I'm going to have to go with Deadly Alliance as the best MK. It just did so many things right.

It had some amazing elements.

I would say gameplay wise probably the best, yes.

However there are things about the other games I liked better.

Music first of all is something about the earlier games that I loved. The music just set this almost eerie atmosphere that I do not feel has been replicated since probably trilogy.

Storywise, DA was my favorite game. In fact, DA may be my favorite MK game ever. I loved the earlier ones and they will always hold a special place to me, but something about DA was just amazing to me.

MK9 had the most amazing fluid gameplay out of any though, and really gave the characters a sense of identity.

Things from the earlier games need to be brought back though.

Shao Kahn saying "You will never win" and just insulting you. that's one.

The music is two. The music on the select screen especially.

Also, something they should bring back is the clank of moving between characters in earlier games. It may sound crazy to want that back, but it would just give the game an old school feel.

Also, like some others have said. Choose your destiny should be brought back too.

Basically mix all elements of the earlier games. All of them. The music, select screen, choose your destiny, the insulting, Also the noise the cyborgs made in MK3 would be nice. All of that.

Then bring in the storytelling of MKDA. I think they really succeeded because of how they told each characters story there. Each individual had their own story, and they didn't try to cram people into cluttered storymode. Also bring in the krypt from DA. That was the best krypt they've ever had.

Then mix all of that with the gameplay of MK9 and you've got yourself a win.

So basically MK9 was best gameplay wise, but I can't say definitively that it was the BEST mk game ever. It's fun of course, but they definitely have room for improvement.

Yes, and its not even an opinion.

Its just a fact.

mk9 best mk of this era and mk2 best game of first era so for me mk9 and mk2 are the best of all mk games.

Yes, MK9 is the best in the series and it's not even close. It looks and plays like a dream, it has the perfect MK roster, and all the extra content like story mode and challenge tower kept the replay value high. Lots of bang for your buck on this one.

The early games will always hold a place in my heart of course, but even MK2 is a very distant second.

Is there even really a long answer for this? Yeah, it is the best MK ever made.

its hard to say... in terms of graphics and game-play ill go for MK9.
but when it comes to the atmosphere and music MK2 stays on top. that game felt so original, its were my love for MK has begun. i really miss some elements (mystical dark Asian influences) that separated MK from other fighting games, besides gore.

As with other users, it's mostly categories that stretch my opinion in different directions.

MK9 is definitely the best gameplay-wise, but the krypt felt lacking, the music for some stages were just way too epic in scope while generic in execution and some stages lost their charm due to questionable changes (Graveyard being a perfect example).

Not only that, but when presented with the opportunity to flesh out villainous characters, NRS didn't attempt

Still, when things were done right, they were awesome (Armory music, Rooftop stage/music, Johnny Cage etc.).

Besides that, I'm still playing this game like it just came out last month.

Absolutely. It blows all past MK's out of the water, especially from the 3D era. This is the first modern MK to be taken seriously as a competitive fighter. It has a ton of great single player content, the arenas look great, and I enjoyed the story mode. (I'm aware a few people on this site had some issues with it.) I don't remember the last game I bought that I still play on a regular basis so long after the release date.

It all depends how you define best.

MK9 far and away wins for the MK game with the most content, best gameplay, visuals. It's one of the penultimate MK experiences. And even where the plot failed miserably, it's undeniable that a hell of a lot of effort went into bringing the world and its chaarcters alive. It succeeded at that, mostly.

Just the same, the online experience leaves a lot to be desired, and Story, as we know, has its major flaws.

I'm going to say it's probably the best game overall, but it's not going to have the classic status earlier entires enjoy in my heart.

I feel as though any answer besides "yes" is just an answer blinded by nostalgia. The original trilogy, and even 4, were great games. But MK9 blew them out of the water. I admit I havent logged that much time in it in recent months, but I can definitely see myself coming back to it every once in a while. At least moreso than the Arcade Kollection.

Content-wise, Deception is the only game that comes close to MK9, but the second trilogy was pretty mediocre, in all honesty. But that's definitely more of a taste and opinion thing, so I'll shut up.

I have to admit it's the best MK game since Deception.

The gameplay is awesome, the sound and nods to past MK I liked. The Story, well, I have some issues with it but oh well you can't always get what you want.

