Video: Mortal Kombat 1 Graphics Comparison Reveals Switch Performance & Resolution

Can confirm all this. Still, a great bit of fun. Finished the story mode yesterday, very good! Graphical glitches and long loads aside, it’s a very nice port. The fights are really smooth, and the game is more enjoyable than MK11 was.

Haven’t tried invasions yet, so can’t comment on them. Sabre did a good job on the port, and I have faith that over the next month or two all the graphical glitches will be ironed out, and hopefully the textures get bumped up a bit.

It is a bit jarring that almost all chars are super wide eyed at the beginning of the story fights, it’s like they’re missing their eyelids. But that’s just a graphical thing pre-fight. During fights the only noticeable stuff is sometimes the hair clips/tears and stretches for like 3-4 character lengths…. And the Klassic brutality sometimes leaves the head just floating. Which is actually hilarious 😂

The fact that they got this game running on the switch is awesome!

Yeah, I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I'll probably pick it up on PS5 when it drops to MK11U sale price.

Is this the first Switch port of a game that released only on PS5/XS and not PS4/X1 as well? Kinda crazy if so.

Looks like it performs similar to MK11 on Switch outside of some glitches that will hopefully get patched out soon.

Looks like they did a good job. Adding to wishlist.

This looks just fine on the switch!

@westman98 Having played both MK11 Ultimate recently and just finishing the MK1 story, I can safely say MK1 performs better. And that may be due to the combat mechanics / fight system being better, or because there’s less lag. MK1 def feels a LOT smoother in the fights. The cutscenes are jaw dropping. However when it drops from cut to fight it’s very reminiscent of browsing the Krypt in MK11.

It could be down to Sabre doing their magic, or just a mix of all of the above. It’s a play to see type of thing, the trailers don’t convey it well.

Interesting, it seems to be slightly higher quality assets in the Switch version in comparison to Steam Deck, doesn't Deck rely on PC-version assets?

@RasandeRose you can chose whatever texture filtering you want on the steam deck. It's just the PC version. I don't know why they added it in the video honestly.

@topher6490 I believe this is the first release of a S/X/Ps5/Switch only retail release. Although if Gotham Knights comes to Switch that’ll be another. Hogwarts got a PS4/X1 release correct? Can’t think of many other multiplatform titles that didn’t also release on PS4/X1 if it came to Switch.

That said, the switch running this does prove that the engine is more than scalable to run on X1/Ps4…. Either a dev choice, or more likely, pressure from Sony and MS to discontinue previous Gen sales and focus on current. Makes sense on Xbox however as X1 can still stream most S/X titles, something that Ps4 players are left in the cold with.

I was expecting this, just happy it's on Switch in the first place. Definitely getting this later down the road.

What is impressive is that the SteamDeck, which is much more expensive, has comparable graphics to the Switch. 🤣

@Cronodoug

AMD:s mobile chipsets doesn't seem to fair that good. They sure are capable of performing much higher fidelity than the old Switch, but then it tanks the battery life so hard...

i have seen videos of people who have played the game the game on the switch and it has issues multi plat games should be avoided on the switch if you have another console.. and especially at the 70 dollar price..

@Snatcher so was the witcher but we saw the huge difference how much better it was on the ps4 then on the switch..

@johnedwin Of course it was a big difference, it’s a ps4 lol.

I was definitely disappointed yet at the same time amazed at how MK 11 turned out on switch. Sure it ran okay and looked nearly identical to the other versions but there was very noticeable lag during the fight with the final boss and the krypt was piss poor at best. I mean for some reason the switch couldn't handle the background details in the krypt so they had to completely leave it empty?

If the witcher and Doom Eternal can be made to run on switch almost flawlessly then what's netherealm studios excuse?

The character models on Mk 11 looked like wax figures and what the hell was going on with the textures on their hair? Just look at Kanos beard and you'll see what I'm talking about.

