Why These Classic Game Franchises Deserve the Mortal Kombat Treatment

According to XDA-Developers, the recently announced Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection from Digital Eclipse brings together multiple games from the iconic fighting franchise into one comprehensive bundle, scheduled for release on October 30, 2025. The collection has already garnered impressive critical reception with an 87/100 OpenCritic average and 93% critic recommendation rate, celebrating the series’ 30+ year history since its arcade beginnings. The article argues that several other long-running franchises deserve similar legacy treatment, specifically highlighting Soulcalibur, Virtua Fighter, Legacy of Kain, and The Legend of Zelda as prime candidates for comprehensive collections. These franchises have accumulated numerous releases across multiple platforms but have yet to receive the compilation treatment that would make them accessible to modern audiences.

The Business Case for Game Preservation

What makes the timing particularly interesting for legacy collections is the convergence of several market factors. We’re seeing a perfect storm of nostalgia-driven purchasing power from millennials who grew up with these franchises, combined with the technical capabilities of modern emulation and remastering techniques. Companies like Digital Eclipse have refined the art of game preservation, creating packages that don’t just dump ROMs but provide historical context, developer commentary, and museum-quality extras. The success of collections like Street Fighter 30th Anniversary and the upcoming Mortal Kombat package demonstrates there’s substantial revenue potential beyond just porting old games to subscription services.

The Licensing Nightmare Holding Back Classics

One critical challenge the source only briefly touches on is the complex web of licensing issues that can prevent these collections from happening. Take Soulcalibur – the series famously included platform-exclusive guest characters like Link in the GameCube version, Spawn in the Xbox version, and Heihachi in the PlayStation 2 version. Releasing these today would require renegotiating rights with multiple IP holders, some of whom may be competitors. Similarly, the Legacy of Kain series has changed hands multiple times between Crystal Dynamics, Eidos, and Square Enix, creating rights fragmentation that makes comprehensive collections legally challenging.

Technical Preservation Beyond Simple Ports

Another layer of complexity involves the technical execution. While Virtua Fighter absolutely deserves preservation, the early 3D titles present unique challenges. These games were often developed for specific arcade hardware with proprietary graphics chips and control schemes that don’t translate easily to modern systems. The input latency requirements for fighting games add another layer of complexity – players expect frame-perfect recreation of the original experience, which requires sophisticated emulation rather than simple porting. This explains why some companies hesitate despite clear fan demand.

Nintendo’s Strategic Dilemma with Legacy Content

The case of The Legend of Zelda highlights a different business strategy challenge. Nintendo has traditionally been conservative with re-releases, preferring to drip-feed classic content through services like Nintendo Switch Online rather than comprehensive collections. This approach maximizes long-term subscription revenue but leaves money on the table from collectors and fans who want permanent ownership. The success of limited-time releases like Super Mario 3D All-Stars suggests there’s untapped potential, but Nintendo seems committed to using legacy content as a driver for their subscription ecosystem rather than standalone products.

The Untapped Market for Gaming Heritage

Looking beyond the immediate revenue, there’s a compelling case for these collections as cultural preservation. Many of these franchises represent important milestones in gaming history – Virtua Fighter pioneered 3D fighting mechanics that influenced countless games, while Soulcalibur’s weapon-based combat created an entirely new subgenre. As physical media degrades and original hardware becomes scarce, digital collections may become the only way future generations can experience these foundational titles. Companies that invest in proper preservation now are essentially creating digital museums that will pay dividends in brand loyalty and historical significance for decades to come.

Realistic Outlook for Legacy Collections

Based on industry trends, I predict we’ll see increased activity in this space over the next 2-3 years, but with important caveats. Companies will likely start with their most commercially viable franchises and test the waters with smaller collections before committing to comprehensive packages. We may also see more creative approaches like timed exclusives, premium collector’s editions, and hybrid physical/digital releases to maximize revenue. The success of the Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection will be closely watched as a bellwether for whether this represents a sustainable market segment or just another nostalgia bubble.