In Mortal Kombat 1, Player 1 Really Does Have an Advantage

Some fighting game fans have a favourite side to play on, whether it’s the left of the screen on the Player 1 side or the right of the screen as Player 2. While there is normally no gameplay advantage that comes from starting on either side, some players find input commands easier from the left or right. But when it comes to Mortal Kombat 1, it turns out there’s a very good reason to pick Player 1.

YouTuber mrAPchem published a video demonstrating how Player 1 can perform some combos Player 2 cannot. mrAPchem showed this issue affecting chilly Mortal Kombat veteran Sub-Zero, but it turns out it affects every character in the game across all modes and in all versions. In short: Player 2 cannot connect some combos.

It’s a significant bug, one that has sparked shock within the Mortal Kombat 1 community, especially those into the competitive multiplayer side of the game. Thankfully, “Player 1 advantage” is now listed on publisher Warner Bros. Games’ Mortal Kombat 1 bug tracking website under the “in progress” section, which suggests developer NetherRealm is on the case.

#PS5Share, #MortalKombat1 Player 2 Can not freeze with clone. pic.twitter.com/fQbdveV5fI

— Dolphinbot (@DolphinbotX) September 26, 2023

IGN’s Mortal Kombat 1 review returned an 8/10. “The bone-crunching gameplay of Mortal Kombat 1 is some of the best the series has ever seen, thanks to the game-changing Kameo system,” we said. “NetherRealm delivers a fantastic single-player story mode as well. However, the new Invasions mode is a grind and the online options feel dated.”

However, the Nintendo Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1 has become the subject of ridicule for its eye-popping visuals. NetherRealm development chief Ed Boon has promised updates.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.