Best Stages in Mortal Kombat 1, Ranked

The stages in Mortal Kombat 1 take after the different realms in the Mortal Kombat universe. From the Outworld to Earthrealm, various locations with distinct flavors and lore grace the head-to-head tournaments you’ll take on in the journey to becoming a Mortal Kombat 1 champion. Honestly, compiling the best stages in Mortal Kombat 1 was tough. They all have such pure beauty and personality with vibrant colors and textures. I wouldn’t be stretching it too far to say Mortal Kombat 1’s stages are some of the best backdrops in the fighting game genre – ever. 

At the end of the day, we have to compile the best of the 19 total stages in Mortal Kombat 1. Plus, ultimately, there are stages you’ll without thought find yourself drawn to and returning to for the mere pleasure of them. I bet these best stages in Mortal Kombat 1, ranked, will become one of those soon.

5. Hanging Gardens

Hanging Gardens is an MK1 stage from the Outworld realm and the heart of Empress Sindel’s palace. Among all areas in Outworld, the Hanging Gardens represent one of its greatest wonders – and it’s easy to see why. It’s massive, packed with lush flora, and looks expensive, like a garden meticulously tendered.

Arriving here during the day will leave you in awe. But when day turns to night, the place looks just as stunning, perhaps even more. Its unique theme with a vibrant purple, deep pink, bright blue, and light green color palette makes every detail of the trees stand out from the crowd. And when the moonlight gleams through the foliage, it perfectly encapsulates the Hanging Gardens feast of the eyes from every angle on the screen.

4. Sun Do

Sun Do is also a stage on the southeastern side of Outworld. In past entries, Sun Do was a small village where the strong-willed warrior Li Mei resided. You may have seen it before if you played the Konquest mode in Mortal Kombat: Deception. In the new era, though, Sun Do is the capital city of Outworld, as well as the home of Empress Sindel. 

What’s great about Sun Do isn’t its history, but rather the juxtaposition between Sun Do and Hanging Garden. The place can melt your face with its vibrant cultures and races. By night, fireworks light up the sky to celebrate the city’s festivities. You can see its beauty from miles away, thanks to a vibrant color palette that pops off perfectly against the starry night.

In the meantime, you’re trying to fight off your opponent. But I can barely help stealing glances at the stunning spectacle right before your eyes. During the day, Sun Do is filled to the brim with people from all walks of life. At night, though, is where the city truly comes to life – visually at least.

3. Cage Mansion

Johnny Cage is a movie superstar who never shies away from a life of splendor and extravaganza. And so, his mansion had to perfectly embody that kind of lifestyle, and my, oh my, did Mortal Kombat understand and deliver the assignment to a T. The Cage Mansion is Johnny Cage’s personal home, located in Earthrealm, Malibu, California. 

Stepping into the mansion, the interior design is stylish and top-notch. Each item in the house looks chic, and as Fandom puts it, “the ultimate chick magnet.” At the center of the house is a swimming pool. I mean, having a pool in the middle of the house has to be the epitome of luxury. It’s adamant that this place is his dream house and most probably the party house to go to at sunset and expect to leave when the sun comes up.

2. Tarkatan Colony

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It’s hard to imagine that the Tarkatan Colony is home to the banished. When the people stricken with the Tarkat virus were banished to the Wastelands in Outworld, they formed colonies for survival. Only those colonies blew up into an alluring, rugged land with a population brimming with hope.

To be fair, the Tarkatan Colony looks a whole lot similar to the Tarkatan War camp in Mortal Kombat 11. However, the place is revamped now, with more vibrant and colorful details. Also, we don’t see much of the grotesque burning corpses and gore. Instead, there are more stunning rock formations that create an in-depth look and pay tribute to the history and lore of the Tarkatan people.

Additionally, the place still looks lovely at night, which is arguably hard to achieve with its rugged nature. However, you experience an otherworldly vibe that makes the place look even grander.

1. Living Forest

There’s a certain charm that a living forest induces. Trees can’t talk. But imagine if they did. What sorts of conversations would you have? In Mortal Kombat 1, the Living Forest is found in the Outworld. It’s said to be haunted for years on end by trees that have faces that roar and groan. They’re sentient beings with a thirst for human blood. If caught in their vines, they’ll make dinner out of you and spit you out to become a part of the forest, too – forever.

Scary stories aside, the Living Forest in Mortal Kombat 1 defies expectations. It’s more vibrant and livelier than in the previous entries. Even the trees themselves look friendlier and calmer, so much so that you want to take a walk through them. Well, that’s if you don’t get creeped out by their glowing green eyes following your every move. As the sun’s rays bounce off its leaves, it illuminates pathways and the forest’s atmosphere with peace and calm. 

In contrast, the Living Forest’s vibes change drastically whenever there’s a storm coming. The once calm, serene atmosphere adapts to a more dangerous, unnerving tone. It helps to increase replayability, so you’re always returning to Living Forest clueless as to what mysteries lurk in the shadows.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our best stages in Mortal Kombat 1, ranked? Are there more stages we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here.