Mortal Kombat fans have been waiting for a definitive classic collection for decades, and Digital Eclipse finally delivered it on October 30, 2025. Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection promised 23 games, hours of documentary footage, and a museum-like experience celebrating the franchise’s 33-year history. Instead, the collection launched in a state so broken that Steam reviews are sitting at “Mixed” with nearly half of all reviews being negative. For a $50 compilation, this is a complete disaster.
The Launch Day Nightmare
Within hours of the collection’s release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam, players started reporting catastrophic issues. The most damaging complaint is something no fighting game should ever have at launch: severe input lag. Players attempting to execute combos found themselves dealing with noticeably delayed inputs that completely undermines the timing-sensitive nature of fighting games. For a collection centered on classic arcade fighters where frame-perfect execution matters, input lag is absolutely unforgivable.
Beyond the lag, players reported widespread audio bugs across multiple titles. Some games were missing audio entirely, while others had syncing issues that made the experience feel incomplete. The 32X version of Mortal Kombat II, for example, had critical audio channels missing. These aren’t minor cosmetic issues. Audio is fundamental to the authenticity and enjoyment of classic arcade games.
Missing at Launch, Coming Later
Digital Eclipse knew before launch that the collection was missing key features, but released it anyway. The Online Arcade mode, which would allow players to create private lobbies with rotating games, was completely absent at launch. Quick Match online play also arrived broken with audio issues that made online multiplayer nearly unplayable. The developer promised these features would arrive “within a few weeks” through patches, but that’s an excuse that shouldn’t exist for a finished product.
Additionally, key features like one-button fatalities weren’t available for arcade titles at launch, meaning players had to execute moves using the traditional button combinations instead of enjoying the quality-of-life improvements that should ship with a modern collection. It’s astonishing that a 2025 release of classic games didn’t include this basic accessibility feature from day one.
Game Selection That Feels Half-Baked
The 23-game collection includes some genuinely terrible titles that probably should have stayed delisted. Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces are widely considered among the worst fighting game spin-offs ever made. Game Boy and Game Gear ports of the early games look and play terribly by modern standards. Including these alongside gems like the original arcade Mortal Kombat dilutes what could have been a more focused collection.
Conspicuously absent are games that would have made more sense to include, like Mortal Kombat 4 Gold and console versions of Deadly Alliance. These omissions feel odd and create gaps in the franchise timeline, especially considering the collection attempts to function as a historical documentary. When crucial releases are missing, the historical narrative falls apart.
The Steam Community Has Spoken
As of November 1, 2025, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection sits at a “Mixed” rating on Steam with 408 reviews, nearly 48 percent of which are negative. That’s an absolutely brutal launch reception. Players are calling it a “disgrace” and pointing out that for $50, there’s no excuse for releasing a compilation in this condition. Even players who appreciate what Digital Eclipse attempted with the documentary features and quality-of-life options acknowledge that the fundamental execution is flawed.
The price point became a sore subject once problems surfaced. Fifty dollars is steep for a retro collection, especially when games like Tetris Forever have delivered more polished experiences at comparable prices. Players felt like they were paying premium pricing for a product that felt undercooked and unfinished.
What Digital Eclipse Promised to Fix
Digital Eclipse quickly moved into damage control mode, announcing a hotfix that would address some of the most egregious issues. The patch notes included promised fixes for improved audio buffer for online play, restoration of missing audio in the 32X version of MK II, general improvements to MK4, and fixes for crashes in UMK3. One-button fatalities for arcade titles were also added, which should have been there at launch.
However, the most ambitious feature—the Online Arcade mode that would allow up to 16 players in private lobbies rotating between games—won’t arrive for several weeks. The developer stated this feature demands “additional testing” and depends on first-party approval from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, which can “vary between platforms.” While that explanation is technically valid, it doesn’t excuse the game launching without these core multiplayer features.
