For the past 30 years, Mortal Kombat has given eager kombatants the means to test themselves against fierce opponents. The spirit of competition stayed the same, but the arenas have changed a lot over those three decades. From Earthrealm to Outworld and everything in between, the characters of Mortal Kombat have thrown hands in the streets, graveyards, prisons, temples, on boats, and so much more. The impressive feat here is that out of the multitude of levels spanning more than ten titles, there are very few truly bad offerings, meaning it can be difficult to narrow down the stages that stand out. However, I’ve played too much of these games over the years and like to pretend my art degree is useful, so I’ve taken on the task. This isn’t a list based on one aspect, but all forms of level design and enjoyment, as we discuss which stages have left an impact on the series.
Shang Tsung’s Courtyard
One of Mortal Kombat’s biggest inspirations was the film Enter the Dragon, and part of that influence is seen in the first game with Shang Tsung’s Courtyard. It’s outside, in the daylight, with an audience of monks and some intimidating guards, as Shang Tsung himself presides over the battles atop a raised platform. The roof of the structure shields only him from the sun, because no one other than the individual sitting on the throne is important. The distant mountains and golden dragons provide a wonderful backdrop, one which the blood stands out perfectly against.
We get to see Shao Kahn take the seat in the Mortal Kombat: Trilogy version of the stage, as well as a 3D update for Mortal Kombat: Deception. The modern take on the Courtyard for Mortal Kombat (2011) is splendid, but nothing beats seeing the aftermath in Mortal Kombat 11, with Shang Tsung’s Island Ruins showing off the destroyed arena.
Kove
Kove is a modern stage, only appearing (so far) in Mortal Kombat X, but it has left quite an impression. The landscape resembles a twisted tapestry — an oil painting in constant motion with a dulled palette that helps many of the characters stick out. The setting is a dock in Outworld, a port of call for travelers and a place of business, but the dark waters hide a boatload of dread and even more blood. There are crates, hooks, broken ships, and stalwart vessels, but it’s the skull-shaped rock formation and crashing waves that demand the most attention. There are many items that can be interacted with, but the dead bodies shooting up from the water are the best weapons, and players can use the stage fatality to send their foes to a watery grave with death by a giant-tentacled sea monster.
The Evil Tower
Having a name like The Evil Tower is a solid indicator that this stage is elevated and dangerous, but the real immediate clue — and reason most remember this particular level — is the fast-moving clouds out the giant window. It also features a Shadow Monk floating up front, who looks quite menacing. This arena is a small part of a massive structure in Outworld — supposedly the seat of Shao Kahn’s power — with carpets, flooring, and pillars that make the building look far nicer than anything else in that realm, high enough that the blue skies can be seen over the corrupted landscape.
The version players received in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon was excellent, with breakable elements in the stage and a deathtrap that could send an opponent flying through an open portal. Mortal Kombat (2011)’s version might be perfect, with its seriously detailed revision and a sped-up day and night cycle that can be a bit distracting.
Subway
This one may seem a bit mundane in comparison, but nothing beats a gritty street-level brawl between two kombatants. The foundation is cracked, and lights flicker and shake while trains speed by, causing the surroundings to rumble. It’s dangerous, and proof that the war with Outworld has invaded our homes. Those station names in the background that boast the co-creators names, the posters that were added in, and a lot of detail in the later versions truly help the Subway stand out as a mainstay in Mortal Kombat. The stage fatality is a winner as well — there’s nothing like using the power of a locomotive to do an opponent in.
This level originated in Mortal Kombat 3 and had a couple of updates, with Mortal Kombat: Armageddon expanding the battlefield and modernizing the stage fatality, but Mortal Kombat (2011) once again gave another classic scene a load of new sights and made the finisher even wilder.
Living Forest
The woods may be deep, dark, and dreary, but this eerie forest in Outworld makes for an excellent place to fight. If the other kombatant doesn’t pose enough of a threat, the wilderness will. Not only are their snakes, ensnaring vines, and hungry trees, but their branches and roots are littered with the bodies of previous victims. It’s a haunting area and rumored to have been a corrupted portion of the former Edenia, which makes it a tragic place as well. Players have enjoyed this stage ever since they spotted Jade and Smoke hiding in the background and thought they could knock opponents into the mouths of the scary foliage (which would become a reality).
Mortal Kombat 4 tried to give players a 3D version, which didn’t look spectacular, but Mortal Kombat Gold’s rendition cleaned it up. Mortal Kombat: Deception expanded on the concept and even added a mud river, but once again, it was Mortal Kombat (2011) that provided a genuinely glorious update for these woods, with all the bells and whistles.
