I find it hard to believe it’s been over 30 years since Mortal Kombat was originally released, but here we are in 2023, as the team at NetherRealm Studios prepares to reboot the storied franchise with Mortal Kombat 1. Fittingly, the team released a new commercial starring Dave Bautista, and for those watching it and finding it all a bit confusing, you’ll want to also check out the original Mortal Kombat commercial from 1993. Basically, it’s a reimagined version of the original commercial, but there is going to be an entire generation of players who won’t even know that.
Originally revealed in May, Mortal Kombat 1 is a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe created by Fire God Liu Kang, ushering in a new era for the franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and of course, graphic Fatalities. The team at NetherRealm Studios has been doing a great job releasing trailer after trailer for the game, and those who preordered have even had a chance to check out a beta. Here are all the confirmed characters for the game: Ashrah, Baraka, Ermac (Kombat Pack), General Shao, Geras, Havik, Homelander (Kombat Pack), Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Kitana, Kung Lao, Li Mei, Liu Kang, Mileena, Omni-Man (Kombat Pack), Peacemaker (Kombat Pack), Quan Chi (Kombat Pack), Raiden, Rain, Reptile, Scorpion, Shang Tsung (preorder exclusive), Sindel, Smoke, Sub-Zero, Takeda (Kombat Pack), and Tanya.
Mortal Kombat 1 also introduces Kameo Fighters, partner-based quick assists that can jump in during a fight. Here are all the confirmed Kameo Fighters: Cyrax, Frost, Goro, Jax Briggs, Kano, Kung Lao, Motaro, Sareena, Scorpion, Sektor, Shujinko, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, and Stryker.
Mortal Kombat 1 is set to release on September 19, 2023, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch