NetherRealm has officially announced the dates for the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1 beta test. The beta is a bonus available to players who pre-order the game, and there's currently no other way to play it.

The Mortal Kombat 1 beta kicks off Friday, August 18 and will be available until Monday, August 21. Series co-creator, Ed Boon, announced the dates on Twitter, but did not provide specific timings. Those typically arrive a little closer to the beta's start.

August 18th

My mother’s birthday.
Tobias’s mother’s birthday.
1995 MK Movie release date.

and now… the #MK1 pre-Oder beta !!pic.twitter.com/ow8bxNcOKI

— Ed Boon (@noobde) July 27, 2023

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Unfortunately, as with the recent stress test, the beta will not be available on PC. Despite costing the same as consoles, the pre-order bonus simply doesn't exist on PC. It's also not available on Switch, meaning only PS5 and Xbox Series X/S owners - who pre-order Mortal Kombat 1 - can play.

Last weekend, NetherRealm revealed a host of returning characters from the main roster, including Baraka, Tanya, Li Mei, and Darrius as a Kameo Fighter.

The developer also confirmed the full line-up of the game's Kombat Pack DLC, which is made up of The Boys' Homelander, Invincible’s Omni-Man, DC's Peacemaker, as well as the return of Ermac, Quan Chi, and Takeda.

Mortal Kombat 1 is out September 19 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.