Table of Contents
So you’re here to find out what we think are the best Mortal Kombat games of 2023, right? Well, it’s not going to be easy.
From the original arcade games to the newer reboots, there are a lot of great games in the series. In total, there were twenty-four games.
It won’t be easy to put them in order, but one thing is clear… One of the best fighting game series is the Mortal Kombat series.
If I had to choose the Mount Rushmore of video game makers who make fighting games, it would be very easy for me to choose:
Midway Games was started in 1958 as a company that made amusement games. As time went on, they started making and selling computer games in the 1970s. You may be familiar with a few of their hits: Ms. Pac-Man, Tron, Rampage, Cruis’n USA, and of course… MORTAL KOOMBAAAAT (you hear the voice, right?)
Best Mortal Kombat Games Comparison Table
| Game Title | Release Year | Platforms | Google Play Store Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat 11 | 2019 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia | Download Now |
| Mortal Kombat II | 1993 | Arcade, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy, Game Gear, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo DS, PC | N/A |
| Mortal Kombat X | 2015 | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS | Download Now |
| Mortal Kombat 9 | 2011 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Microsoft Windows | N/A |
| Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance | 2002 | PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube | N/A |
| Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 | 1995 | Arcade, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Game Boy Advance, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 | N/A |
Mortal Kombat 11
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: 64-bit Windows 7 / Windows 10 | OS: 64-bit Windows 7 / Windows 10 |
| Processor: Intel Core i5-750, 2.66 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 965, 3.4 GHz or AMD Ryzen™ 3 1200, 3.1 GHz | Processor: Intel Core i3-2100, 3.10 GHz / AMD FX-6300, 3.5 GHz or AMD Ryzen™ 5 1400, 3.2 GHz |
| Memory: 8 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 / AMD Radeon HD 7950 or AMD Radeon R9 270 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or RX 570 |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
After the first two games in the new storyline did so well, NetherRealm Studios set out to make an ambitious and new game that would build on the rock-solid base that MK9 laid. Mortal Kombat 11 was the result. It went to the farthest reaches of Mortal Kombat lore, added more memorable characters, and brought the Mortal Kombat community together in ways that had never been done before.
Mortal Kombat 11 goes all out in every way, from the references to earlier games in the series to the huge Aftermath expansion that added a whole second story mode and brought back Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Shang Tsung from the famous 1995 movie. The game also makes it easier than ever for new players to get started with an incredibly detailed guide.
The Good
- Graphics and effects that are stunning to look at
- Combat that is both intense and satisfying
- Many different playable characters with their own moves and skills
- Story mode that is interesting and has multiple endings
- Many ways to play online with other people
The Bad
- Some characters and features have to be bought separately.
- Some people find that the story mode isn’t very long.
- New players who aren’t familiar with the franchise have a lot to learn.
Mortal Kombat II
| Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|
| OS: DOS, Windows 95 | OS: DOS, Windows 95 |
| Processor: Intel 486 33MHz / AMD 486 33MHz or equivalent | Processor: Intel Pentium 60MHz / AMD K6 233MHz or equivalent |
| Memory: 8 MB RAM | Memory: 16 MB RAM |
| Graphics: VGA graphics card | Graphics: SVGA graphics card |
| DirectX: Not required | DirectX: Not required |
The first Mortal Kombat stood out because it was controversial and had a different look than other fighting games. With the second game, Midway made a lot of changes to the gameplay that made it more like Street Fighter II and other games of the same time. Mortal Kombat II also featured a lot of fan favorites, like Mileena, Kitana, and Kung Lao, and somehow made the boss fight against Shao Kahn just as intense as the one against Goro.
Mortal Kombat II will always be remembered as the game that showed substance was more important than style and that the MK series was worth watching for more than just the blood-splashing show. Mortal Kombat II solidified Midway’s fighter as one of the best games in the world.
The Good
- Better graphics and game mechanics than the first Mortal Kombat. Characters and stages that are well-known and stand out.
- Finishing moves that are brutal and satisfying
- popularized the idea that fighting games should have hidden content that you can unlock.
- Simple but effective fighting system that is easy for beginners to learn
The Bad
- Compared to later games in the series, there aren’t as many characters.
- In some situations, some moves can feel unbalanced or cheap.
- Compared to fighting games today, it doesn’t have much depth.
Mortal Kombat X
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|
| OS: 64-bit Windows 7 or newer | OS: 64-bit Windows 7 or newer |
| Processor: Intel Core i5-750 or AMD equivalent | Processor: Intel Core i7-3770 or AMD equivalent |
| Memory: 3 GB RAM | Memory: 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or AMD Radeon HD 5850 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon HD 7950 |
| DirectX: Version 11 | DirectX: Version 11 |
| Network: Broadband Internet connection | Network: Broadband Internet connection |
In fighting games, going back in time is always tricky. Tekken 3 made the series work, but Soul Calibur 5 almost put an end to it. Street Fighter III also gave Capcom a lot of trouble, and no matter how good Garou: Mark of the Wolves was, SNK was doomed. Still, Mortal Kombat X had to do something new after Mortal Kombat 9 played up the nostalgia factor and killed so many major characters. Thank goodness, that new attempt did pay off.
