Mortal Kombat X Resolution Analysis Reveals Native 1080p On PS4, Sub-Native 1080p On XBO

Mortal Kombat X is now available for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. According to a tweet from the director, Ed Boon, the game runs at 1080p/60fps on a highly customized version of Unreal Engine 3. With the retail game in our hands, it’s finally time for our resident pixel counter to put it through its paces.

[GMR_PR]

They are probably using that weird resolution on XBO again.

[Gazondaily]

This is a cross gen game. Really kinda poor if this can't even run at 1080p. Fighting games are hardly that demanding and this isn't exactly a visual stunner.

[Genuine-User]

Mortal Kombat X is as much of a cross-gen game as Shadow of Mordor was. We all know how that game turned out on last gen.

If Killer Instinct, an Xbox exclusive can't hit 1080p, what makes you think that MKX will.

Opinion time: MKX looks better than KI.

[Gazondaily]

@Genuine

"If Killer Instinct, an Xbox exclusive can't hit 1080p, what makes you think that MKX will. "

Because KI was rushed and got boosted from a paltry 720p to 900p a few months later.

"Opinion time: MKX looks better than KI."

I agree.

[Genuine-User]

are you assuming that MKX was rushed and lacks optimisation on the X1?

The visual boost was patched with season 2, roughly a year from its initial release.

[Azzanation]

@Genuine-User

Big Disagree on MKX looking better then KI. They both look fantastic, MKX looks better in some ways but KI looks better in others. MKX has Better looking Character Models, KI has a lot more particles and effects. MKX is also a lot slower paced, KI is greatly faster paced. Backgrounds all look on the same level. Also KI was a launch game where as MKX released almost 2 years after.

MKX isn't optimised for X1 where as MKX was designed on PS4. Komani and most other 3rd party developers wont waste there time on petty resolution gates, there is barely any difference between 900p and 1080p, Time is money so they just port it across with minimum effort.

I say this as a PC gamer, I will be picking this up on Steam so console versions don't bother me. I am just stating why it runs lower on X1 and that MKX isn't superior to KI.

[Gazondaily]

@genuine

"are you assuming that MKX was rushed and lacks optimisation on the X1? "

No

[Genuine-User]

@ Septic

Could you possibly be a bit more coherent then.

@ Azzanation

MKX would have been 720p on the X1, just like KI until the recent patch, if not for the optimisation. You simply can't expect parity in graphics when it's abundantly clear that PS4 is the more powerful machine.

The one thing KI has going for it are the particle effects.

[Gazondaily]

@Genuine

"@ Septic

Could you possibly be a bit more coherent then. "

I was very clear. You asked me this question:

""If Killer Instinct, an Xbox exclusive can't hit 1080p, what makes you think that MKX will. "

And I replied:

"Because KI was rushed and got boosted from a paltry 720p to 900p a few months later. "

I don't get how you got confused. You asked me how I could have expected MK to be running at 1080p when KI was running sub 1080p and I told you what happened with KI.

[Azzanation]

@Genuine-User

*MKX would have been 720p on the X1, just like KI until the recent patch, if not for the optimisation. You simply can't expect parity in graphics when it's abundantly clear that PS4 is the more powerful machine.*

Hardware isn't a factor anymore. Both consoles have there advantages, PS4 has a better GPU and X1 has a better CPU. Games today rely more on what its built around. MKX was built around PS4 advantages not X1s.

Komani defiantly optimised X1 version, just not to the point to hit 1080p which has been proven in the past that both consoles can achieve the same specs eg Destiny, if they put in the hard yards.

Wait until games start being optimised around DX12 and you will see that Hardware isn't everything. Developers will just port there game to the PS4 and instead of wasting $$$ on optimising the hardware to hit 1080p they will get the 2nd best thing and leave it.

Hardware only matters when one is superior then the other in all factors. In this case the PS4 and X1 have advantages over each other.

[lifeisgamesok]

Who still cares about resolution when we've seen the games look 99.9% identical lol

[tekksin]

it sometimes goes down to the code written. I know when I test for frame rates the code I write makes a lot bigger impact than the effects I use. This fighter has a lot of stuff happening at the tap of a button, and some users are expected to mash them at any given moment. Just sayin, it's not always all down to graphics. Games with not much going on will run smoother, in general, and MK looks to have a symphony of carnage happening at any given moment--player induced or otherwise.

