Best controller settings for Mortal Kombat 1
Adjust your MK1 Kontrols and find the best for you
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Whether you’re a veteran of the genre, or simply looking to setup your controls for the first time, we take a look at the best controller settings for Mortal Kombat 1. The release date is finally upon us, so we can get our hands on the early online stress test and get well-acquainted with the controls to help decide which are the best for your kombat skills.
We’ve already put together the best controller for Mortal Kombat 1, but keybinds are another aspect you may be wondering about. They will differ slightly depending on your exact controller layout and button names, but we’ve used an Xbox pad to demonstrate. But if you’re playing on PlayStation for example, don’t worry, it translates easily.
Mortal Kombat 1 best controller settings
We think that NetherRealm have done an excellent job of making the controls of MK1 accessible, so not too much tinkering is needed to create a comfortable layout for you.
As always, MK likes to make their ‘Kontrols’ nice and easy to understand, though there are a few things to talk you through if you want to fine-tune to your liking. Let’s start off with the recommended controls, for both Xbox and (PlayStation) controllers.
- Front Punch: X (square)
- Back Punch: Y (triangle)
- Front Kick: A (cross)
- Back Kick: B (circle)
- Throw: LB (L1)
- Block: RT (R2)
- Kameo: RB (R1)
- Flip Stance: LT (L2)
We think these controls work perfectly well and don’t need messing around with. Of course, preference is a key aspect of find the best setup for you, but these are comfortable and worth getting used to as a first-time player.
Should I change any MK1 controller settings?
Now on to some additional settings which are worth talking about in a little more detail.
- Input Window Timing: Long
- Release Check: On
- Alternate Kontrols: Off
- Input Shortcuts: On
- Button Shortcuts: On
- Vibration: On
In particular, the Input Window Timing is one you can play around with to your liking. If you’re a beginner, we recommend keeping it at ‘long’, giving you a little extra time to get your combos correct. For more advanced users though, switch this to ‘medium’ or ‘short’ if you’ve already got your combos down and don’t want to make any accidental inputs due to too much leniency.
What is the best controller grip for Mortal Kombat 1?
Controller grip (i.e. the way you hold your controller) is quite a commonly debated thing for certain genres of games, such as fighters. If you’re going to be using our suggested control scheme, we definitely recommend you stick to holding the controller in the ‘regular’ way – that being using your thumb for the face buttons and fingers for the back buttons.
On the flipside though, some players may want to maximize their use of the face buttons, instead using their index finger and middle finger for them – more like an arcade-stick style approach. There are even controller designed for this in mind such as the Hori Fighting Commander which allow this technique to work extremely well.
We also suggest trying out the D-pad in favor of the left analog stick to keep your inputs nice and precise. This is something many fans of the genre agree on. However, comfort and preference is king – so play whatever comes most naturally to you.
Best controller settings for Mortal Kombat 1 FAQs
Should I use default Mortal Kombat 1 controller settings?
We’ve found that the default controller settings for Mortal Kombat 1 work perfectly well for most people. There are a few things you can tinker with though to find the best options for you.
Are combos easier with the best controller settings?
Controller settings come down to preference first and foremost, with some players opting for wildly different options than others – just because that’s what they’re used to.
You’ll play best on the controller settings which you’re most comfortable with and we’ve picked out the best for the majority of players with some advice thrown in.
