“OH MY GOD… NetherRealm just UNLEASHED the Mortal Kombat 12 trailer and it’s PURE CHAOS! 😱

Blood-soaked arenas, bone-crushing Fatalities, and a MYSTERIOUS new fighter who’s got everyone freaking out… Is this a reboot? A new timeline? Or something totally insane? Ed Boon is playing MIND GAMES with us again, and I’m here for it!

The teaser dropped at The Game Awards, and the internet is already ON FIRE. Scorpion’s back, but that’s not all—there’s a dark twist that’ll leave your jaw on the floor.

Click NOW to watch the trailer and tell me who YOU think the new character is! 👇

NetherRealm Studios, the powerhouse behind the Mortal Kombat franchise, sent shockwaves through the gaming community with the surprise reveal of Mortal Kombat 12 at The Game Awards 2025. The official announce trailer, a brief but visceral 90-second teaser, showcased the series’ signature gore, high-octane combat, and a tantalizing hint at a new direction for the iconic fighting game. While details remain scarce, the trailer has ignited fierce speculation about the game’s story, roster, and release timeline.

The announcement follows years of anticipation and rumors, particularly after the release of Mortal Kombat 1 in September 2023, which served as a soft reboot of the franchise. That title, set in a new timeline crafted by the Fire God Liu Kang, was praised for its visuals and gameplay but faced criticism for its lighter content at launch compared to predecessors like Mortal Kombat 11. Now, Mortal Kombat 12 appears poised to build on that foundation while introducing bold new elements.

The teaser trailer opens with a familiar face: Scorpion, the series’ enduring mascot, standing in a scorched arena as flames lick the ground. His signature kunai spear flashes, but the scene quickly shifts to a shadowy figure wielding unfamiliar powers—prompting immediate fan theories about a new antagonist or even a guest character. The trailer’s voiceover, delivered in a menacing tone, speaks of “a storm of chaos” and “a new dawn for the realms,” fueling speculation about a multiversal narrative or a further reimagining of the series’ lore. As expected, the clip ends with a gruesome Fatality, though the victim’s identity is obscured, adding to the mystery.

Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator and NetherRealm’s creative director, has been characteristically coy about the project. In a post-trailer interview with IGN, Boon teased, “We’ve been planning this one for a while, and it’s going to push boundaries in ways fans won’t expect.” He declined to confirm whether Mortal Kombat 12 continues the timeline established in Mortal Kombat 1 or ventures into uncharted territory, only adding, “Let’s just say the realms are about to get a lot messier.”

NetherRealm’s announcement comes after a period of transition for the studio. In May 2025, the developer confirmed it was shifting focus from Mortal Kombat 1 to its next project, ending DLC support for the former with the Definitive Edition, which bundled all characters, Kameo fighters, and the Khaos Reigns story expansion. The move disappointed some fans hoping for additional content, but it signaled NetherRealm’s commitment to its next endeavor.

Speculation about NetherRealm’s next game has been rife for years. Early rumors suggested the studio might pivot to Injustice 3, the next chapter in its DC Comics fighting series, especially after a dataminer’s cryptic post on X hinted at such a project. However, Boon’s comments in a September 2024 interview with ComicBook revealed that the studio had been working on its next title for three years, aligning with the Mortal Kombat 12 timeline. The decision to stick with Mortal Kombat over Injustice may reflect commercial considerations, as the former remains a safer bet amid uncertainties surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery’s gaming division.

The trailer’s production values suggest Mortal Kombat 12 will leverage the same Unreal Engine technology as its predecessor, delivering hyper-detailed character models and dynamic environments. While gameplay footage was absent from the teaser—a common tactic for NetherRealm’s early reveals—past CG trailers for Mortal Kombat X and 11 have accurately foreshadowed mechanics like Fatalities and stage interactions. Fans expect the game to refine Mortal Kombat 1’s air combos and Kameo assist system while addressing complaints about balance and monetization.

The Mortal Kombat franchise has a storied history, evolving from its 1992 arcade debut into a cultural juggernaut. Known for its over-the-top violence and deep lore, the series has sold millions of copies and spawned films, comics, and an upcoming sequel, Mortal Kombat II, set for release in May 2026. Mortal Kombat 12 marks the 13th mainline entry, a milestone that underscores the series’ enduring appeal despite occasional accusations of brand fatigue. Boon himself acknowledged this concern in a March 2025 interview, noting that the studio once overexposed the franchise but has since adjusted its pacing.

The choice to title the game Mortal Kombat 12 is notable, given the 2023 reboot’s branding as Mortal Kombat 1. Initial leaks in 2023 suggested the reboot was internally referred to as Mortal Kombat 12, but NetherRealm opted for a name that emphasized its fresh start. By reclaiming the sequential numbering, Mortal Kombat 12 may signal a return to a more traditional structure, though the trailer’s cryptic imagery leaves room for surprises like a multiverse-spanning story or a prequel set centuries before the original games.

Fan reactions on platforms like Reddit and X have been electric, with many praising the trailer’s cinematic flair but clamoring for gameplay details. Posts on Reddit’s r/MortalKombat community highlight hopes for a robust roster, including returning favorites like Sub-Zero and Kitana, alongside guest characters like The Boys’ Homelander, previously teased by Boon. Others have speculated about a kaiju-themed fighting game or a revival of Primal Rage, though the trailer firmly anchors Mortal Kombat 12 in the series’ core aesthetic.

Warner Bros. Discovery, NetherRealm’s parent company, has positioned Mortal Kombat as a flagship franchise, especially after the commercial success of Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019. However, Mortal Kombat 1’s lukewarm reception—critics noted its strong mechanics but sparse launch content—has raised the stakes for Mortal Kombat 12. The studio’s decision to end Mortal Kombat 1 support earlier than expected suggests a strategic focus on delivering a more complete experience this time around.

No release date was confirmed, but industry insiders point to a late 2026 launch, aligning with NetherRealm’s typical two-to-three-year development cycles post-announcement. Platforms are expected to include PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and possibly Nintendo’s next console, following the precedent set by Mortal Kombat 1. A full reveal, likely including gameplay, is anticipated at events like Summer Game Fest or a PlayStation State of Play in 2026, consistent with NetherRealm’s past marketing strategies.

The broader context of NetherRealm’s announcement includes challenges within Warner Bros. Discovery’s gaming division. Recent turmoil, including layoffs and project cancellations, has sparked uncertainty, and some fans worry about the studio’s future under new ownership if Netflix’s reported interest in acquiring Mortal Kombat rights materializes. For now, NetherRealm remains focused, with Boon emphasizing long-term support for Mortal Kombat 12 to avoid the pitfalls of Mortal Kombat 1’s abbreviated DLC cycle.

As the fighting game genre continues to thrive—evidenced by strong 2025 releases like Street Fighter 6’s Year 2 content and Tekken 8’s expansions—Mortal Kombat 12 faces pressure to innovate while honoring its roots. Fans are eager for a return to the series’ peak, often cited as Mortal Kombat 9 or X, with a deep story mode, diverse roster, and competitive balance.

With its cryptic trailer, Mortal Kombat 12 has already succeeded in capturing attention. Whether it delivers on its promise of chaos and reinvention remains to be seen, but for now, NetherRealm has the gaming world buzzing. As Boon himself might say, “Get over here!”