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It seems like these days that everything is getting rebooted. I believe this all started when Microsoft released the Xbox One despite it being the company's third major console generation. Then there was Battlefield 1. Ever since then there have just been more and more franchise or series reboots.
Now, Mortal Kombat 1 was announced by Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios. This series reboot is expected to be released this year on September 19th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
The reveal came earlier today when the Mortal Kombat 1 website officially launched. With it came a new reveal trailer (seen below). The story reason behind the reboot is that the Mortal Kombat Universe was reborn "by the Fire God Liu Kang." It features reimagined versions of iconic characters, a new fighting system, game modes, finishing moves, and more.
Thus far, we know that Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, and Johnny Cage are in the game. However, if you want to play as Shang Tsung you will have to pre-order the game. Those that opt for the $109.99 (USD; also not a typo) Premium Edition will get early access to the game starting September 14. This edition also includes 1,250 Dragon Krystals (in-game currency), a Johnny Cage skin that makes him look like Jean-Claude Van Damme, early access to six additional playable characters, and five additional Kameo Fighters.
In Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo Fighters are "generic" fighters that can assist you during matches. They are a separate roster set apart from the main list of playable characters in Mortal Kombat 1.
If you feel as though the $110 Premium Edition isn't quite premium enough for you, there is also the $249.99 (USD) Kollector's Edition. This one is just for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S and includes all of the Premium Edition content along with a 16.5 inch Liu Kang sculpture, three exclusive art prints, a steel case, and another 1,450 Dragon Krystals.
Everyone that pre-orders any edition of the game on PlayStation or Xbox will be able to hop into a beta for Mortal Kombat 1 that is scheduled for August. NetherRealm says they will be adding cross-play and cross-progression to Mortal Kombat 1 after release.
The last Mortal Kombat game released was Mortal Kombat 11, which launched back in 2019.
Just... Why? I mean, It HAS been 12-13 years, but you have new characters getting fleshed out (literally), so... Why rewind back to the beginning again?
And then there's a brand new threat in the trailer who is the same as the original threat, and then Liu Kang kills him in the trailer and he becomes a pre order bonus...
It's weird, and i've been conditioned by the last two games to start disliking these characters so i'm super not feeling it.
Anyway, from what I know, this is not a reboot, but a rewinding of time back to pre-tournament times.