Game · in order
Mortal Kombat Games in Order
The modern story-driven Mortal Kombat games in order: the 2011 reboot, Mortal Kombat X, and Mortal Kombat 11, followed by the soft-rebooted Mortal Kombat 1 (2023).
Mortal Kombat Games in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
Mortal Kombat has run since 1992, but its sprawling lore only became must-follow viewing with the 2011 reboot. That game, often called "MK9," reset the timeline by having a defeated Raiden send a warning into the past, restarting the original tournament saga with full knowledge of what came before. From there the modern era plays out as a connected four-game arc, and that is the order we recommend below.
Release order is the default here because, for once, it doubles as the story order. Mortal Kombat (2011) retells and reworks the events of the first three classic games, Mortal Kombat X jumps decades ahead to a new generation of fighters facing the threat of Shinnok and the Netherrealm, and Mortal Kombat 11 brings in the keeper of time, Kronika, whose meddling sets up a finale that literally rewrites history. That ending leads directly into Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), a soft reboot in which a victorious Liu Kang builds a "New Era" universe, giving familiar characters fresh origins.
The key gotcha: do not start with the classic 90s arcade games (MK1 through MK4, Deadly Alliance, and the rest). Those belong to an older, separate continuity, and while they are great history, they are not required reading for the modern story. The four games here are the connected, cinematic run.
If you enjoy this style of fighting game with a full cinematic campaign, NetherRealm Studios built the same template into the Injustice series (Injustice: Gods Among Us and Injustice 2), set in the DC Comics universe. They share creators, engine DNA, and that signature story-mode structure, making them a natural next step after the Mortal Kombat saga.
Timeline 2011โ2023
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
What order should I play Mortal Kombat in?
Play the modern story games in release order, which is also their story order: Mortal Kombat (2011), then Mortal Kombat X, then Mortal Kombat 11, then Mortal Kombat 1 (2023). These four form one connected narrative.
How many Mortal Kombat games are there?
There are dozens across the whole franchise since 1992, including arcade titles, spin-offs, and ports. For the modern connected story, you only need the four main games: MK 2011, MKX, MK11, and MK1 (2023).
Do I need to play the classic 90s Mortal Kombat games first?
No. The original arcade games (MK1 through MK4 and their follow-ups) are a separate older continuity. The 2011 game reboots the timeline, so the modern four stand on their own.
Is Mortal Kombat 1 a sequel or a reboot?
It's a soft reboot. After Mortal Kombat 11's ending, Liu Kang creates a new universe, so MK1 (2023) reuses familiar characters with fresh origins while continuing directly from MK11.
Why is Mortal Kombat (2011) sometimes called MK9?
It's the ninth main entry in the series, but its official title is simply "Mortal Kombat." Fans call it MK9 to distinguish it from the 1992 original and from Mortal Kombat 1 (2023).
Can I start with Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)?
You can, since it's a soft reboot with a fresh setup. But its story builds on MK11's finale, so playing the earlier three first makes the New Era and its character callbacks far more rewarding.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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