So yeah anyway i hope they managed to do better this time with MK 1 (still think they should have just called it MK 12)

Until Nintendo stops having the weakest hardware i think I'd be better off buying games like this elsewhere. If it ain't first party. It ain't gonna be worth buying on switch. Sad but true.

Enjoying it on Xbox Series X, not planning to come anywhere close to the Switch version to be honest.

The Switch version is very much a case of just because you can doesn't mean you should, it looks lovely on PS5 though.

Keen and excited for the Switch version! I am happy either way, bring on 19 Sept

@Truegamer79 As long as Nintendo sticks to the handheld format, ofc. they're gonna have "the weakest" hardware, compared to TV-consoles. If you want a handheld version of games like this, Switch is a great choice. Its also a decent choice if you only have Switch and no other console to play games on.

@Truegamer79 Yeah MK11 is one of the few purchases I've been real disappointed with on the Switch.

@DennisReynolds what do you mean? It looks great, and gives people the option to play handheld.

I have to say tho, it looks better than what they did with MK11.
The graphics are amazing for the switch, how did they pull that of. Aside from the long loading times and framerates drops, they can fix with updates/patches (hope sooner than later) but hey, i have to say for the guys who where handling the switch version, nice job.

Some of you are going to wonder how you ever put up with ports like this when the next console drops and games look normal.

The cut scenes look janky but the actual gameplay doesn't look that bad for a Switch. Obviously the backgrounds won't look as pretty but when you're fighting, you won't really notice it. I still would get the PS5 version but would definitely double dip when there's a Switch sale.

@gamering I love hindered ports; I've actually made a hobby out of collecting weird, unnecessary ports of things. Resident Evil 2 on the GAME.COM and 007: Nightfire on GBA are standouts.
Needless to say, if I want to go for portability, I'm gonna get a Switch port because if it looks like a pixellated mess, that's just bonus "adorable-points" for me.

Will wait to get this on the next switch.

@Dm9982 Prepare to be disappointed with Invasion mode. It is quite a bit of fun. However, the Switch version is unfinished. You get so far in Johnny Cage’s Mansion and then the next node says “To be continued.” The support page for the game says that they hope to have Invasion mode available for Switch players in a matter of weeks, no specific date given.

Well the switch version looks the most creepy looking at johnny cages eyes they look odd
Graphics looks a bit up and down on the switch some bit look really good but then some parts look really bad.

Steam deck is interesting bacause I thought it would look a bit better I now it's on the low setting but it looks a bit blurry

There is no proper ps5 v xbox I'm assuming the ps5 will be a little bit better due to the hardware

But all in all it looks like a lot of fun no matter the formate

It is an admirable effort.

Unfortunately it is a microtransaction infested leech of a game that apparently even has a lootbox mechanic.

Wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot barge pole.

@SBandy1 never spend one dollar extra on MK11 don’t see anything here that would indicate it would be different.

This is why I don't like realistic graphics. They're boring and don't scale well. Dragon Ball Fighterz like slightly better in PC but it's mostly in background detail. The MK games look terrible on Switch.

It'll be nice not to see them old and gray.

The fact that the Switch port looks and runs better than the Steam Deck version in some occassions is impressive.

These games are revolting and have no business being widely available. They should be relegated to retail only, and the retailers should be adult/smut shops ONLY.

@DogDetective Ah that sucks, BUT, bright side, that does mean we’re getting patches/updates soon hopefully. Story mode is entertaining enough to replay and I still haven’t messed with the towers either, nor finished the tutorials.

I’m curious if switch is the only version with an incomplete Invasion currently, or if that was held back on all consoles at Early Access?

@Dm9982 it is only missing in the Switch version, sadly. Worst part is that Invasions mode seems to be the fastest way to obtain koins. I tried increasing the difficulty in towers for a better payout, but it didn’t help much. Waiting until invasion mode is completely patched in before I go back to the game.

@DogDetective Ouch shame. Don’t blame ya. There’s a bunch of stuff that just released that I’m bouncing between so this just gives me reason to take it slow.

@FatBeverly Good thing you're not in charge of game distribution, then.

