The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection just got more interesting. A recent leak from Gamescom 2025 has revealed that two of the franchise’s most controversial titles – Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces – are making their comeback after more than two decades.
If you’re a longtime Mortal Kombat fan, you probably have mixed feelings about this news. These aren’t exactly the crown jewels of the series, but their inclusion in the Legacy Kollection represents something important: game preservation at its finest.
What the Gamescom Leak Revealed
The leak came from a video taken at Atari’s booth during Gamescom, showing logos for both games alongside previously announced titles like Mortal Kombat Trilogy and Mortal Kombat Advance. The footage was originally posted on Twitter by user Peina81 before being deleted, but not before eagle-eyed fans captured it.
This marks the first time either game has seen a re-release since their original launches. That’s significant when you consider how difficult it’s become to experience these pieces of Mortal Kombat history on modern hardware.
Why These Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection Additions Matter
Let’s be honest – neither Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero nor Special Forces are considered masterpieces. In fact, they’re often cited as low points in the franchise’s history. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be preserved.
Here’s why their inclusion is actually pretty smart:
- Complete franchise history: You can’t tell the full Mortal Kombat story without these experimental titles
- Accessibility: Most fans have never actually played these games due to hardware limitations
- Historical context: They show how the franchise evolved and what didn’t work
- Curiosity factor: Many players are genuinely curious about these infamous titles
A Quick Look at the Forgotten Games
Before we get too excited (or worried), let’s recap what we’re actually getting:
| Game | Original Release | Platform | Main Character | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero | October 1997 | PlayStation, N64 | Bi-Han (Original Sub-Zero) | Action-Adventure |
| Mortal Kombat: Special Forces | June 2000 | PlayStation | Jax | Third-Person Action |
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero was the franchise’s first departure from traditional fighting games. It focused on the backstory of Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero, taking place before the events of the first Mortal Kombat tournament. The game attempted to blend platforming with combat, though the execution was… challenging.
Special Forces, on the other hand, put players in control of Jax as he hunted down Kano and his Black Dragon gang. It was more of a traditional third-person action game, but technical issues and repetitive gameplay made it a tough sell for most players.
What This Means for the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection
The inclusion of these titles suggests that Digital Eclipse and Atari are taking their “legacy” promise seriously. This isn’t just about packaging the greatest hits – it’s about preserving the complete evolution of the franchise, warts and all.
Modern re-releases often include quality-of-life improvements that could make these games more playable. Features like save states, rewind functionality, or even checkpoint systems could address some of the original frustrations that made these games notorious.
Community reaction has been surprisingly positive, with many fans appreciating the preservation aspect even if they’re not thrilled about the games themselves. As one Reddit user put it: “Whether they are great or not, these games have a right to be preserved.”
Release Timeline and What’s Next
While no official release date has been confirmed for the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection, previous leaks suggested a launch by the end of September 2025. The Gamescom footage showing these additional titles suggests we might get an official announcement soon.
There’s also speculation about additional content. Some fans are hoping for MK Gold and potentially even a second collection that could include the 3D era games and Shaolin Monks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Special Forces actually bad games?
They’re considered weak entries in the franchise due to technical issues, repetitive gameplay, and poor execution of interesting concepts. However, they’re not completely without merit and offer unique perspectives on the MK universe.
Will these games be improved in the Legacy Kollection?
While not confirmed, modern re-releases typically include quality-of-life features like save states and rewind functionality that could make these games more accessible to modern players.
When will the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection be released?
No official date has been announced, but leaks suggest a potential release by the end of September 2025. The Gamescom leak indicates an official announcement may be coming soon.
What platforms will the Legacy Kollection be available on?
Specific platforms haven’t been officially confirmed, but based on Digital Eclipse’s previous collections, expect releases across multiple modern gaming platforms.
Will there be other games included beyond what’s been leaked?
Rumors suggest MK Gold might also be included, and there’s speculation about additional console versions of existing games. Some fans hope for a second collection featuring 3D era titles.
Why include games that aren’t well-regarded?
Game preservation is about maintaining complete historical records, not just the highlights. These games are important parts of Mortal Kombat’s evolution and deserve to be accessible to modern audiences.
The Bottom Line
The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection is shaping up to be more than just a greatest hits package. By including controversial titles like Sub-Zero Mythologies and Special Forces, it’s becoming a comprehensive look at the franchise’s entire journey – both the triumphs and the experiments that didn’t quite land.
Whether you’re excited to finally try these infamous games or just happy to see complete franchise preservation, this collection is proving that sometimes the most interesting stories come from the chapters we’d rather forget. And who knows? With modern improvements and fresh eyes, these games might just surprise us.