Mortal Kombat: Conquest

Mortal Kombat: Conquest

show

TV-PG, 1998

WISE
22%

WISE Score

6.2

IMDb

A 1998 TV spin-off of the ultra-violent video game that's about as watchable today as a VHS tape left in the sun.

IMDb6.2
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: this show was barely watchable in 1998, and it's aged like milk left on a radiator. It's a syndicated action show that tried to capitalize on the Mortal Kombat video game craze with a TV budget and network restrictions that sucked out everything that made the game appealing (the over-the-top violence) while keeping nothing of value.

The 6.2 IMDb rating tells you everything—even nostalgic fans can't muster enthusiasm. The fight choreography is stiff, the acting is wooden, the effects are laughable, and the writing is paint-by-numbers. Your kids won't want to watch this when they could be watching literally any modern action show or anime.

If you're looking for martial arts content, try Cobra Kai or Avatar: The Last Airbender. If you want video game adaptations, try The Last of Us or Arcane. This belongs in the "why did HBO Max even bother uploading this" category.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests 10+, but honestly, even 10-year-olds today would find this nearly unwatchable. If you have a tween who's into retro gaming history or bad-movie-night vibes, maybe 12+, but there are infinitely better options.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
25

Based on the ultra-violent Mortal Kombat franchise, this show centers on martial arts combat with supernatural warriors like Scorpion and Sub-Zero. While it's framed as training warriors, the source material is known for graphic violence and fatalities. The tone is dark and combat-focused rather than emotionally healthy or modeling cooperation.

Imaginative
45

The fantasy premise of Earth Realm tournaments and supernatural warriors offers some world-building and martial arts mythology. However, this is a late-90s action show based on a video game—the imagination is mostly borrowed from existing IP and executed with limited budget and dated effects. It doesn't invite creative expression or exploration.

Safe
35

Common Sense Media rates this for age 10+, suggesting violence is present but somewhat moderated for TV. However, Mortal Kombat as a franchise is built on graphic combat, gore, and fatalities. Even a toned-down TV version likely contains significant martial arts violence, supernatural threats, and potentially scary imagery. Not appropriate for young children to stumble upon.

Enriching
30

With a 6.2 IMDb rating and no notable awards or critical recognition, this appears to be a low-quality cash-in on the video game franchise. The martial arts tournament premise offers minimal ethical depth or meaningful takeaways. Entertainment value is questionable—it's a 1998 syndicated action show that likely hasn't aged well.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • If you're feeling deeply nostalgic for late-90s syndicated action shows with questionable CGI
  • Introduces martial arts mythology and tournament combat concepts (albeit in a very dated package)
  • Features recognizable Mortal Kombat characters like Scorpion and Sub-Zero for franchise fans
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What to Watch For

  • Significant martial arts violence and supernatural combat—this is Mortal Kombat, even if toned down for TV
  • Production values that scream 1998 in the worst way—think Xena but with worse writing
  • Zero educational or emotional value; this is pure (and poorly executed) action schlock
  • Your kid will be bored within 10 minutes unless they have a high tolerance for cheesy 90s fight choreography

Conversation Starters

  • "What do you think makes a good vs. bad guy in stories like this?"
  • "How do you think martial arts training actually works compared to what we see on TV?"
  • "Why do you think some video games get turned into TV shows? Does it usually work well?"

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