- The Legacy Kollection is a massive compilation of the classic era of Mortal Kombat: the 1990s‑2000s titles — arcade versions, console variants, and rare/“lost media” releases — all restored and packaged in one bundle. GameSpot+2Wikipedia+2
- Alongside the games themselves, the collection includes extras: a documentary, behind‑the‑scenes material, and a historical timeline of the franchise — making it as much a tribute and preservation project as a playable package. GameSpot+1
- Critics have responded positively: on Metacritic the collection’s “critic score” sits at ≈ 84/100, labeled “Generally Favorable.” Metacritic+1
- Yet user reception is more divided: many players praise the ambition and content, while a significant portion report technical issues (lag, audio bugs, missing/unfinished features). According to Steam user reviews, the rating is currently “Mixed.” Steam Store+1
In short: the Legacy Kollection is both a loving archival homage to Mortal Kombat’s roots — and, at launch, an imperfect package.
✅ What Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Does Very Well
• A comprehensive, archival‑grade tribute to MK’s classic era
If you care about fighting‑game history, the collection’s value is huge. It includes 23 different MK games / versions — including rare console variants and formerly hard-to-find editions. This breadth is rare, arguably unmatched among fighting‑game compilations. GameSpot+2Wikipedia+2
The inclusion of a documentary + behind‑the‑scenes content adds historical context and lore — giving longtime fans insight into MK’s development, evolution and impact. As one critic put it, the collection is “built from love not only for Mortal Kombat, but for video games as a whole.” GameSpot
• Faithful restorations + modern quality‑of‑life options
Most games play as they originally did — preserving the feel, pacing, and “old school” mechanics. That’s a big win for purists. Some modern conveniences (optional tweaks: e.g. forgiving move windows, easier Fatalities) make the older games more accessible to new players without breaking authenticity. GameSpot+1
• Great for nostalgia, collections & preservation
For fans who grew up with MK’s arcade cabinets or 90s consoles, this collection offers a chance to replay — or finally play — games that are otherwise difficult to find or run on modern hardware. For preservationists, it’s arguably the definitive way to experience those early entries. GameSpot+1
⚠️ Where the Kollection Stumbles — Problems & Limitations
• Technical issues at launch — input lag, audio bugs, inconsistent performance
This is probably the biggest complaint. Many players report input lag, which is a fatal flaw for any fighting game — because precision, timing, and responsiveness are everything. The Gamer+1
Audio problems — ranging from garbled sound, missing effects, to music issues — also mar the experience for some, especially during cut‑scenes or certain versions (e.g. 32X/Mega Drive ports). MonsterCritic+1
• Incomplete or broken online / multiplayer features at launch
At day one, several online-specific features were missing or dysfunctional: private lobbies, cross‑play between platforms, matchmaking filters, and functional rollback or smooth netcode. For a fighting‑game compilation released in 2025, that’s a significant drawback. ComicBook.com+1
• Some games/variants still feel rough, dated or just “bad even for their time”
Not all MK titles age equally. Titles like Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero or Mortal Kombat: Special Forces remain poorly received even in this collection — their core gameplay, AI, or design flaws are still there, and simply porting them doesn’t magically fix them. GameSpot+1
For newcomers, this may feel like “why is this even included?” — especially when there are newer and better‑designed fighting games available today.
• The price vs. polish dilemma — high ambition, but not fully polished
Given the ambitious scope — 23 games + extras + documentary — many expected near‑perfect execution. But the technical roughness and missing features have left some feeling the $50 (or regional equivalent) price tag is steep for a “work‑in‑progress.” The Gamer+1
🎯 Verdict — For Whom Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Is Worth It (… Or Not)
Get this collection if you:
- Are a longtime fan of Mortal Kombat, especially the early games. The nostalgia + preservation value is very high.
- Love retro fighters and want to explore or revisit the roots of the fighting‑game genre.
- Appreciate historical context — the documentary + extras make this more than just a “greatest hits,” but a chronicle of MK’s origins.
- Don’t mind that some games are rough around the edges — as long as you get the classics, the flaws feel more forgivable.
Maybe skip (or wait) if you:
- Want a fighting game with smooth, modern‑grade mechanics, netcode, and online multiplayer — the Legacy Kollection struggles there.
- Care a lot about frame‑perfect inputs, competitive play, or serious online matches — input lag and broken features will likely frustrate.
- Expect all included games to age well — some entries remain mediocre, and their old‑school flaws show through.
Overall rating (my take): 7.5/10 — a passion‑project masterpiece with a few critical flaws. It’s one of the best archival/fan‑service compilations out there — but if you want polished, modern fighting‑game gameplay or competitive online viability, you may find it wanting.
📦 Final Thought — Is It “Worthy of the Elder Gods”?
Yes — with caveats. Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection is arguably the most ambitious attempt yet to preserve and present the origins of one of gaming’s most influential fighting franchises. For fans of nostalgia, history, or classic arcade fighters, it delivers emotional punches, memories, and a lot of content.
But like many legacy projects, it’s imperfect — time has not softened all rough edges, and the implementation at launch is rough around the joints. Think of it as a lovingly built museum of Mortal Kombat’s early history: some rooms shine, others need a little renovation. For fans, walking through that museum is worth it — just go in with your eyes open.