Mortal Kombat PlayStation Vita
User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 116 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 93 out of 116
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 116
  3. Negative: 15 out of 116

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  1. matholroyd
    May 3, 2012
    10
    Main reason I bought a Vita was so I could rip off people's legs and beat them to death with it (Quan Chi fatality). Never gets old. Seriously though, I felt the same way another person commented, that I fired up story mode at first and when the game switched from pre-rendered graphics to in-game graphics I was gob smacked how poor it looked. No damage shows up either. However, once I went to other modes like arcade + training + challenge tower, the difference in lighting + damage model turned on (I assume it's disabled in story mode on purpose) makes the game look fine. Sure not console quality, but its fast and fluid. Very happy with my purchase.… Expand
  2. Killman
    May 2, 2012
    10
    Don't listen to the naysayers here. "Graphics look like a PSP game." Really? This game is excellent. The fighting is just as smooth as the console versions, all of the DLC characters and costumes are included and the fatalities still look great. Sure the graphics don't look as good as the console versions, but this is a HANDHELD. I would like to see another handheld pump out these graphics and still maintain the smooth 60fps gameplay, There is the addition of new bonus missions and modes as well. If you have a Vita and are into fighting games, for $40 you are getting an amazing package. Completely recommended.… Expand
  3. xPRETTYBOYx
    May 4, 2012
    10
    I played the XBox and PS3 version of Mortal Kombat and the PS vita version is amazing. The fact that NRS was able to put MK9 on Vita at 60 frames a second makes this game worth buying. If you love the console versions, you will love the Vita version. It's great to see NRS didn't just port MK, but added tons of new content and the WIFI plays so smooth that I feel like I'm playing offline. If you have a Vita this is a must buy, and not to mention the new mini games like test your slice are a lot of fun. I also love playing as Kintaro, Shao Kahn, and Tremor. Congrats NRS on a great game and not just porting the same old game.… Expand
  4. LifeRush
    May 2, 2012
    10
    What a great game. I have never played a previous MK title, but it blows away Ultimate Marvel and Blazblue. The graphics are stellar on Vita. Game should be rated a 95+. A TON of content, an a+ quality game.
  5. ShuyinBB
    May 1, 2012
    9
    I have never bought a Mortal Kombat game, and the PS Vita one is my first. I've always watched tournaments on mk9. The PS Vita makes fighting games on the go an awesome experience, MK being the top contender. This game offers plenty of stuff to do for hours on end, has awesome sound, the graphics may not look like the xbox360 or ps3, but the gameplay is solid and fluid. If your a PS Vita owner like me and didnt get the 360 or Ps3 versions, get this for sure!… Expand
  6. MsBetterThanU
    May 3, 2012
    10
    Okay let me just start by saying you can't be very smart if you're reviewing based on the graphics everything on here is done just fine outside of the graphics. In other words it's suffering from a bit of Goldeneye N64 syndrome. The graphics NEVER effect the gameplay and if you're going to review this and look at the graphics and say oh this is no good PLEASE jump off the empire state building.
  7. RedHoplite
    May 3, 2012
    10
    This version of Mortal kombat is the best I've Played in yeArs! The graphics are very good I thought- people need to grow up who give this a zero : graphics are not what make or brake a game! It's an awesome fighter and the best on a handheld- psp or Ds graphics?! Please! Obviously he never ownd one or he wouldn't even compare ! If you love fighters you'll love this
  8. dcomo
    May 2, 2012
    10
    Being a MK diehard fan, I just can't get enough of this game. I purchased the PS3 version along with the PDP arcade stick when it was released last year and completed everything. Now, I have a portable version with some new compelling content, so I have something new to play during my lengthy NYC train commute.

    Does the game play great? YES
    Is all of the new content amazing? YES
    Must     you run out right now and purchase this? YES

    There is indeed a little graphic fidelity loss, however remember that the Vita IS NOT a full fledged PS3 console in your hands. I'll take the slight (and I do mean slight) loss is visuals to keep the game running at 60Hz! It's smooth as butter!

