Complete Guide to All Mortal Kombat Games: Timeline, Spin-offs & Rankings

Look, if you've punched "all mortal kombat games" into Google, you're probably like me: either a die-hard fan trying to settle a debate or someone diving headfirst into this crazy, bloody world for the first time. Maybe you saw the movies or heard friends yell "GET OVER HERE!" and wondered where it all started. Let's walk through this entire mess together. Because honestly, trying to remember every single game, what system it was on, and if it was any good? That's a fight harder than facing Shao Kahn on max difficulty.

I remember spending way too many quarters at the local arcade in the 90s, mesmerized by the digitized fighters and the sheer shock value. That visceral feeling, that mix of awe and "did they just do that?" is core to MK. But figuring out the sequence now? It's gotten messy. Main games, spin-offs, reboots, mobile titles... it's a lot. This guide cuts through the noise. We're covering every single official entry in the main timeline, the weird offshoots, the platforms they called home, and crucially, what makes each one stick out (or suck). Forget dry wikis. This is straight talk from someone who's played them all, for better or worse.

The Complete Mortal Kombat Timeline: Every Main Entry Explained

Okay, let's get chronological. The timeline got rebooted (twice!), so it can be confusing. Here’s the core fighting games, the ones that moved the story forward. Think of these as the essential chapters:

Note: This table focuses on the primary arcade/console fighting titles. Spin-offs and major compilations are covered next!

Playing through all mortal kombat games chronologically is a trip. You see the tech evolve, the gameplay shift dramatically between 2D and 3D eras, and the tone wobble wildly. The 2011 reboot felt like coming home after wandering lost in the 3D wilderness for a while. MK9 just *got* it.

Wait, What About the Other Stuff? Spin-offs, Compilations & Weirdness

Calling it just "all mortal kombat games" isn't the whole story. The series experimented – sometimes brilliantly, sometimes questionably. Here's where things get sideways:

Major Compilations & Updates

These are crucial for experiencing older titles without hunting down old consoles or questionable arcades:

• Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996): The definitive MK3 experience. Combined MK3 and Ultimate MK3, added more characters like Chameleon. Buggy but loved. (PS1, Saturn, N64, PC)
• Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (2011): Bundled MK1, MK2, and UMK3. Great in theory, but notoriously bad emulation and netcode. Disappointing. (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Mortal Kombat Kollection (Arcade Classics - Various Platforms): Often found on newer consoles. Usually solid ports of MK1, MK2, UMK3.
• Mortal Kombat: Deception - Unchained (2006): Vita port of Deception. Added some extras. Solid if you wanted it portable.
• Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005): Not a fighter! Beat-em-up adventure starring Liu Kang/Kung Lao. Co-op! Hugely beloved cult classic. Seriously fun. (PS2, Xbox)
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995): The *real* MK3. Added Scorpion, Kitana, Jade, Rain, and Noob Saibot back in. Fixed balance. Essential. (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, later ports).

The Infamous Spin-Offs

NetherRealm wasn't afraid to experiment. Results varied... wildly.

• Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997): Side-scrolling action game. Clunky controls, punishing difficulty. Interesting lore dump. (PS1, N64, PC)
• Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000): Meant to star Jax. So bad it was canceled, then reborn as a top-down... thing. Universally panned. Avoid. (PS1)
• Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005): Mentioned again because it's THAT good. Beat-em-up gold.
• Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008): Covered above. Weird but kinda fun if you ignore the lack of gore.
• Mortal Kombat: Onslaught (2023): Mobile RPG. Collect characters, auto-battle. Microtransaction-heavy. Not a fighter.

Seriously, if you skip Shaolin Monks while exploring all mortal kombat games, you're missing out on one of the most genuinely fun co-op experiences tied to the franchise. Mythologies? That one's more for lore masochists.

Finding & Playing All Mortal Kombat Games Today (And What It Costs)

Wanna actually play these? Good luck finding every single one easily or cheaply. Availability is a mess:

• Retro Physical (MK1 - MK4, 3D Era): Expect to hunt eBay, used game stores. Prices vary wildly:
  • Common SNES/Genesis carts (MK3): $15-$30
  • Rarer stuff (MK Trilogy PS1): $40-$70+
  • Arcade boards: $$$$$ (Seriously, collector territory).
• Modern Digital (MK9 - MK1): Much easier:
  • MK11 Ultimate (with all DLC): Regularly $20-$30 on sale.
  • MK1 (2023): $70 base, $110 Kollection (with Kombat Pack 1).
• Compilations: Your best bet for classics:
  • Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection: Still on Steam/PSN/Xbox stores (~$10). Beware bugs.
  • Midway Arcade Origins/Collections: Often include MK1, MK2, UMK3. Check platform stores.
• Emulation: Legally gray unless you own the original. MAME for arcade versions is popular.
• Mobile: MKX & MK Mobile exist. Heavy on microtransactions/gacha mechanics. Not the full experience.

