The Komplete Story of Mortal Kombat - Everything You Need To Know Before You Play Mortal Kombat 1

Mortal Kombat is set to reboot itself once again with the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1, but as this series has taught us in the past, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be a completely fresh slate. Though it’s set in a new timeline, Mortal Kombat 1 will continue to build on the long-running narrative threads of the franchise in various ways, from new twists on familiar elements to perhaps even some specific elements being brought back into the new timeline, which means a knowledge of past games’ narrative events is bound to enrich your experience in the upcoming fighter.
To that end, we present to you the most comprehensive story recap you’ll see of the entire Mortal Kombat franchise. In recent weeks, we have published four parts of what was originally supposed to be a six-part series of recap videos covering the entire franchise. Here, however, we have compiled all four of those parts, and added on the final two parts, which you haven’t yet seen, to provide a complete and thorough breakdown of everything that happens in the franchise, starting with the original game, and going up to the very end of Mortal Kombat 11 and its DLC, Aftermath.

[@mattwurz007]

This is by far the best video I've seen that answers any and all questions you could have for the timelines. Perfect video to watch before MK1

[@zerohero3319]

There are definitely several things left out, however. Like Raiden’s actions leading to the deaths of (basically) all the Earthrealm champions at the hands of an empowered Sindel, Liu Kang’s romance with Kitana being part of his reaction to Raiden’ Shao Kahn revelation, Cyborg Sub-Zero being freed from the Lin Kuei…..little things here and there that are necessary for the full picture of the story.

[@RobinsAssistant]

​@@zerohero3319then you make a video

[@jaccblikky8977]

The dub overs are hilarious

[@zainbenten4423]

@@zerohero3319 what raiden shao kahn revelation?

[@zerohero3319]

@@zainbenten4423 When Raiden comes to the realization that he has to let Shao Kahn try to merge the realms (so that the Elder Gods can beat him down for breaking their rules), Liu Kang reacts with anger and distrust. Not only has Raiden been wrong several times thus far, but he’s also literally giving up to Shao Kahn without a fight. And even if Liu Kang had trust in Raiden, Raiden’s actions led to Sindel’s empowerement and the deaths of nearly all the Earthrealm Kombatants (save for Johnny and Sonya), including Kitana, who Liu Kang developed a romance with. In other words, Raiden’s screwups led to the deaths of not just numerous innocent Earthrealmers, but also Liu Kang’s best friend as well as the woman Liu loves. As you might expect, he’s not in the mood to listen to Raiden and his “madness” any more, since he’s lost basically everything thanks to both Raiden as well as his own faith in Raiden. That’s what I’m referring to when I say the reaction to Raiden’s revelation.

[@AsmodeusMKO]

My favorite thing about the OG timeline, is that the last three games, MKDA, MKD, and MKA, are all NOT black and white stories. The good guys had some wins, but overall the villains ran the show. The MK team WERE NOT afraid to subvert expectations in the story department, and were not afraid to take chances on new characters, themes, and really push the envelope.

[@Lenron-B06]

I wish I could play all those again those 3 games were my favorites.

[@DadBodFit]

​@@Lenron-B06You can get an emulator for your phone/pc or get them on og consoles. 😅

[@deeznutz7255]

Agreed. There’s something really cool about all that work being put in so that Taven would win in Armageddon, only for Shao to win and kill everyone. That’s some Thanos level shit

[@DMKleinArts]

There's also ways to get your original hardware loaded up with roms​@@Lenron-B06

[@popegizmo2288]

110lr12😊33😊ee11xxxx xxv cx😊😊

[@daj7237]

Just to clarify, At the end of aftermath, that was the Great Kung Lao. It doesn't clash with the new game...he was always born centuries before the main cast. It was just to show that Liu Kang was beginning with that era to make his move, and the new game takes place years in the future.

[@noblesiner]

Actually, Protector Liu Kang choosing modern Day Kung Lao and Mortal Raiden to be Earthrealms new protectors in mk1 does not conflict with him choosing The Great Kung Lao to do it at the end of MK11. Remember, The Great Kung Lao existed centuries before the main characters in the original mortal Kombat. So the Great Kung Lao in this new timeline more than likely exists centuries before the main characters in the same timeline. Meaning that Protector Liu Kang is choosing earthrealm protectors in 2 different periods in the new timeline.

