Deep Dive: Mortal Kombat Franchise History Part 1
- Nerdgasm Toy News
- Aug 4
- 13 min read
Updated: Aug 5
"Mortal Kombat!" Nothing gets you more pumped than hearing that being yelled at the beginning of the amazing "Techno Syndrome" by The Immortals. The Mortal Kombat franchise began in 1992 as a fighting game developed by Midway Games, quickly gaining notoriety for its unique characters, intricate storylines, and graphic violence. The game's innovative use of digitized sprites, which featured real actors, set it apart from other fighting games of the time. This groundbreaking approach, combined with its signature finishing moves known as "Fatalities," captured the attention of players and sparked a cultural phenomenon that extended beyond the arcade.
Over the years, Mortal Kombat has evolved into a multi-faceted franchise, branching out into various sequels, spin-off games, animated series, and live-action films. Each installment has built upon the lore of the Mortal Kombat universe, introducing new characters and expanding the narrative surrounding the eternal battle between good and evil. The franchise has faced its share of controversies, particularly regarding its graphic content, but it has remained a staple in the gaming world, continuously attracting new generations of fans while retaining its loyal base. Today, Mortal Kombat stands as one of the most iconic and enduring franchises in gaming history, celebrated for its rich storytelling and intense gameplay.
Join us as we delve into the history of the vast video game series.
Franchise History
The 1990s was such an amazing and wild time for pop culture, we saw the rise of so many amazing things, namely video gaming became very mainstream and chief among those were the Mortal Kombat series.
The original Mortal Kombat was released in arcades in October 1992, developed by Midway Games. It was created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, who sought to make a gritty, digitized fighting game that stood apart from the flashy, anime-influenced Street Fighter II. Originally pitched as a game starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, the concept evolved into a martial arts tournament with fantasy and supernatural elements, though the Van Damme character concept was reworked into the fan favorite, Johnny Cage.
Gaming and Pop Culture Impact
The original Mortal Kombat not only transformed arcades but also revolutionized the cultural and political dynamics of gaming. The most significant impact of Mortal Kombat was likely political rather than technical. Its graphic violence, particularly the notorious Fatalities, sparked outrage among parents, politicians, and media watchdogs. This backlash culminated in the 1993 U.S. Senate hearings on video game violence, spearheaded by Senators Joe Lieberman and Herb Kohl.
Mortal Kombat, along with Night Trap and Doom, became central to the debate that games were negatively influencing children. This prompted the establishment of the ESRB in 1994, which introduced the well-known "E," "T," and "M" ratings system and encouraged industry-wide self-regulation to prevent government intervention. Ultimately, Mortal Kombat compelled the video game industry to mature.
An Arms Race with Fighting Games
Following the success of Street Fighter II in 1991, which popularized competitive fighting games, Mortal Kombat offered a darker and more intense alternative. It was grittier, quicker, and more violent.
Its main innovations included:
Digitized actors instead of sprites, giving characters a more realistic appearance for the time.
Secret content: hidden characters (like Reptile), stage Fatalities (such as The Pit), and special moves.
Over-the-top violence that felt rebellious and provocative.
This sparked a fighting game boom in the '90s, with companies striving to emulate or surpass Mortal Kombat’s style, including games like Killer Instinct, Primal Rage, and Eternal Champions.
Transcending Gaming
Mortal Kombat evolved into more than just a game — it became a cultural phenomenon.
By the mid-'90s, it featured:
Two major films:
Mortal Kombat (1995) — a PG-13 box office hit that surprised many.
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997) — a critical failure, yet still profitable.
A Saturday morning cartoon: Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996).
Toys, comics, action figures, and even a live-action stage show.
A techno-infused theme song (“MORTAL KOMBAT!”) that became a meme before memes existed.
Its branding — the dragon logo, the stylized K’s, and characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden — became instantly recognizable. We would later see an additional live action feature film (with a sequel coming in 2026) and countless animated films as the years passed.
Mortal Kombat - 1992
The original Mortal Kombat introduced players to a brutal, blood-soaked fighting tournament unlike anything seen before. Created by Ed Boon and John Tobias, the game stood out for its digitized character sprites, over-the-top violence, and the iconic "Fatality" finishing moves. Set on the mystical island of Shang Tsung, warriors from Earthrealm were summoned to compete in a tournament against fighters from Outworld, with Earth’s fate hanging in the balance. Its dark, martial arts fantasy tone distinguished it from the more cartoonish Street Fighter II, and characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, and Raiden quickly became legends.
