Mortal Kombat#Finishing moves

{{Further|Fighting game}}

File:Mortal Kombat II arcade cabinet.jpg arcade cabinet's control board]]

The original three games and their updates, Mortal Kombat (1992), Mortal Kombat II (1993), Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), and Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996), are 2D fighting games. The arcade cabinet versions of the first two used a joystick and five buttons: high punch, low punch, high kick, low kick, and block; Mortal Kombat 3 and its updates added a sixth "run" button. Characters in the early Mortal Kombat games play virtually identically to one another, with the only major differences being their special moves.{{cite web|title=1UP Show: Mortal Kombat vs. DCU Impressions|url=http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/22707|date=November 21, 2008|website=1UP.com|access-date=April 2, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707061209/http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/22707|archive-date=July 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}} Through the 1990s, the developer and publisher Midway Games kept their single-styled fighting moves with four attack buttons for a different array of punches, kicks and blocks. Mortal Kombat 4 was the first Mortal Kombat game in which the characters could move in three dimensions and the first to use 3D computer graphics. From Deadly Alliance to Mortal Kombat: Deception, characters had three fighting styles per character: two unarmed styles, and one weapon style.{{cite web|first=Jeremy |last=Dunham |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance |date=November 19, 2002 |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377892p1.html |page=2,3 |website=IGN |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325053022/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377892p1.html |archive-date=March 25, 2010 }} While most of the styles used in the series are based on real martial arts, some are fictitious.{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews |date=November 22, 2002 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213214/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/review.html?tag=tabs%3Breviews |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }} Goro's fighting styles, for example, are designed to take advantage of the fact that he has four arms. For Armageddon, fighting styles were reduced to a maximum of two per character (generally one hand-to-hand combat style and one weapon style) due to the sheer number of playable characters.{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Haynes |date=October 6, 2006 |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738086p3.html |page=3 |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529025043/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738086p3.html |archive-date=May 29, 2010 }} Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe dropped multiple fighting styles for most characters in favor of giving each character a wider variety of special moves{{cite web|first=Carolyn |last=Petit |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213228/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 4, 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite journal |first=Pat |last=Reynolds |title= Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Strategy Guide by Pat Reynolds |journal= Tips & Tricks |publisher= Larry Flynt Publications |date= March–April 2009 |pages = 6, 21}} 2011's Mortal Kombat returned to a single 2D fighting plane, although characters are rendered in 3D;{{cite web|first=Andrew |last=Webster |title=A gruesome return to form: hands-on with Mortal Kombat |date=August 23, 2010 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/08/a-gruesome-return-to-form-hands-on-with-mortal-kombat.ars?comments=1#comments-bar |website=Ars Technica |access-date=August 28, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828151425/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/08/a-gruesome-return-to-form-hands-on-with-mortal-kombat.ars?comments=1 |archive-date=August 28, 2010 }} unlike previous Mortal Kombat games, each of the controller's four attack buttons corresponds to one of the character's limbs, the buttons thus becoming front punch, back punch, front kick and back kick ("front" indicates the limb that is closer to the opponent, and "back" indicates the limb that is farther away from the opponent).

Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Armageddon feature "Konquest", a free-roaming action-adventure mode. Both games include distinct minigame modes such as "Chess Kombat", an action-strategy game. Two other bonus minigames, "Puzzle Kombat" inspired by Puzzle Fighter and "Motor Kombat" inspired by Mario Kart, feature super deformed versions of Mortal Kombat characters. The games contain various unlockable content and hidden cheats.Ferry Groenendijk, [https://archive.today/20141119224935/http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2011/04/15/all-mortal-kombat-2011-fatalities-babalities-guide-ps3-xbox-360.html "All Mortal Kombat 2011 Fatalities Babalities Guide (PS3, Xbox 360"], Video Game Blogger, April 15, 2011. {{Clear left}}

{{Main|Fatality (Mortal Kombat){{!}}Fatality (Mortal Kombat)}}

File:Kung lao Fatality.png's "Razor's Edge" Fatality being performed on Mileena in 2011's Mortal Kombat. NetherRealm Studios' Ed Boon described it as possibly the most painful-looking finishing move in the series yet{{cite web|author=Xbox World 360 |date=January 6, 2011 |title=The secrets of gaming |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/281998/features/the-secrets-of-gaming/ |work=Xbox World 360 |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025234511/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/281998/features/the-secrets-of-gaming/ |archive-date=October 25, 2012 }}]]

{{quote box| quote = I think [Mortal Kombat] represents the difference in philosophy. [....] So in Street Fighter when you're playing it's the moment to moment gameplay that should be the best, whether you win or lose doesn't really matter. Whereas in Mortal Kombat the fighting and playing is just a pathway to get to the result – it's the Fatality you want to see and you almost want to skip the fighting bit and get to the Fatality because that is the result.Jim Sterling, [http://www.destructoid.com/ono-mortal-kombat-represents-western-game-design-198318.phtml Ono: Mortal Kombat represents Western game design] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029073036/http://www.destructoid.com/ono-mortal-kombat-represents-western-game-design-198318.phtml |date=October 29, 2012 }}, Destructoid, 04.07.2011.| source = —Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono| width = 30%|}}

One of the most notable features of the Mortal Kombat series is its brutal and gruesome finishing moves, known as "Fatalities". The basic Fatalities are finishing moves that allow the victorious characters to end a match by murdering their defeated, defenseless opponent. Usually Fatalities are exclusive to each character, the exception being Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, which instead features Kreate-A-Fatality, a feature that allows players to perform their own Fatalities by conducting a series of violent moves chosen from a pool that is common to all characters.{{cite web|author=Gertsmann, Jeff |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/ultimatemortalkombat3/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Review |website=GameSpot |date=October 24, 2008 |access-date=January 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071814/https://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/ultimatemortalkombat3/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review |archive-date=July 11, 2011 }}

Other finishing moves in the various Mortal Kombat games include Animalities (introduced in Mortal Kombat 3), in which the victor turns into an animal to violently finish off the opponent; Brutality (introduced in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3) which consists of bashing the opponent into pieces with a long combo of hits; and Stage Fatalities/Death Traps (introduced in the original Mortal Kombat Pit Stage where the victor can uppercut their opponent off of the platform into a bed of spikes below, later made more difficult in Mortal Kombat II by requiring a character-specific button sequence) utilizing parts of certain stages to execute a lethal finishing move (such as a pool of acid). Mortal Kombat: Deception added the Hara-Kiri, a move that allows the loser to perform a suicidal finishing move, giving way to a potential race between both players to see if the winner can finish off their opponent before they can kill themselves.{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Premium Edition |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level="The History of Fatalities" commentary}}{{cite web|first=Greg |last=Kasavin |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception (Xbox) Review |date=October 4, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/review.html |website=GameSpot |access-date=September 3, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414174415/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/review.html |archive-date=April 14, 2009 }}

There are two non-violent finishing moves in the series, which were introduced in Mortal Kombat II as a satire to controversies surrounding Mortal Kombat: Friendship moves, which result in a display of friendship towards the enemy instead of slaughter,{{cite news|first=Malcolm |last=Mayhew |title=NEW 'MORTAL KOMBAT' IS GORIER THAN 1ST ONE |date=September 14, 1992 |url=https://www.deseret.com/1994/9/14/19130676/new-mortal-kombat-is-gorier-than-1st-one/ |newspaper=Deseret News |access-date=September 2, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715044918/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/375461/NEW-MORTAL-KOMBAT-IS-GORIER-THAN-1ST-ONE.html?pg=2 |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }} and Babalities, which turn the opponent into a baby.

The series takes place in a fictional universe consisting of numerous realms which, according to in-game backstories, were created by the Elder Gods, an ancient, ethereal pantheon of almightest, eternal preternatural beings. The Mortal Kombat: Deception manual described six of the realms as: "Earthrealm, home to such legendary heroes as Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, and Jax Briggs, and under the protection of the Thunder God Raiden; Netherrealm, the fiery depths of which are inhospitable to all but the most vile, a realm of demons and shadowy warriors such as Quan Chi and Noob Saibot; Outworld, a realm of constant strife which Emperor Shao Kahn claims as his own; Seido, the Realm of Order, whose inhabitants prize structure and order above all else; the Realm of Chaos, whose inhabitants do not abide by any rules whatsoever, and where constant turmoil and change are worshiped; and Edenia, which is known for its beauty, artistic expression, and the longevity of its inhabitants."{{Cite AV media notes |title=Mortal Kombat Deception Instruction Booklet |year=2004 |publisher=Midway Amusement Game, LLC |page=15}}{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 4, 2004 |level= Konquehh |access-date=October 22, 2009}} The Elder Gods decreed that the denizens of one realm could only conquer another realm by defeating the defending realm's greatest warriors in ten consecutive martial arts tournaments, called Mortal Kombat.

