Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection on Nintendo Switch: Digital Eclipse Addresses Wishes for Mortal Kombat Nitro Inclusion

Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection is set to deliver a comprehensive archive of classic fighting game history when it releases digitally on October 30, 2024, for the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Developed by renowned preservationists Digital Eclipse, this eagerly anticipated collection brings together a swath of Mortal Kombat games spanning the storied franchise’s legacy, and is set to hit physical retail shelves this December. Digital Eclipse, acclaimed for their meticulous work on celebrated retrospectives like The Disney Afternoon Collection and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, surprised the gaming community with the announcement of Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection in June.

Almost immediately, long-time fans began hoping the elusive Mortal Kombat Nitro might finally see a commercial release within this new collection.

Mortal Kombat Nitro, originally developed by Sculptured Software and supported by Acclaim in the mid-1990s, was designed as a more robust, uncensored follow-up to the SNES version of Mortal Kombat, aiming to address fan critiques of the original port by adding features, new characters like Goro, Shang Tsung, Reptile, and Kung Lao, and other enhancements.

However, the project was shelved as Midway prioritized development of Mortal Kombat II for arcades and associated console ports. Over several decades, details surrounding Mortal Kombat Nitro remained largely speculative, gaining renewed interest in early 2024 when former Acclaim employee James Fink showcased a never-released prototype in an extended YouTube session with prominent Mortal Kombat fan Tabmok99.

This demonstration prompted questions about whether Digital Eclipse had contacted Fink for collaboration or archival purposes regarding Nitro’s possible inclusion or documentation in Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection’s interactive features. Responding to inquiries, James Fink clarified that Digital Eclipse had not reached out to him regarding his prototype, stating that while he is open to cooperating, there have been "no conversations" whatsoever.

Fink also mentioned that franchise co-creator Ed Boon may still possess his own copy of the ROM, as it was gifted to him during development.

However, Ed Boon has not responded to recent requests for comment, and Digital Eclipse has declined to comment on Mortal Kombat Nitro’s potential incorporation, either as a playable title or as part of a digital museum. While this uncertainty may disappoint fans, Digital Eclipse has demonstrated commitment to authenticity and completeness.

Producer Stephen Frost reiterated the company’s focus, saying, "We strive to include every game possible in every collection we do.

We are fans ourselves, and that’s our number one goal.

That being said, sometimes licensing, legal, or technical constraints make it impossible." Despite the lack of confirmation about Mortal Kombat Nitro, the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection promises to be a landmark digital anthology for Nintendo Switch and other major platforms, offering a carefully curated retrospective of one of gaming’s most iconic fighting franchises on eShop and beyond.

Stay tuned for more updates as the October 30 release date approaches.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Digital Eclipse Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat Nitro Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection Legacy Kollection Eclipse Ed Boon Acclaim Sculptured Software Switch 2 PS4 PS5 PC Xbox One Xbox Series X|S Stephen Frost