For the first time in four years, a new Mortal Kombat game is available on the console of your choice. And, for the first time in a very long time, players have a fresh entry point as the latest entry in the long-running series serves as a reboot. The freshly-released Mortal Kombat 1 is now available and, as the title implies, it introduces a new version of the universe, serving as a major reset after the timeline-shattering events of Mortal Kombat 11. For those who are considering picking up a copy, it is worth considering which platform to get it on. Not only is it available on next-gen consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, but Nintendo Switch owners can also get in on the bloody ass-kicking goods.
That said, the standard edition of the game - regardless of the platform - comes with a price tag of $70. It goes up from there for the various premium editions and whatnot. So buyers should absolutely be aware of the differences in the game on next-gen consoles versus the Switch. To that end, quite a few people have taken to social media in recent days to share their findings. With that, here’s what Mortal Kombat 1 looks like on the Switch.
What on earth is happening with the Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1?! pic.twitter.com/oYDF1FxbVP
— Sam Aberdeen (@SamAberdeen1) September 18, 2023
Those still images are, admittedly, a far cry from what was presented in the trailer for the game. But still, images can be a little misleading. For that reason, others have taken to doing side-by-side comparisons of the game on different platforms. So, here’s what the same scene featuring Johnny Cage looks like on both the PlayStation 5 and the Nintendo Switch.
After Mk11, Nintendo Switch not being able to handle Mortal Kombat 1 was fully expected, but something about the game costing the same as other platforms ($70💀) doesn't feel right pic.twitter.com/zrBR9EIeYq
— Fighting-Games Daily (@FGC_Daily) September 17, 2023
It would be unfair for anyone to expect a game to look the same on a new console or a beefed-up PC as it would on one that came out in 2017, as is the case with the Switch. For some, the appeal of playing Mortal Kombat on the go might be worth picking it up on the Switch, even for those who have multiple consoles. But it is certainly good to understand what, exactly, one is buying. Further context can be helpful and, fortunately, there are more comprehensive gameplay videos out there, such as the one below from the folks at IGN.
So there we have it. Hopefully, this all helps provide some much-needed context for fans of the series. As for what’s in store beyond the visuals? The logline for the game reads as follows:
“Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a new era of the iconic franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and fatalities!”
Mortal Kombat 1 is out now.
