Mortal Kombat X vs Mortal Kombat XL: Understanding the Definitive Edition
As a long-time and passionate Mortal Kombat gamer, one question I often see debated amongst fans is – what exactly is the difference between Mortal Kombat X (MKX) and Mortal Kombat XL (MKXL)? On the surface, they may seem like the same game. But in reality, MKXL is an upgraded and expanded definitive edition that contains MKX along with all additional downloadable content and more.
In this deep dive guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know when comparing MKX vs MKXL, including:
- MKX overview and initial release
- What extra content is in MKXL
- Gameplay, technical, and balance changes
- Reception, sales, and review scores
- My analysis on why MKXL is the go-to edition
Let‘s get into it!
A Recap of Mortal Kombat X
First released on April 14, 2015 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, Mortal Kombat X brought the iconic fighting game franchise into a new generation of consoles and graphics.
Developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Mortal Kombat X introduced new gameplay mechanics, graphics engine, and several new characters into the series:
New Playable Characters in MKX:
- Cassie Cage
- D‘Vorah
- Erron Black
- Ferra/Torr
- Jacqui Briggs
- Kotal Kahn
- Kung Jin
- Takeda TakahashiSelling over 5 million copies globally across PS4, Xbox One and PC (according to VGChartz), MKX received mostly positive reviews at launch praising its graphics, gameplay additions like Variations, and cinematic story mode presentation:
| Platform | Metacritic Score | What Critics Said |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 | 86/100 | "The fighting itself is as good as it‘s ever been" – IGN |
| Xbox One | 85/100 | "The best Mortal Kombat in years" – GameSpot |
| PC | 86/100 | "The best playing Mortal Kombat yet" – PCGamer |
However, Mortal Kombat X wasn‘t without some launch issues. Reviewers cited occasional online connectivity problems at release, and some players felt the initial roster count was lighter than expected.
The solution? Enter Mortal Kombat XL a year later…
Mortal Kombat XL – The Definitive Edition
Officially titled Mortal Kombat XL and first launched on March 1st, 2016, this upgraded variant aimed to provide the complete Mortal Kombat X experience all in one package.
MKXL was released only for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, bundled together with the main MKX game plus all of the DLC content and gameplay tweaks produced in the year following MKX‘s initial launch.
Let‘s look at exactly what additions and improvements MKXL brings:
New Playable Fighters & Skins
Where MKX initially only had ~25 base roster fighters, MKXL expands this with 6 new playable DLC characters:
New DLC Fighters in MKXL:
- Alien
- Bo‘Rai Cho
- Leatherface
- Triborg
- Tanya
- GoroThat‘s almost a 25% roster increase from the additional DLC characters alone!
MKXL also includes new skins packs like the Apocalypse Pack, containing grim post-apocalyptic outfits for existing characters:
Together with the fighters, MKXL effectively doubles the base MKX content all in one bundle.
Online Multiplayer & Gameplay Improvements
A common criticism of MKX‘s launch was some occasional lag and disconnects in online matches. So for MKXL, NetherRealm specifically reworked and upgraded the game‘s netcode to reduce latency issues.
Critically, MKXL also rebalanced the roster, tweaking frame data and moves to improve overall character viability across the board. This helped strengthen the competitive meta.
By bundling in all previous title updates too, MKXL fixed lingering bugs, exploits, and other problems – creating the most up-to-date and technically robust edition of MKX yet.
Definitive Bundle Pricing
Rather than having to buy MKX and all the DLCs separately at full price, MKXL offered incredible value by packing everything together.
Upon launch in 2016, MKXL was priced at only $49.99 – $10 less than the original MKX base game! Considering it included 2x the content, this made MKXL hugely appealing to new players.
For existing MKX owners, upgrading to MKXL with a DLC XL Pack cost only $19.99 bringing huge savings compared to buying all DLCs individually:
| Item | Standalone Price | Discount in XL Bundle |
|---|---|---|
| Base MKX Game | $59.99 | +$0 extra in bundle |
| Kombat Pack 1 (4 chars, skins) | $29.99 | ~$15 off |
| Kombat Pack 2 (2 chars, skins) | $14.99 | ~$10 off |
| Apocalypse Skin Pack | $5.99 | +$0 extra |
| Total Value | $110 | Just $49.99 |
Considering all the above additions and upgrades included, MKXL delivered tremendous extra value either as a discounted upgrade for current players or tempting bundle for new buyers.
Reception & Sales
The move to consolidate everything from Mortal Kombat X into one complete MKXL edition paid off in reviews and sales:
- Critics praised MKXL as the way MKX was meant to be played. Aggregate scores actually exceeded initial MKX reviews due to gameplay tweaks and stacked content.
- Strong word of mouth and bundled DLC value also helped MKXL outsell MKX over time – despite having a shorter retail lifespan before MK11‘s announcement.
Within 8 months, MKXL had sold-through over 3.3 million copies and continued selling well over the next two years according online leaderboard traffic analytics (per SteamCharts and TrueAchievements).
Comparatively, MKX moved under 3 million units in its first 10 months pre-MKXL. So the complete edition clearly resonated with fans.
Why MKXL Is Considered the Definitive Edition
Given all the above, I believe MKXL stands on its own as the definitive way to experience Mortal Kombat X today – especially for new players to the title.
For Fighting Game Fans
- MKXL has the most content and playable fighters
- Improved netcode offers better online matches
- Rebalanced gameplay and mechanics
For Casual Gamers
- Includes all MKX DLC for 100% completion
- Bundled pricing discounts full investments
- Enhanced visuals and smoother play
For PC Modders
- Allows custom skin/arena creations
- Supports 4K resolutions at 60fps
- Mod-friendly with active communities
No matter your preferred playstyle, MKXL marks the overall most feature-complete version of MKX with substantial additions over the original launch edition.
From new characters and skins to smoothed out online play and important rebalancing, MKXL is objectively the superior edition to play today. And with bundle discount pricing, it remains hugely accessible for every type of Mortal Kombat fan.
The Definitive Mortal Kombat X Experience
To summarize the key details:
- MKX = Original MK launch edition, no DLC
- MKXL = Definitive edition with all MKX content + upgrades
For the optimal blend of next-gen gameplay, stacked content, and refined technical performance – MKXL stands on top as the definitive package representing Mortal Kombat X at its very best.
I hope this detailed breakdown clarifies the comparisons surrounding MKX vs MKXL! Let me know your thoughts on these iconic fighting game editions in the comments below!