[LexHazard79]

@ genuine user,

Killer Instincts has more than just particle effects going for it. How about awesome fun gameplay. Seriously, KI is an excellent fighter.

[Randostar]

900p good enough for me :D

[Randostar]

No sense of humor in here at all. :/ I own a PS4.

[Magicite]

Something like 1888x999?
Dont worry, they will finally get to FHD next gen.

[Bdub2000]

Maybe PS4 will too... They've only mustered 900p a few games as well, but "that's different". 1080p is already last gen anyways

[merciless]

That 1080 pr resolution.

[yewles1]

1360x1080? That's like only 1.02% more total pixels than 900p...

[GMR_PR]

Yes but its only scaling one way, which make the IQ better than if it was 900p.

[onanie]

Inaccurate. You might be scaling in one direction only, but you have comparatively more horizontal scaling artefacts than 900p. In the end, it is a wash whether you scale in both directions or just one.

[MegaRay]

Is there a "pixel" calculator in the market?

[gfk342]

Basically is the equivalent of 900.

[reallyNow]

no. Killzone Shadowfall had a resolution of 1080p, both single player and multiplayer.

[Paytaa]

And the pissing contest begins

[Gamer777]

I'd just wait for digital foundry to due their analysis.

[deadpoolio316]

Yeah cause what would the CREATOR of the game and the HEAD DEVELOPER know......Ya know THE PERSON WHO SAID IT had you have read more than the title

[rdgneoz3]

@Deadpoolio You mean one of the people responsible for putting out a patch after the game released (and after reviewers reviewed the game) that reduced the amount of gold people won so that they'd buy the micro-transaction crap?

[Gamer777]

do*

[Volkama]

Deadpoolio your comment is funny.

Ed Boon said it's 1080p60. Pixel counters that have the game in their hands are saying it isn't.

Maybe Ed was mistaken, maybe he was lying, maybe things changed after he said it. Who knows? Waiting for the Digital foundry analysis makes sense, though I think the Beyond3D chaps are pretty good at analysing this stuff too so expect that their verdict is spot on.

Personally I'm waiting for the GamingBolt verdict. I love the way they regurgitate the findings of other people, mixed in with a few dev quotes they picked up along the way.

[jerjef]

Here's a crazy notion. Buy the game, play it, and you tell us what resolution it is.

[gangsta_red]

People constantly waiting for Digital Foundry only further proves how mostly no one can tell the difference in resolutions.

[Blacklash93]

N4G has to have this conversation every single time an Xbone game is revealed to be sub-1080p. :/

[SpinalRemains138]

Yes, and when DX12 is used and the games still looks the same as PS4 or slightly less, the articles will continue.

For some, that's all that matters; not how fun the games actually are.

[Fkhalf16]

To the casual consumer, it doesn't matter, hope everyone enjoy MKX, got mine off PSN since the family are BIG MK fans.

[BecauseImBatman]

Meh, I bought it earlier this week and decided in favor of the Xbox One version cause I prefer the controller for fighting games (and FPS games too) and I got a few friends on X1 who'll want to play with me. I don't think the resolution is an issue since its a fighting game and framerate is always king when it comes to fighting games... plus I've played it a lot the last two nights it looks great on my Xbox One and plays smooth. And speaking on the merits of the game itself cause that is all that matters really, its really fun and I would recommend to any Mortal Kombat fan (even fans of fighting games in general like Killer Instinct and Tekken).

[UltraNova]

"cause I prefer the controller for fighting games (and FPS games too) "

The latter I can understand the former though I cant!

I think you are the 1st person I've ever heard say they prefer an xbox controller over a ps one for fighting games, I shit you not my friend. Are you sure you tried the ps version? The D-pad on the dual-shock is decidedly better than the xb's...anw to each its own I guess.

Getting it on the xb1 because that's where your friends are is the logical move to make.

[Spotie]

I'll echo that sentiment as one I also share. Though, for me, the Dualshock is as easy to use in one genre as another, I can't imagine the Xbox controller being better at fighters.

[BecauseImBatman]

I'm gonna be frank with you, I just prefer it. Some of my friends prefer the PS4 controller for FPS games which I can't understand (sure it's a big improvement on the PS3 controller but not enough to be better for FPS games) but everybody has a preference as you said "to each of it's own". I'll give you that the d-pad is better on DS4 but I find my self using the stick more often than not for fighting games so I just prefer the X1 controller... and that's just me.