But it made MK competitive in the fighting game genre again and revived an almost dead franchise and it's almost 20 years old.

Deception? All the 3D games were pretty damn terrible IMO in gameplay

Yes.

Unless something drastic happens, I don't see anything unseating MK3 as the best.

MKDA will always have a special top place in my heart, but, yes, I think MK9 is the best MK game ever. It simply surpassed and exceeded all of my expectations! It truly did take everything to the next level. The attention to ALL the details and the REAL dedication will always be something I'll remember.

MKDA did much better at handling the game's story (absolutely beautiful and fantastic piece of work!), the extra content in the krypt (MK9's Krypt SUCKS), and the overall artistic direction and costume designs was almost flawless (while MK9 failed by creating simplistic designs and ruining most of the females), but, if I had to choose one, I'd have to go with MK9.

The journey to MKDA was a much better one though. I have never felt less excited or less enthusiastic about an MK game as I did with MK9. The journey was a real pain in the butt with the lame and annoying inconsistency in their updates, etc. But, that;s another story..

Along with mortal kombat 2,yes it is

It's impossible for me to say that. Because each Mortal Kombat game has a special thing about them.

What I can say is that MK9 is over all better than the past 3D plane fighters, such as MKDA, MKD, and MKA, BUT to some extent.
MKDA: The levels, the atmosphere of them and the music. Love it.
MKD: Konquest was the only thing I liked about that game.
MKA:. The revamped Konquest was godly.

But again, over all, it's gonna be a long while before I touch those games again.

Gameplay wise, MK9 dominates those I've mention. You have no idea how much I wanted a fast paced MK game since MK Gold. MKvsDCU came close but the button registering was craptastic.

As for MK Gold. I cannot compare both games. They're both fast paced, just the way I like my fighters. And just like MKDA, I have the same feelings for MK Gold but more. MK Gold to me felt like MK3 but in 3D, it even has Sub-Zeros kick combo for practically everybody. But I will never say MK9 is better than Gold, and I cannot say Gold is better than MK9.

Then there's the 2D games.
I find it very hard to say that MK9 is better than the 2D games when the game itself is basically MK1-UMK3 morphed into 3D with a better fighting system.

So, do I think MK9 is the best MK game ever? No.
Do I enjoy MK9 more than the games before it? Hell yes.

Hell no.

I want to say yes, but I also want to say no. I dunno.

Fuck No, MK2011 is one of the worst game I ever played.

I'd say umk3 and mk9 are the best, for me its hard to pick a best ever because I've loved them all. The earlier games have that nostalgic feeling to them. The 3D games were new and refreshing. Then we got an interesting cross over game with great gameplay balance. Finally mk9 a reboot and the biggest competitive scene for a mortal kombat game since umk3.

I haven't played a mortal kombat game I have not liked, they all have a ton of depth within the engine to discover: secret moves like resets, 50/50's, various cancels (special and normal) And then there's the depth in the juggle system. That's just the gameplay mechanics there's tons of hidden codes and modes in all the games. All these aspects can be found in about every mortal kombat ever made which describe my love for the series, which shows how its hard for me to pick a best ever of the series.

This discussion comes down to personal preference on what someone would use as qualifications for greatness to be "the best ever" I like the depth in the fighting mechanics from umk3,mkt(all those glitchy overpowered juggles) , and mk9 So that's why I view umk3 (to a lesser degree mkt, just for combo making and fun not competitive play) and mk9.

Your right it is the best

I have really had a deep love for every game in it's own way.

I would say MK3 was the top of the hill for the classic era. With MK2 close behind. I loved that game.

MK4 is still in it's own category, to me. the first trilogy. MK4 bridging the gap. Then the Dragon King trilogy. MK4 remains one of my favourite.

I honestly have to say, though. MKD took up more of my time and had me more addicted than any game to date. Countless hours of roaming the realms looking for secrets, Puzzle/Chess, online, Krypt, and general gameplay mastery. there wasn't a character in that game that I had not mastered. I still remember crazy BnB's today. haha

MK9? I will say this. It is the best MK ever made. Has me more hooked on actually playing the fighting than any game. Practice bares nothing but reward. Just one patch away from really being flawless, although I don't like patches.

Amazing game.