Mortal Kombat 1is all about taking what’s old and making it new again. With the advent of Fire God Liu Kang’s new era, familiar faces like Johnny Cage and Scorpion have been given a brand-new lease on life. Developer NetherRealm Studios has applied that same philosophy toMortal Kombat 1’s fatalities, bringing animalities back to the franchise for the first time sinceMortal Kombat 3. Equal parts vicious and comedic, animalities have long been a neglected aspect of the franchise. With babalities and friendships making more recent appearances, it’s taken almost thirty years for animalities to regain the spotlight.
NetherRealm has spared no expense in bringing animalities back forMortal Kombat 1, adding them alongside the release of theKhaos ReignsDLC. After thirty years of gaming innovations,MK1’s animalities are leaps and bounds more gory and sensational than when they were first introduced. Like fatalities, however, not all animalities are created equal. Some kombatants have an animality that demonstrates a tremendous amount of visceral creativity, while others conclude with somewhat of a whimper. Regardless, it’s a welcome sight forMK1to revive such an essential part of the series' long history.
Mortal Kombat 1 Animalities Tier List
S-Tier
The exclusive list of animalities in the S-tier are those which offer the perfect combination of comedy and carnage. Johnny Cage’sJawsinspired animality is a prime example, riffing on the classic film while providing the usualMortal Kombatblood and guts.Ashrah’s animality is also a stand-out, turning the redeemed demon into a winged unicorn that breathes rainbow fire.
A-Tier
One common thread withMK1’s A-tier animalities is how clever and unexpected they are. FromMileena’s monstrous praying mantisto Baraka’s porcupine, these finishers harness the kombatants' core traits to make something memorable. Tanya and Rain’s animalities are especially entertaining due to their absurdity, with the former turning into a hyper-violent giraffe, and the latter morphing into a pufferfish that shrinks into the opponent’s mouth just to burst through their body.
B-Tier
These animalities might not be as wonderfully brutal as those featured above, but they certainly don’t disappoint. Li Mei transforming into a panda just to rip the loser’s arm off is the highlight of this group, as is Kitana turning into gaming’s most lethal hummingbird. Omni-Man’s animality is particularly exciting for Invincible fans, as he becomes the Lovecraftian Hail Mary to take down defeated opponents.
C-Tier
As far asMK1’s C-tier animalities are concerned, the one thing they lack is the same amount of ambition as its higher-ranked peers. For Scorpion and Sub-Zero, for example, their respective transformations into an actual scorpion and wooly mammoth are fitting. The substance of their actual animalities leaves a little to be desired though, as they lack the same amount of bloody fun as some standard fatalities.
D-Tier
Not everyMK1fatality is a showstopper, and the same applies to some of its new animalities. Shang Tsung’s is a particular disappointment, as his transformation into a snake just to constrict opposing kombatants would barely qualify as a brutality, despite how fitting it is. Likewise, though thenewly added Noob Saibotreferences a classic fatality using alligators, it’s a wasted opportunity for a unique animality.
ThoughMortal Kombat 1is the turning of a new page for the franchise, it is very much a celebration of everything that’s come before. Now that animalities have returned, series veterans have a good bit of nostalgia to enjoy, and newcomers get their first exposure to an essential part ofMKhistory. Now all players need to wait for is what the animalities for theremaining Kombat Pack 2 fighterswill be.
Mortal Kombat 1
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a new era of Kombat. NetherRealm Studios ushers in a new era of the iconic fighting franchise with a total reset that changes the entire world as we know it. Following the thrilling climax of Mortal Kombat 11, the all-powerful Fire God Liu Kang has created a New Era in the hope of bringing peace to Earthrealm and beyond. Through the series' most cinematic story mode yet, you’ll be reintroduced to a cast of legendary warriors as you’ve never seen them before. Expect twists on classic friendships and rivalries, as well as new backstories that will change everything you think you know about your favorite Kombatants. Discover a host of new offline and online game modes as you master a revitalized fighting system that boasts bone-crunching Fatal Blows, defensive Breakers and the most creatively vicious Fatalities yet.