[@dakotatrue12]

Yeah you’re right.

[@Stingykay]

the great kungloa started off the new era and as time went by things happened and then he chose the modern day kunglao history just repeats its self like injustice multiverse

[@jacksonbemis7139]

never played these games but always find myself coming back to these timeline vids every time a new one comes out. this one is by far the best i’ve seen. explains everything without making it too confusing

[@LordCoffeeFTW]

I'm rather very fucking confused about the start of Mortal Kombat, MK3 and MK4

[@LongTran-kp3kz]

To sum it all up: MK 1 through 8 = 'Original Timeline', which is, by way of Kronika's massive behind the scenes tampering, actually just one of many timelines playing out as part of her attempts to create a 'perfectly balanced' timeline. MK 9 through 11 = 'Reboot Timeline' born out of Raiden's desperate attempt to undo the mess that was Armageddon as seen in MK 8, sadly... Raiden just doesn't get the meaning of his own message until it's almost too late... It is also the first and last timeline Kronika directly interferes with, culminating in the climax of MK 11's DLC with the final duel of Titan Liu Kang and the revived and super powered Shang Tsung which ultimately results in EVERY ending of MK 11 becoming not just canon, but seeds of their own fully realized and separate alternate reality running concurrent to the two realities made from the endings of whether or not Liu Kang or Shang Tsung won. What this means is that, all other timelines, which were tied to a singular universe in a what was essentially were just resets, are not fully separate parallel universes independent of one another. Remember, Universe here is multilayered and composed of multiple realms that compose the whole of any one uniiverse. MK 1(or 12) = 'New Timeline', which isn't just the third 'mainline timeline' for the narrative, but the second series reboot. It depicts the world created by the now depowered Titan Liu Kang who now serves as this new Earthrealm's 'Protector God' in place of Raiden who, in this timeline takes his place as just as a regular mortal. Conclusion: The lore building and the way it handles its reboots isn't just clean, but logical as no past timeline or its consequences are ever truly forgotten. I like it.... even if it can go a little overboard sometimes, which explains why everyone in MK 1/12 are much weaker powerwise compared to any other past version of themselves. Case in point, Johnny Cage who no longer has his Shinnok stopping powers. So, no shadowballs...

[@alexanderlanderveil2138]

The thing is, if Raiden actually were to figure out the message right at the beginning of the story, he might've let Shao Kahn win the initial tournament and unwillingly doom Earthrealm.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

In other words, Raiden did everything right by misinterpreting everything

[@booboodavila]

God, I really love these games. The original game was one of the first video games I ever played. No other franchise has a cooler set of characters.

[@karnerblue7658]

Yeah MK has got some amazing characters and an amazing storyline.

[@nathanwinning8331]

2 questions: 1. So I'm assuming Earthrealm is basically the earth we all live on. If so, do the citizens of Earthrealm know about the other realms? Do they know about Mortal Kombat? 2. If there can only be a Mortal Kombat tournament every 50 years, do characters just not age? Even earthrealmers?

[@mastertadakatsu]

1: Yes, but they number in about a few dozen people 2: Champions (at least in the OG timeline) had their aging slowed so they could participate in the next tournament.

[@thegreenpianist7683]

Both these questions are actually answered in the new game, the content of which is pretty much what the person above me commented.

[@FlashMotoVlog22]

bro next time ... make the video show what you are talking about cause sometimes it can get confusing talking about Sonya and you show Hanzo... talking about sub-zero and you show Raiden...