But at the end of the day I still prefer the Xbox 360 controller over either the PS4 or X1 controller... Ideally I would use that for my fighting games.

@Spotie

I never said the Xbox controller is better for fighting games I just prefer it myself. I have no thoughts on which one would be the best for fighting games...

[SwiftArsonist]

the fact that people still talking bout resolution is beyond me. just last generation this was a non issue. I got both versions and they look identical

[Utalkin2me]

Sorry, all 3 versions look different. Maybe not some crazy shish. but they do look different.

[2pacalypsenow]

Last gen ps3 got slammed because 3rd party games looked better on 360 and everyone made fun of the cell . So it's Only fitting people make fun of the Xbox 1 for being inferior

[krypt1983]

well don't worry when all developers switch to dx12 by next fall it will be the same case, mark my words bookmark this page it's commonsense, have a pissing contest why you can it will be irrelevant soon ...

[WeirdShroom]

It is only fair. No argument. However, so many years later still being mad enough to "exact revenge" shows how hard little fanboys got trolled. U still mad.

[jerjef]

"The sins of the fathers are laid upon the children"
-William Shakespeare

"I didn't buy it because it wasn't full 1080p"
-no one

[Khajiit86]

And the Gen before that HD didnt matter. We move into the future. 900p to 1080p make a pretty big difference. I game on a 900p monitor and a 1080p tv and games look so much better on the 1080p screen.

[LexHazard79]

I game on a 1080p monitor and its looks better than on my 1080p TV. Probably due to the smaller screen size.

[BubTheHuman]

ps1 weakest console of its gen, ps2 weakest console of its gen......weak does not mean its worse

[TheNemesis501]

no one who owns an xbox is going to think there console is less then because of sub 1080. exclusives do, multi platform games don't.

[Kalebninja]

I own both and yes I think less of my xbone when things like this happen. But hey at least sunset overdrive was great.

[LexHazard79]

I own both as well and I dont think less of my Xbox One. I still play it more than my PS4, but I also have more friends and family on XBL. I do however feel for those who only owN Xbox One, seems you guys have a very tough road ahead from all the sub 1080p games coming seems like one right after the other...and the PS fanboys not giving you a break. That being said if you like gaming no matter what, this stupid things shouldnt bother.

[MasterBaker]

I returned my game because it doesn't run at 1080p

-nobody

Honestly, if they never said anything, probably nobody would've notice. Because once I'm focused on the game that's it, I'm not thinking about resolution I'm thinking about the game and enjoying it.

[krypt1983]

your right nobody notices they just use it as ammo for a imaginary war to solidify there purchase decision and defend a piece of plastic it's pathetic, they obviously ain't busy playing games like they should be ...

[Spotie]

I chose to get it on PS4 over XB1 because it runs at 1080p on the former.

- quite a few people.

[MasterBaker]

I'm buy a certain console for the exclusives and not resolution

-gamers

[OldDude]

I chose it on PC so I can run it at much higher than 1080p, so what's your point? If you think either console is a power box you are seriously misguided.

[Spotie]

I buy a certain console for the exclusives and better version of multiplats.

-gamers

People noticed smaller differences last generation, did they not? And articles about resolution continue to persist, indicating that people still care, don't they?

Or does your desired ignorance of the subject mean everyone else should feel the same?

[gangsta_red]

"indicating that people still care, don't they?"

Only internet fanboys and trolls who carry on with their insane console war of who's console can beat up another console.

But in the real world no one really cares, as long as it looks pretty and shiny.

"desired ignorance of the subject"

Really? And I guess an overblown sense of knowledge on the subject is accepted?

[Spotie]

lmao. Exactly what is an overblown sense of knowledge?

"In the real world..."

How about in the gaming world? Cuz in the "real" world, gaming itself doesn't account for much. That said, even in the "real" world, people still care. In the real world, the fastest, strongest, tastiest, best... all these things count. Why would "best looking" NOT count as it pertained to a game?

[gangsta_red]

You and others really like to exaggerate what really happens in the real world.

In the real world no one truly cares. Stop equating your experiences and arguments on N4G to what Joe Consumer cares about when buying a video game.

Hardly anyone (no one) walks into a gamestop or Best Buy and asks if a video game is in 1080p or 900p.

"In the real world, the fastest, strongest, tastiest, best... all these things count."