The fact that this is running on a system from 2017 is a miracle in my opinion.

@Westlondonmist It looks pretty bad, doesn't perform well, is pretty buggy and is always online making the handheld appeal rather moot.

@SBandy1 The MTX are pretty light and easily ignored, in fact they're so light i haven't even spent my free MTX currency the premium version gives you as the store has so little to spend on, i've earned far more stuff by playing then the MTX store offers. As for the "lootbox" well its basically a shrine you give 1000 koins to and get a random reward back, the koins for it can't be bought with real money and can only be earned by playing and that was just how it was in MK11.

If you're going to moan about a game you never played at least get your facts straight. In terms of MTX Street Fighter 6 is far worse.

@DennisReynolds

Congrats defending the scummy practices.

Dennis Reynolds would be proud

(Will be watching the new series this week!)

@SBandy1 What scummy practise? Its basically a store with a small handful of rotating cheap skins you can earn in game and most likely won't buy regardless due to how lackluster they are. The best most desirable skins right now are the seasonal skins and they can't be got with MTX, you have to earn them by playing not buying and they are currently the looks everyone is using online not whatever little the MTX store offers.

Enjoy the new season btw it was the best one in years and has an air of classic Sunny to it.

@DennisReynolds

I am of the thought that full priced games should have no microtransactions in them. WB really seem to take the mickey in this regard up there with 2K and EA.

I hope you enjoy the game but it's not for me.

I buy Fifa every so often so fully admit I am a hypocrite. Also I just can't play a fighter with a block button these days!

Good to hear about IASIP, just happy to see the proper McPoyles are back!

MTX is a meh thing. I’m fine with full priced games having cosmetic MTX - Like MK1, Diablo 4, and Monster Hunter Rise as examples. It’s optional stuff, pay for it if ya want, doesn’t help you win by any means. I’m also fine with single player games having one time MTX dlc of reusable xp / loot boosts like a lot of JRPGs now days, including our beloved FE series. Don’t kid yourself, those dlc maps that have xp boosting or gear drops are indeed MTX. Hell I’m all for bringing back cheat menus and such in single player games, and I’d pay $2-3 bucks for that menu. I miss the days of Game Genie, ah the memories!

But yeah, back to the point, MK1 barely has any MTX, far more games are worse offenders.

As Reynolds said, I’m in the same boat, haven’t spent the Krystals that came with my premium pack, and likely won’t unless something truly awesome pops up.

In all reality, MTX in cosmetic fashion is nothing more than purchasing digital art.

Edit - After thought. A much worse offense than cosmetic MTX is games that release shallow, or more shallow than their predecessors, and then charge for season passes to complete the experience - Borderlands 3 was guilty of this. BL2, even without dlc was a much more complete game than BL3 without dlc. And BL3 didn’t really even come close until having most of its second season pass out. Unfortunately, a bunch of games are guilty of these types of practices anymore. DLC/Season Passes have replaced proper expansion packs and I feel this has truly hurt games as they tend to release much more shallow experiences than games of the past.

Again: if you have any other system, get it there.

@SBandy1 but you can earn the coins in the game, in MK11 I bought loads just with earned coins so not difficult to earn.
If it was MTX that stop you from playing huge parts of the game where MTX is required or the game is bland and you don't earn that much in house currency in the game then I'd understand your view.

I know this might sound like a super-n00b opinion...but at this level of compromises/differences, how is it possible for the game to be priced roughly the same on all platforms? It's like putting the same price tag on a Mercedes and a Kia just because they're both cars with four wheels.

@tofuman86 because the idea is that PS5 or Series X doesn’t have a portable mode to be the tradeoff of less graphics/performance. You know..like literally any Switch and x and y platform for z game that drops at same price.

Before someone brings up playing on Steam Deck like there usually is…that version has issues too on top of barely anyone owns a Steam deck compared to a Switch so that isn’t exactly a practical alternative to begin with for the average gamer.