Mortal Kombat X has the best new group of characters in the series since Mortal Kombat II. Not only is there a new group of heroes lead by the new main character, Cassie Cage, but there is also Kotal Kahn, the ruler of Outworld, and his colorful group of goons.
The Good
- Compared to previous games, the list of characters has grown and become more varied.
- Story mode is well-written and interesting, and there are cinematic cutscenes.
- Battle mechanics that are fluid and responsive
- Characters and play styles can be changed in a lot of ways.
- Strong community and support for online multiplayer games
The Bad
- Some characters and features have to be bought separately.
- In story mode, the difficulty goes up and down in a way that isn’t even.
- There aren’t many ways to play besides the story and online multiplayer.
Mortal Kombat 9
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows Vista, 7, 8 | OS: Windows Vista, 7, 8 |
| Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon X2 2.8 GHz | Processor: Intel Core i5 750, 2.67 GHz or AMD Phenom II X4 965, 3.4 GHz |
| Memory: 2 GB RAM | Memory: 4 GB RAM |
| Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS or AMD Radeon HD 3850 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 6950 |
| DirectX: Version 10 | DirectX: Version 11 |
| Network: Broadband Internet connection | Network: Broadband Internet connection |
I remember how big of a deal it was when Mortal Kombat 9’s Top 8 played at Evo 2012. Even though it has done very well, Mortal Kombat has always been the outcast of the professional fighting game scene. NetherRealm tried to make a fighting game that could be played at a high level with Mortal Kombat 9. But the most lasting thing about the game was how big its cinematic story was.
MK 9 seemed like a big love letter to the first three movies in the series. The story mode of this game started out as a detailed recap, but it quickly turned into something else. Classic characters and stages were brought back to life in new ways. For example, the Lin Kuei cyborgs were turned into humans, and Sub-Zero was turned into a cyborg. We also got the first DLC characters in the history of the series.
The Good
- Includes a new version of the story mode from the first three games.
- Combat is smooth and easy to use.
- A large and varied cast of characters
- Includes a full tutorial mode for new players.
- Strong options for online multiplayer games
The Bad
- Some characters and features have to be bought separately.
- Compared to later games in the series, there aren’t as many ways to play.
- The difficulty spikes in story mode can be frustrating for some players.
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|
| OS: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube | OS: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube |
| Processor: N/A | Processor: N/A |
| Memory: 32 MB RAM | Memory: 64 MB RAM |
| Graphics: N/A | Graphics: N/A |
| DirectX: N/A | DirectX: N/A |
| Network: N/A | Network: N/A |
The title that ensured the series’ continued success. The gameplay was completely reworked in every conceivable way for Deadly Alliance. There was no longer any running, characters fought using one of three distinct fighting styles, and move sets were streamlined and made shorter.
The game also included the most shocking neck snap witnessed across the world, which occurred in the opening cinematic when Shang Tsung, with the assistance of Quan Chi, murdered Liu Kang, who was supposed to be unkillable. This event was viewed all over the world.
The Good
- Adding new characters and ways to play the game
- System for fighting that is smooth and works well
- Visual design and character models that stand out
- Players can find content that they can unlock.
- made it more common for fighting games to have a Krypt feature.
The Bad
- Compared to later games in the series, there aren’t as many characters.
- Different levels of difficulty in the story mode
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
| Minimum Requirements | Recommended Requirements |
|---|---|
| OS: Arcade, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System | OS: Arcade, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System |
| Processor: N/A | Processor: N/A |
| Memory: N/A | Memory: N/A |
| Graphics: N/A | Graphics: N/A |
| DirectX: N/A | DirectX: N/A |
| Network: N/A | Network: N/A |
There was a competition mode that supported up to eight players, chain combos that could be initiated while in the air, and the chance to murder your opponent by transforming into an animal at the conclusion of each round. The addition of Jade, Ermac, and Smoke, who could turn invisible and made going up against Reptile, to say the least, a lot of fun, were among the fascinating new features and memorable characters that were included in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
The ‘Ultimate’ version was distinct from the standard release in a number of other respects as well. For example, the ‘Ultimate’ edition featured numerous new stages, such as the Scorpions’ Lair, which featured a stage in which you may uppercut your opponent into a pool of lava.
The Good
- Large and varied list of characters
- Added new stages and moves for the end
- Gameplay mechanics that are simple and work well
- Well-balanced and competitive gameplay. Fans of the original trilogy will feel a strong sense of nostalgia.
The Bad
- By today’s standards, the graphics and sound design are old.
- Compared to later games in the series, there aren’t as many ways to play.
FAQs
Mortal Kombat 11 is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Google Stadia.
Mortal Kombat Mobile is the name of the mobile version of Mortal Kombat 11. Both the App Store and the Google Play Store let you get it for free.
Yes, there is a mode in Mortal Kombat 11 where people can fight against each other online.