The first Mortal Kombat game takes place in Earthrealm (Earth) where seven different warriors with their own reasons for entering join the tournament with the prize being the continued freedom of their realm under threat of a takeover by Outworld. Among the established warriors were Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade. With the help of the thunder god Raiden, the Earthrealm warriors were victorious, and Liu Kang became the new champion of Mortal Kombat.{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat 2 |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=1994 |level=Opening sequence}} In Mortal Kombat II, unable to deal with his minion Shang Tsung's failure, Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn lures the Earthrealm warriors to Outworld for a do-over, winner-take-all tournament, where Liu Kang eventually defeats Shao Kahn. By the time of Mortal Kombat 3, Shao Kahn merged Edenia with his empire and revived its former queen Sindel in Earthrealm, combining it with Outworld as well. He attempts to invade Earthrealm, but is ultimately defeated by Liu Kang once more. After the Kahn's defeat, Edenia was freed from his grasp and returned to a peaceful realm, ruled by Princess Kitana. The following game, Mortal Kombat 4, features the fallen elder god Shinnok attempting to conquer the realms and kill Raiden. He is defeated by Liu Kang.

In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, the evil sorcerers Quan Chi and Shang Tsung join forces to conquer the realms, killing series protagonist Liu Kang in the process. By Mortal Kombat: Deception, after several fights, the sorcerers emerge victorious, having killed most of Earthrealm's warriors until Raiden steps forth to oppose them. The Dragon King Onaga, former ruler of Outworld, returned to merge all realms back together, but was eventually defeated by the game's protagonist, Shujinko.{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=April 4, 2007 |level=Shujinko Bio}}

In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, the titular catastrophe begins. Centuries before the first Mortal Kombat, Queen Delia foretold the realms would be destroyed because the power of all of the realms' warriors would rise to such greatness that it would overwhelm and destabilize the realms, triggering a destructive chain of events. King Argus had his sons, Taven and Daegon, put into incubation so one day they can be awakened to save the realms from Armageddon by defeating a firespawn known as Blaze. In the end, Shao Kahn is the one who defeats Blaze and wins the war, causing Armageddon.{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Konquest |access-date=November 19, 2009}}

The crossover Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe does not share continuity with the other games. After the simultaneous defeats of both Shao Kahn and the alien warlord Darkseid in the DC Universe causes both villains to fuse into the entity "Dark Kahn", both the Mortal Kombat and DC Universes begin to merge. This brings the warriors and heroes into conflicts after suffering bouts of uncontrollable rage. The heroes and villains of both universes repeatedly battle each other, believing each other to be responsible for the catastrophe, until only Raiden and Superman remain. The two confront Dark Kahn and team up to defeat their common foe. After Dark Kahn's defeat, the two realms defuse, with Shao Kahn and Darkseid trapped in each other's universes to face eternal imprisonment.

In the 2011 Mortal Kombat soft reboot, the battle of Armageddon culminated in only two survivors: Shao Kahn and Raiden. On the verge of death by the former's hand, the latter sent visions to his past self in a last-ditch attempt to prevent this outcome. Upon receiving the visions, the past Raiden attempts to alter the timeline to avert Armageddon amidst the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament, during the original game. His attempts to alter history mean that events play out differently to the original series. While he succeeds in preventing Shao Kahn's victory with help from the Elder Gods, he accidentally kills Liu Kang in self-defense and loses most of his allies to Queen Sindel, leaving Earthrealm vulnerable to Shinnok and Quan Chi's machinations.

Mortal Kombat X sees Shinnok and Quan Chi enacting their plan, leading an army of undead revenants of those that were killed in Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm. A team of warriors led by Raiden, Johnny Cage, Kenshi Takahashi, and Sonya Blade oppose them, and in the ensuing battle, Shinnok is imprisoned within his amulet and various warriors are resurrected and freed from his control, though Quan Chi escapes. Twenty-five years later, the sorcerer resurfaces alongside the insectoid D'Vorah to facilitate Shinnok's return. A vengeful Scorpion kills Quan Chi, but fails to stop him from freeing Shinnok. To combat him, Cassie Cage, daughter of Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade, leads a team composed of the next generation of Earthrealm's heroes in defeating him. With Shinnok and Quan Chi defeated, Liu Kang and Kitana's revenants assume control of the Netherrealm while Raiden taps into Shinnok's amulet.

Mortal Kombat 11 and its expansion, Aftermath, sees the architect of time and Shinnok's mother, Kronika, working to alter the timeline following her son's defeat and Raiden's tampering with her work. In doing so, she brings past versions of the realm's heroes to the present, aligning herself with some while the rest work to defeat her. After nearly killing Liu Kang a second time, Raiden discovers Kronika has manipulated them into fighting across multiple timelines as she fears their combined power. Despite her interference and attacks by her minions, Raiden gives Liu Kang his power, turning him into a god of fire and thunder so he can defeat Kronika. In the Aftermath expansion, it is revealed that Liu Kang inadvertently destroyed Kronika's crown, the item needed to restart the timeline. Her defeat also revives Shang Tsung, who was absent in the base game due to his imprisonment by Kronika. To recover the crown, Liu Kang sends Shang Tsung and other Earthrealm heroes back in time to obtain it before Kronika, though Shang Tsung manipulates events so that he comes into possession of the crown. At the end, either Liu Kang or Shang Tsung becomes the Keeper of Time, depending on the player's choice (who they want to fight with in the final battle) and the outcome of the battle.

Mortal Kombat 1, the second reboot on the series' timeline, sees Lord Liu Kang has created his New Era and strives to maintain peace between all the realms. However, his plans begin to unravel when Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, despite his attempts to have them de-powered and unable to cause trouble, ally with General Shao in order to conquer Earthrealm and Outworld. Investigating the matter, Liu Kang discovers that the Shang Tsung from MK11: Aftermath is responsible, as Liu Kang's attempts to access the Hourglass' power resulted in a break where every character in Mortal Kombat{{'}}s universe defeated Kronika and gained control of the Hourglass. In an attempt to stop the sorcerer from taking control of all of the multiple timelines, Liu Kang leads an army of good variations in an assault on Titan Shang Tsung's dimension, where, after an intense battle with all their evil counterparts, Liu Kang and a player-decided champion defeat him and erase his timeline from existence.

{{Main|List of Mortal Kombat characters}}

File:DragonCon 2012 - Thursday Night 01.jpgers of Kitana, Reptile, and Sonya Blade at Dragon Con 2012]]

Through its iterations, the series has featured scores of player characters, some of them becoming mainstays, such as Baraka, Cassie Cage, Cyrax, Ermac, Fujin, Goro, Jade, Jax, Johnny Cage, Kabal, Kano, Kenshi, Kintaro, Kitana, Kung Lao, Li Mei, Liu Kang, Mileena, Motaro, Nightwolf, Noob Saibot, Quan Chi, Raiden, Rain, Reptile, Scorpion, Sektor, Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, Sheeva, Shinnok, Sindel, Skarlet, Smoke, Sonya Blade, Stryker, Sub-Zero and Tanya. Among them are Earth's humans and cyborgs, good and evil deities, and denizens of Outworld and other realms.

Starting with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, which featured several DC Universe heroes and villains, all subsequent games have included guest characters such as Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, Kratos from the God of War franchise (exclusively for PlayStation 3), Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise, the Xenomorph from Alien, Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, the titular character of Predator, the titular character of the Terminator franchise, the titular character of RoboCop, Spawn of Image Comics, Omni-Man from Image Comics's Invincible, John Rambo, Homelander from The Boys, and the Joker, who was previously in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Peacemaker (more specifically: the character from the DC Extended Universe and DC Universe), both from DC Comics, and Ghostface from the Scream franchise.{{cn|date=May 2023}}

