Warner Bros. Games has launched Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition, billing it as "the most complete version" of the brutal fighting franchise. However, the release has raised concerns among fans that NetherRealm Studios may be ending support for the title, with no planned future DLC characters or major content updates.

The Complete Package

The Definitive Edition bundles the base game with all previously released downloadable content, including the Khaos Reigns story expansion, Kombat Pack 1, and Kombat Pack 2. Additional features include new cinematic character skins for Johnny Cage, Kitana, Scorpion, and Shao Khan inspired by the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 film, along with Mortal Kombat (2021) movie skins for Sub-Zero and tournament-themed outfits for Liu Kang.

End of an Era?

The Definitive Edition's release carries an air of finality for Mortal Kombat 1. While Warner Bros. regularly issues ultimate editions of its games, many fans interpret this as confirmation that NetherRealm has shifted focus to new projects. With no announcements regarding Kombat Pack 3, the March 2025 release of Terminator's T-1000 character appears to mark the game's final update.

"NetherRealm assured us they were committed to long-term support," one frustrated fan remarked online. "Now we're getting less post-launch content than Mortal Kombat 11 received."

Franchise Future Unclear

Despite fan disappointment, Warner Bros. Discovery executives have reaffirmed their commitment to the Mortal Kombat franchise as one of their four gaming priorities. Series co-creator Ed Boon previously hinted at returning to the Injustice series after completing Mortal Kombat 1, though no official announcements have been made.

The COVID-19 pandemic and transition to Unreal Engine 4 significantly impacted NetherRealm's development cycle. "We faced numerous challenges," Boon explained in a 2023 interview. "Ultimately, we decided to focus on Mortal Kombat while keeping Injustice possibilities open."

Sales Performance

Mortal Kombat 1 has moved approximately 5 million units - a respectable figure but below franchise expectations. For comparison, Mortal Kombat 11 surpassed 15 million copies sold worldwide. The Definitive Edition release may breathe new life into sales, but appears unlikely to change the developer's production roadmap.