Key Highlights:
- Mortal Kombat 1’s official launch trailer provides the first gameplay look at Shang Tsung and Reiko.
- Reiko is officially shown as General Shao’s second-in-command after appearing in the leaked roster days earlier.
- Warner Bros. Games has also detailed accessibility features including descriptive audio and contextual gameplay cues.
NetherRealm Studios has released the official launch trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, providing the first gameplay look at Shang Tsung and Reiko ahead of the game’s September release.
The four-minute trailer was published on 12 September 2023 and combines new gameplay with Story Mode scenes, Fatalities and footage from across Liu Kang’s New Era.
Shang Tsung receives his most substantial gameplay showcase yet.
The sorcerer uses fireball projectiles, extended Kombos and his signature ability to morph into opposing Fighters, allowing him to temporarily adopt another character’s appearance and attacks.
Shang Tsung is available as a playable Fighter to players who pre-order Mortal Kombat 1.
The trailer also provides the first official gameplay showcase for Reiko, confirming another returning fighter from Mortal Kombat’s earlier eras.
Reiko had appeared on the leaked Mortal Kombat 1 roster less than a week earlier, but the launch trailer now presents him officially as part of the game.
In Liu Kang’s New Era, Reiko serves as General Shao’s second-in-command and displays a direct, physical fighting style that matches his position as an Outworld soldier.
General Shao himself was formally revealed alongside Sindel during the earlier Rulers of Outworld trailer, establishing his position as commander of Outworld’s military.
The launch trailer also shows additional footage from the wider roster, including Mileena, Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Raiden and other previously confirmed Fighters.
Several Fatalities appear throughout the footage, including a Shang Tsung finisher that uses one of his experiments against the defeated opponent.
I think Reiko is the more significant reveal here despite Shang Tsung receiving plenty of screen time. Shang Tsung had already been announced as Mortal Kombat 1’s pre-order Fighter, whereas Reiko had not previously received a full official gameplay showcase.
His appearance therefore closes one of the remaining gaps surrounding the launch roster just days before Premium Edition early access begins.
Alongside the trailer, Warner Bros. Games has detailed an extensive collection of Mortal Kombat 1 accessibility features.
These include descriptive audio for Story cinematics, Fatalities and Fatal Blows, contextual audio feedback during gameplay, remappable controls, subtitles, colourblind modes, menu narration and several input-assistance options.
The official launch trailer arrives ahead of Premium Edition early access on 14 September, followed by the worldwide Standard Edition release on 19 September 2023. Warner Bros. Games later confirmed those release dates through its official launch announcement.