{{Timeline of release years

| subtitle = Main series in bold

| range1 = 1992 -

| range1_color = #FF6600 #FFCC99

| 1992 = Mortal Kombat

| 1993 = Mortal Kombat II

| 1995a = Mortal Kombat 3

| 1995b = Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

| 1996 = Mortal Kombat Trilogy

| 1997a = Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero

| 1997b = Mortal Kombat 4

| 1999 = Mortal Kombat Gold

| 2000 = Mortal Kombat: Special Forces

| 2001 = Mortal Kombat Advance

| 2002 = Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

| 2003 = Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition

| 2004 = Mortal Kombat: Deception

| 2005 = Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

| 2006a = Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

| 2006b = Mortal Kombat: Unchained

| 2007 = Ultimate Mortal Kombat

| 2008 = Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

| 2011a = Mortal Kombat

| 2011b = Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection

| 2012 = Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition

| 2015a = Mortal Kombat X

| 2015b = Mortal Kombat Mobile

| 2016 = Mortal Kombat XL

| 2019 = Mortal Kombat 11

| 2020a = Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath

| 2020b = Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate

| 2022 = Mortal Kombat: Onslaught

| 2023 = Mortal Kombat 1}}

File:Ed Boon by Gage Skidmore.jpg

File:John Tobias.jpg

Mortal Kombat started development in 1991 with four people: Ed Boon (programming), John Tobias (art and story), John Vogel (graphics), and Dan Forden (sound design).{{cite magazine | url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_060707_mortal.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023152817/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_060707_mortal.html | archive-date=October 23, 2007 | title=Mortal Kombat: Ed Boon Interview | magazine=Official Nintendo Magazine | access-date=August 2, 2009}}{{cite web |first= Larry |last= Hryb |title= Show #305 : The Maw and Ed Boon |url= http://majornelson.com/index.php/2009/01/18/show-305-the-maw-and-ed-boone |date= January 18, 2009 |publisher= majornelson.com |access-date= October 22, 2009 |archive-date= July 15, 2012 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120715115005/http://majornelson.com/index.php/2009/01/18/show-305-the-maw-and-ed-boone |url-status= live }} According to Mortal Kombat actors Richard Divizio and Daniel Pesina, the first game began as a ninja-themed project by John Tobias (a young new employee of Midway Games at the time) and them as well as Carlos Pesina, however their pitch to Tobias' boss Ed Boon was rejected by the management of Midway.{{Cite web|url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/an-oral-history-of-mortal-kombat|title=An Oral History of 'Mortal Kombat'|date=2018-11-26|website=MEL Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-25|archive-date=November 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127144229/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/an-oral-history-of-mortal-kombat|url-status=live}} Midway was approached to create a video game adaptation of the then-upcoming 1992 film Universal Soldier, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme,GamePro 58 (May 1994), page 28-31. and Tobias imagined a fighting game featuring a digitized version of Van Damme.{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|year=2008|publisher=Guinness World Records|location=London|isbn=978-1904994213|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00guin_0}} Intending to make a game "a lot more hard edge, a little bit more serious, a little bit more like Enter the Dragon or Bloodsport" than contemporary cartoonish fighting games,Reyan Ali, [http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/ed-boons-12-best-mortal-kombat-memories/#gallery Ed Boon's 12 Biggest Mortal Kombat Memories] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119051028/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/ed-boons-12-best-mortal-kombat-memories/ |date=November 19, 2012 }}, Complex.com, September 12, 2012. Tobias and Boon decided to continue their project even after the deal to use the Bloodsport license fell through. The first of Mortal Kombat characters, Johnny Cage (Daniel Pesina), became "a spoof on the whole Van Damme situation." Divizio credits himself with convincing Tobias to go back to the original idea and trying again.

It was the success of Capcom's Street Fighter II: The World Warrior that convinced Midway Games to let the team produce their own arcade fighting game, the genre chosen by Tobias for his game as to let him use as large digitized sprites as possible,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z7bAEMVRMU |title=Mortal Kombat II 25th Anniversary Interview w/ John Tobias and Matt Campy - YouTube |website=YouTube |access-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105181933/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z7bAEMVRMU |url-status=dead }} but there was not much influence by Street Fighter II on the project. According to Tobias, who cited 1984's Karate Champ as an inspiration, they intentionally worked on making a game different from Capcom's title in every way. Besides the digitized characters that differentiated it from its contemporaries' hand-drawn ones, one stark difference was in the very high amount of blood and violence. Capcom's senior director of communications later compared Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat by asking if the interviewer preferred the "precision and depth" of Street Fighter or the "gore and comedy" of Mortal Kombat and also stated that the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat rivalry was considered similar to the Coke and Pepsi rivalry in the 1990s.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=2484|title=Interview: Capcom 'Would Welcome' Return Of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat Brand Rivalry|last=Alexander|first=Leigh|date=August 21, 2009|website=Gamasutra|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071716/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=2484|archive-date=July 11, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2010}}

{{quote box|quote=Mortal Kombat didn't rely on just good looks and gore for its success. Although the intense gore was a great way to attract attention, Mortal Kombat offered another side – an often-overlooked side – that kept people coming back for more: its storyline, including the uniquely different kind of gameplay as far as the fighting system within itself.Jeff Greeson and Cliff O'Neill, [https://web.archive.org/web/20021207203601/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p2.html The History of Mortal Kombat - The Storyline], GameSpot, 2002.|source=—GameSpot|width=25%|align=left}}

John Tobias said that his inspirations for the game's story and characters came from Chinese mythology and some of the stories and rumored events about the Shaolin monks. Regarding the film Big Trouble in Little China, Tobias wrote that although the film "kind of Americanized my obsession for supernatural kung fu films from China, it was not my biggest influence.{{cite tweet|number=109466717394186240|user=therealsaibot|author=John Tobias|title=Though BigTroubleInLittleChina kind of Americanized my obsession for supernatural kung fu films from China, it was not my biggest influence. |access-date=2021-03-08|language=en|date=2011-09-02}} My biggest influences came from Tsui Hark films -- Zu Warriors & The Swordsman. We had to get them from bootleggers in Chicago's Chinatown."{{cite tweet|number=109468173685895169|user=therealsaibot|author=John Tobias|title=My biggest influences came from Tsui Hark films -- Zu Warriors & The Swordsman. We had to get them from bootleggers in Chgo's Chinatown. |access-date=2021-03-08|language=en|date=2011-09-02}} In 1995, he said about their general process of designing characters for the series: "First we figure out the type, like she or he and will she/he be big or small. Then we'll get the theme of the characters, like ninja or robot. Then we'll design the costume, and while doing that we create the storyline and how s/he fits into the universe. Then we'll find an actor that kinda resembles our character."{{Cite magazine|date=June 1995|title=Ed Boon and John Tobias - The Men Behind Mortal Kombat|magazine=Hyper|publisher=Next Pub|volume=20}} Tobias' writing and artistic input on the series ended around 2000 following the release of Mortal Kombat 4. In 2012, he said: "I knew exactly what I was going to do with a future story. A few years ago, I [wrote] a sort of sequel to the first MK film and an advancement to the game's mythological roots."[http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/content/News/read.cds?article=1731 In Konversation: Mortal Kombat Online vs John Tobias - Part 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131115121028/http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/content/News/read.cds?article=1731 |date=November 15, 2013 }}, Mortal Kombat Online, January 10, 2012.

The title Mortal Kombat was the idea of pinball designer Steve Ritchie,{{cite magazine|title=Episode 123 of KOXM |url=http://dl.oxmonline.com/oxmp_123_20080710.mp3 |date=July 2008 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |access-date=October 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715030437/http://dl.oxmonline.com/oxmp_123_20080710.mp3 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 }} following difficulties trademarking the original title of Mortal Combat. Since then, the series often intentionally misspells various words with the letter "K" in place of "C" for the hard C sound. According to Boon, during the Mortal Kombat games' development they usually spell such words correctly, only making the substitution when one of the developers suggests it.{{cite web |title= Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe: Ed Boon interview |url= http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-ed-boon-interview-71211 |date= October 8, 2008 |publisher= CraveOnline |access-date= October 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301011636/http://www.craveonline.com/site/149888-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-ed-boon-interview|archive-date=March 1, 2016}}

The characters of the original Mortal Kombat and its initial sequels were created using digitized sprites mostly based on filmed actors, as opposed to hand-drawn graphics.{{cite magazine |magazine=GamePro |author= |page=117 |title=The Minds Behind Mortal Kombat II |issue=59 |date=June 1994}} Mortal Kombat games were known for their extensive use of palette swapping, which was used for the ninja characters; many of the most popular characters have originated as palette swaps.{{cite video game|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Reptile Kombat Card video}} In the first game, the male ninja fighters were essentially the same character; only the colors of their attire, fighting stance, and special techniques mark a difference. Later games added further ninjas based on the same model, as well as several female ninja color swap characters initially also using just one base model. All of them gradually became very different characters in the following installments of the series. Eventually, Mortal Kombat 4 brought the series into 3D, replacing the digitized fighters of previous games with polygon models animated using motion capture technology.{{cite magazine|last=Elmer-Dewitt |first=Philip |date=June 24, 2001 |title=The Amazing Video Game Boom |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,162405,00.html |magazine=TIME |access-date=November 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612093158/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C162405%2C00.html |archive-date=June 12, 2010 }}

Most series releases included secret characters, secret games, and other Easter eggs. The original game contained the hidden fighter Reptile, who could be fought by players if they fulfilled an exact set of requirements. A counter for ERMACS (short for error macros) on the game's audits screen was additionally interpreted by players as referring to a second hidden character named Ermac. Midway denied the character's existence in the series before adding him to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 in response to the player rumors and feedback.{{cite web|url=http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-ed-boon/|publisher=The Gameological Society|first=Roger|last=Riddell|title=Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=July 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706050953/http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-ed-boon/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p16.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) |website=GameSpot |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |name-list-style=amp |access-date=April 6, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084634/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p16.html |archive-date=October 21, 2007 }}

Some Easter eggs originated from in-jokes among the series developers. One example is "Toasty", which was included in Mortal Kombat II in the form of an image of sound designer Dan Forden that randomly appeared in a lower corner of the screen after a player landed an uppercut.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPehYWsviUk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/GPehYWsviUk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |title=]{0MBAT interviews John Tobias |author=Team RipSet |website=YouTube |date=November 22, 2016 |access-date=August 25, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}} Hidden games of Pong and Galaga were included in Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p14.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat II (1993) |website=GameSpot |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |name-list-style=amp |access-date=April 6, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084624/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p14.html |archive-date=October 21, 2007 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p15.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) |website=GameSpot |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |name-list-style=amp |access-date=April 6, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005211458/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p15.html |archive-date=October 5, 2007 }}