Honestly? Playing every single entry legitimately is expensive and often requires original hardware. Compilations and digital re-releases bridge the gap, but significant holes remain (especially Shaolin Monks, Mythologies). It's easier to experience the *history* of all mortal kombat games through documentaries and retrospectives than to play every single one firsthand.

Beyond Fighting: Modes That Define the Experience

It's not just arcade ladders. Mortal Kombat constantly packed in extra stuff:

• Arcade Ladder: The classic. Fight through opponents, face the boss (usually Shao Kahn/Goro/Shang Tsung/Kronika). Unlock endings.
• Story Mode (MK9 onwards): Cinematic masterpiece starting with MK9. Play through the saga (or reboot saga) chapter by chapter, switching characters. A major selling point.
• The Krypt (MK:DA onwards): Spend in-game currency (Koins, Souls, Hearts) to unlock art, costumes, fatalities, music. Started as static screens (DA, D, A), became fully explorable 3D environments (MK11's is huge). MK1 simplified it.
• Towers (Various): Challenges with modifiers. MK11's Towers of Time were notoriously grindy at launch (fixed later).
• Konquest (MK:D, MKA): Semi-open world RPG-lite adventure modes. Deception's was surprisingly engaging!
• Mini-Games Galore: Chess Kombat, Puzzle Kombat (Deception), Motor Kombat (Armageddon), Test Your Might/Luck/Sight/Slice. Silly fun.
• Online Multiplayer: Essential now. Netcode quality varies (MKX and MK11 were generally praised post-launch patches).

For me, the Story Modes are incredible. They turned what was just flimsy lore excuses for fighting into genuinely engaging narratives. The Krypt? MK11's was atmospheric but felt like a chore sometimes.

Characters: Who's Stood the Test of Time?

Rosters ballooned and shrank. Some faces are forever icons, others... vanished. Here's a snapshot:

Seeing characters evolve across all mortal kombat games is fascinating. Scorpion and Sub-Zero are eternal. The kids (Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda) actually grew on me more than I expected in MKX. But man, some of the 3D era newcomers? Looking at you, Hsu Hao... just gone and forgotten. Good riddance.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Every Mortal Kombat Game Answered

Alright, let's tackle the stuff people *actually* search for when digging into all mortal kombat games:

How many Mortal Kombat games are there total?

That depends how you count! If you mean all mortal kombat games ever released (main fighters, spin-offs, compilations, major updates):

• Main Fighting Series (Arcade/Console): Roughly 12-14 (counting major updates like UMK3 separately)
• Significant Spin-Offs: At least 5 (Mythologies, Special Forces, Shaolin Monks, MKvsDC, Onslaught)
• Major Compilations: 3-5 major ones

What is the chronological order of the Mortal Kombat games?

The *release* order is the table at the top. The *story* order is messier due to reboots:

• Original Timeline: MK1 -> MKII -> MK3/UMK3/MKT -> MK4 -> MK: Deadly Alliance -> MK: Deception -> MK: Armageddon (destroyed everything).
• Reboot Timeline (MK9): MK9 (retelling MK1-MK3) -> MKX -> MK11.
• New Era Reboot (MK1 2023): MK1 (2023) starts a completely fresh timeline.

Which Mortal Kombat game is considered the best?

This sparks endless debate! Common contenders:

• MKII (1993): Peak arcade era, perfecting MK1's formula.
• Ultimate MK3 / Trilogy (1996): Biggest classic roster.
• Mortal Kombat (2011 / MK9): Perfect reboot, revitalized the franchise.
• Mortal Kombat 11 (2019): Most polished modern gameplay, huge content.
• Mortal Kombat 1 (2023): Great new mechanics (Kameos), fresh start.

Which Mortal Kombat games are canon? How do the reboots work?

Canon is messy:

• Original Timeline: Everything from MK1 through Armageddon was canon... until Armageddon destroyed it all.
• Reboot Timeline (MK9): Raiden sends a warning back in time during Armageddon, altering events. MK9, MKX, MK11 are canon in this new, altered timeline. MK11 ends with Liu Kang restarting the universe again.
• New Era (MK1 2023): This is the universe Liu Kang creates at the end of MK11. Fresh start, familiar faces reimagined.

What are the best ways to play the classic Mortal Kombat games now?