Beyond gameplay, Mortal Kombat became a pop culture flashpoint, triggering debates on video game violence and helping pave the way for the creation of the ESRB rating system. It gained notoriety in arcades and was ported to multiple home consoles, though the Super Nintendo version censored its signature gore. This game was the foundation of a franchise that would span decades, launching a universe of sequels, spinoffs, films, and merchandise. Its blend of gritty storytelling, tournament-style combat, and shocking finishers left a lasting imprint on gaming history.
Mortal Kombat II - 1993
Mortal Kombat II took the original’s formula and refined nearly every aspect, becoming one of the most beloved fighting games of the era. The story picked up immediately after the first tournament, with Shang Tsung begging his emperor, Shao Kahn, for a second chance by luring Earthrealm’s fighters into Outworld for a rematch. With a darker tone and more elaborate stages, it introduced new fan-favorite characters like Kitana, Mileena, Kung Lao, Jax, and Baraka, while expanding on the mythos of Scorpion and Sub-Zero. The roster nearly doubled, and every character received multiple Fatalities, plus stage-specific finishers.
Technically and visually superior to its predecessor, MKII delivered faster gameplay, better graphics, and deeper combat. The game maintained the controversial gore, but now added humor through “Friendships” and “Babalities,” poking fun at its own notoriety. It was a massive arcade hit and saw strong home console sales, becoming a cultural icon during the fighting game boom. MKII is still hailed by many as the pinnacle of the classic 2D era and solidified Mortal Kombat as a franchise with staying power.
Mortal Kombat 3 - 1995
Mortal Kombat 3 shifted the tone toward a more urban, dystopian setting, depicting Shao Kahn’s invasion of Earthrealm after resurrecting his queen Sindel. The game introduced a “Run” button, chain combos, and a faster, more aggressive combat system. It also expanded the story’s scale, featuring Earth’s defenders battling in city streets, subways, and Soul Chambers. New characters like Stryker, Nightwolf, Cyrax, and Kabal joined the fight, while some fan favorites like Scorpion and Kitana were strangely absent from the initial release.
The game’s increased speed and combo-heavy focus received mixed reactions, with many fans divided over the new mechanics and aesthetic changes. However, MK3 was notable for its ambitious story direction and gameplay experiments. It was quickly followed by updates like Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy, which restored cut characters, added others from previous games, and created more complete versions of the roster. This era marked a transitional point for the franchise—still popular, but beginning to feel the weight of its own ambition.
Mortal Kombat 4 - 1997
Mortal Kombat 4 marked the franchise’s leap into full 3D graphics using polygonal models, a significant shift from the digitized actors of the earlier games. The plot introduced a new antagonist—Shinnok, a fallen Elder God—who launched a war against Earthrealm and the Netherrealm. While retaining the series' core combat mechanics, MK4 added 3D sidestepping and interactive weapons that characters could draw mid-match. New fighters like Fujin, Tanya, Reiko, and Quan Chi expanded the lore, while returning veterans like Liu Kang, Scorpion, and Raiden anchored the narrative.
Though praised for its ambition, MK4 received mixed feedback due to its awkward animations, limited 3D movement, and inconsistent balance. Still, it maintained the signature violence and bizarre humor the series was known for—complete with grotesque Fatalities and eccentric endings. It also introduced full voice-acted cutscenes in the endings, which were unintentionally comedic due to limited technology. Despite its flaws, MK4 was important for moving Mortal Kombat into the 3D realm and laid the groundwork for its ambitious future storylines.
Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance - 2002
After a four-year break, Deadly Alliance revived the series with a bold reinvention. Shao Kahn and Liu Kang were both shockingly killed in the opening cutscene, making way for a new threat: the alliance between sorcerers Shang Tsung and Quan Chi. The game completely overhauled the combat system—ditching the run button, introducing multiple fighting styles per character (including weapon-based styles), and embracing fluid 3D movement. The tone was darker, more cinematic, and focused heavily on expanding the lore.
Deadly Alliance introduced key new fighters like Kenshi, Bo' Rai Cho, and Li Mei, and was praised for its deeper gameplay and stylish presentation. It also introduced the Krypt and Konquest modes—unlockables and lore-driven mini-games that rewarded exploration. While not perfect, the game successfully reignited interest in the franchise and reestablished Mortal Kombat as a contender in the fighting game scene. It showed that the series could evolve both mechanically and narratively without relying solely on nostalgia.
