Nintendo has taken down the official launch trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 on Switch after fans spotted a Steam pop-up in the video, suggesting that the footage was not from the actual Switch version of the game.
Mortal Kombat 1 Switch Trailer Shows Steam Achievement Pop-Up
The launch trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 on Switch, which was released on September 19, 2023, featured a brief glimpse of a Steam achievement pop-up in the bottom-right corner of the screen during a gameplay segment of the new Invasions mode. The pop-up read “Achievement 38, Description 38”, indicating that it was from a development build of the game on PC.
The pop-up was quickly noticed by eagle-eyed fans, who criticized the trailer for being misleading and deceptive. Some even demanded refunds, claiming that they were sold a false product. The trailer was uploaded to the Nintendo of America YouTube channel, but has since been removed. However, some copies of the video are still available online.
Mortal Kombat 1 Switch Version Faces Backlash Over Poor Performance and Missing Features
The Steam pop-up blunder is not the only issue that has plagued the Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1. The game has received negative reviews and feedback from players and critics alike, who have pointed out its inferior graphics, long load times, frequent bugs, and missing modes compared to the current-gen versions of the game.
The Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1 was ported by Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive, and is priced at $70, which is $10 more than the standard edition on other platforms. The game also lacks some features that are available on other versions, such as the full Invasions mode, which is expected to arrive on Switch “in a matter of weeks”, according to a statement from Warner Bros. Games.
NetherRealm Studios, the developer of Mortal Kombat 1, has acknowledged the problems with the Switch version and promised to release updates to improve its performance and quality. NetherRealm’s co-creator Ed Boon tweeted that he was “very aware” of the issues and that the team was “working hard to address them”.
Mortal Kombat 1 Receives Mixed Reception Despite New Content and Features
Mortal Kombat 1 is the latest entry in the popular fighting game franchise, which features characters from various media franchises such as DC Comics, Marvel, Star Wars, Terminator, Alien, Predator, and more. The game introduces new gameplay modes such as Invasions, which pits players against waves of enemies in co-op or solo missions; and Conquest, which allows players to explore different realms and complete quests.
The game also adds new characters to the roster, such as Spawn, Ash Williams, John Wick, Pennywise, and more. Some of these characters are available as DLC or through pre-order bonuses. The game also features cross-play and cross-progression across all platforms.
However, despite these additions and improvements, Mortal Kombat 1 has received mixed reviews from critics and players. Some have praised its gameplay variety, content amount, and fan service; while others have criticized its story mode, balance issues, microtransactions, and technical problems.
IGN gave the current-gen version of Mortal Kombat 1 an 8/10 score, but gave the Switch version a 3/10 score, calling it a “terrifyingly hilarious” port that is “all around aggravating to play”. Meanwhile, dataminers have claimed to find clues to unannounced DLC characters in the game’s files.