GameTimeline

Release & story order

Mortal Kombat timeline

Mortal Kombat from the 1992 arcade original through Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)—US release dates, Midway-era chronology ending at Armageddon, the NetherRealm Studios reboot (MK9–MK11), and Liu Kang’s New Era reset. Theatrical films live on Mortal Kombat movie watch order. UMK3/Trilogy, Mythologies, Special Forces, Shaolin Monks, MK vs DC, and mobile titles stay FAQ-only on this games page—not timeline rows.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Midway and NetherRealm shipped each mainline fighter—arcade Mortal Kombat (1992) through Mortal Kombat 1 (2023). Release order matches the numbered shelf: classics → 3D Midway trilogy → 2011 reboot → X → 11 → New Era. Expanded arcade packs, spin-offs, and movies are FAQ-only.

  • Modern newcomers → Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) or MK11 + Aftermath—current fighters, clearer tutorials
  • Reboot saga → MK9 (2011) → MKX → MK11 before New Era if you want Raiden’s redo
  • Klassic shelf → MK1 through Armageddon in release order—arcade roots then 3D Midway
  • Skip movies and MK vs DC for game canon—FAQ only on this page
Story order tips

Three stacked continuities on this page: Klassic Midway loosely MK1→II→3→4→Deadly Alliance→Deception→Armageddon (classic ends there); NetherRealm reboot MK9→X→11; then MK1 (2023) as Liu Kang’s New Era after MK11 Aftermath. The 2011 reboot resets the board; MK1 (2023) resets again.

  • Klassic Midway: MK1 → MK2 → MK3 → MK4 → Deadly Alliance → Deception → Armageddon ends classic
  • NetherRealm reboot: MK9 (2011) → MKX → MK11—Raiden’s redo after Armageddon’s climax
  • New Era: Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) resets again after MK11 Aftermath—not a direct week-later sequel
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Mortal Kombat

    Mortal Kombat

    ArcadeGenesisSNESportsFightingMainlineArcade

    Mortal Kombat (1992) invents digitized fighters, the Outworld tournament hook, and Fatalities that defined 1990s arcade controversy—Shang Tsung’s island, Goro, and the first wave of home ports.

    Overview
    Digitized martial-arts sprites, blood toggle culture wars, and Fatality finishers that made Midway a household name overnight. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Release and Story opener for Klassic Midway. Home ports (Genesis/SNES and more) follow the arcade core—same row, not separate entries.
    Should you play it?
    Required Klassic start. Pair Mortal Kombat with startHere before optional spin-offs; films stay FAQ-only.
    Release date
    US arcade October 8, 1992; major console ports 1993. Platforms called out for this beat: Arcade, Genesis, SNES, ports.
  2. Mortal Kombat II

    Mortal Kombat II

    ArcadeGenesisSNESportsFightingMainlineArcade

    Mortal Kombat II escalates to Shao Kahn’s Outworld—Kitana, Mileena, Jax, and Babalities expand the roster while the tournament war leaves Earthrealm.

    Overview
    Deeper specials, stage fatalities, and a larger cast that cemented MK as Street Fighter’s bloody rival. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Direct Klassic sequel in both orders. Arcade commonly cited mid-1993 (June era); home ports follow.
    Should you play it?
    Play after MK1. Pair Mortal Kombat II with startHere before UMK3/Trilogy FAQ packs.
    Release date
    US arcade mid-1993 (commonly June); console ports 1994. Platforms called out for this beat: Arcade, Genesis, SNES, ports.
  3. Mortal Kombat 3

    Mortal Kombat 3

    ArcadePlayStationGenesisSNESportsFightingMainlineArcade

    Mortal Kombat 3 brings Shao Kahn’s invasion to Earthrealm streets—run mechanics, animalities, and a roster shake-up before UMK3/Trilogy expansions (FAQ-only).

