Why Mortal Kombat 1's Nintendo Switch Port Has Fans Furious
"Mortal Kombat 1" immediately blew fans away when it was announced back in May. Set in a bold new timeline created by a godly Liu Kang, "MK1" acts as both a reboot and an exciting new chapter in "Mortal Kombat" mythology, pitting revitalized versions of fan-favorite fighters against each other for the fate of the realms. Unfortunately, one release of the new game has been seen as an outright slap in the face to the series' loyal fans. Graphically speaking, when compared to the version seen on other consoles, the Nintendo Switch port of the game feels like a pale imitation of the critically acclaimed new installment.
SVG's own review commended "Mortal Kombat 1" for its visual splendor, with Sam Watanuki noting, "each finishing move is an artwork of its own, drawing you into an engrossing spectacle that seamlessly merges the boundaries between a game and a blockbuster movie." However, players are quickly discovering that this isn't exactly the case on the Switch.
While the Switch certainly has lower processing power than the Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, or the average gaming PC, the differences are still downright shocking. In particular, players have noted that the character models in the new game aren't nearly as sharp on Nintendo's handheld console. Those who preordered the game have had a few days to test out the Switch version for themselves, leading to clips and screenshots from the port quickly making their way to the internet. The port has already become something of a meme among gamers, but not everyone is laughing.
Man the Switch version of MK1 is just a meme goldmine. pic.twitter.com/x39ZkSURuR
— Raion (Comms Open: 3 Slots) (@MattWilliamson9) September 18, 2023
Mortal Kombat 1 players clown on Switch graphics
"Mortal Kombat 1" players are having a field day ripping apart the appearances of various characters on the Nintendo Switch. One popular set of screenshots making the rounds compares multiple character designs on the PS5 vs. the Switch. In each case, characters like Johnny Cage and Scorpion are seen to have blank expressions and bulging eyes in the Switch version. While cartoon googly-eyes are definitely the most distracting element of these screenshots, a number of players have also pointed out that character animations in general seem to have been toned way down to help the game run a bit smoother on the Switch.
Crying at the Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1, Why didn't they just wait for the next gen switch console, the fact it costs 70$ is robbery💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/RHUFQJTHC5
— Synth Potato (Ameer) 🥔 (@SynthPotato) September 17, 2023
As to be expected, plenty of memes have been made out of the awkward animations and graphical slowdown found in the Nintendo port. Fans have taken to sharing some of the more glaring issues on Twitter and YouTube, uploading hilarious clips of gameplay gone wrong. In one clip, Sindel seems to have suddenly gained the ability to shrink opponents just by walking towards them.
Yeah, Switch version rocks! #MK1 #MortalKombat1 #MortalKombat #Switch #bug pic.twitter.com/oLwivYnrQE
— Baconsaur of Astora (@mr_baconssauro) September 16, 2023
Others have gotten a bit more creative with their slams: One user went so far as to compare "MK1" to the critically reviled direct-to-video film "Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins," which infamously used stiff and awkward computer animation.
Not sure why everyone's ragging on Mortal Kombat 1 for the Switch. I think it looks fine. pic.twitter.com/3zTq7RS2sd
— Vindri.bsky.social (@BadTweetsDepot) September 18, 2023
However, while plenty of players are getting a chuckle out of the disastrous port, others are less than amused.
Mortal Kombat 1 is broken on the Switch -- and $70
Some displeased gamers are already calling for refunds, claiming the trailers for "Mortal Kombat 1" misrepresented the underwhelming visuals found in the Switch release. On top of that, some players have expressed shock at the very idea that the Warner Bros. and Nintendo are charging $70 for this game — the same price as the version found on other next-gen platforms.
A popular clip shared on TikTok by YouTuber and podcaster Johniibo shows off just how janky the graphics really look in the Switch port. Though Johniibo admitted to enjoying much of his time with the game, he did not mince words in telling gamers, "I am a huge Nintendo fan and I'm happy that we're even getting access to these games, but it is borderline criminal to charge the same price for the Nintendo Switch version of the game as it is for the PS5 and the Xbox Series X."
@johniibo Do not buy Mortal Kombat 1 on Nintendo Switch gaming nintendo nintendoswitch
These sentiments have essentially been echoed by reviews of the port from various outlets. Nintendo Life's PJ O'Reilly noted that the Switch's "Mortal Kombat 1" port "can't provide anything approaching a smooth experience as things stand at launch," noting messy animations, laggy inputs and major issues with online connectivity. On top of that, some missions are reportedly buggy to the point of unplayability, which has forced WB Games to issue a warning that parts of the game's Invasions mode will not be available to Switch players at launch.
Basically, if you plan to play "Mortal Kombat 1" on the Switch, proceed with caution. The animation quirks might be funny for a bit, but the overall experience falls brutally short of the competition.