Mortal Kombat: Deception - 2004
Deception picked up after the events of Deadly Alliance, with a dramatic opening where the Dragon King Onaga resurrects and decimates nearly every major fighter. The game pushed the franchise deeper into RPG-style storytelling, with a fully explorable Konquest mode that told the backstory of new hero Shujinko over decades of his life. The combat engine expanded on Deadly Alliance with updated fighting styles, interactive environments, and new stage Fatalities. New characters like Havik, Hotaru, and Darrius deepened the lore, while old favorites like Nightwolf and Sindel returned.
Beyond core combat, Deception packed in more side content than any other entry at the time, including a puzzle game (Puzzle Kombat), a chess-themed strategy game (Chess Kombat), and an expanded Krypt system. It was praised for its boldness, narrative depth, and content variety, although the fighting engine still had balance issues. Its grim tone and sense of finality made it one of the most narratively ambitious games in the series, and it solidified the franchise's reputation for creative world-building beyond just arcade fights.
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon - 2006
Designed as the conclusion of the original Mortal Kombat timeline, Armageddon featured every playable character from the series up to that point—over 60 fighters. The storyline built toward a massive final battle at the pyramid of Argus, where the ultimate power threatened all realms. The Konquest mode returned, focusing on Taven, a new protagonist destined to prevent the coming apocalypse. While the scope was impressive, balancing such a large roster proved difficult, and unique fighting styles were replaced by a more uniform system to accommodate the sheer number of characters.
One of Armageddon’s most controversial features was the "Kreate-a-Fatality" system, which replaced individual character finishers with customizable chains of brutal moves—losing much of the signature identity and flair. On the plus side, it introduced a robust character creation mode and online multiplayer. The game was a mixed bag: a love letter to long-time fans packed with content, but also a sign that the series needed a reset. And that’s exactly what came next—with a franchise reboot just around the corner.
Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe - 2008
Technically considered the eighth Mortal Kombat game by many fans and developers, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was a crossover title that brought together characters from the Mortal Kombat universe and the world of DC Comics. Featuring a lighter tone than previous entries, the game pitted fighters like Scorpion, Liu Kang, and Raiden against Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in a universe-colliding crisis orchestrated by Dark Kahn—a fusion of Darkseid and Shao Kahn. The game ran on a modified Unreal Engine 3 and introduced new mechanics like Free-Fall Kombat and Klose Kombat.
While it received mixed-to-positive reviews for its visuals, accessibility, and novelty, it was controversial among longtime fans for toning down the violence. Due to DC’s restrictions, traditional Fatalities were heavily censored or replaced with less gruesome "Heroic Brutalities." It also lacked series staples like excessive gore and detailed finishing moves, which made it feel off-brand to some. However, it played an important role in the series' evolution—it was the first MK game developed by NetherRealm Studios (after Midway’s bankruptcy), and the engine and cinematic style would directly influence Mortal Kombat (2011) and beyond.
Mortal Kombat aka Mortal Kombat 9 - 2011
Mortal Kombat (2011) served as a bold reboot of the series, retelling the events of the original trilogy (MK1–3) through a time-travel twist. As the final battle of Armageddon plays out, Raiden sends a warning to his past self to prevent the apocalypse, resulting in a reshaped timeline with new consequences. The game returned to 2D-style fighting with 3D graphics, ditching the multi-style combat of the 3D era and reintroducing classic Fatalities, stage finishers, and brutal, fast-paced gameplay. It featured a highly cinematic Story Mode, setting a new standard for narrative in fighting games.
The reboot was a critical and commercial success, breathing new life into the franchise. It reimagined the original events while introducing devastating new X-Ray moves and a modernized Krypt. Fan-favorite characters were given deeper development, and shocking twists (like the deaths of major heroes) gave the series fresh emotional stakes. The game was lauded for its nostalgic feel, modern polish, and strong competitive balance—restoring Mortal Kombat as a top-tier fighting franchise in the post-Street Fighter IV era.
Mortal Kombat X - 2015
Mortal Kombat X advanced the story 25 years into the future, introducing a new generation of fighters, including Cassie Cage, Jacqui Briggs, Takeda, and Kung Jin—the children or protégés of iconic warriors. Earthrealm faced a new threat in Shinnok’s return and the chaos of Outworld's civil war. The gameplay built on MK9’s foundation but introduced character variations—giving each fighter three distinct playstyles with different moves, allowing for deeper customization and strategy. It also featured enhanced graphics, brutal new X-Ray attacks, and even more grotesque Fatalities.