    Overview
    Dash/run movement and urban stages shift the series from island tournament to invasion spectacle. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Klassic third beat. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Trilogy revise the same war—covered in FAQ, not extra rows.
    Should you play it?
    After MK2 on both tracks. Pair Mortal Kombat 3 with startHere before optional arcade expansions.
    Release date
    US arcade April 15, 1995; home “Mortal Friday” ports later that year. Platforms called out for this beat: Arcade, PlayStation, Genesis, SNES, ports.
  4. Mortal Kombat 4

    Mortal Kombat 4

    ArcadePlayStationN64PCFightingMainline3D

    Mortal Kombat 4 jumps to 3D polygons—weapons, Quan Chi’s debut era, and Edenia stakes as Midway leaves digitized sprites behind.

    Overview
    First mainline 3D MK with weapon pickups and a thinner but pivotal lore cast. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Bridge into the 3D Midway trilogy (Deadly Alliance onward). Mythologies: Sub-Zero is FAQ-only prequel flavor.
    Should you play it?
    After MK3 on Story. Pair Mortal Kombat 4 with startHere before Special Forces FAQ skips.
    Release date
    US arcade late 1997 (commonly October era); N64/PS1/PC home versions follow. Platforms called out for this beat: Arcade, PlayStation, N64, PC.
  5. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

    Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance

    PlayStation 2XboxGameCubeGame Boy AdvanceFightingMainline3D

    Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance relaunches Midway in 3D kombat styles—Quan Chi and Shang Tsung’s alliance, multiple fighting styles per character, and Konquest mode roots.

    Overview
    Style-switching fighters and a darker post-MK4 power vacuum that sets up Onaga. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    First of the Midway 3D trilogy on both tracks. Shaolin Monks (FAQ) retells related beats as a beat-’em-up.
    Should you play it?
    After MK4. Pair Deadly Alliance with startHere before Deception’s Konquest expansion.
    Release date
    US November 20, 2002 (PS2/Xbox/GameCube; GBA companion). Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Game Boy Advance.
  6. Mortal Kombat: Deception

    Mortal Kombat: Deception

    PlayStation 2XboxGameCubeFightingMainline3D

    Mortal Kombat: Deception answers the Alliance with Onaga the Dragon King—Puzzle/Chess Kombat minigames and a sprawling Konquest RPG layer.

    Overview
    Konquest as a quasi-open adventure plus party-style minigames rare for fighters. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Mid-trilogy Klassic beat after Deadly Alliance. Leads toward Armageddon’s roster climax.
    Should you play it?
    Required Klassic bridge. Pair Deception with startHere before Armageddon.
    Release date
    US October 4, 2004 on PS2/Xbox; GameCube later. Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube.
  7. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

    Mortal Kombat: Armageddon

    PlayStation 2XboxWiiFightingMainline3D

    Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is the Klassic Midway finale—nearly every fighter, Motor Kombat, Create-a-Fatality, and the pyramid climax that ends the original continuity.

    Overview
    Roster maximalism and mode kitchen-sink design as Midway’s last mainline MK. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Story-track end of classic Midway. Next saga is NetherRealm’s MK (2011) reboot—not a soft sequel week later.
    Should you play it?
    Klassic endpoint. Pair Armageddon with startHere before the 2011 reset FAQ.
    Release date
    US October 9, 2006 (PS2/Xbox); Wii 2007. Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Wii.
  8. Mortal Kombat (2011)

    Mortal Kombat (2011)

    PlayStation 3Xbox 360PCFightingMainlineReboot

    Mortal Kombat (2011) is NetherRealm’s 2D reboot—Raiden rewinds the tournament timeline with X-ray attacks, a cinematic Story Mode, and Klassic callbacks.

    Overview
    Chapter-based Story Mode and X-rays redefine how modern MK tells plot between ladders. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Reboot saga start on both tracks after Armageddon. Often tagged MK9 by fans; not the 1992 original.
    Should you play it?
    Best reboot entry. Pair Mortal Kombat (2011) with startHere before MKX.
    Release date
    US April 19, 2011 (PS3/360); PC later; Komplete Edition bundles DLC. Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC.
  9. Mortal Kombat X

    Mortal Kombat X

    PlayStation 4Xbox OnePCFightingMainlineReboot

    Mortal Kombat X jumps a generation ahead—Cassie Cage’s era, variation systems, and NetherRealm’s online/fighter-pass model after the 2011 reset.

