Mortal Kombat 1 release time, launch date, pre-load and how to play early

Fighting game fans are counting down to the release of Mortal Kombat 1 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch. Mortal Kombat 1 has a September 19 release date, although Premium customers can play five days early. Indeed, if you’ve pre-ordered the Mortal Kombat 1 Premium Edition, the game has a September 14 release date. MK1 early access kicks off at 6pm BST UK time. If you’re tempted by early access, click the links below to save money on the Premium Edition.

To ensure you can start playing the moment the Mortal Kombat 1 servers go live, fans are encouraged to pre-load the game early.

Premium Edition customers can pre-load now, and judging by the MK1 file size, it’s worth jumping in early.

The game is said to weigh in at over 100GB on PS5, which means it could take a long time to download depending on your internet speeds.

In addition to early access, the Premium Edition comes with a host of bonuses, including the Kombat Pack.

The Kombat Pack gives users access to six DLC characters, including Homelander from The Boys, as well as Peacemaker, Omni-Man, Ermac, Quan Chi and Takeda Takahashi.

That’s on top of five additional Kameo fighters, such as Tremor, Mavado, Johnny Cage, Ferra, Khameleon.

You can check out the Mortal Kombat 1 launch trailer below…

Perhaps most exciting of all, however, is the bonus Jean-Claude Van Damme Skin for Johnny Cage.

Not only will you receive all of the Kombat Pack DLC characters as part of the Premium Edition, you’ll also get early access to the downloadable content.

Speaking of bonus characters, all pre-order customers (premium and standard) will receive Shang Tsung as a playable character.

Finally, the Premium Edition comes with 1250 Dragon Krystals, which is an in-game currency used to purchase items.