Options exist, none perfect:

• Modern Compilations: "Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection" (buggy but available), Midway Arcade collections (often include MK1, MK2, UMK3). Check PS/Xbox/PC stores.
• Mini Consoles/Arcade1Up: Arcade1Up has dedicated MK cabinets (MKII, 3-player MKII, Midway Legacy). Plug-and-play minis sometimes have them.
• Emulation (MAME): Best for accuracy, legally requires owning the original ROM.
• Original Hardware: Expensive, requires space. SNES/Genesis carts, arcade boards.
• Mobile Ports: Often poor quality, riddled with ads/MTX. Not recommended for serious play.

Are the newer Mortal Kombat games (MKX, MK11, MK1) worth it for single-player?

Absolutely, especially MK9, MKX, MK11, and MK1. NetherRealm sets the bar for single-player content in fighters:

• Story Modes: Cinematic, 4-6 hours long, feel like interactive movies. Superb.
• Towers: Endless challenges with varying modifiers and rewards.
• The Krypt: Huge unlockable content areas (especially MK11).
• Character Endings: Still there via Arcade Ladders.

What is the most brutal Mortal Kombat game?

Subjectively, it's usually the latest one! Tech improves, gore gets more detailed. Objectively:

• MK1 (1992): Groundbreakingly violent at the time.
• MK11 (2019): Unbelievably detailed Fatalities, Brutalities, Fatal Blows. Gore tech is insane.
• MK1 (2023): Builds on MK11's gore, Kameo assists add brutal double-team Fatalities.

What about Mortal Kombat Mobile?

It's a separate beast. Think card collecting, gacha mechanics, real-time team fights (not traditional 1v1), heavy microtransactions. It's popular and constantly updated with new characters/events, but it's *not* a replacement for a console/pc Mortal Kombat fighting game experience. Fun for quick bursts if you like the franchise characters, but a very different game.

My Personal Ranking of the Main Mortal Kombat Fighters (Based on Fun)

Everyone ranks these differently. Here's mine, fueled by nostalgia and countless hours played. Fight me.

1. Mortal Kombat II (1993): Arcade perfection. Fast, fluid, shocking, perfectly balanced roster for its time.
2. Mortal Kombat (2011 / MK9): The pure joy of the classics reborn beautifully. Tag team was chaotic fun. Perfect story retelling.
3. Mortal Kombat 11 (2019): The most polished, deepest combat system. Looks stunning. Krushing Blows are visceral. Took a while to fix the grind.
4. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 / Trilogy (1995/96): The ultimate classic roster romp. Pure, chaotic fun.
5. Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004): Best of the 3D era. Konquest mode was awesome, online was revolutionary (lag aside).
6. Mortal Kombat 1 (2023): Kameos add fantastic depth. Feels fresh again. Needs more single-player content beyond story.
7. Mortal Kombat X (2015): Great refinement of MK9. Variations were cool. Some Kombat Kids worked better than others.
8. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002): Necessary reset. Style-switching was ambitious. Felt groundbreaking then.
9. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006): Fun for the roster size and Motor Kombat alone. Create-A-Fatality sucked. Felt cheap.
10. Mortal Kombat 4 (1997): Awkward transition to 3D. Weapons felt gimmicky. Block button woes.
11. Mortal Kombat (1992): Important historically, but too basic for modern play beyond curiosity.
12. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008): Actually decent fighting underneath, but neutered by the license. Not really MK.

Shaolin Monks would be #3 if we counted spin-offs. Seriously, go play it.

The Future of Mortal Kombat

MK1 (2023) kicked off a new era. NetherRealm is clearly committed. What might we see?

• MK1 Expansion/DLC: More Kameos, more characters, maybe story DLC? Omni-Man, Homelander, Peacemaker are coming!
• Injustice 3 First? NetherRealm alternates. They might jump to DC next.
• More Kameos: This system feels like it has legs. Expect it to evolve in future MK titles.
• Cross-Play: Becoming essential. MK1 has it.
• Platform Availability: Expect PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC as the core. Switch ports might remain compromised.

After playing all mortal kombat games over decades, I'm excited. MK1 proved they can still innovate. Just... maybe less grinding than MK11's launch next time, please?

So, there you have it. Every Mortal Kombat game, laid bare. From the sticky arcade cabinets to the hyper-realistic gore of MK11 and the fresh start of MK1. It's a wild, bloody ride spanning over 30 years. Whether you're a nostalgic veteran or a curious newcomer wondering where to start, hopefully this massive guide gave you the lowdown. Now go practice those Fatalities. FINISH HIM!