[@Cutter_25]

As someone who has not played tha games and doesn’t know the characters, this video explains things well, but the clips make it so hard for someone new to the franchise to pay attention and follow along. Would be better with character images when a character or realm is mentioned. Or showing important cutscenes from the games. Idk, its just so hard to follow along with random videos playing in the background. (It might not be random vids but to a new person, they are)

[@SantiagoRodriguez-zi3gv]

Agreed

[@csharp821]

That was so good. I didn't expect to watch the whole thing when it started. That was awesome

[@winstonrhock9021]

Love this universe. These youngsters just don’t understand. I remember when this was in arcades and I had the original as a kid on Super Nintendo lol

[@badumtiss5288]

“These Youngsters” But It’s Always The Older Generation I See Bitching And Whining About The Games Lmao

[@ndnken7339]

Shootout to yall making a video over an hour long for MK 🙌👏

[@yourmomsfavoritegay]

not even finished the video, nor am I new to this information, but Im liking and commenting to +1... this is so well made, professional and to the point

[@Nate_-gm1js]

Still wild to me that Liu turned Barakas entire species into a disease 😂😂

[@balogunlikwid]

Can't wait for MK1. Game looks amazing. Thanks very much for this.

[@hanoman78]

This video is the best!!! To me its like an audio book, you dont need to watch the vid, thus I can enjoy listening to the MK story recap whilst riding a packed train.. Thank u Sirs...

[@Darth0308]

I played the original when it came out, MK2 and 3 and maybe 10 and never knew there was much of a story. I came back to check out MK1 for nostalgia and I had nooo idea the story was actually pretty decent till checking out this video. It can be hard to swallow if not explained in such a way as you have.

[@memecity9849]

I wondered what happened in the timeline where Shao Khan gained Blaze's power and kills Raiden🤔🤔🤔

[@kiranohebi8804]

Thanks so much for this video I just bought yesterday mortal kolbat 1 on my legion go And needed a full recap of all the series to understand the story And your video helped alot. Pretty good work on this one guys 👍

[@OldLadyGamersince1990]

I am a big fan of MK since my childhood but I never understand the stories behind those games. But now I fully understand! Thanks to these guys and the rest of the GamingBolt! You are Awesome ☺☺

[@joseesteves1309]

Amazing video by far the best population i've ever seen

[@ShannonAlcorn]

Nice video 👍🏻 I think you covered the entire story of Mortal Kombat, very informative and interesting.

[@steveo0127]

Thanks gaming bolt had to catch dad up theirs a lot he’s missed and a lot he didn’t understand ❤

[@RSNTM3NT]

Starting playing MK back in Deadly Alliance, Deception (also the PSP port) and MKA in my childhood era. Those games were alright, but MK2011 was my top pick. MK1 Reboot is solid to me as a startup story.

[@bulgeun-wihyeob]

my dad is gonna rewatch this with me sometime to help me understand it better. super cool franchise, i'm glad i decided to look into it

[@TevyaSmolka]

I am so looking forward to mortal kombat 1 it’s going to be really awesome

[@007feck]

That was fvcking amazing work! Cheers!

[@yagoelsicario]

GamingBolt deserves an award for this

[@alphawolf5666]

This video was very entertaining and informative. 😎👍

[@thejongshow8821]

A lot of shit wouldn’t have went down the way it did if dark raiden would have just sent a message into the past telling raiden to let shao khan win. In mk11 Kronika could have won at any point if she just stopped time, grabbed lui kang and kept him somewhere so raiden couldn’t fuse with him.

[@thebackup2121]

Weeell that us what ahe tried to do, but through sheer incompetence/hubris by doing so much too late in the story, and less than perfect writing, it didn't work out like she hoped 😂

[@thebackup2121]

But yeah Raiden's message was quite vague wasn't it

[@karnerblue7658]

Yeah, Raiden’s message should’ve been more detailed. 😁

[@Est93]

Tell me yur a virgin without saying it

[@AsmodeusMKO]

@gamingbolt the final battle in MK11 doesn't happen in the Netherrealm, it happens in some void space or something, a place beyond the realms. That is why Raiden's forces used Caron's fleet.

[@CupOfCheese20]

scorpion is part of the SHRAI RYU clan of ninjas lmao why did he edit the sound of that

[@KonekoKoji]

I love that Kami Dogu literally translates to Gods Tools, and Shujinko is Protagonist - top level naming! :D

[@Nalzock]

"But first we need to jump back in time again"🤣

[@lyricsniffer]

thx bro nicely spoken

[@justinev5668]

Six Kamadogu relics, 6 infinity stones....there has to be a connection here!