More extreme exaggeration.

The best looking seems to only count when compared side by side, when you are TOLD which is running what, when you are shown numbers of where it dips and where it doesn't, when you are led by the hand and shown which blades of grass are missing.

But when none of that is available, no one seems to notice which version is better or looks the best.

[Simmo3D]

Who gives a shit what the resolution is? It's a great game end of story

[Bigpappy]

Its a bragging rights thing that young men tend to do. Any little edge is magnified exponentially.

[Bathyj]

Its relevant information and it shouldnt be a dark secret just so some people dont get their feelings hurt. I'm not condoning bragging about it or rubbing it others faces but some people might want to know which is the better looking version.

[jerjef]

They need to be told? Can't they tell on their own?

[Azzanation]

They already know, Its the PC version.

[DevelopmentArrested]

Lol Azzanation. You should know you can only brag about resolution when it concerns the PS4 looking better.

[akaFullMetal]

Surprised they couldn't get the xb1 to 1080p considering it is a modified ue3 engine. Either way it looks fun, can't wait to get it soon.

[gfk342]

Why is so surprising? Killer Instimct, a fighting game and a X1 exclusive, runs at 900p.

[Bathyj]

Oh well, at least its 1080 horizontal lines, thats the most important part of the resolution equation. Its only upscaled in width.

Really surprised no one has said "FLAWLESS VICTORY" yet.

[Sm00thop]

Hardly a flawless victory when the game is region locked on PS4, that's a much bigger issue to be honest.

[MasterCornholio]

Well I wasn't expecting this since its a fighter.

:I

Oh well its not like its a big deal.

[Mr_Luke]

Even with a fighting game there's a "sub native 1080p" thing? Mh... well, if the game is fun i guess people won't care about that.

[windblowsagain]

People just need to realise that xboxone does not and will not ever have the same amount of power that the PS4 does.

If it bothers you that much, then either stop worrying about it, buy a ps4 or a PC.

[Sm00thop]

I'll take the Xbox One version that isn't region locked, I don't think I'd even notice a few extra pixels to be honest.

[Hakoom]

xbox needs dx13 it seems since 12 is not helping

[XanderZane]

They obviously didn't use DX12 for this game. It would easily be 1080P if they used DX12. You won't see DX12 games until closer to the end of the year. Don't worry, Microsoft will show a few at the E3 and GamesCom I'm sure. DX11 is crap and the hardware in the XB1 doesn't cater to it. XB1 was built for DX12.

[Hakoom]

ye they will show it on a high end pc like they did in the past :)

[corroios]

The lack of raw power is clear. If even some exclusives cant run at 1080p what can you expect from 3rd party? Next gen microft better spend more money in a good gpu at least. This generation is done.

Whats funny is that we are just getting this information right now!

[kenwonobi]

You know last gen was much closer in terms of crossplatform games. I think many of the Xbox trolls shoulda left that one particular minuscule detail slide last gen. Now it seems they are really taking a beating on this subject over and over for every single game it seems. The difference in some games this generation is much more pronounced than last gen. Just a side story playing a major role in this generation. I didnt anticipate Xbox One would allow such a gulf in power. It is major mistake on their part of planning their console. Well now it seems like it is.

[Failrunner]

Xbox One is now cheaper so it doesn't matter. If they were the same price still than it would annoy me. I own the PS4 version and i'm sure no one can tell the difference between the two when playing on there couch.

[Tedakin]

I have it on Xbone. Look sand runs great.

[g-nome]

I have it on PS4 , Looks and runs fantastic.

[Audiggity]

This just in:

"Analysis on Resolution Analysis Reveals that Native Analysis Resolution is a waste of time and solely intended to generate clicks for ad revenue"

Seriously. Who cares? I have MKX for XB1 and it looks great... I'm sure it looks the tiniest bit better on PS4 with your nose 8 inches from the TV. The question is, could the person who conducted this seemingly pointless analysis tell the difference if they were sitting 10' away from two large 1080p TVs each running a version of the game?

No. They could not.

[Why o why]

Lol....that good ol 'you only sing when you're winning' type

I wish you were here last gen in the df and lot articles. .......oh wait a minute....you were on n4g and odly said nothing to those gloating over 'tinier' differences. ......... lmao....another tune changer exposed

Enjoy your game whatever the platform but those who used to make a fuss and laud superiorty last gen shouldn't cry now when things have changed.

