Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition Arrives – Is This the End of the Road?

Mortal Kombat 1 fans, brace yourselves! Warner Bros. has just dropped a bombshell with the announcement of Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition. This comprehensive package includes the base game, Kombat Pack 1, the Khaos Reigns story expansion, Kombat Pack 2, and even new movie skins. Available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for $69.99 (and $59.99 on Switch), it seems like a great deal for newcomers. But for long-time fans, this might signal the end of post-launch support for the game.

Historically, NetherRealm Studios has released complete editions of their games, such as Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition, Mortal Kombat XL, and Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, signaling the end of DLC support as they shifted to their next project. This pattern suggests that Mortal Kombat 1 may be following suit.

Remember Ed Boon's optimistic words? "So we were pretty sure when we launched Mortal Kombat 1 that we were going to be doing years of content, and this is year two." However, with the arrival of the Definitive Edition, it appears those plans have been cut short. While Mortal Kombat 1 boasts the same number of DLC characters as Mortal Kombat 11 (13 if you count pre-order bonuses) and six additional Kameo Fighters, the lifespan of post-launch content is significantly shorter.

Adding fuel to the fire, Warner Bros. Discovery recently reported a 48% gaming revenue loss. Releasing the Definitive Edition now, complete with new Mortal Kombat II movie-inspired skins for characters like Johnny Cage and Kitana, could be a desperate attempt to boost revenue. The upgrade price for existing Mortal Kombat 1 owners—a hefty $50 on Switch and $60 elsewhere—further supports this theory.

Adding to the speculation, rumors of a canceled Kombat Pack 3, featuring characters like Jade, Cassie, Kung Jin, Sonya, and Kano, have surfaced. Allegedly, the Khaos Reigns update didn’t perform as expected, leading to the cancellation and the rushed release of the Definitive Edition.

"It's not like when we finish a game, we go 'What are we going to do next?' we decided what we were going to do a long time ago," Ed Boon stated previously. Could this mean a remastered Mortal Kombat collection is finally on the horizon? Boon himself hinted at it, saying, "One day the stars are going to align and we're going to make that happen."

So, is this the end for Mortal Kombat 1 content? While nothing is officially confirmed, the signs point in that direction. The Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition offers a complete package, but at the potential cost of future updates. What do you think? Is this a worthy conclusion, or are you hoping for more content? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

• Mortal Kombat 1
• NetherRealm Studios
• Warner Bros.