    Overview
    Three variations per fighter and a time-skip Story Mode that seeds MK11’s cast. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Reboot mid-saga after MK9. Mobile MKX app is FAQ-only—not this row.
    Should you play it?
    Play after MK9. Pair Mortal Kombat X with startHere before MK11.
    Release date
    US April 14, 2015 on PS4/Xbox One/PC; XL adds DLC. Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC.
  10. Mortal Kombat 11

    Mortal Kombat 11

    PlayStation 4Xbox OneSwitchPCFightingMainlineReboot

    Mortal Kombat 11 is Kronika’s time war—custom variations, Aftermath’s story epilogue, and the reboot saga’s climax before Liu Kang’s New Era.

    Overview
    Gear/customization depth and a two-act Story Mode (Aftermath DLC required for the full ending). Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Reboot endpoint before MK1 (2023). Ultimate / Aftermath bundles are editions—FAQ covers DLC order.
    Should you play it?
    Finish reboot here (plus Aftermath). Pair Mortal Kombat 11 with startHere before New Era.
    Release date
    US April 23, 2019; next-gen upgrades later. Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC.
  11. Mortal Kombat 1

    Mortal Kombat 1

    PlayStation 5Xbox Series X|SSwitchPCFightingMainlineNew Era

    Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) is Liu Kang’s New Era reboot—Kameo assists, a rebuilt roster timeline, and a fresh continuity after MK11 Aftermath.

    Overview
    Kameo fighter assists and a full continuity reset distinct from both Klassic Midway and the 2011–2019 saga. Later chapters still answer the systems and tone this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Current mainline endpoint on this page (2026). Not the 1992 arcade—MK1 branding is intentional New Era labeling.
    Should you play it?
    Default 2026 start for modern play. Cousins: Devil May Cry, Bayonetta. Pair Mortal Kombat 1 with startHere.
    Release date
    US September 19, 2023 on current-gen consoles/PC; Switch version exists with cuts. Platforms called out for this beat: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, PC.

FAQ

Release vs story order, where to start in 2026, Klassic vs reboot vs New Era, Aftermath DLC, movies, and MK vs DC Universe.

Release order

Release order is when each mainline game shipped in the US (1992 arcade through 2023)—how the franchise evolved from Midway digitized fighters to NetherRealm Story Mode. Story order stacks three layers: Klassic Midway (MK1→II→3→4→Deadly Alliance→Deception→Armageddon), then the 2011 reboot (MK9→X→11), then Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) New Era. Release and Story match within each layer; the resets are why Story feels like three timelines, not one continuous year-line.

Want the current game and online scene → Mortal Kombat 1 (2023); New Era is self-contained after MK11 Aftermath. Want the NetherRealm reboot climax and cinematic polish without learning Kameos yet → Mortal Kombat 11 (ideally with Aftermath), then optionally jump to MK1. Lore completionists → Klassic Midway in release/story order, then MK9→X→11, then MK1. Pure arcade nostalgia → start at 1992 Mortal Kombat.

Story & canon

Klassic Midway runs through Armageddon (2006)—the original digitized/3D continuity. Mortal Kombat (2011) is a hard reboot: Raiden changes the past after Armageddon’s outcome, so MK9–11 are not “just sequels” to Midway. Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) is a second hard reset—Liu Kang’s New Era after MK11 Aftermath. Treat them as three eras sharing names and themes, not one unbroken chronicle.

DLC & editions

Yes if you care how New Era begins. Base MK11 Story Mode ends with a major handoff; Aftermath (also in MK11 Ultimate) is the official epilogue that bridges into Mortal Kombat 1 (2023). Fighter packs and skins are optional. MK9 Komplete and MKX XL similarly bundle story-adjacent DLC characters—nice for roster, not separate Story rows here.

Movies & spin-offs

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.