Beginner’s Guide#
Mortal Kombat 1 is a fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, released worldwide on September 19, 2023. This page is for players who just picked the game up: first sort out which edition to buy, which platform to play on and the core rules of this combat system, then work through the content in order.
Step Zero: Confirm Your Edition and Platform#
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Release date | September 19, 2023 (worldwide); Premium Edition early access September 14, 2023 |
| Standard Edition | $69.99 — the base game |
| Premium Edition | $109.99 — base game + early access + Kombat Pack + 1250 Dragon Krystals |
| Pre-order bonus | Playable fighter Shang Tsung |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) |
Important reminder: there is no PS4 or last-gen Xbox version of this game. If you only own a previous-generation console, the game will not run.
Platform choice reminder: the Switch port (developed by Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive) was panned by media over visuals, load times, performance and bugs, and did not support cross-play at launch (added February 27, 2024). If your budget allows, prefer the PS5 / Xbox Series / PC versions.
Step One: Understand the Two-Fighter Structure#
The biggest departure from previous entries: every match you control a main fighter + Kameo assist duo.
| Concept | Notes |
|---|---|
| Main fighter | The character you directly control; 24 in the launch roster |
| Kameo (assist) | A support character chosen before each match, not directly controlled; has offensive/support specials, unique throws, defensive breaks and a powerful Fatal Blow |
| Team health | Kameo fighters modify team HP (+100/+50/-50 groups), ranging 850–1200 |
The first misunderstanding newcomers make is treating the Kameo as “a second playable character” — it is not. It is a support slot paired before each match; see the Kameo System page.
Step Two: Memorize Three Combat Rules#
These are verified core rules — the three things that matter most early on:
Rule One: Defense Is a Stance Decision#
| Stance | Blocks | Does not block |
|---|---|---|
| Standing guard | High/mid attacks | Low attacks |
| Crouching guard | High/mid/low attacks | Overhead attacks |
| Both | — | Throws and unblockables |
Standing guard fails against lows, crouching guard fails against overheads, and nobody blocks a throw. “Just hold block” is not a legal strategy in this game — nearly every blocked attack chips at least 3 points (0.3%) of your health, and static blocking is slow bleed.
Rule Two: Flawless Block Is the Defensive Ceiling#
Flawless Block: press block within the 2 frames before an attack connects. The payoff: zero chip damage, and it can be used at any point in a combo (unlike some fighting games that restrict it to specific gaps); certain moves get an extra -10 on frame advantage when Flawless Blocked. Newcomers need not force it consistently, but should know it exists and where its window sits.
Rule Three: Fatal Blow Is the 30% Health Burst#
Fatal Blow: unlocks once your health drops to 30% or below, performed jointly by you and your Kameo character for up to 35 damage; after it lands you get only one per match, and if it’s blocked you must recharge it first.
Common newcomer mistake: thinking a Fatal Blow is “available any time at low health”. It has a clear health line (30%), a use limit (once after connecting), and a cost on being blocked (recharge).
Step Three: Learn the Timing and Round Rules#
| Rule | Notes |
|---|---|
| Timeout rules by health | If time runs out with both players at equal damage taken, the higher remaining health percentage wins the round |
| Match Extended | Triggers when both fighters hit zero simultaneously in the deciding round: both reset to neutral, recover some health, and the round timer gains a few seconds |
These two rules show that health percentage is itself a resource — stalling out a lead into the timer is a legal strategy.
Step Four: Play the Content in Order#
| Order | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Story mode | Cinematic storytelling introduces the new timeline; learn the combat system (see Story Mode) |
| 2 | Invasions mode | Interactive map + challenges + six-week seasonal rewards (see Invasions Mode) |
| 3 | Online matches | Test yourself in real play (see Online Play) |
Skip-list reminder: this site has no verified material on Towers mode; see the verification status note on the Towers Mode page.
Basic Info Quick Reference#
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Developer / publisher | NetherRealm Studios / Warner Bros. Games |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Director | Ed Boon |
| Series position | 12th mainline entry, third reboot |
| Online | Rollback netcode; cross-play (a series first) |
| Total sales | Over 8 million copies |
| Main versions reception | Windows/PS5/Xbox Series versions hold Metacritic “generally favorable” |
A Newcomer’s First Week#
| Day | Goal |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Confirm edition and platform; start story mode for the narrative |
| Day 2 | Continue story mode; watch for Kameo summons and Fatal Blow unlock prompts |
| Day 3 | Push story mode while drilling defensive stances: switching between standing and crouching guard |
| Day 3 | Enter Invasions and read the season map and challenge structure |
| Day 5 | Try different main fighter + Kameo pairings (build freedom is part of the fun) |
| Day 7 | Move to online matches when ready; re-read the Tips Guide beforehand |
Common Newcomer Misconceptions#
| Misconception | Fact |
|---|---|
| “There’s a PS4 version” | No. Only PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and PC |
| “The Kameo is a playable character” | No. It’s a support character chosen before each match |
| “Fatal Blow works any time at low health” | Unlocks at 30% health or below; only one per match after it connects |
| “Holding block is safe” | Fails against specific heights (low/overhead) and throws, and chips at least 3 points |
| “The Switch version plays the same” | The Switch port drew negative media reviews (visuals, loading, performance, bugs) and had no cross-play at launch |
| “Only the expensive edition is complete” | Standard Edition contains the full game; Premium’s value is early access + Kombat Pack + 1250 Dragon Krystals |
Not Covered Notes#
Platform-specific button mappings, character move inputs, per-mode reward lists and similar details are not fully covered by official or verifiable sources; this site does not speculate and defers to in-game explanations and hands-on testing.
Related pages: Controls & Settings, Character Roster, Walkthrough, FAQ.