Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection on Steam: A Flawed Victory?
The iconic arcades of the 90s have returned to the PC arena with the surprise launch of the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection on Steam. This new package, developed by the preservation specialists at Digital Eclipse, bundles the foundational titles that sparked a global phenomenon. However, the launch has been met with a decidedly mixed reception from the fanbase, with player reviews painting a picture of a release that is both a celebrated piece of history and a technically troubled experience.
As of this writing, the Kollection holds a "Mixed" rating on Steam. Player feedback has been sharply divided, with less than half of the user reviews recommending the title. While fans are eager to dive back into the classic trilogy, a number of significant issues are preventing this homecoming from being a flawless victory.
A Nostalgic Package Met with Technical Woes
The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection aims to be a definitive time capsule, offering players the original arcade versions of the games that started it all. The package is a trip back in time for veteran fans and a crucial history lesson for newcomers, featuring the titles that defined a generation of fighting games. Digital Eclipse, the studio behind the release, is well-known for its work on similar retro compilations, often praised for its "digital museum" approach to presenting classic games with historical context and behind-the-scenes content.
Despite the high-quality presentation and historical value, players have been quick to point out several fundamental gameplay issues that are souring the experience. The feedback from the community highlights a few core complaints that have emerged as common themes in the negative reviews.
- Input Lag: The most prominent and critical complaint is significant input lag. For a fighting game series built on split-second timing, precise special move inputs, and complex combos, noticeable controller delay can render the game nearly unplayable for serious competitors and frustrating for casual players.
- Lack of Modern Features: Players have also noted the absence of expected quality-of-life features for a modern re-release. Elements like Steam cloud saves, which allow players to carry their progress between computers, are reportedly missing.
- Control and Customization Issues: Some users have reported difficulties with controller recognition and a lack of robust button-mapping options, forcing them to use less-than-ideal control schemes.
The Community Reacts: A Tale of Two Fighters
The reaction within the Mortal Kombat community has been a classic tale of head versus heart. On one hand, players are thrilled to have an officially supported, legal way to own and play the original arcade classics on a modern platform. The historical value is undeniable, and many have praised the overall presentation, which lovingly frames the games as the important pieces of gaming history they are. For many, simply having access to these titles again is a huge win.
On the other hand, the technical execution has become a major point of contention. The fighting game community, in particular, has a very low tolerance for input lag, as it directly impacts the competitive integrity of the game. A delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on-screen breaks the fundamental connection between player and character. Moves that require precise timing become unreliable, and defensive maneuvers can feel impossible to execute correctly. This single issue has been the primary driver of the negative feedback, with many potential buyers now waiting to see if a patch will address the problem.
What's Next for the Kollection?
With the game now in the hands of the public, the ball is in the developer's court. It is common for games to launch with technical hiccups that are later addressed through patches and updates. The vocal feedback from the PC gaming community, especially regarding performance and input lag, often leads to post-launch support aimed at fixing these core issues.
Fans are hopeful that the teams involved will listen to the "komplaints" and work to resolve the control-related problems. If the input lag can be ironed out, the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection could easily shift from a "Mixed" reception to a "Flawless Victory." For now, many potential players are adopting a cautious "wait-and-see" approach, hoping for a patch to restore these classics to their former glory.
FAQ: Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection
What games are in the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection?
The Kollection bundles the first three iconic arcade titles: Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
Why are the Steam reviews mixed?
The primary reason for the mixed reviews is a combination of significant input lag, which severely impacts the fighting game experience, and a lack of modern features like cloud saves. While the historical presentation is praised, these technical flaws are a major sticking point for many players.
Does the Kollection have online multiplayer?
Yes, the collection does include online play with rollback netcode, a feature generally praised in fighting games for creating a smoother experience between players with different connection qualities. However, the underlying input lag issues can still affect the gameplay.
Who developed the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection?
The Kollection was developed by Digital Eclipse, a studio that specializes in preserving and re-releasing classic video games for modern platforms.