Mortal Kombat: Which Legacy Kollection Game Should You Play First?

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On September 30, Tuesday next week, enthusiasts of fighting games everywhere will get a chance to relive classic Mortal Kombat arcade games and beyond, with the digital launch of Digital Eclipse’s Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. This collection will initially be available for purchase on digital storefronts for Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation 5, and PC starting September 30, while physical editions of Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection won’t hit the shelves until December 12. Since Mortal Kombat is a venerable gaming franchise that’s been around for 33 years, it’s possible that many gamers have grown up playing this series since the early ’90s. However, there might be others who haven’t had an opportunity to play the original arcade, console, or handheld versions of older Mortal Kombat titles. Depending on one’s preferred gameplay style, story, or historical curiosity, there are numerous games within the Kollection that players should consider exploring first.

Currently, the game roster in Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection includes:

  • Mortal Kombat (1992)
  • Mortal Kombat 2
  • Mortal Kombat 3
  • Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
  • Mortal Kombat Trilogy
  • Mortal Kombat 4
  • Mortal Kombat Advance
  • Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
  • Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition

Which Games to Try First in Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection

Mortal Kombat 1992

For those who are veteran gamers yearning for a blast from the past at old-school arcades or newcomers curious about the origins of the iconic Mortal Kombat series, the recommended starting point is the 1992 version of Mortal Kombat. Originating on Midway Games’ arcade machines, the 1992 release of Mortal Kombat gained massive popularity and critical acclaim, resulting in its adaptation for various platforms like the SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Gear. All these versions are expected to be playable within the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. Despite having a smaller roster of characters or fewer features compared to contemporary fighting games, the 2D gameplay of 1992’s Mortal Kombat remains engaging even today. Players should strive to conquer Goro, Shang Tsung, and meet the stealthy ninja Reptile at least once in their gaming lives.

Mortal Kombat 2

As a die-hard Mortal Kombat fan, I can’t contain my excitement! The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is set to drop in late September, but that’s just the beginning of the action this fall. Exactly a month later, on October 24, New Line Cinema will unleash the Mortal Kombat 2 movie, a sequel to last year’s Mortal Kombat. From the trailers, it looks like this film is heavily inspired by the story and gameplay of the 1993 Mortal Kombat, with characters like Shao Kahn, Kitana, and Baraka making their debut. If you’re a fan of New Line Cinema’s Mortal Kombat films or simply curious, I’d suggest diving into the 1993 Mortal Kombat 2 first in the Kollection before the movie premieres!

Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and Mortal Kombat Trilogy

For longtime “Mortal Kombat” enthusiasts, the games “Mortal Kombat 3”, “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3”, and “Mortal Kombat Trilogy” are often regarded as standout titles within the series because of their significant advancements over previous versions. For instance, these games boasted a larger roster than any prior game, with 14 playable characters in “Mortal Kombat 3”, and an extra seven characters in “Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3”.

When it comes to gameplay mechanics, features like chain combos, level transitions via uppercuts, Brutalities, and Animalities were initially introduced in both games. These elements eventually became signature aspects of the series. Additionally, if you’re a fan of the storyline, you might want to start with these three games first as they could provide insights into what happens in NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat 2.

2023’s “Mortal Kombat 1” is not similar to the initial “Mortal Kombat” game from 1992, nor to the first remake of “Mortal Kombat” in 2011.

Mortal Kombat 4

3D combat enthusiasts who have previously played games like Soul Calibur and Dead or Alive might find it intriguing to start with Mortal Kombat 4 in the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection. This is because Mortal Kombat 4 was the first main series Mortal Kombat game to adopt 3D graphics, allowing fighters to dodge sideways in arenas, a feature similar to that seen in Soul Calibur and Dead or Alive. If you’re a fan of Mortal Kombat X or Mortal Kombat 11, you might want to explore Mortal Kombat 4 first, as it features the Wind God Fujin, the antagonist Shinnok, and the scheming sorcerer Quan Chi prominently.

Mortal Kombat 4 was the last mainline Mortal Kombat game to be released in arcade cabinets.

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2025-08-06 01:05