Mortal Kombat 1 Fans Are Roasting the $70 Nintendo Switch Version for Its Eye-Popping Visuals

The Nintendo Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1 was always going to look worse than the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S versions, given the power available from the hardware. But fans were shocked to discover the extend of the downgrade.

It’s clear to see the character models are generally low quality here, but the internet is having its fun with the characters’ eyes, which on Nintendo Switch appear to pop out of eye-sockets — and not in a gory, Fatality kind of way, either.

After Mk11, Nintendo Switch not being able to handle Mortal Kombat 1 was fully expected, but something about the game costing the same as other platforms ($70💀) doesn't feel right pic.twitter.com/zrBR9EIeYq

— Fighting-Games Daily (@FGC_Daily) September 17, 2023

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found out mortal kombat 1 came out on the switch with the side effect of facial expressions not being a thing pic.twitter.com/bvzXE4YBcE

— caelestis 🏳️‍⚧️ (@neoncaelestis) September 16, 2023

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It’s really bad bropic.twitter.com/SE5khrRwtG

— 👑Dracula🦇🐝 (@KingDracula405) September 17, 2023

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WHAT DE HELLLLLL pic.twitter.com/hvyUJCTBOU

— Zay (@BlueBerryIceZay) September 16, 2023

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What on earth is happening with the Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1?! pic.twitter.com/oYDF1FxbVP

— Sam Aberdeen (@SamAberdeen1) September 18, 2023

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There’s a lot of discourse going around about Mortal Kombat 1 on Nintendo Switch. I’ve been sharing gameplay to hopefully steer people away from buying it at $70.

If you don’t believe what you see, buy it. Just don’t be upset when you realize how bad it is. I tried to warn you pic.twitter.com/3uZHoMSpGy

— Johniibo (@johniibo) September 17, 2023

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The jokes and memes are now in full swing. Here's a snippet:

Omni Man in Mortal Kombat 1

PS5 vs Nintendo Switch comparison: pic.twitter.com/Dj75jzrEMp

— That Boy Aqua (@ThatBoyAqua) September 17, 2023

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The spider in my Nintendo Switch when I boot up Mortal Kombat 1 : pic.twitter.com/rEIA3M0ZS0

— 🤡jojo🤖 (@cyberoranges) September 16, 2023

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Not sure why everyone's ragging on Mortal Kombat 1 for the Switch. I think it looks fine. pic.twitter.com/3zTq7RS2sd

— Vindri.bsky.social (@BadTweetsDepot) September 18, 2023

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Even Joey from Friends looks shocked at the Nintendo Switch version.

https://t.co/iice36RNFi pic.twitter.com/df5lHB6J0z

— (Not) YoutubeKids (@RealYouTubeKids) September 17, 2023

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As Digital Foundry's John Linneman explained in a post on Twitter, the eyes on Nintendo Switch "seem to be static and mostly unlit. So even in a dark scene, they're blazing bright and staring straight ahead. It looks hilarious but seems fixable and I'm confused that it shipped this way".

Mortal Kombat 1 is a different port situation than that of its predecessor, 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11. That game launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC as well as Nintendo Switch, with the Switch version considered an impressive port. Mortal Kombat 1, however, left the last-generation behind in favour of the PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, which made the existence of the Nintendo Switch version all the more surprising.

Exacerbating the issue is the fact Mortal Kombat 1 on Nintendo Switch is full price ($69.99 from the eShop), which means it costs the same as the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S versions. This has sparked a number of complaints from Switch owners, who feel their version of the game should cost less. IGN has asked Warner Bros. for comment.

Both of these are $70?!?!?$?

Awwww hell no.

If I was playing Mortal Kombat 1 on Switch I’d ask for a refund in a heartbeat. pic.twitter.com/4nfIzjeXEm

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— OleManLogan (@OleManLogan) September 17, 2023

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Nintendo fans keep saying "graphics don't matter." Mortal Kombat heard you loud and clear. $70 for this. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/SqAMKQZ7YB

— #WolverinePS5 (@HlNOMARUSUMO) September 17, 2023

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Some are now bringing up the heavily-rumoured next-gen Nintendo console, and are hoping Warner Bros. ports Mortal Kombat 1 to that more powerful console.

Crying at the Switch version of Mortal Kombat 1, Why didn’t they just wait for the next gen switch console, the fact it costs 70$ is robbery💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/RHUFQJTHC5

— Synth Potato (Ameer) 🥔 (@SynthPotato) September 17, 2023

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IGN’s Mortal Kombat 1 review of the PS5 version returned an 8/10. We said: “The bone-crunching gameplay of Mortal Kombat 1 is some of the best the series has ever seen, thanks to the game-changing Kameo system. NetherRealm delivers a fantastic single-player story mode as well. However, the new Invasions mode is a grind and the online options feel dated.”

Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat 1 dataminers believe they’ve found clues to unannounced DLC characters. If you're playing, check out IGN's list of Mortal Kombat 1 Fatalities.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.