It seems Mortal Kombat 11 is not dead yet. Despite releasing Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath only 5 months ago, NetherRealm and Warner Bros. Games have announced that MK11 will be receiving yet another re-release in the form of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, the major difference being that this version will bring the game to next generation consoles very shortly after their release. Releasing alongside this edition of the game are three DLC fighters in the form of Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3's Rain, and the highly requested fan favorite Mileena.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate is the definitive version of Mortal Kombat 11, compiling all of the content released from the game so far and the newly announced Kombat Pack 2. It also includes all of the content introduced in MK11: Aftermath, including the game's story expansion and its characters Fujin, RoboCop, and Sheeva. Owners of Mortal Kombat 11 and its current expansions or Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath can upgrade to Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate by purchasing Kombat Pack 2 for $14.99 from October 15th.
While this new version of the game will be available on current generation consoles and Nintendo Switch, Ultimate will also release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S upon its release on November 17th. These versions will allow for dynamic 4K resolutions, enhanced visuals and loading times, and cross-generation cross-play compatibility for select gameplay modes. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions will also be available as free upgrades to players who upgrade to the Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate version of the game either before or after it releases. Owners of the base versions of Mortal Kombat 11 and Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath can also access a free upgrade of those versions of the game to the next generation consoles too.
The introduction of cross-play allows players on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X to play together. It will not allow players on Nintendo Switch, PC, or Google Stadia to play across those consoles.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate pre-orders will go love on October 15th for a standard retail price of $59.99, however the physical version on PlayStation 4 will not release until January 2021. The Nintendo Switch version will also not release physically in North America. Players choosing to pre-order Ultimate digitally will gain immediate access to Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath.
Given the lack of substantial fighting game events in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this new version of Mortal Kombat 11 along with the introduction is an excellent move from NetherRealm and WB Games to keep the game relevant heading into the next generation. While the studio is expected to announce Injustice 3 in the near future, it is exciting to see that support for Mortal Kombat 11 is continuing into the next generation.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate will release for Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on November 17th 2020.