Mortal Kombat, a name that resonates with every video game enthusiast, made an impressive return last week. As per GfK’s data (via GamesIndustry.biz), the new entrant, Mortal Kombat 1, clinched the top spot in the UK boxed charts. This dominance was led by the PS5 version, with the Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch following close behind.
Warner Bros. Interactive should undoubtedly be celebrating, as not only did Mortal Kombat 1 secure pole position, but Hogwarts Legacy also settled comfortably in second place. Thus, the publisher brilliantly held both the leading positions this week.
A notable new entrant, Lies of P by Round8 Studio, debuted at the third spot as well. This Pinnochio-inspired Souls-like adventure may be seen by some as an attempt to occupy the void left by the silence around Bloodborne 2 and the DLC for Elden Ring. Pikmin 1 and 2 secured the fourth position, given its recent physical release, a follow-up to its earlier digital launch on the Nintendo eShop.
While these new titles marked their territory, some evergreen titles maintained their consistent performance. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, known for its tenacity in sales, found itself in the fifth position. Cyberpunk 2077, with the anticipation around its Phantom Liberty DLC, surged to the sixth spot. Meanwhile, the newly released Payday 3 settled for the seventh rank, with a noticeable higher sale on PS5.
Grand Theft Auto V, another title that seems to defy the passage of time, bagged the eighth spot. This was followed by The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in ninth, with Minecraft concluding the top ten.
However, as some games rose, others experienced a decline. The Crew Motorfest, which had a commendable second-place debut last week, witnessed a 57% decrease in sales, sliding down to the eleventh position. Similarly, Starfield, the chart-topping game from a weeks ago, has now plunged to the nineteenth spot.
Although Mortal Kombat 1 has showcased strong initial sales, it is important to note that its physical launch sales were down by 38% compared to Mortal Kombat 11, which was launched in 2019. This decline could be attributed to the trend of diminishing physical sales in the current market, or perhaps the inundated release season, with several significant titles vying for gamers’ attention.
Furthermore, while Mortal Kombat 11 was the best-selling fighting game on the PS4 and Xbox One, and the new release has been welcomed for its enjoyable fighting mechanics and increased accessibility, it remains to be seen if Mortal Kombat 1 will sustain its momentum amidst the bustling competition.
For this to happen though, NetherRealm Studios needs to shape up and fix the game on the Nintendo Switch.