Why This Matters for Digital Eclipse’s Legacy
Digital Eclipse has built a reputation as the gold standard for retro game compilations. Their work on Tetris Forever, Atari 50, and previous collections earned them credibility as a studio that treats classic games with respect. This Mortal Kombat collection launch severely damages that reputation. Fans trusted Digital Eclipse because of their track record, and that trust has been broken by releasing an unfinished product.
The irony is that the documentary features and presentation aspects of the collection are actually impressive. Players praise the interactive timelines, the three-plus hours of archival footage, and the museum-like approach to exploring Mortal Kombat’s history. But none of that matters if the games themselves are unplayable due to technical issues.
What Should Happen Now
Digital Eclipse needs to move aggressively on bug fixes and feature additions. The Online Arcade mode should not take weeks to arrive. One-button fatalities should have shipped with the game. Input lag must be completely eliminated. Audio issues need immediate resolution across all platforms. These aren’t minor polish problems. They’re fundamental issues that affect the core experience.
Additionally, Digital Eclipse should consider whether a price cut is appropriate given the state of launch. Other studios have offered refunds or discounts when launching unfinished products. A gesture of good faith toward the community might help repair the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection?
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is a 23-game compilation of classic Mortal Kombat titles released on October 30, 2025 by Digital Eclipse. It includes arcade originals, home console versions, and handheld ports spanning the franchise’s first 10 years, along with extensive documentary content.
Why is the collection receiving negative reviews?
The collection launched with severe input lag in fighting games, widespread audio bugs, missing multiplayer features, and one-button fatalities not available for arcade titles. On Steam, 48 percent of reviews are negative, calling the $50 price point unjustifiable for the state of the product.
What is the main technical issue players are experiencing?
Input lag is the biggest complaint. Fighting games require precise, responsive controls, and players report noticeable delays between pressing buttons and seeing their character respond. This makes executing combos frustrating and undermines the core experience of classic arcade fighters.
What features were missing at launch?
Online Arcade mode (private lobbies for up to 16 players), ranked matches, one-button fatalities for arcade titles, and functional Quick Match multiplayer all arrived either broken or absent. Most were promised within weeks of launch through patches.
Which games are included in the collection?
The collection includes 23 games spanning arcade versions, home console ports, handheld versions, and spin-offs. However, some entries like Mortal Kombat 4 Gold and console versions of Deadly Alliance are noticeably absent, creating gaps in the collection’s scope.
Did Digital Eclipse promise to fix these issues?
Yes. Digital Eclipse announced a hotfix addressing audio buffer improvements, missing audio restoration, input improvements, and crash fixes. However, major features like Online Arcade mode are still weeks away, dependent on first-party platform approval.
What games in the collection are considered poorly aged?
Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces are widely acknowledged as terrible. Game Boy and Game Gear ports also don’t hold up well compared to arcade originals. Including these alongside genuinely great games dilutes the collection’s quality perception.
How much does Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection cost?
The collection costs $49.99 and is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. Physical editions are also available at the same price point.
What’s the current Steam review score?
The collection has a “Mixed” review rating on Steam based on 408 reviews, with 48 percent being negative. This is a brutal launch reception for a game released by a highly respected studio.
Should I buy Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection now?
Waiting for the first major patch is recommended. The input lag and audio issues need to be resolved before the collection is worth the $50 price tag. Once fixes arrive and Online Arcade becomes available, it will likely be a solid purchase for Mortal Kombat fans, but it’s not ready now.
Conclusion
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection had everything it needed to be a slam dunk. It’s got 23 games, impressive documentary content, and comes from Digital Eclipse, a studio with an excellent track record. Instead, the collection launched broken, unfinished, and unable to deliver on its promise as the definitive classic Mortal Kombat experience. Input lag in fighting games is unacceptable. Missing features and audio bugs compound the problem. For $50, players deserve better. Digital Eclipse needs to move quickly with fixes, add promised features, and possibly offer compensation to players who purchased at launch. This collection has serious potential once the technical issues are resolved, but right now, it’s getting absolutely fatality-ed by players and critics alike. Here’s hoping the team can turn this ship around before the negative reception becomes permanent damage to their studio’s reputation.