Short answer: Start with Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) if you want the current, lowest-context entry point. It begins Liu Kang’s New Era after the climax of Mortal Kombat 11, so it is a new-timeline starting point—not the first game released in the franchise.
If you want the connected modern storyline in sequence, play Mortal Kombat (2011) → Mortal Kombat X → Mortal Kombat 11 → Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath → Mortal Kombat 1. Aftermath is an expansion for Mortal Kombat 11, not a separate numbered sequel.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Mortal Kombat 1 - PlayStation5 | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection - Day 1 Edition - PlayStation 5 | $35.06 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The two sensible ways to begin
Your best starting point depends on whether you want a fresh introduction or the most context for the current timeline. There is no need to work through every arcade release and spin-off to understand the modern games.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Choice | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) | A current entry point with a fresh New Era story | It follows Mortal Kombat 11’s climax, so some returning characters and references have more meaning with earlier context |
| Mortal Kombat (2011) → Mortal Kombat X → Mortal Kombat 11 → Aftermath → Mortal Kombat 1 | Readers who want the connected modern narrative | There are more games and expansions to obtain, and platform or edition availability differs |
Choose the first route if you mainly want to play the newest story and avoid a long catch-up project. Choose the second if timeline changes, returning characters and the transition into Liu Kang’s New Era are the reason you are interested.
#1 Best Overall
- A New Universe - Discover a new beginning, as crafted by the Keeper of Time and protector of Earthrealm, Fire God Liu Kang.
- Origins Reimagined - Familiar characters return with all new intertwined histories, interacting in brand new ways.
- New Kameo Fighters - Choose from a unique roster of Kameo fighting partners to assist you in battle.
- Immersive Story Campaign - Fight through a brand new story featuring your favorite Mortal Kombat characters like you’ve never seen them before.
- The Ultimate Fighting Franchise Returns - The Fight for Earthrealm is upon us. This is Mortal Kombat.
Why Mortal Kombat 1 works as a starting point
The name is the source of much of the confusion. Mortal Kombat 1 is not the original 1992 release and is not first in release order. It is the title of the 2023 game that follows the conclusion of Mortal Kombat 11.
PlayStation’s official description says that, after Mortal Kombat 11’s climax, Liu Kang creates a New Era and that Mortal Kombat 1 takes place in a new timeline. You can read that description on the official Mortal Kombat 1 PlayStation page. That framing gives a new player a clear premise: the game is designed around a changed status quo rather than asking you to memorize the entire franchise first.
Earlier games still add context. You may recognize why certain relationships matter, understand what the previous timeline changed, or appreciate callbacks more if you play the modern sequence. Those are benefits of extra context, not prerequisites for choosing Mortal Kombat 1 as your first game.
The modern Mortal Kombat story order
For a manageable narrative route, follow this order. It is a practical modern sequence, not an exhaustive chronology of every arcade game, handheld title or spin-off.
- Mortal Kombat (2011)
- Mortal Kombat X
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath
- Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
1. Mortal Kombat (2011)
Begin here when you want the modern arc from its starting point. In this route, the 2011 game establishes the continuity that leads into Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11. It is the longer-context option rather than the quickest way to reach the current New Era.
Before buying, check the platform and edition available to you. The official material used for this guide establishes current platform information for Mortal Kombat 1, but not one universal platform list for every earlier entry. Store listings, backward compatibility and bundle contents can differ by region.
2. Mortal Kombat X
Play Mortal Kombat X after the 2011 game. Keeping the order matters because this route is intended to preserve the connected modern narrative rather than treat each title as an isolated anthology.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If you are primarily interested in Mortal Kombat 1, you can skip directly to it. If you are trying to understand the modern sequence as a whole, do not insert older arcade or spin-off games between these entries unless you have a specific reason to explore them.
3. Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat 11 is the next main stop before the New Era. Finish its story before moving to Aftermath; the expansion is designed as additional story content for this game.
This is also the point at which edition names become especially important. A listing called Mortal Kombat 11 does not automatically tell you whether the expansion is included. Read the contents section rather than assuming that every bundle contains the same material.
4. Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath
Aftermath is a separately purchasable expansion for Mortal Kombat 11. WB Games’ support page explains that access to its expansion campaign, characters and later skin-pack releases requires purchasing Aftermath, unless the edition or bundle you buy already includes it. See WB Games’ Aftermath contents guide and the official Aftermath announcement.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Place it after the Mortal Kombat 11 campaign and before Mortal Kombat 1. Skipping it does not prevent you from launching Mortal Kombat 1, but playing it gives you the intended bridge between the previous game’s climax and the New Era premise.
5. Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
Finish the route with Mortal Kombat 1. It is the current New Era entry and the point at which the sequence moves into a new timeline. The game’s “1” signals that reset premise, not a return to the franchise’s original release number.
