History YMMV / MortalKombatX

* FansPreferTheNewHer: While many people have gotten used to Mileena's other designs (some loving her regardless), the fact this Mileena actually has lips has made this design very popular. Heck, it's so beloved when Mileena eventually came back in MK11 with her more klassic design, many fans pulled FanonDisContinuity on it.

** "Kombat Kids" (not related to the webshow [[WebAnimation/KombatKids of the same name]] starring the [[SpinoffBabies child versions]] of first generation characters) for the group of [[SpinOffspring Cassie Cage, Jacqui, Takeda]], and [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers Kung Jin]].

* GameBreaker: Crystalline Tremor's Krystallization or "Flex" as it's called by commentators is an incredibly loaded buff as it gives him one hit of both reduced damage (or complete damage negation if amplified) and a weaker form of armor; the unique hit animation he takes in this state reduces the amount of hit stun he receives which can put him in a situation of safety or, in the best case scenario, gives him unique punish opportunities no other characters get. Additionally, in the final patch of [=MKXL=], armored launchers were either outright removed from the game or turned into "amplify" attacks which require 1 bar for the armor when performed and 1 for the launch afterwards. With Flex and access to a "flash parry" [[labelnote:note]]A chargeable armored move which can be dash cancelled to get the armor without committing to the attack[[/labelnote]] with Krystal Shatter which can lead to his meterless overhead launcher in Krystal Punch, Tremor effectively has access to low to no cost armored launchers in a game that isn't supposed to have them anymore. And this is on top of Tremor's universal moveset which is generally considered very strong as is.

** Creator/SteveBlum gives Sub-Zero a [[GutturalGrowler wonderfully deep voice.]]

* SalvagedGameMechanic: ''VideoGame/MortalKombat3'' introduced Brutalities, an alternate form of cinematic finishing moves built on killing your opponent via a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown, but this required a ''very'' precise series of inputs to actually work, and the end result was simply having your opponent explode in a shower of blood -- the overall consensus that it was far too gimmicky and finicky to really take off, hence their absence for much of the series. ''X'' reintroduced Brutalities in a much more streamlined way, instead making it so that one of your special moves on a critical-health opponent results in its own cinematic K.O.. This proved to be a much more successful reinvention, and Brutalities of this sort have since found their way into later ''Mortal Kombat'' titles as a mainstay next to Fatalities.

** Creator/SteveBlum gives Sub-Zero a wonderfully deep, [[JustForPun chilling]] [[GutturalGrowler voice.]]

* EpilepticTrees: It's been theorized that Revenants are far weaker than how they were alive, with Scorpion being a notable exception. Otherwise, not many can explain how several characters, such as Kitana, Kung Lao and, especially, Liu Kang [[BadassDecay lost several times]].

** D'Vorah is simultaneously loved for [[spoiler:[[TheChessmaster her outwitting of everyone]] and being TheMole for Shinnok]] and reviled for [[spoiler:killing off long-time fan favorites Baraka and Mileena]].

** Every character who died in the last game and who returns as a Revanent. No matter what badass feats they had before they are all treated as jobbers who lose every fight in the game, even Liu Kang. He went from beating [[BigBad Shao Kahn]] in the previous game to being unable to win a single fight in this one.

* EnsembleDarkhorse: Blanche, the old lady in the Outworld Marketplace. Of all the characters who have never been a playable in the franchise, she is one of the most iconic for the dark humor in throwing her at the opponent, as well as her elevation to MemeticBadass status for the secret Stage Brutality where she pummels the opponent's face in

* GermansLoveDavidHasslehoff: Despite the niche status of the series in Japan, ''MKX'' was a popular import title on Amazon Japan. This is because buying the game there as an import allows buyers to bypass CERO restrictions on sales.

** [[spoiler: Raiden]] has not crossed it yet, [[spoiler:but the fact that he's now [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope willing to declare war on other realms]] after [[OffWithHisHead beheading]] [[KickTheSonOfABitch Shinnok]] at the end of ''MKX'' shows things are going to get really ''serious''.]] Look into in his Arcade ending -- [[spoiler:he attempts to conquer Outworld by brute force until Kotal Kahn convinces the Elder Gods to put a new Mortal Kombat tournament in place; effectively reversing Raiden's role [[HeWhoFightsMonsters into being what he once fought against]].]]

** For some reason, a number of character intros have the character just calling each other by their name, or in some cases relationship (such as Johnny Cage calling Cassie his daughter). Not only do these take up an overwhelming large number of some characters interactions, there isn't any reason for some characters to do. It comes across as very silly considering how often it gets done, like the characters are telling the audicene who each character is. Thankfully, this was changed in the games after.

** Shinnok's [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness overly flowery way]] of [[SophisticatedAsHell essentially calling Johnny Cage a piece of shit]] when the latter knocks him over in the first chapter of story mode is frankly ridicilous, but the passionate way he delivers the line fits his borderline PsychopathicManchild personality so well.

* GameBreaker: Crystalline Tremor's Krystallization or "Flex" as it's called by commentators is an incredibly loaded buff as it gives him one hit of a weaker form of armor; the unique hit animation he takes in this state reduces the amount of hit stun he receives which can put him in a state which in the best case scenario gives him unique punish opportunities no other characters get. Additionally, in the final patch of [=MKXL=], armored launchers were either outright removed from the game or turned into "amplify" attacks which require 1 bar for the armor when performed and 1 for the launch afterwards. With Flex and access to a "flash parry" [[labelnote:note]]A chargeable armored move which can be dash cancelled to get the armor without committing to the attack[[/labelnote]] with Krystal Shatter which can lead to his meterless overhead launcher in Krystal Punch, Tremor effectively has access to a low-cost armored launcher in a game that isn't supposed to have them anymore. And this is on top of Tremor's universal moveset which is generally considered very strong as is.