{{Main|List of Mortal Kombat media}}

The original Mortal Kombat game was released by Midway in arcades during October 1992, and has been ported to several console and home computer systems, with early ports released by Acclaim Entertainment.{{cite web|title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=mortal+kombat&platform=0&s=s|website=GameFAQs|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=May 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505181132/http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=mortal+kombat&platform=0&s=s|url-status=live}}{{unreliable source?|date=September 2021}} The sequel, Mortal Kombat II, was released for arcades in 1993, featuring an increased roster and improved graphics and gameplay, then ported to the numerous home systems in 1993–1995, released again by Acclaim.{{cite web|title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat II|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+II&platform=0&s=s|website=GameFAQs|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143649/http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+II&platform=0&s=s|url-status=live}} Mortal Kombat 3 followed in 1995 in both arcade and home versions.{{cite web|title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat 3|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|website=GameFAQs|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=December 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217084521/http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=mortal+kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|url-status=live}} Mortal Kombat 3 received two updates which expanded the number of characters and other features from the game: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, released that same year in arcades,{{cite web|title=Best matches for Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Ultimate+Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|website=GameFAQs|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143700/http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Ultimate+Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|url-status=live}} and Mortal Kombat Trilogy, released for home consoles the following year.{{cite web|title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat Trilogy|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+Trilogy&platform=0&s=s|website=GameFAQs|access-date=April 27, 2010|archive-date=September 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911181002/http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=mortal+kombat+trilogy&platform=0&s=s|url-status=live}} The following game, Mortal Kombat 4, was released in 1997, and marked the jump of the series to 3D rendered graphics instead of the digitized 2D graphics used in previous games. Mortal Kombat 4 was ported to the PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows. Mortal Kombat 4 was the last Mortal Kombat game released for arcades. Its updated version titled Mortal Kombat Gold was released for the Dreamcast in 1999.

At this point that the series started being targeted at consoles only. Also the series' naming scheme changed to favor the use of sub-titles instead of numbered installments, beginning with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance in 2002.{{cite web|title=MK6 Image Leak |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/491/491732p1.html |date=February 11, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217103648/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/491/491732p1.html |archive-date=February 17, 2007 }} Deadly Alliance was released initially for the Xbox, PlayStation 2 and GameCube.{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213444/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;3 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213501/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B3 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213520/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }} Deadly Alliance was also the first Mortal Kombat game to feature fully 3D gameplay, where up to Mortal Kombat 4 the gameplay had stayed in a 2D plane; this trend would continue for the following two games.

The next sequel was 2004's Mortal Kombat: Deception, released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424121025/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archive-date=April 24, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525163246/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeception/index.html |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 15, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207075937/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeception/index.html |archive-date=February 7, 2009 }} Its port for the PlayStation Portable, Mortal Kombat: Unchained, was released in 2006.{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Unchained Release dates |url=http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 16, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212042448/http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archive-date=February 12, 2009 }} Mortal Kombat: Armageddon was published in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and in 2007 for the Wii.{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213706/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;2 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213803/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B2 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (Wii) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213815/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, a non-canonical crossover fighting game between the Mortal Kombat franchise and DC Comics, was released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result;title;1|title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Release dates (PS3)|website=GameSpot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213847/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result;title;0|title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Release dates (X360)|website=GameSpot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213856/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0|archive-date=June 28, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=April 2, 2010}}

A ninth game in the series, a reboot titled Mortal Kombat, was developed by the former Midway Games, now known as NetherRealm Studios.{{cite news|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |title=Mortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago' |date=July 27, 2009 |access-date=July 27, 2009 |work=Joystiq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729075234/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |archive-date=July 29, 2009 }} It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, and was ported to the PlayStation Vita in 2012 and Microsoft Windows in 2013. Downloadable content became a feature of games in the series at this time. Its first sequel, Mortal Kombat X, was released in 2015 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows, and marked a return to numbered sequels. This was paired with the first Mortal Kombat game for tablet and smartphones, Mortal Kombat Mobile. A follow-up, Mortal Kombat 11, was released in 2019 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows. A sequel to Mortal Kombat 11, Mortal Kombat 1, released in September 2023.{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-02-23 |title=Mortal Kombat 12 Confirmed for 2023 Release |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-12-confirmed-for-2023-release |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=IGN |language=en}}

Besides the fighting games, there are three action-adventure titles that work as spin-offs from the Mortal Kombat storyline. Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero was released in 1997 for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64;{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Release Dates (N64) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213902/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Release Dates (PlayStation) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214027/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }} its story is focused on the first incarnation character of Sub-Zero and is focused in the timeline before the first Mortal Kombat game. The next action game was Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, released in 2000 for the PlayStation, starring Major Jackson Briggs in his mission to destroy the Black Dragon.{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat:Special Forces Release Dates (PlayStation) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/mortalkombatspecialforces/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214051/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/mortalkombatspecialforces/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archive-date=June 28, 2011 }} Both games were critically panned (although the reception of Mythologies was more mediocre). Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, developed by Midway Studios Los Angeles, was released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox, starring Liu Kang and Kung Lao and telling an alternate version of the events between the first and second Mortal Kombat games. A similar game entitled Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice, which was to star Scorpion and again Sub-Zero, was canceled when the developers of Shaolin Monks "couldn't do it in time and under budget".{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/09/ed-boon-reveals-mk-fire-and-ice.aspx |title=Ed Boon Reveals The Canceled Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice - News |publisher=Game Informer |date=July 9, 2010 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817050524/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/09/ed-boon-reveals-mk-fire-and-ice.aspx |archive-date=August 17, 2013 }} On October 18, 2022, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught was announced; it is a role-playing game released in 2023 for Android and iOS. NetherRealm said it would be a cinematic experience and also it will be loyal to its core visceral nature.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2022-10-18 |title=New Mortal Kombat game is an RPG for phones |url=https://www.polygon.com/23410635/mortal-kombat-onslaught-release-date-mobile-android-ios |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

An animated prequel to 1995's Mortal Kombat film, titled Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins, was released direct-to-video in the same year as the live-action film.

A series of direct-to-video films titled Mortal Kombat Legends began in 2020 as a co-production between Warner Bros. Animation and either Studio Mir or Digital eMation. The first, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, was released in April 2020, as the first R-rated Mortal Kombat film.{{cite web|last=S. Good|first=Owen|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/18/21071960/mortal-kombat-legends-scorpions-revenge-release-date-animated-movie-2020|title=Animated Mortal Kombat movie 'Scorpion's Revenge' launching by June|website=Polygon|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2020|archive-date=January 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119165108/https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/18/21071960/mortal-kombat-legends-scorpions-revenge-release-date-animated-movie-2020|url-status=live}} The second film, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, was released in August 2021.{{Cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms Release Date, Box Art Revealed|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-legends-battle-of-the-realms-release-date-box-art/|access-date=2021-06-23|website=GAMING|date=June 23, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=August 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820230608/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/mortal-kombat-legends-battle-of-the-realms-release-date-box-art/|url-status=live}} The third film, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, was released on October 11, 2022.{{Cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind Voice Cast and Plot Details Revealed|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-legends-snow-blind-cast-plot|access-date=2022-08-04|website=IGN|date=August 3, 2022 }} A fourth film, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match, was released on October 17, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2022-10-08 |title=Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match Will Arrive in 2023 With Joel McHale Returning As Johnny Cage |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-legends-cage-match-will-arrive-in-2023-with-joel-mchale-returning-as-johnny-cage |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}

Mortal Kombat was adapted into two major motion pictures, Mortal Kombat (1995) and Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997), both released by New Line Cinema. The first film was released on August 18, 1995, grossing $23 million on its first weekend.{{cite news|title=CORRECTED: "Superbad" rushes to super spot at U.S. box off |date=August 19, 2007 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boxoffice-correction-idUSN1920384020070819 |access-date=April 3, 2010 |work=Reuters |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513041739/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/08/19/us-boxoffice-correction-idUSN1920384020070819 |archive-date=May 13, 2012 }} Despite mixed reviews from critics, Mortal Kombat became a financial success, grossing approximately $70 million in the U.S. and over $122 million worldwide; the film gained a cult following amongst fans of the video game series with Robin Shou, Linden Ashby, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson, Talisa Soto and Christopher Lambert starring, and its success launched the Hollywood career of its director, Paul W. S. Anderson.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm |title=Mortal Kombat|work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307221053/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm |archive-date=March 7, 2010 }} Mortal Kombat Annihilation was directed by John R. Leonetti with Shou and Soto as the only two returning from the first film. The film received a poor reception by critics, grossing $36 million in the U.S. and $51 million worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm |title=Mortal Kombat Annihilation|work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212110546/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm |archive-date=February 12, 2010 }}

