Mortal Kombat 1

Game images by RAWG

Mortal Kombat 1

NetherRealm Studios

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo SwitchPremium

Health Score

MIXED

Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Mortal Kombat 1 is a graphically violent fighting game for mature audiences, featuring intense combat and gruesome finishing moves. While it offers a deep fighting system and cinematic story, parents should be aware of its explicit content, aggressive monetization, and online social risks. This game is not suitable for younger players due to its Mature 17+/PEGI 18 rating and consistent depictions of gore.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Mortal Kombat 1 is a niche title best suited for highly mature players, specifically those aged 17 and above, who understand and accept its graphic violence and mature themes. The low health score reflects significant concerns regarding content intensity, monetization practices, and social risks for younger audiences. While it offers a robust fighting experience and detailed tutorials, these benefits are overshadowed by content that is explicitly designed for adults and the presence of potentially exploitative in-game purchasing systems. This is not a recommended choice for any family with children under 17, and even then, requires careful consideration of its adult nature.

What players actually do

Players engage in one-on-one combat, performing special moves and complex combos against opponents in various arenas.
Players progress through a cinematic story campaign, watching cutscenes and participating in scripted fights that advance the narrative.
Players customize their chosen fighters and Kameo partners with unlocked skins, gear, taunts, and finishing moves obtained through gameplay or purchases.

Where it shines

The game provides an extensive tutorial mode that thoroughly teaches fighting fundamentals, including combos and frame data, which can help players master its complex mechanics.
Crossplay functionality allows players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S to compete and progress together, fostering a larger online community.
The cinematic story campaign offers a rich narrative experience for players who enjoy lore alongside their fighting gameplay.

Parent watch-outs

Mortal Kombat 1 features extremely graphic violence, including decapitation, mutilation, dismemberment, and slow-motion X-ray views of breaking bones, which is highly disturbing.
The game is a full-priced title that also includes aggressive microtransactions, multiple in-game currencies, premium currency bought with real money, and random cosmetic rewards from a 'Dragon Shrine.'
Online multiplayer modes include voice chat with strangers, which exposes players to unfiltered communication and potential harassment.
Daily and weekly quests, seasonal events, and competitive cycles encourage frequent and extended play sessions, creating time pressure and fear of missing out on content.

Family rules worth setting

Given the game's explicit adult content, a strict rule of 'not permitted for anyone under 17' should be enforced.
If allowed for highly mature teens (17+), disable online voice chat to prevent exposure to inappropriate language or interactions with strangers.
Discuss the predatory nature of in-game purchases and set clear boundaries against spending real money on cosmetic items or random rewards.

Talk about this

Discuss why games like Mortal Kombat 1 receive Mature ratings and the impact of graphic violence on individuals and society.
Talk about the difference between a full-priced game and a free-to-play model, and why a full-priced game might still push for additional in-game purchases.
Have a conversation about online safety, the risks of interacting with strangers, and the importance of respectful communication in online gaming.

Play style

Mortal Kombat 1 offers a varied session rhythm; individual fights are quick, but the cinematic story and Invasions mode can involve longer playtimes. The fighting mechanics are deep and require practice to master combos and strategies, leading to a steep learning curve. While there are extensive tutorials, younger or less experienced players may find it challenging and frustrating. The game supports local versus play, but also extensive online multiplayer with crossplay, where players compete against others, which can be intense. Players needing help might struggle with advanced techniques or feel overwhelmed by aggressive online opponents.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

1/5

Creativity

2/5

Pro-Social

1/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

2/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

3/5

Social Risk

4/5

Content Intensity

4/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

1/5

Mortal Kombat 1 offers minimal educational value, focusing almost entirely on fighting mechanics and a cinematic narrative. While it includes extensive tutorials for gameplay mastery, these do not translate to broader academic or life skills, resulting in a score of 1.

Addictive Monetization

2/5

The game, despite being full-priced, features a complex and aggressive monetization model with multiple currencies, a premium currency bought with real money, random cosmetic rewards from the Dragon Shrine, and a limited-time store. These practices are designed to encourage continuous spending and engagement, leading to a score of 2.

Social Risk

4/5

Mortal Kombat 1's online multiplayer supports voice chat with strangers, and its crossplay feature expands the pool of potential online interactions, including competitive environments. This exposes players to potential harassment, strong language, and unfiltered communication, warranting a social risk score of 4.

Content Intensity

4/5

The game is notorious for its frequent and extreme graphic violence, including detailed depictions of decapitation, mutilation, dismemberment, and slow-motion X-ray views of breaking bones, alongside strong language. These elements justify its Mature 17+ / PEGI 18 rating and result in a high content intensity score of 4.

Negatives

•Combat includes graphic fatalities with decapitation, mutilation, and dismemberment, as well as slow-motion X-ray views of breaking bones and heavy blood
•Rated Mature 17+ and PEGI 18 for frequent graphic violence against human and defenseless characters, plus strong language
•Full-priced game with multiple in-game currencies, a premium currency bought with real money, random cosmetic rewards from the Dragon Shrine, and a limited-time rotating store with exclusive items
•Online multiplayer supports voice chat with strangers, and crossplay matchmaking in Ranked Kombat League and other modes
•Daily and weekly quests, seasonal events, and competitive 'Race Against Time' cycles encourage regular play

Positives

•Includes a full cinematic single-player story campaign plus an extensive tutorial mode that teaches fighting fundamentals like combos and frame data
•Character customization lets players unlock and equip skins, palettes, gear, taunts, and finishers for both main fighters and Kameo partners
•Crossplay and cross-progression let players on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S matchmake and carry progress across platforms