Head to the Tutorial

Yes, we know, nobody likes tutorials. You paid good money for this game, and you're here to punch people and pull off sick Fatalities! But before you step into the ring, it's a good idea to learn how to throw a punch. Even the best fighters need to train.

You'll find Mortal Kombat's tutorial under Learn in the main menu, and it's a good one, up there with some of the best in the genre. MK1's tutorial will walk you through everything: how to move and attack, how to use Kameo Fighters, how to play offense, how to defend yourself, how to read and use Frame Data, and how to play Neutral. These are vital lessons.

It can be a lot to take in if you're a new player, but you don't have to do every lesson at once. It's okay to get a feel for the basics and then start playing matches. Remember, the goal of a fighting game is to have fun, and learning to play well is a marathon, not a sprint. Go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Plus, you'll get Koins you can spend to unlock cool collectibles in the Kollection!

Spend Some Time in the Lab

Once you've got a feel for the basics, head to Training Mode (or what we in the FGC call "The Lab"), and start trying characters out. You don't need to practice flashy kombos, nail down complex oki situations, or even understand your kharacter's neutral. Right now, your goal should be to experiment.

Try out your character's normal and special moves and see what feels good. If you're super curious, you can even check out their frame data, if that will help you decide. You might also want to do some simple kombos and see what feels natural to you.

Don't get discouraged if no kharacters stand out immediately. The hardest part of any fighting game is finding the character for you, and Mortal Kombat 1 is no exception. You don't have to find the answer right away. Just play around and see who you enjoy.

Learn Your Defensive Mechanics

Now it's time to learn some stuff that will serve you well no matter who you play.

First, you're going to want to learn MK1's defensive mechanics. That means learning how to do things that will serve you well in any fighting game (like blocking low by default, and trying to react to high hits), but it also means mastering Mortal Kombat-specific mechanics like combo breakers, flawless blocks, up blocks, and your various wakeup options. Luckily, the tutorial will teach you all of this stuff, so you won't have to learn it on your own.

Defense is one of the hardest aspects of any fighting game to learn, and most players tend to master it last.

By learning the basics now, you'll master techniques you can bring to any character, and have a leg up on many players early on. Plus, knowing how to escape combos (and avoid being hit in the first place) in a game where an experienced player can take half your health bar with a single touch will be really helpful.