Summary
While the vast majority of gamers' eyes are onStarfieldat the minute, fighting game fans have a different September release on their minds. Set to release in just a few weeks,Mortal Kombat 1is the next entry in the long-running fighting game franchise, and it’s far from being just another iterative sequel. With a whole story mode centered around Liu Kang’s new universe, a brand-newboard game-like mode called Invasions, and an even more refined version of the series' classic multiplayer offerings,Mortal Kombat 1is shaping up to be something truly special.
But, of course, a fighting game is only as good as its roster, and thankfullyMortal Kombat 1isn’t set to disappoint in that area either. At launch,Mortal Kombat 1will have 24 individual fighters, all with their own unique moveset, strengths, and weaknesses, just like usual. While only 21 fighters have been confirmed so far, each one is incredibly deserving of their spot on the roster, either being fan-favorite characters making their long-awaited return, or franchise staples that have been given some fresh new twists. But those aren’t the only characters onMortal Kombat 1’s roster.
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Every Fighter Confirmed For Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
As mentioned up top,Mortal Kombat 1will ship with 24 fighters on launch, meaning that another three are yet to be confirmed. But even without those last few Kombatants,Mortal Kombat 1’s roster is extremely impressive. Though it isn’t technically the largest roster ever seen in the franchise, it is one of the most varied, with almost every character bringing something completely new to the table, whether that’s a unique visual flair, a varied moveset, or both.
Though there are some odd omissions,Mortal Kombat 1brings back the vast majority of classic characters that fans have come to expect from aMortal Kombatgame. Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Raiden, Johnny Cage, and Kitana are all present on the base roster, all of whom have been given a handful of new moves, including some flashy air combos. Then there are some lesser-known fighters making their triumphant return inMortal Kombat 1, including characters like Havik, Ashrah, and Li Mei. Already, it’s clear thatMortal Kombat 1’s roster is a celebration of the franchise’s 30-year history, and it feels like it’s only just getting started.
Every Kameo Fighter Confirmed For Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
Thebig new feature ofMortal Kombat 1, Kameo Fightersare a secondary character that players choose at the start of the match who can assist them in battle. By pressing a directional key and L1, players can use their Kameo Fighter to deliver a handful of unique attacks during a match. This ambitious system still needs to prove its worth, but its concept is great, allowing a slew of both classic and obscureMortal Kombatcharacters to have their chance in the spotlight without NetherRealm needing to put in all the effort to give them a full moveset. It’s currently unclear how many Kameo Fighters will be inMortal Kombat 1at launch, or how many of the base roster fighters will also be available as Kameos.
Every DLC Fighter Confirmed For Mortal Kombat 1 So Far
Mortal Kombat 1wouldn’t be a true fighting game if it didn’t have DLC, and the game’s first Kombat Pack has already been announced. Homelander, Peacemaker, and Omni-Man are all excellent pulls forMortal Kombat 1’s guest characters, while Ermac, Takeda, and Quan Chi are all solid fan-favorite additions. Kombat Pack 1 is set to begin its gradual rollout in Spring 2024, with Homelander being the first character to release and the rest coming in the following months.
Mortal Kombat 1releases on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
