The 2011 reboot of Mortal Kombat - or Mortal Kombat 9 as some call it - is without question the magnum opus of the franchise. Despite being 19 years removed from the original, it managed to recapture the glory and heart of the series in a way that is respectful of the past whilst making big strides towards the future. Essentially both a reboot and a sequel, MK 9 retold the story of the first three games through the use of a time travel twist. This decision allowed the game to return to the roots of the series and bring back all the favorite characters, whilst telling a legitimately engaging and wildly entertaining story. Its the first Mortal Kombat where you can actually get involved with the narrative, and that gets more intense as it goes on. Mortal Kombat 2011 was also the first game to perfectly merge the classic 2D fighting style with modern game design. It plays just like the older games without feeling dated, a fact helped by the addition of new features like the X-Ray attack, which are so incredibly satisfying in their brutality. It just looks and plays amazingly well, all while dripping in nostalgia. Lastly MK 9 is just packed with things to see and do. Between the story mode, versus modes that can support up to four people, an extensive online multiplayer, the Krypt and the Challenge Tower - more than enough kontent to keep you playing for a long time. There really is no question that the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot is the best game in the series. The way it was able to remain faithful while also moving the franchise forward is its greatest strength, signalling the beginning of a new era in a series that had survived two decades-worth of change in a relatively young industry. Its a fantastic fighter, a great video game, the best Mortal Kombat by far, and it'll take quite the impressive release to top it. What do you think are the best and worst Mortal Kombat games? Let us know in the comments!