Soul Chamber
Some levels just scream evil. There’s a giant demonic head with a gaping maw, inside of which sits a swirling tempest of souls, and in the background resides robed Shadow Priests who guard the power. Early on, the face was said to be a tree husk Shao Kahn had below his balcony. Other times, it looked to be a rock formation, and later renditions made it seem alive, with bright energy and moving tentacles. It can’t be ignored and something about that green storm of souls screams doom and fatalities.
This place was first seen in Mortal Kombat 3, and it’s no surprise that it has appeared in many other entries of the franchise. For Mortal Kombat Gold it was rendered in 3D, but Mortal Kombat: Armageddon took that idea and filled it out. Mortal Kombat (2011) delivers another solid glow-up, but it’s Mortal Kombat 11 that truly breathed new life into the Soul Chamber, making it look alive, pulsing, and majestic with bright backgrounds.
Shang Tsung’s Throne Room
Shang Tsung already has a courtyard to watch the fights, but apparently he needs a throne room to do this in as well — one with décor that shows just how extra the villain is. Everything is adorned in deep reds, marble, and gold. There are dragon statues, magnificent pillars, large windows with the MK symbol carved into them, and a finely crafted chair for Tsung to sit in comfortably while others suffer for his amusement. The updated versions make the arena look bigger, have added banners, and now a storm rages outside, setting the tone for what feels like an important battle.
Although Shao Kahn’s throne room from Mortal Kombat (2011) may seem initially more appealing with its color choice, Shang Tsung’s leaves a stronger impression and is more likely to be chosen on the stage select screen. Mortal Kombat 1’s original is, of course, always going to be classic, but Mortal Kombat (2011)’s version mentioned above is top-notch for spectacle and atmosphere.
The Dead Pool
Why anyone would want to fight in a place where one misstep could mean an instant acid bath may be a mystery, but there’s no question why this particular torture chamber keeps appearing in Mortal Kombat installments. In the stage’s earlier incarnations it looks rusted as metallic grates and hooks create an uncomfortable feeling and the thin platform causes great concern for anyone’s safety. Later, there would be bodies hanging in the background — those Shao Kahn wished to see punished — and statues for intimidating those about to be murdered. The Dead Pool earns its name and its stage fatality is a satisfying delight.
Fans first saw this stage in Mortal Kombat 2, it set the groundwork, but Mortal Kombat: Deception changed up the slender bridge for a square platform. Later versions went back to basics, and though Mortal Kombat 11 added more texture and excellent lighting to the stage, the best version may still be in Mortal Kombat (2011), where everything comes together as appealing and threatening.
The Temple
This place of unholy worship has had many different names over the years: The Temple, The Church, The Cathedral, but no matter what it’s called, there’s always an aura of death around it. Supposedly built by Shao Kahn during his invasion of Earthrealm, this structure has bold archways, pillars with flames on top of them, gorgeous stained glass windows, and blood-red candles up at the forefront. The black Mortal Kombat symbol sticks out as the fighters go back and forth, and sometimes there is an altar, coffin, or tomb for extra decoration.
In Mortal Kombat (2011) we get an excellent update for the level, with glowing light coming in from the windows, more detail in the background, and active NPCs performing what looks like a sacrifice or an autopsy up on the raised platform. It was a serious upgrade from the lackluster offering in Mortal Kombat Gold, but nothing beats the Mortal Kombat 3 original.
The Pit
This is possibly the most iconic stage in the Mortal Kombat franchise, but there’s a tough argument here for which version is the best. The concept of each is simpl: a raised bridge with danger at the bottom, and a loss most likely means falling to an uncomfortable spiky doom. Even if the kombatant somehow survived, Reptile is down there waiting to finish them off. Collectively, Pit 1, Pit II, Pit III, and Pit X (along with the Pit Bottom) may have the greatest number of stage renditions, but they aren’t all winners, as Mortal Kombat 3’s approach is typically seen as a disappointment. It just doesn’t feel right unless it’s out in the open with other odd characters fighting in the background.
Mortal Kombat X might have the best overall presentation with its brilliant huge moon and excellent take on the stage fatality. Pit I from Mortal Kombat 1 will always be classic, but Mortal Kombat 2’s Pit II stands out just above the others. Even without the extra details, the arena feels fully realized and screams Mortal Kombat.