What “New Era” means for a newcomer
You do not need a complete family tree or a catalog of every past ending to begin. The useful context is simply that the previous modern story reaches a climax, Liu Kang creates a New Era, and Mortal Kombat 1 presents a changed timeline. That is enough to understand why familiar names or roles may not look exactly as expected.
Players coming from the older route should treat Mortal Kombat 1 as both a continuation and a reset in presentation. It carries forward the significance of the prior games while giving the current story a new baseline. New players can follow that baseline without first completing the earlier franchise.
For spoiler control, decide which experience you want before reading character summaries or watching story videos. Starting with Mortal Kombat 1 preserves the surprises of its New Era. Playing the five-part modern route first provides more background but exposes you to the outcomes that make the reset meaningful.
Which version should you buy?
The right purchase is the one that matches your chosen route and clearly states what story content is included. Edition names are not interchangeable, and a base game, expansion and bundle can appear as separate listings.
If you are starting with Mortal Kombat 1
The official Mortal Kombat 1 FAQ lists physical and digital availability on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Availability and pricing can vary by region and edition, so confirm the store page for your territory before purchasing.
The same FAQ describes Khaos Reigns as an expansion and identifies a Definitive Edition Upgrade that includes the Kombat Packs, the Khaos Reigns story expansion and listed characters and skins. Treat those inclusions as edition-specific: verify the exact product name, platform and contents on the listing you are about to buy. Do not assume that every copy of Mortal Kombat 1 includes every expansion or character.
Recommended Free Tools
If you are following the full modern route
Plan for four main-game purchases plus the Aftermath expansion, unless a collection bundles some of them. Before checkout, confirm:
Rank #2
- Multiple Iconic Editions: Experience the legendary origins of Mortal Kombat with the iconic arcade classics along with well loved home versions for Super NES and Sega Genesis. Dive deeper with rare and fan-favorite releases across Game Boy, Game Gear, Sega 32X, Game Boy Advance and more.
- Interactive Documentary: Deep behind-the-scenes content chronicles the history of the franchise, featuring exclusive new interviews with original MK developers Ed Boon, John Tobias, Dan Forden, John Vogel, and dozens more.
- Online Play: Engage in online battles enhanced by rollback netcode— engineered to preserve the precision of every attack, even with players across vast distances.
- The Full Story: Detailed character histories and timelines trace the epic narrative of Earthrealm, Outworld, and Edenia through the arcade era.
- No More Secrets: At the touch of a button, unlock all secret characters, change game settings, and access the buried developer menus to play the games your way.
- The exact game title and platform version.
- Whether the listing is a base game, an expansion, an upgrade or a complete bundle.
- Whether Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath is included with the edition you selected.
- Whether the copy is physical or digital and whether that format works on your hardware.
- The current price and stock in your region, since both can change.
A bundle can reduce the number of separate downloads or purchases, but the name alone is not proof that it contains the story expansion. Open the included-content panel and look for Aftermath by name.
How the routes differ in commitment
The single-game route is the simplest purchase decision: select the Mortal Kombat 1 edition for your system, then decide whether its listed expansion content is worth the extra cost. The modern-story route involves four numbered or mainline games and one expansion, so its total cost depends on which titles you already own, whether older games are sold individually, and whether a bundle is discounted. There is no permanent franchise-wide price to quote; store prices, stock and regional editions change.
| Consideration | Mortal Kombat 1 first | Modern route first |
|---|---|---|
| Story context | Enough context to follow the New Era, with fewer callbacks explained | The preceding arc and the transition into the New Era are experienced in sequence |
| Purchases | One main game, with optional expansion or edition upgrades | Mortal Kombat (2011), MKX, MK11 and Aftermath before MK1, unless bundles replace separate purchases |
| Shopping risk | Check the exact MK1 platform and whether Khaos Reigns and Kombat Packs are included | Check every title separately, especially whether an MK11 listing includes Aftermath |
This comparison is useful if you are deciding between buying one current game now and assembling the longer sequence over time. You can begin with Mortal Kombat 1 and add the earlier games later; doing so changes your discovery order, not your ability to understand the current premise.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A practical decision guide
Start with Mortal Kombat 1 when…
- You want the newest story rather than a historical tour of the franchise.
- You prefer a fresh timeline and a clearly stated premise.
- You do not want to obtain several older games before playing.
- You are buying for one of the platforms listed in the official FAQ: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam or the Epic Games Store.
Start with Mortal Kombat (2011) when…
- You want the modern connected arc in sequence.
- You care about the context behind the transition into Liu Kang’s New Era.
- You are comfortable obtaining several games and checking separate expansion requirements.
- You would rather understand the earlier modern continuity before reaching the current title.
