOnline.pl

  trust 75Sep 18, 2023

  “Mortal Kombat 1 is a safe sequel without surprises. Unless someone is surprised by a well-crafted storyline, brutality and lots of single-player content. This is "just" another Mortal Kombat with all the good and the bad.”

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• 90
  Seasoned Gaming

  trust 74Sep 18, 2023

  “In a time where fighting games are experiencing such an incredible resurgence, no other fighter has emerged quite so victoriously as Mortal Kombat 1.”

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• 90
  ani-game.com

  trust 73Oct 1, 2023

  “Overall, Mortal Kombat 1 is exactly what I wanted from the next step in the franchise. It takes the story in a fresh new direction and opens up the MK universe even further and its Kameo system completely changes up the fighting gameplay, whether you play just solo or competitively online. I really liked seeing fresh takes on many of the series’ most iconic characters and am looking forward to jumping back into the game each season to play through the new Invasion, beat new bosses and collect new gear.”

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• 87
  SpaceNerd.it

  trust 73Oct 5, 2023

  “Mortal Kombat 1 suits both the veteran and the new player, offering a complete fighting experience. The feel is great and you will be able to range in terms of gameplay variety thanks to its roster. A few software optimisation issues and a slight general balancing problem spoil the overall experience, but it's nothing that can't be fixed with some future updates.”

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…and 163 more tracked reviews.

1. MK1: Definitive Ed Upgrade Issue *RESOLVED*

   May 17, 2025
2. MK1: Definitive Ed Upgrade Issue

   May 15, 2025
3. MAY HOTFIX

   May 14, 2025
4. APRIL UPDATE

   Apr 1, 2025significant · resets scoring window
5. MARCH UPDATE

   Mar 18, 2025significant · resets scoring window
6. February Hotfix

   Feb 6, 2025
7. January update

   Jan 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
8. NOVEMBER UPDATE

   Nov 19, 2024significant · resets scoring window
9. OCTOBER UPDATE

   Oct 10, 2024significant · resets scoring window
10. PC System Requirements Updated

    Sep 26, 2024significant · resets scoring window
11. SEPTEMBER UPDATE

    Sep 24, 2024significant · resets scoring window
12. AUGUST HOTFIX

    Aug 21, 2024
13. July Hotfix

    Aug 6, 2024
14. JULY UPDATE

    Jul 23, 2024significant · resets scoring window
15. JUNE HOTFIX 2

    Jun 27, 2024
16. JUNE HOTFIX

    Jun 18, 2024
17. JUNE UPDATE

    Jun 4, 2024significant · resets scoring window
18. MAY UPDATE

    May 7, 2024significant · resets scoring window
19. APRIL UPDATE

    Apr 16, 2024significant · resets scoring window
20. PATCH 15 UPDATE

    Mar 27, 2024
21. March Update - Free Play Weekend

    Mar 7, 2024
22. March Hotfix Patch Notes

    Mar 6, 2024
23. FEBRUARY UPDATE

    Feb 28, 2024significant · resets scoring window
24. JANUARY UPDATE #2

    Jan 25, 2024
25. January Update Patch Notes

    Jan 16, 2024
26. December Hotfix Patch Notes

    Dec 20, 2023
27. December Update Patch Notes

    Dec 18, 2023significant · resets scoring window
28. New Update Available

    Sep 27, 2023
29. Update: PC Performance Issue Resolution

    Sep 20, 2023
30. Update: PC Performance Issues

    Sep 16, 2023