In 2010, director Kevin Tancharoen released an eight-minute short film titled Mortal Kombat: Rebirth,{{cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|url=http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |title=If This Is The Next Mortal Kombat, Sign Us Up (Update) |work=Kotaku|date=June 8, 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611055341/http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |archive-date=June 11, 2010|access-date=June 8, 2010}} made as a proof of concept for Tancharoen's pitch of a reboot film franchise to Warner Bros. Pictures.{{cite tweet|last=Ryan |first=Jeri |user=JeriLRyan|number=15752179609 |title=It's not a game trailer. Actually was made for the director to sell WB on his vision for a reimagined MK film.|date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=January 20, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121026/http://twitter.com/JeriLRyan/status/15752179609 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 }} Tancharoen later confirmed that the unofficial short featured the writing of Oren Uziel, who at the time was rumored to be writing the screenplay for a third Mortal Kombat film.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/31318/ |title=Interview with MORTAL KOMBAT: REBIRTH Director Kevin Tancharoen; Talks About What He Wants to do in a Feature Version! |author=Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub |website=Collider|date=June 9, 2010|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429173426/http://collider.com/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/31318 |archive-date=April 29, 2011|access-date=June 11, 2010}} In September 2011, New Line and Warner Bros. announced that Tancharoen had signed on to direct a new feature-length film from a screenplay written by Uziel,{{cite web|last=Lesnick |first=Silas |title=New Line to Reboot Mortal Kombat |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |work=ComingSoon|date=September 29, 2011|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516144432/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |archive-date=May 16, 2014|access-date=September 30, 2011}} with the intention of aiming for an R rating.{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/09/29/mortal-kombat-movie-kevin-tancharoen-new-line/|title=New 'Mortal Kombat' movie 'needs to feel brutal,' says director|date=September 29, 2011|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 30, 2011|archive-date=October 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001034641/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/09/29/mortal-kombat-movie-kevin-tancharoen-new-line/|url-status=live}} Shooting was expected to begin in March 2012 with a budget of well under $100 million (projected at between $40–50 million{{cite web|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/11/07/warner-bros-confirms-mortal-kombat-movie-reboot|title=Warner Bros Confirms Mortal Kombat Movie Reboot|first=Luke|last=Karmali|date=November 7, 2012|website=IGN|access-date=December 10, 2014|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095857/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/07/warner-bros-confirms-mortal-kombat-movie-reboot|url-status=live}}) and a release date of 2013,{{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/09/30/glee-director-prepares-for-mortal-kombat-film/|title='Glee' director prepares for 'Mortal Kombat' film|date=September 30, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 1, 2011|archive-date=October 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001080627/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/09/30/glee-director-prepares-for-mortal-kombat-film/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/mortal-kombat-movie-coming-as-warner-video-game-and-new-line-units-partner.html|title=New 'Mortal Kombat' movie coming via partnership of Warner units|date=September 29, 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 30, 2011|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717073823/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/mortal-kombat-movie-coming-as-warner-video-game-and-new-line-units-partner.html|url-status=live}} but was ultimately delayed due to budget constraints. Tancharoen quit the production in October 2013.{{cite tweet|last=Tancharoen|first=Kevin|title=After 3 years of Kombat, I've decided to move on to other creative opportunities. I wish everyone involved in the movie big success. Thanks!|user=KTANCH|number=393872867852435456|date=October 25, 2013|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208230632/https://twitter.com/KTANCH/status/393872867852435456 |archive-date=February 8, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2015}}

A reboot, Mortal Kombat (2021), was released on April 23, 2021, to mixed reviews, grossing over $84 million worldwide from theaters while also releasing simultaneously on the streaming service HBO Max.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/ |title='Mortal Kombat' Release Date Pushed Back |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |work=Variety |date=March 30, 2021 |access-date=March 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330214349/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/mortal-kombat-release-date-delay-1234941072/ |archive-date=March 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Haring |first1=Bruce |title='Mortal Kombat' Release Date Moved Up To Midwinter 2021 – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/mortal-kombat-release-date-james-wan-warner-bros-1202618026/ |website=Deadline |date=December 11, 2019 |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927200732/https://deadline.com/2019/12/mortal-kombat-release-date-james-wan-warner-bros-1202618026/ |url-status=live }} Production restarted on a reboot in 2015 when James Wan joined to produce and director Simon McQuoid joined the following year.{{cite web |last=Lesnick |first=Silas |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Mortal Kombat Movie: James Wan to Produce |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809235539/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce |archive-date=August 9, 2015 |access-date=August 7, 2015 |work=ComingSoon.net}}{{cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=August 10, 2016 |title=James Wan Says They Won't Rush New Mortal Kombat Movie |url=https://ign.com/articles/2016/08/10/james-wan-says-they-wont-rush-new-mortal-kombat-movie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811001025/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/10/james-wan-says-they-wont-rush-new-mortal-kombat-movie |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=August 11, 2016 |website=IGN}}{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/|title='Mortal Kombat' Reboot Finds Director in Simon McQuoid (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=November 18, 2016|magazine=Variety|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119120151/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/|url-status=live}} The script was written by Greg Russo and David Callaham with Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, and Hiroyuki Sanada starring.{{cite tweet|user=WriterRusso|first=Greg|last=Russo|number=1092320932788498432|title=Who's getting excited? I know I am. #MK #MortalKombat|work=Twitter|date=February 3, 2019|access-date=March 5, 2019}} A sequel is in development with McQuoid returning as director and with a screenplay written by Jeremy Slater.{{Cite web|last= Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=2022-01-26|title=New Line Moving Forward With 'Mortal Kombat' Sequel; 'Moon Knight' Scribe Jeremy Slater Scripting|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/mortal-kombat-sequel-new-line-moon-knight-screenwriter-jeremy-slater-1234920121/|access-date=2022-01-26|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/mortal-kombat-sequel-simon-mcquoid-1235073203/|title='Mortal Kombat' Sequel Moving Forward At New Line As Simon McQuoid Returns As Director|website=Deadline|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=July 20, 2022|access-date=July 20, 2022}}

* Cole Young is a film-exclusive character who has not appeared in any of the games.

Midway published official one-shot issues based on Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II, which were written and illustrated by Tobias and set prior to the storylines of both games. From 1994 to 1995, Malibu Comics published a licensed series consisting of two six-issue miniseries in addition to one-shot specials and miniseries dedicated to specific characters. Special tie-in issues were packaged with the PC release of Mortal Kombat 4 and for Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicvine.com/search/?q=Mortal%20Kombat |title=Mortal Kombat comics directory at Comic Vine |publisher=Comicvine.com |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040533/http://www.comicvine.com/search/?q=Mortal%20Kombat |url-status=live }} A Mortal Kombat X series by DC Comics, set before the game's events, ran from January to September 2015 with three miniseries of twelve issues that were released weekly in 36 chapter installments.

A novel titled Mortal Kombat was written by Jeff Rovin and published in 1995, and featured an original plot that preceded the events of the first game.{{cite book|title=Mortal Kombat (9781572970595): Jeff Rovin: Books |isbn=1572970596 |last1=Rovin |first1=Jeff |year=1995|publisher=Boulevard Books }} Novelizations of both Mortal Kombat feature films were written by Martin Delrio and Jerome Preisler, respectively.

{{Main|Mortal Kombat: The Album|Mortal Kombat (1995 soundtrack)|Mortal Kombat (1995 score)|Mortal Kombat: More Kombat|Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors}}

Mortal Kombat: The Album, a techno album based on the first game, was created for Virgin America by Lords of Acid members Praga Khan and Oliver Adams as The Immortals in 1994.{{cite web |url=http://immortals.pragakhan.com/biography.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715111301/http://immortals.pragakhan.com/biography.html |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |title=The Immortals-Biography |access-date=January 20, 2011}} Its iconic theme "Techno Syndrome", incorporating the "Mortal Kombat!" yell first shown in the Mortal Kombat commercial for home systems, was released in 1993 as a single and was used as a theme music for the Mortal Kombat film series. Each film had their own soundtracks (including the hit and award-winning compilation album Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), as had the second video game (Mortal Kombat II: Music from the Arcade Game Soundtrack). The 2011 video game saw the release of Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors, a new soundtrack album featuring electronic music by various artists.

{{Main|Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm}}

An animated series titled Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm was released in 1996. It ran for one season and received negative reviews.

{{Main|Mortal Kombat: Conquest|Mortal Kombat: Legacy}}

In 1998, Mortal Kombat: Conquest was released. It lasted one season.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefront.com/the-convoluted-blood-spattered-history-of-mortal-kombat-infographic/ |title=The Convoluted, Blood-Spattered History of Mortal Kombat (Infographic) |publisher=GameFront |date=April 15, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521133603/http://www.gamefront.com/the-convoluted-blood-spattered-history-of-mortal-kombat-infographic/ |archive-date=May 21, 2013 }} In 2010, Warner Premiere ordered a web series inspired by the Rebirth short, titled Mortal Kombat: Legacy and also directed by Kevin Tancharoen.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23052 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202041603/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23052 |archive-date=February 2, 2012 |title=Warner Premiere's 'Mortal Kombat' Tourney Goes Websides! |last=Miska |first=Brad|publisher=BLOODY-DISGUSTING LLC|date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=March 25, 2011}} The series' first season was released for free on YouTube starting in April 2011, promoted by Machinima.com,{{youTube|6s6UiEuCYXA|Mortal Kombat: Legacy: Ep. 1 - Jax, Sonya and Kano (Part 1)}} and the second season arrived in 2013.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-first-development-742586 |title=Warner Bros. Unveils First Development Slate From New Digital Unit |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 20, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024002734/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-first-development-742586 |archive-date=October 24, 2014 }}

In 2014, Blue Ribbon Content had been developing a live-action series that was to tie in with Mortal Kombat X for a planned 2016 release, titled Mortal Kombat: Generations. The series, however, was not released.{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/warner-bros-announces-blue-ribbon-content-unveils-development-slate|title=Warner Bros. Announces Blue Ribbon Content, Unveils Development Slate|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104015835/https://www.awn.com/news/warner-bros-announces-blue-ribbon-content-unveils-development-slate|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url = https://www.cbr.com/mortal-kombat-generations-webseries-to-debut-in-2016-movie-still-on-track/|title = 'Mortal Kombat: Generations' Webseries to Debut in 2016; Movie Still on Track|date = December 23, 2015|access-date = April 21, 2020|archive-date = November 7, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095930/https://www.cbr.com/mortal-kombat-generations-webseries-to-debut-in-2016-movie-still-on-track/|url-status = live}}

{{Main|Mortal Kombat: Live Tour}}

A stage show titled Mortal Kombat: Live Tour was launched at the end of 1995, expanded to 1996, and featured Mortal Kombat characters in a theatrical display on stage.