[@haisociety2878]

I haven’t played MK since the saga days but I just downloaded MK11 and said let me give this a shot and the story was so good it brought me here and now I’m thinking about buying the new MK1

[@Alessandro1983]

Very good video. I now know the chronological order of the entire series ( Thus far )

[@MistrBlistr]

So if there’s a mortal Kombat every 50 years that means Goro is at least 500 years old when he’s defeated by Liu kang?

[@jeffreyletter4197]

If you are champion of mk you stop aging until the next mk so you can defend your title

[@stevebrown3606]

@@jeffreyletter4197why does Kitana look so young?

[@rodolfonunes5092]

Bc Kitana is an edenian remember, and edenians got some craaaazy lifespan like far beyond 10,000 years (possibly 50,000 years if comparable to human age progression)@@stevebrown3606

[@jeffreyletter4197]

@stevebrown3606 because in the last game Liu Kang made a new time-line at the end of the story so everyone is much younger take a look at everyone else you can really tell with Sub Zero and Scorpion

[@tristanpicotte7784]

People in general are just old in this game. Always wondered why, kitana is supposed to be thousands. No clue.

[@steveo0127]

Can’t wait ❤ early access

[@bullshitproductions2539]

I pre-ordered the basic version but hey can't wait till the 19th

[@brandonwilliams8083]

That hapkido kick spam @ 37 was making me want to run a pedestrian down

[@ronnieburgess8060]

Prime time content. Very very well done team.

[@thejongshow8821]

Somebody explain to me how at the end of mk11 lui kang and kitana go on to rewrite history and then in aftermath it’s just lui kang and raiden that get confronted by Shang tsung

[@thebackup2121]

Out of the three endings, only one of those is the canon one that leads into 1, I guess it must be the Liu Kang/Raiden ending, though there's one thing about that that doesn't make sense...

[@thehater6189]

Im here to see who wins in canon at each juncture. Was wondering if shujinko was the true winner in deception and why he has yet to appear as a playable character yet

[@willardtk2979]

the edited in audio clips of certain names had me laughing my ass off

[@OGeeski.]

I was hoping it would be a whole new game like they advertised, but it’s just a continuation of 11 might as well be mk12 not mk1

[@demonshane8082]

Great video and thanks for putting it together but man get a better sound editor.

[@steveo0127]

I can’t wait for early access I am dying to play it 😂

[@karnerblue7658]

What’s the release date anyway?

[@Sean22109]

I’m new to the whole thing

[@msp720]

We know that all timelines occur adjacent to each other, and that changing one doesn't necessarily erase the rest. So in the original timeline, what actually happens after Shao Kahn kills Raiden? Nobody's left. Does he just rule over an empty burning wasteland forever?

[@farceFacade]

I like MK11's art style.

[@kendallsanders4298]

Who remembers companies like MidWay or THQ ???

[@chazebenson9586]

How does this only have 100 likes

[@2_ratsplz]

Nice

[@tuhinkairi3760]

Forget the game just make movie on full story 😂😂😂😂 As series Love to watch

[@ItzzGoop]

So basically MK9 tells the story of the first 3 mortal kombat games and MKX tells somewhat of MK4 with a twist and the addition of the kombat kids and im on the right track??

[@Spl00shy]

man you guys just couldn't say "shirai ryu" correctly huh XD

[@sergoldenhandthejust1495]

15:26 thought it said "B4 seizing" but it's "By seizing" though, right?

[@JawadSoomro]

Mk1 is also not a complete reset. Its now Multiverse, holding the past stories.

[@leeofavarice740]

i don't think it clashes to when Fire God Liu kang chose Kung Lao as earthrealm's champion because that is The Great Kung Lao, not the Kung Lao present in the generation in which raiden is Earthrealm's champion

[@deebrown5744]

Good or bad it's mortal Kombat one either way I'm getting it

[@danielwebster5748]

I hate Jaxs metal arms. It said in mortal Kombat 3 that he had metal implants placed into his arms in other words suggesting they can be removed. Later on they change up the story completely and they said ermac ripped his arms off so I'd like to know which one it really is.