Use a mixed route when…
You want to play immediately but may later explore the backstory. Start with Mortal Kombat 1, then return to Mortal Kombat (2011), Mortal Kombat X, Mortal Kombat 11 and Aftermath when you want the preceding arc. This gives you the current game first without pretending that release order and story order are the same thing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to avoid common ordering mistakes
Mistake: treating Mortal Kombat 1 as the original game
The “1” refers to the New Era title. It does not mean you have found the first release in the series. If you want the original-era experience, that is a different project from the modern route described here.
Mistake: putting Aftermath before Mortal Kombat 11
Aftermath is an expansion of Mortal Kombat 11. Play the main game first, then the expansion, then move to Mortal Kombat 1.
Mistake: assuming every MK11 bundle includes Aftermath
WB Games states that access to the expansion campaign and its associated content requires purchasing Aftermath, unless it is included in the specific edition or bundle. Check the contents list before you pay.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteMistake: assuming a current platform listing applies to every game
The official platform list cited above is for Mortal Kombat 1. Earlier games can have different storefront, compatibility and edition situations. Verify each title separately instead of applying the MK1 list to the whole route.
Mistake: treating prices as permanent
Prices, stock and regional availability change. Use the store page for your territory and record the exact edition you are buying, particularly when an upgrade and a complete edition appear side by side.
What about the older games and spin-offs?
The franchise includes earlier releases and spin-offs, but the available official material does not establish a single, authoritative, exhaustive chronology covering every one of them. That is why the route here stays focused on the modern narrative that leads into Mortal Kombat 1.
Exploring older games can be worthwhile if you enjoy historical context, alternate continuities or seeing how the series evolved. It is not required for the practical question of where to start today. Begin with either Mortal Kombat 1 or the five-part modern route, then expand outward only if a particular era or side story interests you.
A simple plan for your first week
- Choose your goal. Select Mortal Kombat 1 for the current New Era, or begin with Mortal Kombat (2011) for the connected modern sequence.
- Confirm your hardware. For Mortal Kombat 1, check the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Steam or Epic Games Store listing that matches your system.
- Read the edition contents. Look specifically for Aftermath when buying Mortal Kombat 11, and check whether Khaos Reigns, Kombat Packs, characters and skins are included with the Mortal Kombat 1 edition you are considering.
- Play the story in order. If you chose the modern route, use Mortal Kombat (2011) → Mortal Kombat X → Mortal Kombat 11 → Aftermath → Mortal Kombat 1.
- Only then fill in gaps. Explore earlier arcade entries or spin-offs after you know whether you want more continuity context, historical perspective or side stories.
The verdict
For most first-time players, Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) is the best place to start: its New Era gives the series a current, self-contained point of entry, and its title does not require you to play the original game first. For the fullest modern-story context, use Mortal Kombat (2011), Mortal Kombat X, Mortal Kombat 11, Aftermath and then Mortal Kombat 1. Check every edition’s contents, especially the Aftermath expansion, before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mortal Kombat 1 the first Mortal Kombat game?
No. Mortal Kombat 1 is the 2023 New Era entry. It follows Mortal Kombat 11’s climax and is not the franchise’s first release.
Do I need to play Mortal Kombat 11 before Mortal Kombat 1?
No. The New Era premise makes Mortal Kombat 1 a workable low-context starting point. Playing Mortal Kombat 11 first, and then Aftermath, gives the reset and returning references more context.
Is Aftermath a separate Mortal Kombat game?
Aftermath is a story expansion for Mortal Kombat 11. Its campaign, characters and associated skin-pack content require purchasing the expansion unless your specific edition or bundle includes it.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11What platforms support Mortal Kombat 1?
The official FAQ lists physical and digital versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. Check your regional listing because availability and editions can differ.
Does every Mortal Kombat 1 edition include Khaos Reigns?
No. The FAQ identifies Khaos Reigns as an expansion and describes a Definitive Edition Upgrade that includes the story expansion, Kombat Packs and listed characters and skins. Verify the exact product contents rather than relying on the word “edition.”
Can I play the older arcade games and spin-offs first?
You can, but you do not need to. The recommended route is designed as a manageable modern story sequence, not an exhaustive chronology of every legacy release and spin-off.
Which order avoids the most spoilers?
Start with Mortal Kombat 1 if you want to preserve its New Era surprises. Play Mortal Kombat (2011), MKX, MK11, Aftermath and then MK1 if you prefer maximum modern-story context and do not mind learning earlier outcomes.
The Bottom Line
Start with Mortal Kombat 1 for the current New Era, or play Mortal Kombat (2011) → MKX → MK11 → Aftermath → MK1 for the connected modern story. Check platform, price and included expansions on the exact store listing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