BradyGames produced the collectible card game Mortal Kombat Kard Game in 1995.{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Kard Game (1995) |url=http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9274/mortal-kombat-kard-game |publisher=BoardGameGeek |access-date=April 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830055108/http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9274/mortal-kombat-kard-game |archive-date=August 30, 2010 }} The Duelist called the game a "worse clone" of Magic: the Gathering.{{Citation | last = Varney | first = Allen | title = Inside the Industry| pages = 83 | newspaper = The Duelist | date = February 1997 | issue =#15}} Score Entertainment's 2005 collectible card game Epic Battles also used some of the Mortal Kombat characters.

{{VG Series Reviews

|updated = June 18, 2019

|gr = yes

|game1 = Mortal Kombat

|gr1 = (GEN) 84.17%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563332-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (1992) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424000205/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563332-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(SNES) 83.33%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588499-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (1992) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424002344/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588499-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(SCD) 60.00%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/segacd/919575-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (1992) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423235704/http://www.gamerankings.com/segacd/919575-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=April 23, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GB) 42.17%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563285-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (1992) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424002210/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563285-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc1 = –

|game2 = Mortal Kombat II

|gr2 = (SNES) 85.87%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588500-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat II Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052735/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588500-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GEN) 85.62%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563224-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat II Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052653/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563224-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 68.40%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/937627-mortal-kombat-ii-psn/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat II (PSN) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513142721/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/937627-mortal-kombat-ii-psn/index.html |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GB) 64.50%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585811-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat II Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052814/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585811-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(SAT) 57.50%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562828-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat II Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052950/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562828-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc2 = (PS3) 72{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-ii/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Mortal Kombat II (PSN) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223005401/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-ii-psn |archive-date=February 23, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game3 = Mortal Kombat 3

|gr3 = (SNES) 80.23%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588501-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 3 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052740/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588501-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GEN) 76.67%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/367071-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 3 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052839/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/367071-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS1) 70.33%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/375939-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 3 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052929/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/375939-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc3 = –

|game4 = Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero

|gr4 = (PS1) 53.20%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197993-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052921/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197993-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(N64) 44.84%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197992-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052703/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197992-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc4 = –

|game5 = Mortal Kombat 4

|gr5 = (N64) 76.07%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197989-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 4 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052658/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197989-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS1) 75.75%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197990-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 4 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052916/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197990-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PC) 72.14%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197987-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 4 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220003506/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197987-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archive-date=December 20, 2010 |url-status=live }}
(DC) 54.97%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197991-mortal-kombat-gold/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat Gold Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404143712/http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197991-mortal-kombat-gold/index.html |archive-date=April 4, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GBC) 46.00%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/197988-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat 4 Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052834/http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/197988-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc5 = –

|game6 = Mortal Kombat: Special Forces

|gr6 = (PS1) 40.23%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197995-mortal-kombat-special-forces/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Special Forces Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052713/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197995-mortal-kombat-special-forces/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc6 = (PS1) 28{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-special-forces/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation |title=Mortal Kombat: Special Forces Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107021548/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/mortal-kombat-special-forces |archive-date=November 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}

|game7 = Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

|gr7 = (GBA) 84.63%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/551910-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130142014/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/551910-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |url-status=live }}
(Xbox) 82.68%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/551907-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220004103/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/551907-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archive-date=December 20, 2010 |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 81.99%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/551915-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052723/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/551915-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GC) 81.82%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/551908-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052648/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/551908-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc7 = (GBA) 81{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211110236/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archive-date=December 11, 2010 |url-status=live }}
(Xbox) 81{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401014828/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GC) 81{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095651/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 79{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201134932/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archive-date=February 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game8 = Mortal Kombat: Deception

|gr8 = (PS2) 82.00%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919922-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425155727/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919922-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(Xbox) 81.31%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/919923-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217235208/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/919923-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archive-date=December 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}
(GC) 77.43%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/924069-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052819/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/924069-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PSP) 70.88%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928288-mortal-kombat-unchained/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Unchained Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052940/http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928288-mortal-kombat-unchained/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc8 = (PS2) 81{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deception/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221193525/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deception |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(Xbox) 81{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deception/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401051449/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deception |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(GC) 77{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deception/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095656/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deception |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PSP) 70{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-deception/critic-reviews/?platform=psp |title=Mortal Kombat: Unchained Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031533/http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/mortal-kombat-unchained |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game9 = Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

|gr9 = (Xbox) 80.64%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425053034/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 78.70%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426095735/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |archive-date=April 26, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc9 = (Xbox) 78{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425055248/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 77{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401050002/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game10 = Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

|gr10 = (Xbox) 77.39%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/931478-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527134139/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/931478-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archive-date=May 27, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 75.33%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/931479-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052935/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/931479-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(Wii) 72.49%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/934714-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210201241/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/934714-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc10 = (Xbox) 77{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-armageddon/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401020801/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archive-date=April 1, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(PS2) 75{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-armageddon/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430152113/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(Wii) 71{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-armageddon/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407033221/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archive-date=April 7, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game11 = Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

|gr11 = (PS3) 77.87%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/943566-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044438/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/943566-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |archive-date=April 26, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(X360) 74.55%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/943567-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415114721/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/943567-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |archive-date=April 15, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc11 = (PS3) 76{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829082056/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |archive-date=August 29, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(X360) 72{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007223203/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |archive-date=October 7, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game12 = Mortal Kombat

|gr12 = (Vita) 87.31%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/639757-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (2011) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502035352/http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/639757-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=May 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}
(PS3) 86.09%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/961031-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (2011) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044633/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/961031-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=April 26, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(X360) 85.67%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/961032-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat (2011) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |publisher=GameRankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427194120/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/961032-mortal-kombat/index.html |archive-date=April 27, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|mc12 = (X360) 86{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Mortal Kombat (2011) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830170126/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat |archive-date=August 30, 2011 |url-status=live }}
(Vita) 85
(PS3) 84{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Mortal Kombat (2011) Reviews |access-date=April 27, 2011 |website=Metacritic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513060258/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |url-status=live }}

|game13 = Mortal Kombat X

| gr13 = (XONE) 85.97%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/802906-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425083613/http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/802906-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archive-date=April 25, 2015 }}
(PS4) 84.18%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/802908-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 4 |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426082245/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/802908-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archive-date=April 26, 2015 }}
(PC) 75.20%{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/802904-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for PC |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426205918/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/802904-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archive-date=April 26, 2015 }}

| mc13 = (XONE) 86{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-x/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425093541/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mortal-kombat-x |archive-date=April 25, 2015 }}
(PS4) 83{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-x/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425014601/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mortal-kombat-x |archive-date=April 25, 2015 }}
(PC) 76{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-x/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Mortal Kombat X for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311094840/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mortal-kombat-x |archive-date=March 11, 2015 }}

|game14 = Mortal Kombat 11

| gr14 = -

| mc14 = (PS4) 82{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-11/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Mortal Kombat 11 for PlayStation 4 Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319144810/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mortal-kombat-11 |url-status=live }}
(XONE) 86{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-11/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Mortal Kombat 11 for Xbox One Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319144811/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mortal-kombat-11 |url-status=live }}
(PC) 82{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-11/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Mortal Kombat 11 for PC Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511034322/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mortal-kombat-11 |url-status=live }}
(NS) 78{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/mortal-kombat-11/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Mortal Kombat 11 for Switch Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526145756/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/mortal-kombat-11 |url-status=live }}

|game15 = Mortal Kombat: Onslaught

| gr15 =

| mc15 =

}}

Mortal Kombat has been one of the most successful fighting game franchises in video game history, previously only trailing Bandai Namco's Tekken, Capcom's Street Fighter, and Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. As of 2021, it has surpassed the competitor fighting game franchises in worldwide lifetime series sales. It generated more than $4 billion by the late 1990s{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Cobbs|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119807960/the-bradenton-herald/|title=County Hopeful producers will come|newspaper=The Bradenton Herald|page=24|date=May 17, 1998|access-date=February 27, 2023|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227113455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119807960/the-bradenton-herald/|url-status=live}} and $5 billion in total revenue by 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threshold-digital-research-labs-greenlights-its-first-digitally-animated-feature-film-foodfight-73557002.html|title=Threshold Digital Research Labs Greenlights Its First Digitally Animated Feature Film, 'FOODFIGHT!'|date=June 13, 2000|website=PR Newswire|publisher=Cision|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108095511/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threshold-digital-research-labs-greenlights-its-first-digitally-animated-feature-film-foodfight-73557002.html|archive-date=January 8, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=February 20, 2017}} A particularly successful game was Mortal Kombat II, which had unprecedented opening week sales figures never seen before in the video game industry, for the first time beating the box office numbers of summer hit films.[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/business/mortal-kombat-sales.html Mortal Kombat Sales] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701050805/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/business/mortal-kombat-sales.html|date=July 1, 2017}}, The New York Times, September 23, 1994. The Mortal Kombat games, however, have not been localized in Japan after the Super Famicom release of Mortal Kombat II, due to content guidelines against depictions of blood, gore and dismemberment (Tobias blaming their "very americanized" character design{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/xbox/tao-feng-fist-of-the-lotus/6534p2.html|title=GameSpy: John Tobias on Tao Feng - Page 2|website=www.gamespy.com|access-date=2018-12-25|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225173134/http://www.gamespy.com/xbox/tao-feng-fist-of-the-lotus/6534p2.html|url-status=live}}).