Mortal Kombat X was praised for evolving the series while staying true to its roots. Its cinematic Story Mode blended action and drama, and online play was more robust than ever. The game also embraced crossover guest characters like Predator, Alien, Leatherface, and Jason Voorhees, which became a popular tradition. Though some fans missed classic characters left out of the roster, MKX was a major hit and positioned the franchise as both a fan-favorite and a serious contender in the competitive scene.
Mortal Kombat 11 - 2019
Mortal Kombat 11 continued the timeline-twisting saga, introducing Kronika, the Keeper of Time, as the new antagonist. In response to Raiden's corruption and tampering with time, she seeks to rewrite history entirely, forcing characters from the past and present to collide. This led to some of the most dynamic character interactions in the series, like young and old versions of fighters teaming up or clashing. The game refined the combat system by replacing X-Ray moves with Fatal Blows, adding Krushing Blows, and emphasizing strategic meter management. It also featured highly customizable gear and cosmetic options.
The game was acclaimed for its cinematic Story Mode, jaw-dropping visuals, and complex but accessible gameplay. The Krypt returned as an explorable 3rd-person puzzle island, packed with lore, secrets, and fan service. Guest characters like Spawn, Terminator, RoboCop, and Rambo brought more crossover fun. Despite some early backlash to its grind-heavy progression and monetization model, post-launch updates and expansions—especially Aftermath, which added a new epilogue campaign—helped solidify MK11 as one of the most successful and content-rich games in the franchise’s history.
Mortal Kombat 1 - 2023
Mortal Kombat 1 marked a full universe reboot, set in a new timeline created by Liu Kang after ascending to become the God of Fire. This fresh continuity reimagined familiar characters with new backstories and relationships—Sub-Zero and Scorpion are now brothers, Raiden is a mortal, and characters like Reptile and Ashrah are completely redefined. The gameplay retained MK11's cinematic quality but introduced Kameo Fighters—assist characters that add combo variety, tactical depth, and nostalgic flair. The game leaned into the “new era” concept with streamlined combat and dramatic storytelling.
Critics praised MK1 for its stunning presentation, bold reinterpretation of classic lore, and its commitment to both longtime fans and newcomers. Its revamped story, while familiar in tone, explored power dynamics and alliances in surprising new ways. While some fans felt the launch roster was small and early content was light compared to MK11, NetherRealm promised long-term support with more characters, stories, and seasonal content. Mortal Kombat 1 serves as both a tribute to the franchise’s legacy and a foundation for the next era of brutal, cinematic fighting.
Cultural Impact on the Gaming Industry
The Mortal Kombat series has had a profound and lasting impact on the gaming industry, reshaping the landscape of fighting games and sparking cultural conversations that transcended the medium. From its debut in 1992, Mortal Kombat distinguished itself with digitized actors, a darker martial arts tone, and its infamous Fatalities—graphic finishing moves that stunned players and outraged parents. The original game, along with titles like Night Trap, led to a Senate hearing on video game violence and the eventual formation of the ESRB rating system. In that sense, Mortal Kombat didn’t just change what games could depict—it helped define how games would be regulated and sold for decades to come.
Mechanically, the series innovated within the fighting genre by embracing cinematic storytelling, evolving combo systems, and experimenting with gameplay structure in ways that competitors often followed. Whether it was the introduction of multiple fighting styles per character in the 3D era, the flashy X-Ray attacks in the reboot trilogy, or the cinematic, chapter-driven Story Modes that redefined what a fighting game campaign could be, Mortal Kombat consistently set benchmarks. Its use of time travel and reboots in storytelling also allowed for a level of narrative experimentation rarely seen in other franchises, maintaining relevance across generations of players.
Culturally, Mortal Kombat became a household name—not just among gamers, but across film, TV, comics, and merchandise. Iconic characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden became global symbols, featured in everything from lunchboxes to live-action movies and animated series. The franchise has continually capitalized on crossover appeal, introducing guest characters from horror films, action icons, and comics, further expanding its reach. Its mix of over-the-top violence, deep lore, and campy humor gave it a unique identity that made it a lasting force in pop culture.
More than three decades since its debut, Mortal Kombat remains one of the most successful and resilient franchises in video game history. It has weathered industry shifts, competition, and changing tastes, all while evolving its gameplay and storytelling. Its legacy isn't just measured in copies sold or tournament trophies—it’s found in the way it pushed boundaries, redefined the potential of fighting games, and helped shape how games are made, consumed, and regulated. In short, Mortal Kombat didn’t just fight its way to the top—it changed the rules of the fight itself.
We'd love to know which of the twelve games is you favorite or even what your favorite Mortal Kombat memory is, so let us know in the comments!
We'll catch you on Part 2!
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