After months of waiting, NetherRealm has finally officially announced the next entry in its long-running fighting game franchise, and like the recent rumors suggested, it's officially titled Mortal Kombat 1. Technically both a reboot and a sequel for the franchise, Mortal Kombat 1 seems to follow on from the good ending of Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC, where Fire God Liu Kang puts a stop to Shang Tsung's time-altering shenanigans and creates a brand-new timeline of his design.
Based on Mortal Kombat 1's announcement trailer, it seems as though Liu Kang's new timeline will take fans all the way back to before the events of even the very first Mortal Kombat game, with characters like Kung Lao tending a farm and Scorpion and Sub-Zero still yet to be mortal enemies. It's clear that Mortal Kombat 1 is flipping the franchise on its head a little, but that doesn't mean some fan-favorite fighters aren't making their inevitable return.
Every Fighter Confirmed for Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
- Liu Kang
- Raiden
- Kung Lao
- Sub-Zero
- Scorpion
- Kitana
- Mileena
- Shang Tsung
- Johnny Cage
There are currently nine confirmed fighters for Mortal Kombat 1, most of which can be spotted during the game's announcement trailer. The long-awaited trailer opens up with an unknown man opening his eyes while Liu Kang's voiceover explains that this is a different world of his own creation, filled with "warmth and peace." This man makes his way outside and encounters another toiling a field of wheat. The farmer raises his head, and places a hat on top of it, looking extremely reminiscent of the classic Mortal Kombat fighter Kung Lao. As Liu Kang's voiceover states that his subjects have free choice whether to live in serenity or "bloody strife," the camera pans to the mysterious figure from the start of the trailer, now wearing a hat similar to Raiden's, and a lightning strike behind him seemingly confirming his identity.
The trailer then cuts to a royal carriage making its way through the streets, with a blue-masked woman, presumably princess Kitana, peering out of the carriage's curtains. Just across from her sits a pink-clothed woman, clutching her deadly sai, and fastening her mask back on her face to hide her sharp teeth, confirming her to be another fan-favorite character, Mileena, who didn't make the cut for Mortal Kombat 11's base game roster.
Up next are the two biggest franchise mascots, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Mortal Kombat 1's trailer plays on the duo's infamous rivalry, framing the two characters as if they were about to fight, before flipping the script and having the two team-up, and look towards an ominous eclipsed sun. Liu Kang then makes his first on-screen appearance, standing side by side with Kung Lao and Raiden once more. Before them, a portal opens, and Shang Tsung steps out. The final moments of the trailer see a fully-powered Fire God Liu Kang unleash his wrath upon Shang Tsung, tearing him in two, and seemingly hinting that this version of the iconic series staple will play a little differently to his past appearances.
The trailer ends with the announcement that Shang Tsung will be available via a pre-order bonus, making it unlikely that he'll be playable in the game naturally. Outside the announcement trailer, one more playable fighter has currently been confirmed for Mortal Kombat 1. On Mortal Kombat 1's official website, in the FAQ section, NetherRealm confirms that Johnny Cage will also be playable in Mortal Kombat 1. This brief section also confirms that each of these fighters will be "reimagined" versions, potentially hinting that their appearances and move sets might be a little different from past Mortal Kombat entries.
Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X.