STACK #254 December 2025

GAMING FEATURE

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An absolute must-have for MK fans, this “Kollection” is presented in an interactive documentary format, going beyond the 11 included titles – and 22 games in all - to explore the series’ cultural impact, and includes interviews with many of the original developers. There’s also an MK lore timeline, comprehensive character histories, and series secrets to uncover. THE LEGACY KOLLECTION

In 1992, Mortal Kombat took the still developing arcade beat ’em up genre and changed it up, earning a rep for top gameplay – and extreme violence – as it went on to spawn myriad sequels. Now 11 classic MK outings have been compiled into one set – the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection . Let’s check the contents out… Words Amy Flower GET OVER HERE! FORMAT: GENRE: Fighting MULTIPLAYER: Yes

of the Lin Kuei. It received mixed reactions for its rather clunky controls and gameplay. Mortal Kombat 4 (1997) The series’ last arcade outing, it was also the first 3D entry, and introduced weapon combat, cinematic endings, and new characters too. Shinnok emerged as a new threat, continuing the saga with polygon graphics and, as fans expected, brutal finishing moves. This one acted as a bridge between the classic era and the franchise’s future evolution. Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000) It was prequel time again with this gritty third person action take for PlayStation, starring Jax on a mission against the Black Dragon clan. A super-cool premise, yeah? Sadly, it was marred by poor execution and rushed development, but it remains interesting for being one of the most infamous MK spin-offs ever. Mortal Kombat Advance (2001) This was a Game Boy Advance stab at Mortal Kombat Trilogy that attempted to bring the brutal fighting experience to handhelds. While it was certainly ambitious, limited graphical fidelity and gameplay inadequacies didn’t make it a must-play, but it remains a notable portable curiosity. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) It was time for a major reboot for new-gen consoles, which introduced a fully 3D fighting system, multiple combat styles per character, and a dark new storyline that saw Shang Tsung and Quan Chi join forces to reshape the realms. This one really revitalised the MK franchise for a new generation. Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition (2003)

delivering one of the series’ most impressive entries. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) This definitive upgrade added returning fighters, new arenas, and improved gameplay balance. Basically, it perfected the formula of MK3 with even faster gameplay and expanded secrets, becoming a fan-fave competitive version that dominated arcades and consoles alike. Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996) This was a massive compilation for home consoles merging characters, stages, and moves from the first three games. It featured every fighter to date, as well as the return of classic elements, and served as the ultimate way to celebrate the 2D era’s chaos and nostalgia. Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997) It was spin-off time! A

Mortal Kombat (1992) The daddy of them all, this arcade classic redefined fighting games with digitized actors, brutal combat, and the debut of ‘Fatalities’. Players battled through a deadly tournament

hosted by Shang Tsung to determine the fate of Earthrealm. Its violence and stylish presentation sparked controversy – and cemented its legacy as a pop culture juggernaut. Mortal Kombat II (1993) A sequel that expanded the roster, refined the gameplay, deepened the series lore, and introduced the infamous ‘Babality’. Shao Kahn challenged Earth’s

DYK?

Mortal Kombat wasn’t the first arcade brawler to use digitized actors. That honour belongs to Atari’s Pit-Fighter , released in 1990.

champions in a new tournament in Outworld. The ante was upped – faster, smoother, and bloodier, Mortal Kombat II became an arcade legend, while setting a new high watermark for fighting game sequels. Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) It was on! Shao Kahn invaded Earthrealm directly, raising the stakes. New features were added, such as combos, run mechanics, and stage Fatalities. While some fan favourite characters were missing, Mortal Kombat 3 upped the innovation and speed, ultimately

This one was a companion Game Boy Advance title to Deadly Alliance , which added exclusive characters, weapons, and even wireless multiplayer.

cinematic action adventure for consoles that followed Sub-Zero’s mission before the first Mortal Kombat , it mixed platforming and fighting mechanics while exploring the lore

It expanded the scope of handheld Mortal Kombat with remarkable depth and

• Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is out Dec 12

connectivity.

12 DECEMBER 2025

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