Sony Issues Refunds for ‘Nightmare’ Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection
▼ Summary
– The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection preserves the original arcade games’ AI input reading, which allows the computer to counter player moves by detecting inputs.
– Newer players in 2025 are frustrated by this preserved difficulty, leading some to request refunds and criticize the collection as a poor remaster.
– Sony typically does not offer refunds for digital games but is making exceptions in this case, as shown by customer support accepting return requests.
– The collection has additional technical issues like input lag on PS5, which the developer Digital Eclipse has committed to fixing with a patch.
– There is debate over whether retro games should be altered for modern audiences, with speculation that a rebalanced difficulty option may be added in the future.
The Mortal Kombat Legacy Kollection has sparked controversy and refund requests due to its preservation of the original arcade games’ notoriously difficult AI. Players accustomed to modern gaming standards are encountering the same unforgiving mechanics that defined the 1990s arcade experience, where the computer opponents could seemingly anticipate every move. This has led to a wave of dissatisfaction, prompting Sony to issue refunds despite its typically strict digital return policy.
One frustrated gamer shared their experience on Reddit, stating they received a refund and calling the AI input reading a “downright nightmare.” They emphasized that even as someone familiar with the series, the current state of the collection was unacceptable. While some community members pointed out that the package aims for authenticity rather than being a remaster, numerous others echoed the sentiment, reporting their own successful refund requests.
Sony’s standard practice is to deny refunds for digital purchases, making exceptions only in rare cases for severely problematic releases. The fact that refunds are being granted for this collection indicates the severity of player backlash. Screenshots from discussions with PlayStation support confirm that the company is honoring these requests, highlighting the unusual nature of the situation.
Apart from the divisive AI behavior, the collection does suffer from confirmed technical problems, such as input lag on the PS5. Developer Digital Eclipse has acknowledged this issue and plans to release a patch, with additional information expected soon. This separate problem adds to the overall frustration, though the core debate revolves around whether a retro re-release should modify original gameplay elements.
The situation raises a broader question about preserving classic games in their original form. Should developers adjust notorious difficulty or mechanics to suit contemporary audiences, or does altering them undermine the goal of preservation? It remains to be seen whether the development team will introduce an optional rebalanced mode to address the AI’s aggressive input reading, especially given that many players today find the original design excessively punishing.
(Source: Push Square)