    Kudos!!!!! This is the way that Vita games need to be in order for the system to survive!!!    … Expand
  9. Darkknezz
    May 2, 2012
    9
    I gave it a 9 because of the slight graphical difference between the console counterparts. Do not listen to the zero spammers below. The only time you really notice it is during story mode when it transitions between the movie cut scenes to the in game engine. Once it backs out and you are fighting the character models look great and the gameplay is fluid at 60fps. This version has everything every character available right from the start, all the extra costumes and plenty of replay value between the story mode, online (which is great and stable), ladder modes, tower challenge and the bonus tower challenge that offers more in the way of the vita mechanics. If fighting games is your thing hands down this is the best the vita has to offer.… Collapse
  10. spokid
    May 4, 2012
    10
    Yes, the graphic is toned down compared to the console version. However, everything else you have enjoyed from Mortal Kombat from your console is now in your palm. Characters movements are smooth and fast with its 60 fr/s, and using d-pad to use fantastic combos and special moves are great fun. The game contains all the contents that its console brother has and more. (e.g. More costumes and New Challenge Tower Mode)

    If you love Mortal Kombat and own VITA, this title is a must-buy.    … Expand
  11. Kenmei
    May 6, 2012
    9
    It's the PS3 port of the great Mortal Kombat game from last year with all the DLC bells and whistles in it, along with a few Vita specific things like touchscreen fatalities and a bonus challenge tower. It's very enjoyable but the graphical hit the game took to get on the Vita is very noticeable. They definitely could have done a little better with the graphics here. I'm not expecting PS3 quality graphics here but it is very noticeable. If you really liked last years game then pick this one for sure. It's not a game you buy the system for, but it's a very good game in general for a system that could use another quality title so early in it's life.… Expand
  12. dangerclose
    May 6, 2012
    9
    I like this game. It is almost an identical replica of the console versions of the game. My only complaint is on the graphics. On console versions, the transition between cut scene and in- game visuals were smooth. I almost couldn't tell the difference. But in the Vita version, the in-game graphics are so degraded, it were about the same as the original PSP graphics. Scorpion looks especially pixilated and washed out compared to his cut scene CG model. However, if you can overlook these graphical inconsistencies, you will enjoy this game just like you would the console version.… Expand
  13. Darkresurrect
    May 6, 2012
    10
    In game characters textures are horrible, but in movement (60 fps) are beauty, theres is enough content to keep you busy untill another great game comes for the vita. I hope in the near future the developers realease a patch for anti-aliasing for the game if its possible.
  14. Trafaret
    May 12, 2012
    9
    While the game is as great as it was before (+ awesome minigames!), the soundtrack and graphics are let down from console versions, and they are HUGE let downs. I'll give it a 9 cause as a game, it's still awesome.
  15. FrankDHp
    Nov 22, 2012
    9
    If it aint broken don't fix it... Exactly! While the gameplay remains pretty much the same as the older the games, the added violent x ray attacks make it even so much more fun.

    Based on how i feel, Mortal Kombat isn't 'perfect', but still back to the roots and better than ever for both story and gameplay department!
  16. X19
    May 22, 2012
    9
    A lot of these reviews are pretty narrow minded, so I thought I should share my thoughts. First up, this is my first MK game. I vaguely remember playing the older ones in an arcade, but that's really it. That being said, I can't compare this to past MK games because I have not played them. I do know the graphical difference between the PS3 and Vita version however. Simply put though, It is fun. This is my most played game on the Vita for good reason. There's plenty to do and it plays so well. Most of the mixed and negative reviews only contain a complaint about graphics, but really share no other problems since there are few. I'd like to explain to people why MK on the Vita is not up to par with the PS3 version or other Vita titles.

    1: It's running at 60 FPS (Frames per second)- essentially, graphics are downgraded for better performance and responsive controls. Compare CoD (60 FPS) to BF3 (30 FPS) and you'll see the difference between the two. I know, it's so hard to not mention Call of Duty in a fighting game review.

    2: It's a handheld device.- not even Uncharted Golden Abyss matches modern PS3 titles running at 60 FPS

    3: It's the FULL MK game with even more Kontent (see what I did there?)- It takes up roughly 3 GB, which is the same amount of space that Uncharted Golden Abyss takes up. Meaning that the devs wanted to sacrifice graphics for more content and gameplay.

