Fighting games need plenty of online features to keep a healthy player base, which is why many fans are wondering if Mortal Kombat 1 features a crossplay function.
With the game currently out on virtually every modern platform, crossplay would alleviate the pain of trying to pick the version that could potentially host the majority of players, allowing users to find plenty of matches online.
So, does MK1 feature crossplay? Let's find out.
Does Mortal Kombat 1 have crossplay?
To put it simply, Mortal Kombat 1 does not currently support crossplay across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
However, don't lose hope! Just before launch day, NetherRealms Studio released a tweet confirming the development of crossplay: "Regarding Kross-Play, it will not be available at launch, but know we are hard at work at implementing the feature into the game and it will be koming post launch.”
It is expected that crossplay will be a feature available on both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S/X versions. These two are being developed directly by NetherRealm.
QLOC is working on the PC port, which will be available via Steam and the Epic Games Store, while Shiver Entertainment and Saber Interactive are working on the Nintendo Switch edition. So crossplay could be potentially harder to implement with these two versions.
It's worth noting that Mortal Kombat 11, the previous title in the franchise, included crossplay across Sony and Microsoft's consoles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X). It did not, sadly, include the PC and Nintendo Switch versions.
This does not mean that crossplay between PC and consoles is impossible. Plenty of other fighting games in recent years, like Street Fighter 6 and Guilty Gear Strive, have this function.
The Nintendo Switch is a whole different beast. Recent games that have made their way to the hybrid console don't include rollback netcode, like DNF Duel, making it impossible to implement crossplay.
Even with rollback netcode miraculously working it seems that developers have a hard time making crossplay work. MK11 is a perfect example, as it boasts the same online functionalities as other versions; however, Nintendo fans can't queue up for matches against PlayStation or Xbox users.
So there you have it! Although an exact development timeframe was not disclosed, we remain hopeful that Mortal Kombat 1 will feature crossplay capabilities in the near future, as it could seriously impact the longevity of the online player base.
Interested in learning more about Mortal Kombat 1? We’ve got you covered. Get to know all the confirmed characters of MK1, find out which popular actress lent their voice and likeness to the legendary Nitara, learn all about the Kombat pack, and dominate your opponents on the battlefield with our ultimate character tier list here!