Top 10 Mortal Kombat Games

Kicking off our list, and a lot of internal organs, is the series’ first entry into the sixth generation consoles. While Mortal Kombat 4 and Gold had tried introducing three-dimensional battles, the mechanics made it fall short. However, the 2003 release introduced long-time fans to a gloriously new bloody look to the series. With added features such as fighting style variations and weapons, it was a fresh start that allowed for new fans to get in on the action. Plus, this is the game that initially killed off Liu Kang. Now that’s starting out with a bang!

While not exactly a failure on release, this third addition to the Mortal Kombat franchise was certainly lacking something. Namely fan favourites Scorpion, Reptile and a whole host of classic characters who weren’t playable on the original version – omissions which made the already strange balancing issues even more glaring. Luckily this travesty was resolved with the Ultimate version. Secret characters, better mechanics, longer chain combos – all were added to provide a vastly improved gaming experience, and it certainly did the trick.

While a beat em’ up in the MK universe may not have been at the top of everyone’s wish list, Shaolin Monks turned out to be pretty good. The bloody visuals, boss battles and surprisingly fluid gameplay made this entry a fun little spinoff for fans to enjoy. The game has you play as Liu Kang and Kung Lao, the titular Shaolin Monks, as the fight their way through Outworld to defeat Shao Kahn. It roughly follows the story of the first 2 games, so there was plenty of nostalgia for old school gamers. But let’s be honest, you just wanted to complete the game so you could play as Scorpion and Sub Zero on your second playthrough.

The last instalment before the series was given the reboot treatment, the creators threw everything they possibly could into it until Armageddon was bursting at the seams with content. You have your standard arcade mode with over sixty characters to choose from, an original character creator, a well-paced story mode and…Motor Kombat? Huh, I guess you don’t need a spear or ice blasts to cause fatalities to your fellow contestant when you’ve got wheels!

Before Armageddon threw everything plus the kitchen sink at players, Deception offered a much slimmer and more streamlined game with an emphasis on its story mode as well expanding the usual arcade ladder formula. The plot was investing, we had actual voice acting for the characters, we even got the bizarre Puzzle Kombat and the surprisingly fun Chess Kombat, proving the best way to check your opponent’s king was to rip their spines out. It was definite leap for series…also, lest we forget, Zombie Liu Kang!

While it may have fallen short of the 2011 reboot, loyal kombatants were treated to a stunningly looking fighting game with more glorious gore than they knew what to do with. An engaging story mode with a roster of brand new characters, each of whom were given three distinct fighting variations, as well as online faction battles, Mortal Kombat X was great addition to the franchise. Not to mention having some of the best fatalities we have ever seen.

Apparently you can improve on perfection, as this game demonstrated when it took Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and expanded it even further. All stages and characters from the first three games were added as well as a whole new set of combos and special moves for our favourite kombatanats. This was pretty much a “must have” for everyone who owned the original Playstation back in the day, and needless to say it still holds up!

The arcade classic and the original architect of spine-tearing, head-splitting fighting game series! The game that thrilled kids and gave parents heart attacks, mostly due to watching fighters pulling each other’s hearts out. The graphics may not have aged well, the character roster may be miniscule, but practically everything can be overlooked for the simple fact that this first entry gave us classic fighters, signature fighting mechanics as well as the immortal words "Get Over Here!"

Only a year later and already the second entry was already pushing the boundaries of fighting games. With polished mechanics, the introduction of characters such as Kitana, Mileena, Kung Lao and the infamously iconic Shao Kahn, as well as the addition of multiple fatalities, Mortal Kombat II was the poster child for how sequels and games of the genre should be done! Oh and just to poke fun at the pearl clutching politicians and parents: The series also introduced Babalities and Friendships. So everyone is happy right?

Before our number one pick, GETS OVER HERE and check out a few of our honourable mentions!

“Ultimate Mortal Kombat” (DS version) (2007)

“Mortal Kombat Tournament” (2003)

The reboot that took the best of prior games and propelled to the status of masterpiece, the 2011 addition to the franchise was everything that gamers loved while throwing in a few blood-soaked surprises. A story mode with a gripping plot, a wide range of classic characters and costumes, online battles with an accompany theatre mode, as well as three hundred challenges for diehard completionists! Whether you’re a fan of the franchise or just a lover of fighting games, there’s no denying that it has set the bar for everything that has come after.

Do you agree with our list? Which Mortal Kombat game was your favourite? With new video published everyday be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com!