    I hope you see why the graphics are downgraded now and why it wouldn't be nearly as good if they just focused on graphics. Any MK fan who owns a Vita should pick this up. It is Mortal Kombat on the go. It's only downside is graphics, but if you're a true fan, then it should not matter.    … Expand
  17. rancor
    Jun 11, 2012
    10
    This is the best Vita game out. I've spent hours playing the bonus challenge tower alone. It's addicting and the replay value is high. Anyone on the fence will not be disappointed.
  18. solutions10
    Jun 10, 2012
    10
    If this game didn't already look stunning on consoles, I doubt anyone would be complaining about the graphics. Unfortunately, in comparison, the difference is obvious, as there is indeed less detail (no flapping tongue left behind after you blow off your opponent's head in Stryker's first fatality, for instance), but it absolutely cannot be ignored that the developers did all they could to keep their "EVERYTHING will ALWAYS be 60 fps" promise. Well, they did, and of course, some corners had to be cut. It's a shame, but totally understandable; to imagine something as insanely gorgeous as the console version to port perfectly to a handheld is just asking too much. But here's the good part: There's still a lot of blood and everything is intact, so the core feeling is still there--and in my opinion, that's all that matters. Fatalities are still extremely satisfying, as are the X-Ray attacks, and the inclusion of so much more than even the Komplete Kollection has just has to be commended. There's an obscene amount of content to be explored here, and all of it is simply wonderful. This is the "true" Komplete Kollection, since it has more than even that edition (there's even rumors of Vita-specific DLC, such as Tremor being playable), and the MK "feel" is perfectly maintained. Because it still feels just as it should, it deserves all the praise it gets. Not needing an external microphone is also an excellent feature, as well as immediately unlocking all the characters, with the developers no doubt anticipating that most of us already have MK9 in some form on a console, and to unlock those characters would be tedious, to say the least. The developers seem to have thought of everything here, and it all works in every way. There are tiny little touches all over the place that improve the gameplay significantly, and the new optional modifiers, such as the blood obstructing your view and needing to be "wiped off" the screen so you can see, are really a lot of fun. Excellent edition of an already-fantastic fighter, especially for something like MK9. This could have easily been completely screwed up, but the developers didn't let that happen. It's obvious that a lot of care is here so that it was perfect coming out of the gate (rather than being an obvious beta or simple port), so I think a 10 is definitely warranted. For anyone who wants MK9 on the go, you just can't ask for more than this.… Expand
  19. Leram504
    Jul 22, 2012
    10
    Pickd up Mortal Kombat for the Vita because I had never owned the console version and was always afraid to drop full price on a fighter recently because in my younger days I played fighters so much! THIS IS AN AMAZING game. For a portable game to have this much content (tons of modes, tons of characters, and a HELLA long story mode for a fighter) is amazing. The only con is that upclose on the short cutscenes (only 2 seconds long) right before you fight you can tell that they had to scale back a little to keep the frame rate so fluid (never a drop so far). But the overall graphics are beautiful. "Come here!!!" and buy this game.… Expand
  20. AnonXD
    May 21, 2013
    9
    Awesome fighting game on the Vita. Vita only features don't feel like a gimmick and are actually a lot of fun. The character models are a little low rez, but overall, the game looks great! lots of fun on the go.
  21. Johng4
    Sep 19, 2012
    9
    If you,ve played Mortal Kombat for the ps3 and 360 than you'v played this game,but for the vita version there are a few bonuses. For fatality input u can now use the touch screen to swipe the motions but u dont have to push the required button letting u have more than one chance at pulling it off,there are 150 new challenges that take advantage of the vitas touchcreen and gyroscope and they are fun. You get the same story mode,original challenge tower,bonus challenge tower,ladder,tag ladder,the krypt,practice,and online play for 40 bucks. If you have a vita this is the only game that you should definitley buy.… Expand
  22. hapyrvwtime
    May 31, 2012
    9