[@jamesburrelljr.8561]

Great video. I am no longer befuddled.

[@darrinharvey3384]

After watching this there will be test to see how much you retained.

[@H4MEVER]

For mk11, to make the storyline less confusing, they should have just used older character models for the younger/past versions of the kombatants..

[@princegroove]

Moooortal Kombaaaaat! ☝🏻

[@halothere6995]

Wait if there was a mortal kombat tournament in 95 then that means that there was one in 45 as well sooooo ww2 factions take part in mk?

[@Benja95X]

How is that in deadly aliance and deception were almost all dead, and then in armagedón they are all alive agains??

[@jasomega2446]

3:24 I see

[@nextirious6828]

W bed time story

[@BobbyDigMOB]

yessitttt

[@lopirobinson1991]

But do you ever think about how Outworlders go to the bathroom? Do they have toilets? No, because you only think about yourself!

[@FantasyYeet]

I love that the video has no bearing to what hes talking about

[@od4407]

12:45…The Shirai Ryi and the Lin Keui are NOT ninjas.

[@karnerblue7658]

The Shirai Ryu are, but the Lin Kuei don't consider themselves ninjas.

[@user-sb8ig9dk2f]

Mortal Kombat 1 New Era, Same Old Problems

[@ourpetsheadsarefallingoff6654]

Damashi the same name Shang tsung uses in mk1 story mode

[@ensabahnur7657]

Looking forward to it but have a feeling their hiding something sinister!

[@Nitemerican]

I’m pleading for Onaga reveal as the true big bad.

[@marekbabik2791]

@@Nitemerican u are not alone in this :D ..i think most of the fans wants to see the Dragon King back and even stronger ... but i would hope they will present us a biggest villain(Onaga) in more then one game ... something like Thanos ...not just evil villain ... but one with his own vision that is not complete just ouright bad ... but still crushing for everyone .

[@diggman88]

Onaga never appeared in the second timeline. The third timeline makes it clear that you can't get rid of everything. Shang tsung still exists. Tarcattans still exist. Cronica still exists. Onaga's essence had to go somewhere.

[@thebackup2121]

​​@@Nitemerican Potential spoilers ahead! yyyeah I'd love that too, and although you might be disappointed with 1, there's actually a really good chance that will come true based on a couple of the endings 😄

[@Nitemerican]

@@thebackup2121 yeah I saw lol. Was like “I wasn’t right but I was damn close!” Lol

[@devq3852]

Sadly this is the best video about the whole story of mk. But it still doesn't cover so many things such as havik, orderrealm ,the original story of reptile,the comic before mortal kombat x ,Kotal kahns story , the promise of nitara to cyrax,the fight between black dragon and red dragon and their members and you didn't even mentioned ppl like Takeda, kung Jin, chameleon and khameleon(pretty important for mk 1), hotaru , and Ashrah and Sareena which is again pretty important for mk 1. Also there is no explanations of shaolin monks

[@krysisstorm2703]

You all forgot to mention that Shinnok is a fallen Elder God, and that both Raiden & Shao Kahn are his Children.

[@usamazahid3882]

That Shinnok is a fallen Elder God, Yeah. But Raiden and Shao Kahn as Shinnok's boys, That's NON-Canon. Shinnok and Cetrion are Kronika's children.

[@thebackup2121]

I'm pretty sure that was from the movie, which decided for itself that they were brothers, it's not mentioned anywhere in the games

[@usamazahid3882]

@@thebackup2121 yeah that's from Annihilation, but still, the relationship between Shao Kahn and Raiden as well Shinnok being their father is still Non-Canon.

[@karnerblue7658]

Shinnok and Cetrion are brother and sister, with Kronika being their mother. Raiden and Fujin are brothers. Don’t listen to anything Annihilation had to say.

[@usamazahid3882]

@@karnerblue7658 that's one thing I tend to agree.