[Petebloodyonion]

Miscrosoft PLz read this

Let's be honest here your Xboxone is in the wrong market.
Because it seem tha everybody can see how the games are inferiors on your platform compare to ps4.

You should stop investing in gamming and refocus the Xbox one as a Health care solution.

You would make billions of money there and help ppl regain eyesight
for it seem your console do wonder!
The proof is right here. tons of gamers who don't see a difference between pc and ps4, ppl who don't see artifact in psnow games and others who were lied with customs resolution sudendly gain a eyesight of 50/20 when they play on your console.

Heck! experts who debate on when you can see the difference between 720p and 1080P are completely in the blinds for on Xbox one the differences 900P is even more drastic compare to a black and white tv vs color.

Honestly Microsoft think about how you could save the eyesight of the world with the Xboxone and the billions and billions of money.

(if you listen to me. Know that I want my share!)

[Audiggity]

Guess who got drunk this morning and started XB1 bashing on N4G?!?!?!

^^^ THIS GUY ^^^

Seriously, Pete, slow down when you type.

"You would make billions of money there and help ppl regain eyesight for it seem your console do wonder!"

"save the eyesight of the world with the Xboxone and the billions and billions of money"

What?!

And hasn't the XB1 bashing/PS4 praise kind of died down a little on here? You trying to get it fired up again?

[Petebloodyonion]

Sorry for my spelling mistakes or grammar syntax's English isn't my native language.

Not trying to bash XB1 or PS4 but just pointing out that PPL make a huge fuss about resolution (specially on XB1) like the difference between black and white.

There's a bigger difference between the output signal (same resolution) on 2 differents tv brand, compare to this debate and yet I have yet to see the war about Samsung del, plasma, etc vs other brand here.

So that's the point of this joke. Since the Xb1 seem to have the property of enhancing the eyesight of the player to a ridiculous level. Then MS should invest in XB1 technology for eye sickess, blindness recovery program etc.

If you prefer pointing out the irony of ppl who complains here every time about resolutions on Xb1 yet don't mind PS now compression, or say PC 4k resolution don't matter.

(personally I don't care about resolution and never checked my resolution in 3ds games or Vita nor Did I ask what was the resolution on my WiiU)

[Audiggity]

Ahhh, sorry about that Pete!

All is well in the world - I misunderstood your point.

[mysteryraz11]

so you gonna bring up pcs that are above the 1000 dollar price range, really noone cares, ppl dont wanna spend near 1000 bucks to buy a console, so quiet and microsoft really messed up on the x1 this is pathetic

[tee_bag242]

Lame. Get a job tight ass.

[DeadManMMX]

Aw man here I was playing this game and enjoying then this comes out. Holy crap and I thought the game looked and played good on my Xbox One but now with this news this changes EVERYTHING!!! The game suddenly stopped being fun. Damnit now all i can see is that missing 180 or so Progressive lines. CURSE YOU INTERNET!!! CURSE YOU FOR RUINING THIS GAME FOR MEEEE!!!! *Shakes fist at router*.....or not.

[Wedge19]

*Clap, clap, clap* I applaud your bravado sir. I'm a PS4 gamer personally, but I also could care less about number counting or which system runs "native" or "sub" on which games. Can't people just enjoy games any more?

[Father__Merrin]

once DX12 launches worldwide this will be a issue of the past, combined with Esram + clud compute 1080p will be a breeze

[Wedge19]

I will never understand why people care so much about these minute differences. Obviously it took tech to actually run the numbers. Now if it was visible to the naked eye and was a massive difference? Sure, that's a thing. But when we need Digital Foundry to run their stuff to even tell us this... I'll just go back to actually enjoying my game instead of nitpicking tiny numbers some bean counter decides to tell us.

[Mastadope42]

1080p BABY!!!

[Tedakin]

Guess what... as usual... if we didn't have sites doing pixel by pixel counting, NO ONE WOULD EVER KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. It's ridiculous.

[ScaryMonkey]

Hmmm I know I'm being bated by this article, I know I'm supposed to make a comment about the xbone but I also know what the mods are like here. Funny these articles are posted yet if we respond to them we get banned for it, strange how that works. Maybe its because N4G isn't xbone fanboys but N4G mods are, maybe that's it. Good luck to anyone brave enough to make a negative comment about xbone though.