Mortal Kombat 1 Unavailable for Purchase on Nintendo Switch 2 eShop, But Existing Owners Can Still Play

Mortal Kombat 1, developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros.

Games, has faced a significant update concerning its availability on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop.

While the brutal fighting game generated buzz for its challenging performance on Nintendo Switch at launch, it now faces new compatibility issues on the upgraded Nintendo Switch 2 platform.

Mortal Kombat 1, which originally debuted for the Nintendo Switch on September 19, 2023, alongside releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, is currently listed as unavailable for purchase or download from the Switch 2's eShop storefront. For players hoping to revisit Mortal Kombat 1 on their new Nintendo Switch 2, the eShop offers no option to repurchase or download the title; the game is marked as incompatible with the new system.

Referring to Nintendo’s official incompatibility list, a notice simply states that “the issue is being investigated,” providing little clarity for fans seeking a hassle-free experience. However, some good news exists for loyal players: if you already own Mortal Kombat 1 on the original Nintendo Switch, you retain full access on the new hardware, provided you conduct a complete system transfer from your previous device.

Once the transfer process is complete, your digital license for the game allows it to appear in your Switch 2 collection, letting you bypass the eShop’s current purchase restrictions. Players have reported that, after successfully transferring Mortal Kombat 1 to the Nintendo Switch 2, the improvements in performance are significant.

The game, once criticized for its lackluster visuals and sluggish menus, now appears noticeably sharper, with much faster menu navigation and dramatically reduced loading times.

Proprietary to the Switch 2’s enhanced internals, the upgrade delivers a smoother, more enjoyable fighting experience, despite some graphical compromises compared to next-generation platforms. While the transition between cutscenes and fights remains less seamless than on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, gameplay performance has improved to the point that Mortal Kombat 1 is finally playable on a Nintendo console.

Existing micro-stuttering in cinematic sequences and minor performance dips may persist, particularly in the expansive single-player campaign.

Nevertheless, the gameplay and solo content are now much more accessible. It’s important to note that online matchmaking remains sparsely populated, but solo players, especially those with the Definitive Edition, will find plenty of content to enjoy.

Until the compatibility issue is resolved and Mortal Kombat 1 returns to the Switch 2 eShop, the best path for interested players is to purchase the title on the original Switch and carry out a full system transfer. Mortal Kombat 1’s history on Nintendo’s hardware has been eventful, but with these newfound improvements on the Switch 2, existing owners finally have an optimized, enjoyable experience.

Stay tuned for further updates as Nintendo and NetherRealm address current compatibility concerns and work to restore broader eShop access for the title.

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