Mortal Kombat games have sold more than 6 million units by 1994{{cite web|first=David|last=Landis|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/216746851/|title=Brace yourself:Video games' Mortal Kombat II,'Doom' coming|newspaper=The News-Press|page=41|date=September 1, 1994|access-date=August 25, 2021|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825142259/https://www.newspapers.com/image/216746851/|url-status=live}}{{closed access}}{{subscription required|s}} and 26 million by 2007, and the figure has exceeded 30 million by 2012.Morgan Webb, [http://www.g4tv.com/videos/60325/the-history-of-mortal-kombat/ The History of Mortal Kombat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310122245/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/60325/the-history-of-mortal-kombat/|date=March 10, 2013}}, G4tv.com, August 15, 2012. As of 2022, the franchise had sold about 79 million units.{{Cite press release |last=Ball |first=Joshua |date=October 7, 2022 |title="Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios Celebrate the 30 th Anniversary of Mortal Kombat; New Video Honors Three Decades of Entertainment from the Iconic Franchise" - Games Press |url=https://www.gamespress.com/Warner-Bros-Games-and-NetherRealm-Studios-Celebrate-the-30-th-Annivers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009043933/https://www.gamespress.com/en-US/Warner-Bros-Games-and-NetherRealm-Studios-Celebrate-the-30-th-Annivers |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=www.gamespress.com}}

The 2008 edition of Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition awarded the Mortal Kombat series with seven world records, including "most successful fighting game series".{{cite web |title=Guinness World Records in Leipzig |date= September 1, 2008|url=http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/010908_leipzig.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913235621/http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/010908_leipzig.aspx|archive-date=September 13, 2008 |access-date= August 22, 2009}} The franchise holds ten world records in the 2011 Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, including the "largest promotional campaign for a fighting video game" (Mortal Kombat 3), "highest grossing film based on a beat ‘em up video game" (Mortal Kombat 1996), and "most successful video game spin-off soundtrack album" (Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-guinness-world-records-jc-79788/undefined|title='Mortal Kombat' Franchise Boasts Numerous Guinness World Records|author=J.C. Reeves|publisher=Gamerant|access-date=March 22, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Numerous publications described it as one of the most important and also most violent series in the history of video games; in 2011, the staff of GameSpy wrote "its place in fighting game history is undeniable".{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p11.html |title=GameSpy's Top 50 Arcade Games of All-Time |publisher=Uk.gamespy.com |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320232617/http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p11.html |archive-date=March 20, 2013 }} In 2009, GameTrailers ranked Mortal Kombat as the ninth top fighting game franchise{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/47398 |title=Top 10 Fighting Games Franchises |date=April 6, 2009 |publisher=GameTrailers |access-date=April 6, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519233119/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/47398 |archive-date=May 19, 2009 }} as well as the seventh bloodiest series of all time.{{cite web|title=Top ten bloodiest games of all time |date=December 1, 2009 |publisher=GameTrailers |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/59603 |access-date=December 7, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206053303/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/59603 |archive-date=December 6, 2009 }} In 2012, Complex ranked Mortal Kombat as 37th best video game franchise overall, commenting on its "legendary status in video game history".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/mortal-kombat |title=The 50 Best Video Game Franchises |magazine=Complex |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229130047/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/mortal-kombat |archive-date=December 29, 2012 }} Mortal Kombat as a series was also ranked as the goriest video game ever by CraveOnline in 2009 and by G4tv.com in 2011;{{cite web|first=Jeremy |last=Azevedo |title=Top 10 Goriest, Bloodiest, Nastiest Video Games of All Time |url=http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/top-10-goriest-bloodiest-nastiest-video-games-of-all-time-86215/2 |date=September 23, 2009 |publisher=Craveonline |access-date=November 24, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003104536/http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/top-10-goriest-bloodiest-nastiest-video-games-of-all-time-86215/2 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56046/7-goriest-games-of-all-time-part-2/ |title=7 Goriest Games of All Time Part 2 – |publisher=G4tv.com |date=October 31, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310104504/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56046/7-goriest-games-of-all-time-part-2/ |archive-date=March 10, 2013 }} including it on their list of the goriest games, Cheat Code Central commented that "Mortal Kombat had enough gore to simultaneously offend a nation and change gaming forever."{{cite web|url=http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10goriestgames2.html#.UQpdpb92SrE |title=Cheat Code Central: Top 10 Goriest Video Games |publisher=Cheatcc.com |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709003959/http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10goriestgames2.html |archive-date=July 9, 2013 }}

According to IGN, during the 1990s "waves of imitators began to flood the market, filling arcades with a sea of blood from games like Time Killers, Survival Arts, and Guardians of the Hood. Mortal Kombat had ushered in an era of exploitation games, both on consoles and in arcades, all engaging in a battle to see who can cram the most blood and guts onto a low-res screen."Travis Fahs, [https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/05/05/the-history-of-mortal-kombat?page=2 The History of Mortal Kombat. Follow its bloody legacy from 1992 to present day.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107095931/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/05/the-history-of-mortal-kombat?page=2 |date=November 7, 2021 }}, IGN, May 5, 2011 Notable Mortal Kombat clones, featuring violent finishing moves and/or digitized sprites, included Bio F.R.E.A.K.S., BloodStorm, Cardinal Syn, Catfight, Eternal Champions, Kasumi Ninja, Killer Instinct, Mace: The Dark Age, Primal Rage, Street Fighter: The Movie, Tattoo Assassins, Thrill Kill, Ultra Vortek, Way of the Warrior, and Midway's own War Gods.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/04/10-mortal-kombat-rip-offs/ |title=The Klone Wars: The 10 Most Blatant "Mortal Kombat" Rip-Offs Ever |magazine=Complex |date=April 18, 2011 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829215705/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/04/10-mortal-kombat-rip-offs/ |archive-date=August 29, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/the_11_worst_mortal_kombat_rip-offs.php |title=The 11 Worst Mortal Kombat Rip-Offs |publisher=Topless Robot |date=June 22, 2009 |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518062740/http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/the_11_worst_mortal_kombat_rip-offs.php |archive-date=May 18, 2013 }} John Tobias commented: "Some of the copycat products back then kind of came and went because, on the surface level, the violence will attract some attention, but if there's not much to the product behind it, you're not going to last very long."

In a 2009 poll by GamePro, 21% of voters chose Mortal Kombat as their favorite fighting game series, ranking it third after Street Fighter and Tekken.{{cite magazine |title = What's your favorite fighting game series? |magazine = GamePro |date = November 2009 |page = 91}} In 2012, Capcom's Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono said he is getting a lot of requests for Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat and understands why people want it, "but it's easier said than done. Having Chun Li getting her spine ripped out, or Ryu's head bouncing off the floor...it doesn't necessarily match."{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/02/evo-ono-discusses-cole-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-ps-vita-development/ |title=EVO: Ono Discusses Cole in Street Fighter X Tekken, PS Vita Development – PlayStation Blog |date=August 2, 2011 |publisher=Blog.us.playstation.com |access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624092539/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/02/evo-ono-discusses-cole-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-ps-vita-development/ |archive-date=June 24, 2013 }} In 2014, martial artist Frankie Edgar opined Mortal Kombat has been far superior to Street Fighter.{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/frankie-edgar-mortal-combat-street-fighter-video-games/ |title=UFC Bad Ass Frankie Edgar - 'Mortal Kombat' Was Better Than 'Street Fighter' |publisher=TMZ |date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=May 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519192433/http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/frankie-edgar-mortal-combat-street-fighter-video-games |archive-date=May 19, 2014 }}

