Beyond the Arena: Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection Adds Two Controversial Games to Its Roster

The highly anticipated Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection from Digital Eclipse has been the talk of the retro gaming community since its announcement. Originally slated to include a handful of the classic fighting titles, the compilation has now been expanded in a surprise reveal at Gamescom 2025, adding two of the most infamous and unconventional titles in the franchise’s history: Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces. This move signals that the collection is not just a simple re-release of fighting games, but a comprehensive, and at times brutal, look at the full legacy of the series’ early years.

A Deep Dive into a Controversial Past

The inclusion of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997) and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000) is a bold choice. These two games are a far cry from the classic 2D fighters the series is known for. Both were action-adventure spin-offs, and both were met with a very cold reception upon their original release. Mythologies: Sub-Zero, a prequel to the original game, was criticized for its clunky controls and unforgiving platforming. Special Forces, which focused on the character Jax, was an even bigger commercial and critical flop, notorious for its frustrating gameplay and lack of polish. For years, these titles have been largely forgotten by fans, or remembered only as a cautionary tale of a franchise trying to expand beyond its roots.

However, the philosophy of Digital Eclipse is not to simply repackage old games, but to preserve and document the history of the medium. The addition of these two games to the Legacy Kollection is a testament to that philosophy. It is a clear statement that the collection is not just for fans of the fighting games, but for anyone interested in the history of the franchise, warts and all. The games will be included with the same suite of modern enhancements as the rest of the collection, including rollback netcode for the fighting games and an extensive “interactive documentary” that will likely provide new, fascinating context about the troubled development of these titles. This is a chance for players to revisit these games not just as a piece of history, but with a fresh perspective, and perhaps, with a new appreciation for the risks that the developers took in the late ’90s.

The Full Roster of Games and Features

With the new additions, the Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is now a more complete and compelling package than ever. The final lineup of games includes:

• Mortal Kombat (1992)
• Mortal Kombat II (1993)
• Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)
• Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996)
• Mortal Kombat 4 (1997)
• Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997)
• Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000)
• Mortal Kombat Advance (2001)
• Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (Game Boy Advance Version, 2002)
• Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition (2003)

The collection also includes the previously unreleased WaveNet Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, a rare arcade version that has been preserved and made playable for the first time. In addition to the games, the collection features a number of modern enhancements to improve the experience for both new and old players. These include a “Fatality Trainer,” a “Rewind” feature for more forgiving gameplay, and the ability to unlock all secret characters and access developer menus at the touch of a button. The highlight of the collection, however, is the “interactive documentary,” which features exclusive new interviews with creators Ed Boon and John Tobias, as well as a rich archive of concept art, vintage marketing materials, and other behind-the-scenes content.

A Complete, Unflinching Look at a Gaming Legend

The inclusion of Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces is more than just a bullet point on a press release; it’s a statement of intent. Digital Eclipse is not afraid to show the complete, unfiltered history of the franchise, even the parts that many fans would rather forget. For a series that has been a cultural touchstone for over three decades, this is a monumental moment. The Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is not just a game; it’s a museum, a historical document, and a love letter to a franchise that has changed the face of gaming. It is set to release on September 30, 2025, and for anyone who loves fighting games, video game history, or just wants to see what the heck Mortal Kombat: Special Forces was all about, it is a must-buy.