I'm honestly flabbergasted at how well this runs. I doubted the performance heavily, as I'm sure most people did. The game was designed around modern architecture and the switch is an old mobile phone. truly amazing.

@tofuman86 Agreed. Too many compromises in my opinion. Ports of games from previous generations were ok on Switch, but for titles built exclusively for the current gen I'd rather play them as nature intended.

@axelhander I have a Steam Deck and see no reason to play it thereon over Switch. ¯(ツ)/¯

The Switch version doesn't look bad at all, but I got burned with MK11 on Switch at launch so will wait for a sale ... but that PS5 version looks beautiful!

Charging full price for this abomination should be criminal.

@Arawn93 This would then mean, the level of detail and performance would drastically improve in docked mode, right? Based on the comparison in that YT video, it looks more like a PS4-Cyberpunk2077-level of compromise. Don't mean to sound cocky, but at this rate, we can expect GTA6 in Minecraft-style

@nhSnork You do you, though what I said stands.

Mortal Kombat on the game boy doesn’t compare to the console and arcade versions. Sometimes a Game Boy port just isn’t going to look like the more powerful arcade version.

Same with Switch ports.

@Bass_X0 was the Game Boy version the same price as the Genesis version? I think not but I could be mistaken. Asking full price for the Switch version is plain wrong!

@Dm9982

I think devs supported PS4/XB1 longer than anticipated because of the pandemic and how it effected unit availability and sales for more than two years. PS5 should have been selling 20M a year and I heard even thru last year (2022) they were only able to push out about 13M units. Just like the kids and school I think this will sort of be the lost console generation. I threw a 1tb SSD in the PS4 pro and have gotten good use out of it playing Horizon West, new God of War, and other 3rd party which still look and run nice. Just finished the RE4 remake and was duly impressed. I do think the pressure is on to finally abandon last gen as there seemed to be little reason for me to bother buying a PS5 so far. I have sort of been waiting for the KOTOR reboot (in dev hell as it got pulled from Aspyr) and FF VII part 2 as there just isn't enough compelling exclusive content. I did buy an XSX in 2021 because I found one and I like how M$ has promoted BC all the way back to the OG Xbox and how a good number of games got FPS boost to 60, and HDR for X360. I had actually never played Fallout 4 or Dragon Age 3 and they were so much nicer with the FPS and load time boosts. GamePass is truly the bomb.....more content than anyone could play, significant day one releases, PC content as well, and as you mentioned use your old X1 as a cloud player. There is nothing even close to be had for $15 a month and far less if you do a little looking around (on ebay and other keycode sites).

@QuickSilver88 I concur, I haven’t had a reason to go from Ps4 Pro to Ps5 yet either. And as a matter of fact, I’m more looking toward Ally / Legion Go as I can access the pc versions of Ps5 exclusives on that, plus have access to all my Game Pass titles, and a few Xbox Play Anywhere titles like Starfield where since I own it on Series X, I automatically have the pc copy too.

I bought my X strictly because I had so much BC stuff digital, but didn’t have an Xbox to access it all as I gave my X1 away to a friend about 6 months after buying it. Getting an X just made sense as I had immediate access to Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Doom, Fable 1-3, Fallout 3/NV, and a bunch of other titles I purchased on 360/X1. Access to all the games I previously purchased years past was a sound reason to finally get a current Gen system.

And access is the prime reason I’m looking at the Legion Go / Ally type of device. Ps5, Gamepass, GoG (I want to play some old Kings Quest and Leisure Suit Larry, but don’t have a pc anymore), Xbox Anywhere titles…. The list goes on and on, and makes way more financial sense than a ps5.

Not sure why they bothered, but sucks for those who paid $70 for this crap.

I don't play games for the graphics. As long as it plays good, i'm in.

When I see the Steam Deck version, I see the closest relative for a Switch 2 version of the game. It's on low settings though, and that's also quite compromised to the point it looks like a scrapped PS4/Xbox One version.

When this comes (or is patched) for Nintendo's next-gen console, I hope it gets the optimization it deserves to get the closest it can the Xbox Series S version at least.