The series and its characters are also referenced in the various other works of popular culture, such as in the title of Powerglove's debut album Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man and the Workaholics episode "Model Kombat". According to Complex in 2012, "Years ago, Mortal Kombat became a phenomenon far outside gaming circles alone. Its name has become recognizable enough to be name dropped on sitcoms (Malcolm in the Middle and Married... with Children), found in movies (Christian Slater plays Mortal Kombat 4 in Very Bad Things), and used as part of cultural studies (see Justine Cassell and Henry Jenkins' book From Barbie to Mortal Kombat: Gender and Computer Games)." It was also featured in the film The Doom Generation. The name "Mortal Kombat" was even given to a dangerous illegal recreational drug that was introduced and caused multiple fatalities in early 2014.{{cite web|author=Brian Powell |url=http://www.webpronews.com/mortal-kombat-pills-linked-to-multiple-deaths-2014-03 |title='Mortal Kombat' Pills Linked to Multiple Deaths |publisher=WebProNews |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504190725/http://www.webpronews.com/mortal-kombat-pills-linked-to-multiple-deaths-2014-03 |archive-date=May 4, 2014 }}

In 2012, Tobias said: "If you look at any other pop culture phenomenon—like if you look at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, for instance—it became popular at the time right around when Mortal Kombat became popular, and it had its highs and lows, and here they are once again talking about a major motion picture. That's because of its place in pop culture. It's always there for someone to pick up, polish off, blow the dust off of it, and re-release it. And Mortal Kombat will always be that way. It'll be around 50 years from now."{{cite web|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516115001/http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-john-tobias/|archive-date=2019-05-16|url=http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-john-tobias/ |title=John Tobias, Mortal Kombat co-creator | Interview | The Gameological Society |publisher=Gameological.com |date=October 15, 2012 |access-date=July 23, 2013}}

Popular music artists, particularly in the rap and hip-hop genres, have made numerous references to Mortal Kombat and its characters in their songs. In Wale and Rihanna's hit 2013 song called "Bad (Remix)," for example, Wale says "you try and play Sub-Zero, I be Scorpion, pshh get over here today" in reference to Scorpion's iconic "get over here!" catchphrase.{{Cite web |title=Wale - Bad (Remix) {{!}} Genius Lyrics |url=https://genius.com/Wale-bad-remix-lyrics |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=Genius}} In Nicki Minaj's song "Miami" from her 2018 album called "Queen," she refers to herself as a made-up guest character in the line "Mortal Kombat, ninja Nicki, who ya pick is?"{{Cite web |title=Nicki Minaj - Miami Lyrics {{!}} Genius Lyrics |url=https://genius.com/Nicki-minaj-miami-lyrics |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=Genius}}

Mortal Kombat crossover content, mainly from earlier games of the series, was also included in the second season of the sixth chapter of the online battle royale game Fortnite Battle Royale, which runs on a version of the Unreal Engine that also powers NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat games. At the beginning of this season, cosmetics based on the character Sub-Zero were available to unlock on the highest levels of the season's battle pass{{cite web |last1=Joy |first1=Justin |title=Fortnite Adding Mortal Kombat’s Sub-Zero in Chapter 6 Season 2 Battle Pass |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fortnite-mortal-kombat-sub-zero-battle-pass-chapter-6-season-2/ |website=ComicBook.com |access-date=8 April 2025 |date=14 February 2025}} and his abilities could be obtainable as floor loot during a match.{{cite web |last1=Sayles |first1=Lauren |title=Fortnite: How to get Sub-Zero’s Kombat Kit |url=https://gameranx.com/features/id/530479/article/fortnite-how-to-get-sub-zeros-kombat-kit-mortal-kombat-weapon/ |website=Gameranx |access-date=8 April 2025 |date=26 February 2025}} Midway through the season, three stages from the first two games in the series were added to the game's map to visit (The Living Forest, The Pit and The Dead Pool),{{cite web |last1=Yu |first1=Johnny |title=All Mortal Kombat locations in Fortnite |url=https://www.polygon.com/fortnite-guide/550271/mortal-kombat-map-locations-all-pit-dead-pool-living-forest |website=Polygon |access-date=8 April 2025 |date=1 April 2025}} with the opportunity to battle Scorpion as a boss and collect his abilities to use in battle during a match.{{cite web |last1=Fillery |first1=Jake |title=Fortnite: How to Get Scorpion's Kombat Kit & Scorpion's Medallion |url=https://gamerant.com/fortnite-scorpion-location-kombat-kit-medallion-boss-fight/ |website=GameRant |access-date=8 April 2025 |date=1 April 2025}} At the same time, cosmetics for Scorpion, Kitana and Raiden, as well as some emotes based on the series, were released for purchase in the in-game shop.{{cite web |last1=Kay Oates |first1=Amanda |title=Fortnite Adds Beloved Mortal Kombat Characters |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/fortnite-mortal-kombat-skins-scorpion-kitana-raiden/ |website=ComicBook |access-date=8 April 2025 |date=29 March 2025}} The series' trademark graphic violence was omitted in the crossover to maintain the upbeat visual style, audience accessibility and Teen ESRB rating of Battle Royale.

Fighting games have been a popular genre among tournaments since the late 1990s. Mortal Kombat has its place in some of the world's biggest fighting game tournaments including Evo and Combo Breaker, as well as many local and online tournaments around the world. Since the 2011 Mortal Kombat game was released, the game has been one of the most popular games at these events. Between 2014 and 2017, the game was mostly absent from the tournament scene, due to NetherRealm Studios being focused on their Injustice series as their top priority;{{Cite web|url=https://segmentnext.com/2017/01/25/evo-2017-lineup-revealed-goodbye-mortal-kombat-x/|title=EVO 2017 Lineup Revealed, Goodbye Mortal Kombat X|date=January 25, 2017|publisher=SegmentNext|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-08|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509150755/https://segmentnext.com/2017/01/25/evo-2017-lineup-revealed-goodbye-mortal-kombat-x/|url-status=live}} Mortal Kombat games returned to Combo Breaker in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://combobreaker.org/|title=Combo Breaker 2018|publisher=COMBO BREAKER|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-05|archive-date=May 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506104052/https://combobreaker.org/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Controversies surrounding Mortal Kombat}}

The series was subject of a major video game controversy[http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090892/p-5.html A History of Video Game Controversy: Mortal Kombat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120010823/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090892/p-5.html |date=November 20, 2012 }} at GameSpot and several court cases, largely related to its extremely violent content, especially in relation to the original game which paved a way for the introduction of the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) game rating system in 1994 as well as the Australian Classification Board.{{cite web |title=GameMakers Mortal Kombat Episode #313 |url=http://g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/3446/Mortal-Kombat.html |publisher=G4TV |access-date=October 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806163531/http://www.g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/3446/Mortal-Kombat.html |archive-date=August 6, 2011 }}{{cite magazine|title=Mortal Kombat |url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/06/15/games-violence-columbine-tech-cx_ag_0618videogames_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined |date=June 15, 2007 |magazine=Forbes |access-date=March 13, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416075844/http://www.forbes.com/2007/06/15/games-violence-columbine-tech-cx_ag_0618videogames_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined |archive-date=April 16, 2010 }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20110704160734/http://www.gamestar.com/11_04/features/fea_savageseven.shtml Video Game Violence: The Savage Se7en], GameStar, 2008.[http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/it-took-18-years-but-mortal-kombat-is-finally-banned/story-e6frfrt9-1226014699735 It took 18 years, but Mortal Kombat's finally banned] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217022453/http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/it-took-18-years-but-mortal-kombat-is-finally-banned/story-e6frfrt9-1226014699735 |date=February 17, 2013}}, news.com.au, March 2, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |title=15 most influential games of all time|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414040202/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |archive-date=April 14, 2010 |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=June 11, 2012}} Various games in the series, as well as advertisements for them, have been censored or banned in a number of countries. According to SuperData Research CEO Joost van Dreunen, "Because of the obvious rift between gamers on the one hand and adult society on the other, Mortal Kombat set the tone for what constituted gamer culture."{{cite magazine|url=https://fortune.com/2015/05/08/mortal-kombat-warner-bros/ |title=Violence sells: Mortal Kombat X most successful game in the franchise |magazine=Fortune |date=May 8, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224105739/http://fortune.com/2015/05/08/mortal-kombat-warner-bros/ |archive-date=December 24, 2015 }}

In Germany, every Mortal Kombat game was banned for ten years from its release until 2015. Mortal Kombat (2011) is also banned in South Korea, and was banned in Australia until February 2013. Mortal Kombat 11 is banned in Indonesia, Japan, China and Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Mortal Kombat 11 banned for its gore |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/fgc/mortal-kombat-11-banned-in-japan-indonesia-and-ukraine-for-gore/ |publisher=ONE Esports |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227065743/https://www.oneesports.gg/fgc/mortal-kombat-11-banned-in-japan-indonesia-and-ukraine-for-gore/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=China and Japan ban the video game Mortal Kombat 11 |url=https://efish.tv/china-and-japan-ban-the-video-game-mortal-kombat-11/04/6291/ |publisher=efish.tv |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=April 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423201709/https://efish.tv/china-and-japan-ban-the-video-game-mortal-kombat-11/04/6291/ |url-status=live }}

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{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.mortalkombat.com}} (Warner Bros.)
• [http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/mortal-kombat-games Mortal Kombat] at MobyGames

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