Mortal Kombat 1 pre-orders are now available, and players can purchase any one of the editions before the game is officially released later this year. Each of these versions comes with some differences, including skins and even a figurine. The new game from Warner Bros.’s NetherRealm Studios will be a direct sequel to Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) and something of a reboot for the franchise, as it will see the Fire God Liu Kang reset the main timeline after defeating Kronika.
The peace that the character brought to the realms will, of course, be short-lasting, as Shang Tsung will make a return. Although his real intention is still unknown, he will likely try to defy Liu Kang’s reign as a deity. Players who pre-order Mortal Kombat 1 on certain platforms will be able to start experiencing the full story with the game’s beta, which is set to occur in August. Access to the trial will not be the only benefit for players who purchase the fighting game before its release, however.
Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition Bonuses
Mortal Kombat 1's reveal confirmed that there are a total of three distinct editions of the game: Mortal Kombat 1 Standard Edition, Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition, and Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition. The Standard Edition is a simple copy of the game. It will be sold both physically and digitally, and players can buy it for $69.99 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store). As this is the simplest version of the game, there are no added benefits to its purchase, other than the pre-order bonuses.
Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition Bonuses
Mortal Kombat 1: Premium Edition, which can also be pre-ordered, grants a few bonuses when compared to the Standard Edition. The second-tier product will be sold both physically and digitally for $109.99 on all the available platforms. It includes a copy of the game and access to the title’s Kombat Pack, which grants new playable characters as the game evolves. The Kombat Pack features a Jean-Claude Van Damme skin for Johnny Cage, which will be available at launch. It also contains early access to six new playable heroes and five new Kameo Fighters, all of which will become available post-launch.
A Kameo Fighter will be a character that can assist the player’s main character during fights – the extent of their aid is still unknown, as NetherRealm has not yet revealed many details about the new system. Those who buy Mortal Kombat 1: Premium Edition will also have an early access period to the game, starting on September 14, which is five days prior to the actual release. Purchasing the premium product also grants players 1,250 Dragon Krystals, which will be an in-game currency. It is unknown exactly what they will be used for, but are likely related to cosmetic upgrades.
Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition Bonuses
The top-tier edition of Mortal Kombat 1, which can also be pre-ordered, is Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition. This product is exclusively physical, as it comes as a large bundle. It will be sold at select retailer stores for $249.99 and is only available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Aside from the game itself, the Kollector’s Edition also features all the benefits that come with the Premium Edition, including early access and the Kombat Pack. Its main bonuses, however, are a 16.5-inch sculpture of Liu Kang that was designed by COARSE, an in-game Liu Kang skin, three art prints, and a steel case for the game’s disc.
It also comes with an extra 1,450 Dragon Krystals. When added to the 1,250 Dragon Krystals that come with the Premium Edition, players who buy Mortal Kombat 1 Kollector’s Edition will get a total of 2,700 Dragon Krystals. This is the most expensive and, consequentially, most rewarding version of Mortal Kombat 1, and is a product made for die-hard fans who are used to purchasing collectibles.
Mortal Kombat 1 Pre-Order Bonuses For All Versions
Regardless of the purchased version, all the Mortal Kombat 1 pre-orders will reward customers with Shang Tsung as a playable character in the game. In addition to that, those who buy the product before its launch for either PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S consoles will receive exclusive access to the game’s beta test period, which will be held at some point in August of this year. It is important to point out that this is a limited-time play session that will be available before the early access period itself and the progress made here will likely be reset ahead of the game’s official launch.
Mortal Kombat 1 will be released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on Steam and Epic Games Store on September 15. In addition to the introduction of the previously mentioned Kameo Fighters mechanic, which will likely play a big role in competitive matches, the game will also tell a new story campaign with a fresh view of the franchise’s known characters. So far, the confirmed characters are Liu Kang, Shang Tsung, Kung Lao, Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kitana, Mileena, and Johnny Cage (despite the lack of an appearance in the official trailer).
While it has yet to be confirmed, Mortal Kombat 1 will likely introduce a few new combatants as is common with most installations in the series. In the previous game, players were introduced to some heroes, like Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs, and antagonists, such as Cetrion and Geras, for instance. The title is also expected to bring new game modes and, as anticipated by veteran players, a full new set of fatalities to execute opponents. It is possible that those who pre-order Mortal Kombat 1 will be the first ones to try out any new playable characters, either during beta or early access.
More details about Mortal Kombat 1 and both its story and gameplay features should be revealed as it gets closer to the game’s release date. Although this is still not confirmed, it is quite probable that players will get more information and, perhaps, even gameplay demonstrations during this year’s Summer Game Fest presentation. The event hosted by Geoff Keighley is expected to happen on June 8, so it may not be too long before players get to see Mortal Kombat 1’s official gameplay.
Source: Mortal Kombat/YouTube