[@jameslove3860]

Seeing mk deception makes me nostalgic. I missed the combos on that game.. when I would struggle against the bots id just pick ermac and use his axe. Remember this spinning shit he did thatd he multiple times and stopped side steps just spammed.. lmao..

[@Lenron-B06]

One of my favorite games. I wish they would give us a remastered.

[@misguidance__]

Why are some of the names edited in weird?

[@iambryn2012]

3 entities for the one being” bro wtf are you saying ??

[@DigitxlRxse]

Why they never show King Jared

[@Gabriel_4520]

Nobody asked me, but here are a few corrections about some stuff😊:

[@Gabriel_4520]

1. The Kamidogus were not a weapon to destroy the one being, the elder gods battled the one being, destroying him, and in his defeat the kamidogus where what was left of him, they where scattered among the realms so they would not be put together again.

[@Gabriel_4520]

2. The tournament was held every 500 years, not 50.

[@Gabriel_4520]

3. Kitana was never “bewitched”, she grew up thinking Shao Kahn and Mileena were her father and sister, she knew nothing of Edenia since she was taken when she was a baby, and Sindel killed herself when Kitana was still young, so the only truth for her, was Shao’s truth, then at the 2nd tournament she found out everything about Edenia and fought alongside Earthrealm

[@Gabriel_4520]

4. (This was a missing part from story) At the end of Mortal Kombat 4, Raiden is awarded Elder God status, leaving Fujin as Earthrealm’s new protector, in his time as elder god, Raiden saw how these would not intervene jn many conflicts among the realms, and he was not ok with that, so he gave up his status returning in mk:da as a demi god and earthrealm’s protector again.

[@julesdedoro9950]

Mortal Kombat Armaggedon is connected MK1 In Argus

[@VoltMagnum]

is mortalkombat king of reboots?

[@dukinhower]

Shirai Ryu

[@ORG8]

geez what happened to your voice recording... the switches are annoying, other then that good video.

[@ViridianMaridian]

So wait, how did all those dead characters come back to life for MK Armageddon??

[@ttewelow1]

Maybe somebody can answer this question for me but I feel like the 5 major villains of the Mortal Kombat universe are Shao Khan, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi, Shinnok, and Onaga right?

[@thebackup2121]

Exactly, while I might include Mileena in that number simply for her determination, the only other major villains are Daegon, Kronika and to a degree Cetrion, but they only have one appearance where they're in the spotlight or are of any relevance to the plot, and aren't as awesome and effective as opponents as the previously mentioned

[@thebackup2121]

I like that they stuck to a few core characters, they really lucked out on the character design with them so they got to keep them around and add to their stories over the years 😄

[@ttewelow1]

@@thebackup2121 Well technically, didn't Onaga only have one appearance in the Mortal Kombat universe up to this point? I mean he shows up at the end of Deadly Alliance and is the main antagonist of Deception, but I think that's it

[@ManuelGomez-wu5pi]

@@ttewelow1yes he did only have one appearance in the games but through the timeline he is an important piece of it as he originally wanted to merge the realms

[@Midnight_CIub]

40:45

[@weirdbutawesome160]

shujinko literally means main character in Japanese btw😅

[@g-man3847]

*Complete*❤

[@humphreymcgito2849]

MK 4 is the goat

[@argen1688]

"Shirai rYU clan"

[@ojmcclanahan689]

Personally, I wish Mortal Kombat hadn't gone in the same direction as DC and Marvel Comics. All these multiple timelines, and multiple versions of characters is just profoundly overdone. I didn't mind the timeline reboot they done for the MK 9 and MK X story arcs, and MK 11's ending would have been great if that was gonna be the last MK game. I don't think they needed to do another timeline reboot this soon, especially the way they went about it. Mortal Kombat 1 is the first time that a MK storyline has felt choppy, extremely convoluted, and a little bit hackneyed. Kinda bums me out, man.

[@karnerblue7658]

I’m confused, too, but I’m still willing to give it a chance. That’s why I watch videos like this. 😅 Lol

[@SandyHarem]

Kind of a let down the new campaign was for me but I enjoyed the gameplay

[@thejongshow8821]

Mk11 was great. Besides the added characters aftermath just made things that much more convoluted.