You could describe combat as a natural fit for online slots because it brings drama to the reels, as well as instant tension and eye-catching visuals. The niche splits into a couple of sides. One is the Mortal Kombat-style, where ninjas, martial arts and supernatural combat imagery that all feel close to classic arcade-style brawlers are on show. The other lane is MMA, where there’s official branding and a fight-night atmosphere to give games an authentic sporting edge.

Deadly Combat

For players looking at slots online to deliver a Mortal Kombat-style experience, Deadly Combat is probably the standout offering. It’s a five-reel slot that stars characters such as Sonya, Reptile, Sub-Zero, Scorpion and Raiden, so the Mortal Kombat influence is obvious. This matters because there’s no subtlety; instead, there’s a familiar sense of mystical fighters, elemental powers and one-on-one battle energy. If you want to play an online slot that’s as close to Mortal Kombat as you can get, this is the one.

Reel Warriors

Reel Warriors is another combat-style favourite as it leans heavily into the fighting theme. The slot has an RTP of around 96.00%, and players can take home a top prize of 10,000x the stake. Fans of older Mortal Kombat-style video games will feel a connection with this game, so it’s great for a bit of nostalgia. Overall, it will appeal to players who like their combat games presented in an arcade-like way, as they can dive straight into the action.

Thunderfist

Thunderfist is an older online slot title, but it’s still got the martial arts vibe, and it’s made by leading developers NetEnt. With 243 ways to win spread across the game’s five reels, it’s got instant appeal, and when you factor in the stacked wilds and free spins bonus round with accompanying multipliers, you’ve got a real game on your hands. It’s not a slot that attempts to imitate Mortal Kombat, but it is a slot built on combat and martial arts, which is what players searching this genre are looking for.

It’s Time!!

It’s Time!! is one of the top slots when it comes to that authentic combat sports feel. Relax Gaming, who created the slot, did so in association with legendary MMA MC Bruce Buffer, which immediately adds to the game’s credibility. It’s a slot with a 6×4 layout with 40 fixed paylines. Features include Hot Spot, Fighter Bonus and Buffer Bonus, with a max win of 2,500x available. The Bruce Buffer link adds to the spectacle, moving the slot away from being another generic release.

UFC Gold Blitz Extreme

As far as MMA slots go, UFC Gold Blitz Extreme stands out because it’s officially licensed by the UFC. When you have a game with an official license, you know you’re in for an authentic experience. UFC Gold Blitz Extreme is a game with high volatility and a max win of 5,500x. But it’s being officially UFC that makes this slot appealing, as it takes fans closer to a true fight night experience than most others on the market.

Conclusion

Mortal Kombat has been the inspiration behind a lot of combat-style games, including slots. The key is that games have to be authentic in their approach for combat sports and MMA fans to buy into what’s being presented. When developers get this right, combat-style slots will become very popular very quickly.