Mortal Kombat

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A legendary fighting game franchise known for its brutal combat, iconic characters, and groundbreaking Fatality finishing moves that revolutionized the fighting game genre.

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Mortal Kombat

Also Known As

Format

Video Game Franchise

Release Year

1992

Current Status

Active

Country of Origin

United States

Region

United States

Creator

Ed Boon, John Tobias

Publisher

Warner Bros. Games

Original Work

Fighting Game

Genre

Fighting, Fantasy, Action

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Mortal Kombat.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

The Elder Gods decreed that no realm could invade another unless they defeated the defending realm's champions in ten consecutive Mortal Kombat tournaments. For centuries, the warlord Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld, has sought to conquer Earthrealm (Earth). The story follows Earthrealm's protectors—led by the Thunder God Raiden and the Shaolin monk Liu Kang—as they battle sorcerers, ninjas, and monsters to prevent the tenth victory that would doom humanity. As timelines fracture and reset, sworn enemies like Scorpion and Sub-Zero must confront their pasts, while new alliances are forged in blood.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

A multiverse composed of distinct 'Realms.' Key locations include Earthrealm (modern Earth), the desolate, war-torn wastelands of Outworld, the fiery hellscape of the Netherrealm, and the lush, magical paradise of Edenia. Each realm has its own politics, races (Tarkatans, Shokan, Centaurs), and magical laws.

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

The Struggle against Destiny; Redemption and Vengeance (Scorpion/Sub-Zero); The Corruption of Power; Family and Legacy; The brutal consequences of violence; Trust and Betrayal.

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Mortal Kombat's global influence.

1992

Original Mortal Kombat released in arcades, sparking the ESRB rating system.

1995

First Mortal Kombat movie becomes a cult classic.

2011

Mortal Kombat (2011) reboots the timeline and revitalizes 2D fighting.

2019

Mortal Kombat 11 concludes the modern trilogy.

2023

Mortal Kombat 1 launches a 'New Era' timeline.

Sales

Over 80 million units sold worldwide

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Mortal Kombat.

Liu Kang

“For Earthrealm!”

Earthrealm's greatest champion, a Shaolin monk with the power of fire and the heart of a true warrior.View Profile

Scorpion

“Get over here!”

A hellish ninja specter seeking revenge for his family's murder, wielding fire and his signature kunai spear.View Profile

Sub-Zero

“The Lin Kuei's honor will be restored.”

The younger brother of the original Sub-Zero, wielding ice powers and seeking to redeem his family's honor.View Profile

Raiden

“I must consult with the Elder Gods.”

The Thunder God and protector of Earthrealm, mentor to its champions and wielder of lightning.View Profile

Explore all Mortal Kombat characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes Mortal Kombat from other fighting games?▼

Mortal Kombat is best known for its high levels of bloody violence, most notably its 'Fatalities'—brutal finishing moves that execute defeated opponents. It also distinguishes itself with a deep, cinematic story mode, a block button (unlike the hold-back-to-block mechanic of Street Fighter), and a roster of characters inspired by martial arts cinema and fantasy tropes.

What is a Fatality?▼

A Fatality is the signature finishing move of the series. At the end of the final round, the announcer says 'Finish Him/Her!', giving the winner a few seconds to input a specific button combination. If successful, the character performs a gruesome, cinematic execution of their opponent. The series also features Brutalities, Animalities, Friendships (non-violent joke finishers), and Babalities.

What is the story of Mortal Kombat?▼

The lore revolves around a multiverse of 'Realms' created by the Elder Gods. The main conflict is the Mortal Kombat tournament, a rule set by the Elder Gods stating that if one realm (usually Outworld) wins ten consecutive tournaments against another (Earthrealm), they gain the right to invade and merge the realms. The story follows Earthrealm's defenders, led by Raiden, as they fight to protect their world from conquerors like Shao Kahn and Shinnok.

Who are the most iconic characters?▼

The franchise's mascots are the palette-swapped ninjas Scorpion (yellow, fire/spear) and Sub-Zero (blue, ice). Their rivalry is legendary. Other staples include Raiden (Thunder God), Liu Kang (Shaolin Monk champion), Johnny Cage (Hollywood actor), Sonya Blade (Special Forces), and Kano (criminal mercenary). The primary villains are often Shang Tsung (sorcerer) and Shao Kahn (Emperor of Outworld).

What is the timeline of the Mortal Kombat universe?▼

The timeline is complex due to reboots. The original timeline (MK1 to MK: Armageddon) ended with everyone dying. Raiden sent a message back in time, creating the 'Second Timeline' (MK9, MKX, MK11). In MK11, Liu Kang became the Fire God and reset the universe again, leading to the 'New Era' timeline seen in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), where character roles and backstories are reimagined.

What is Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)?▼

Mortal Kombat 1 is the latest main installment and serves as a second reboot of the franchise. Set in Fire God Liu Kang's 'New Era,' it features familiar characters with completely new origins and relationships (e.g., Scorpion and Sub-Zero are brothers). It introduced the 'Kameo Fighter' system, where players choose a secondary partner character to assist with attacks during matches.

Why is Mortal Kombat rated Mature?▼

Mortal Kombat was the primary reason the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) was created in 1994. The realistic digitized sprites and graphic violence of the original game caused a congressional hearing on video games. It continues to push the boundaries of gore with X-Ray moves (showing internal bone breaks) and increasingly creative Fatalities, earning it consistent 'M for Mature' or '18+' ratings.

Does Mortal Kombat have guest characters?▼

Yes, modern Mortal Kombat games are famous for their DLC guest fighters from pop culture, particularly horror and action movies. Past guests include Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Alien, Predator, Terminator, RoboCop, and Rambo. Mortal Kombat 1 features Omni-Man (Invincible), Homelander (The Boys), and Peacemaker (DC).

Are there Mortal Kombat movies?▼

Yes. The 1995 'Mortal Kombat' movie is a cult classic. Its sequel, 'Annihilation' (1997), was poorly received. A reboot film was released in 2021, which was commercially successful enough to greenlight a sequel, 'Mortal Kombat 2,' currently in production. There are also several animated films under the 'Mortal Kombat Legends' banner.

What is the origin of 'Get Over Here!'?▼

The iconic line is spoken by Scorpion when he throws his spear to drag an opponent toward him. It was voiced by the game's co-creator, Ed Boon, in the original 1992 game and in almost every installment since. It is one of the most recognizable catchphrases in video game history.