Controversial Mortal Kombat Titles Leaked as Part of ‘Legacy Kollection’ at Gamescom 2025

The highly anticipated Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection has once again been the subject of a significant leak, this time from Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany. While the fighting game community has been buzzing with excitement over the confirmed inclusion of fan favorites like Mortal Kombat Trilogy and the promise of rollback netcode, a new image has surfaced from a show floor trailer, suggesting that two of the most infamous and commercially unsuccessful games in the franchise’s history are also part of the package: Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces. The leak, widely shared by prominent dataminers and gaming news outlets, has sparked a lively debate among fans about the nature of a “complete” historical collection and whether these divisive titles are a welcome addition or a disappointing one.

The Controversial Inclusions: A Deep Dive into Mortal Kombat’s “Black Sheep”

The latest leak, which appears to be a photograph of a screen showing the collection’s title menu, seemingly confirms the inclusion of two games that strayed far from the traditional fighting game formula. Developed by Digital Eclipse, known for its meticulous and historically-rich compilations like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, the decision to include these titles underscores the studio’s commitment to presenting a full, unvarnished history of the franchise, warts and all.

Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero (1997)

• Originally released on the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, this action-adventure spin-off followed the elder Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, on a quest to retrieve Shinnok’s amulet.
• It featured a unique blend of platforming and beat-’em-up gameplay, but its controls, which required players to press a “turn” button to face a different direction, were notoriously clunky and difficult.
• While a commercial and critical failure, it is a significant piece of Mortal Kombat lore, serving as a canonical prequel to Mortal Kombat 4 and expanding on the rivalry between Sub-Zero and Scorpion.

Mortal Kombat: Special Forces (2000)

• This PlayStation-exclusive action-adventure title centered on Major Jackson “Jax” Briggs as he hunted down the Black Dragon clan.
• Widely regarded as one of the worst games ever made, it was plagued by a troubled development cycle, with series co-creator John Tobias leaving Midway Games partway through its creation.
• The game was heavily criticized for its poor camera, unresponsive controls, and a general lack of polish, making its inclusion in the Legacy Kollection a morbid curiosity for some and a point of contention for others who would have preferred other titles.

While some fans are disappointed, arguing that the inclusion of these titles took a spot that could have been filled by a more beloved game like Mortal Kombat 4 Gold or the fan-favorite Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, others are defending the decision. They contend that a true “legacy” collection must include the entire history, not just the highlights. These games, despite their flaws, are a fascinating part of the series’ evolution and will be a valuable addition to the interactive documentary that is a hallmark of Digital Eclipse’s compilations. For a new generation of players, this will be the first chance to experience these games on modern hardware and understand why they hold their controversial place in gaming history.

Rollback Netcode and Release Date Speculation

The leak arrives just as Gamescom is in full swing, where many believe an official announcement is imminent. The broader gaming community is eagerly awaiting confirmation of the full game list and, more importantly, a firm release date. While previous rumors from Xbox and PlayStation Store trackers have hinted at a digital release in late September or October 2025, the physical editions from Atari and Limited Run Games are slated to ship on December 12, 2025. These physical editions, including a highly sought-after Kollector’s Edition with a Goro statue, have already been confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch, and the new Nintendo Switch 2, with the Switch 2 version promising to be a rare case of a game shipping entirely on the game card.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is shaping up to be one of the most comprehensive retro compilations ever made. It will include not only the core arcade titles—Mortal Kombat 1, 2, 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, and Mortal Kombat 4—but also several home console and handheld ports, such as the Game Boy Advance versions of Deadly Alliance and Tournament Edition. The real value for fighting game enthusiasts lies in the confirmed online multiplayer with rollback netcode, a feature that ensures a smooth and competitive online experience, a crucial element for modern fighting game titles.

With a full reveal expected at a major gaming event, fans are on the edge of their seats, ready to find out if the “controversial” leaks are true and to finally get a definitive release date for this monumental project. Regardless of the final roster, one thing is clear: Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection will be a definitive historical document for the franchise, showcasing its journey from arcade sensation to a multimedia powerhouse, flaws and all.