By Sagar V. Mankar Mortal Kombat 1, the latest installment in the iconic fighting game series, has achieved a significant milestone. Despite facing criticism from its core fanbase, the game continues to perform well in sales.
NetherRealm Studios and WB Games have announced that Mortal Kombat 1 has sold over 4 million units worldwide.
The game’s sales trajectory has been steady, with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealing in November 2023 that the game had sold nearly 3 million copies in less than two months. By January 2024, it officially reached the 3 million mark, and now it has added another million to its tally.
While 4 million units is undoubtedly a strong performance, it’s worth noting that Mortal Kombat 1 still has some way to go to match its predecessors:
- Mortal Kombat 11: Over 15 million copies sold (as of October 2022)
- Mortal Kombat X: Over 12 million units sold (as of March 2019)
The Mortal Kombat franchise as a whole has now surpassed 80 million units sold, cementing its place as one of the most successful fighting game series of all time.
How is Mortal Kombat 1 Performing Against Its Rivals?
The fighting game genre has seen some fierce competition recently, with major releases from other popular franchises:
- Street Fighter 6 (released June 2, 2023): Surpassed 1 million players in its first three days and has sold 3.7 million units as of June 30, 2024.
- Tekken 8 (released January 25, 2024): Sold 2 million copies globally in its first month.
Mortal Kombat 1’s 4 million sales figure puts it in a strong position compared to its rivals, especially considering the shorter time frame since its release.
Why is Mortal Kombat 1 Facing Criticism Despite Strong Sales?
Despite its commercial success, Mortal Kombat 1 has attracted significant criticism from its core player base. The game currently holds a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam (71% positive) based on 18.9k reviews, with recent reviews dropping to “Mixed” (66%). Some of the main points of contention include:
- Netcode issues
- Poor content support
- Controversial monetization strategies
- Balance concerns
- Certain gameplay mechanics
- Many players have expressed frustration with what they perceive as “outrageous” microtransactions and expensive DLC content.
What’s Next for Mortal Kombat 1?
NetherRealm Studios is not resting on its laurels. The upcoming Khaos Reigns expansion, set to launch in September, promises to bring new content to the game:
- A story DLC
- A new Kombat Pack
However, the $50 price tag for this expansion has raised eyebrows, especially considering that Warner Bros. has recently reduced the base game’s price from $70 to $50.
In the last quarter, WB Games experienced a 41% drop in gaming revenue compared to the previous year’s Q2. This is largely attributed to the poor performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
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