    Other than the fact that the character models in this game look like absolute crap, and the vita is definatley capable of a lot more graphically, this game runs at a smooth 60 fps and plays exactly like its console counterpart, and even has some silly new modes which take advantage of the vita's features. I should also mention that I'm a complete noob at fighting games but I had a fantastic time with this game, even though I got my ass handed to me in every single online match (online also works very smoothly btw). Other than the graphics, this game shows the true potential of the vita - a true console experience on the go. Oh yea i forgot to mention it includes all the DLC from the console games. This game is huge. Its worth twice the price. GET IT NOW IF YOU HAVE A VITA!… Expand
  23. EvilEye
    Nov 19, 2012
    9
    First of all this is same as MK: Komplete edition for PS3. It has all the bonus characters and stuff. Of course there are worse graphics , but who cares when the game runs smooth on 60fps and still looks pretty good imo. After beating the story mode you can start the challenge tower , where you will unlock most of your coins which you can use to unlock stuff at the crypt. Trophies are very hard to earn in Mortal Kombat. Pretty the same thing as PS3 version. I recommend this game to everyone who doesnt own MK for PS3 or Xbox 360.… Expand
  24. Kaniya
    Apr 7, 2013
    9
    Mortal Kombat Vita version is just another perfect addition to rich library of Vita's Fighting games MK has not much difference with its console version, it doesnt have Cross-Play unfortunately but it does comes with all the DLCs which were released for the console version. It has additional Tower challenge which adds to game much of fun specially that these sort of challenges are created based on vita capabilities The controls are amazingly well suited as well. The game runs of smooth 60 FPS, but the characters models are a bit jaggy and ygly from the closer views. The stages have their details though. Finally MK its a really MOST HAVE GAME for every vita owner who didnt previously tried MK on their consoles, its the most bloody vita game to date as well so be advised if you are below 18… Expand
  25. liam_monster
    Dec 28, 2012
    9
    This is a really good comprehensive fighting game. It plays in 2D and runs at 60fps. It includes all of the extra content from the other platform releases of this game and then some. It controls well and is a joy to play with so many characters to choose from. The main thing that impressed me was the depth to the story mode, I've not seen anything with quite the same scope. It appears to cover the entire plot of the first 3 games. Sometimes you will have a few minutes of dialogue between fights and although predictably it's no Shakespeare I found the cinematics engaging, entertaining and (perhaps unintentionally), rather humorous at times. This is a great example of how a handheld port should be done. I concur with the comments about the character models as some of them are jarringly low detail which is especially noticable when the game moves from a cutscene to in game action. However, it really is less of an issue in play. In summary this is a good well implemented game with a lot of content that really translates to the platform well.… Expand
  26. TheGrimOfDeath
    Feb 21, 2013
    10
    Now this game is an amazing port of the console versions of Mortal Kombat. The game, although has bad character models, runs at an amazing 60 FPS with so much to do in-game. If the story mode isn't enough for you there are the unlockables in the game which require you to get a ton of Koins. Also, the ladder mode and the Vita Ladder Mode are just so extensive man!

    This game contains so m    uch for a small price to pay for a long period of replayability, which is a good point for me.

    Buy this game if you want a Fighter on the go, if you want something with better character models but slower FPS then buy Marvel VS Capcom 3 or Street Fighter X Tekken for the Vita.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. Hyper Magazine
    Aug 8, 2012
    90
    A bursting at the seams port that sets a precedent for future Vita titles. [Sept 2012, p.74]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jul 29, 2012
    80
    Successful conversion of the original Mortal Kombat proves that battle games aren't yet finished. Great visuals and perfect playability delivers uncompromising fights. [July 2012]
  3. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Jul 4, 2012
    80
    It's incredibly fast-paced and responsive. Nailing some of the intense combos may twist your fingers off as there are no touchscreen specials except for the X-ray moves that can be initiated once you have a full meter, but fatalities can be executed with finger swipes that match the d-pad inputs. Most of the extra modes, such as Test Your Slice, are gimmicks that either borrow heavily from smartphone games (let's just say you'll slice fruit whilst playing as a ninja) or rely on 'been there, done that' mechanics that use the Vita's hardware. Balancing a man on a beam is old hat, even if he's perilously dangling above a pit. [July 2012, p82]
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