Mortal Kombat was a video game that was originally released in 1992 on arcade game systems across the United States. This video game was created by Midway to gain a share of the arcade fighting game scene that was, at the time, dominated by Capcom’s Street Fighter series. The first Mortal Kombat toys and Mortal Kombat action figures started appearing in 1994, with brands like GI Joe and Hasbro getting in on the craze. Unopened, original figures go for $50-300, depending on the demand. While these Mortal Kombat toys are pricey compared to other items in the collectibles world, you’ll see that some newer Mortal Kombat action figures go for even more.
Mortal Kombat Toys: What Determines the Price?
Materials
Just like with any product, collectible or not, there is a level of value that comes from the quality of the materials and attention to detail. Mortal Kombat toys and Mortal Kombat action figures are no exception; in fact, models with higher-quality materials will stand the test of time, prolonging their worth and making them more and more valuable with each passing year.
While many of these action figures were meant to be used as toys, the audience that the Mortal Kombat franchise targets are older, more mature adults. For this reason, the action figures can be larger, have more articulation points, and be a higher-quality paint job. Adult audiences will appreciate these features and be more willing to pay a higher price point for each figure.
Articulation Joints
There are a variety of Mortal Kombat toys available, but, by far, the most valuable ones are those with a plethora of articulation joints. Among all brands, Storm Collectibles stands out the most. Each Storm Collectibles action figure has a posable torso, head, and posable shoulders, arms, hands, legs, and feet. This feature alone increases the value of any action figure.
Supply
Many of the action figures you’ll see listed below were only available in limited quantities during in-person events like New York Comic-Con or San Diego Comic-Con. Limited supplies of any collectible (or product in general) will cause the price to spike. This supply, once depleted, causes prices to go to extremes, sometimes triple or quintuple the original MSRP.
Demand
Another component of a collectible’s value is determined by the demand that exists for the product. Supply and demand are always at odds with one another. They have an inversely proportional relationship, and when the two values do not meet, the price of the item will go up or down in price. For example, if there are five collectible items available and no one is interested in buying them, the price will decrease. On the other hand, if five collectors want the same item, but there is only one available, the price will likely increase through bidding.
As we take a look at the following items, keep in mind that the prices listed are a reflection of these last two factors as of February 22, 2022. Prices will likely change shortly after this article is posted.
Most Expensive Mortal Kombat Toys and Mortal Kombat Action Figures:
#13
Storm Collectibles: Raiden
Price: $150 – $200
Released: Mid 2020
In the Mortal Kombat universe, Raiden is the God of Thunder and Protector of Earthrealm. In fact, Raiden was the reason that the Mortal Kombat tournament was initiated. These Raiden Mortal Kombat action figures sport a blue vest, a conical straw hat, a white undershirt, and white pants. The figure comes with three different heads, six pairs of hands (one of which has lightning bolts attached), a detachable lightning bolt effect, and a head electrocution effect. Raiden also came in a “Player 2” form with a red vest rather than a blue one; the “Player 2” Raiden was to be released at San Diego Comic-Con 2020.
#12
Storm Collectibles: San Diego Comic-Con 2020 Exclusive Scorpion
Price: $120 – $170
Released: Mid 2020
Wearing the typical textured vest and loincloth, Scorpion also sports shin guards and black tight pants. Scorpion is painted with bright yellow and blacks, in addition to the traditional tanned skin tone. This action figure came with an additional flaming skull head, a chain prop, five flame effects, and eight additional hands. Just like with all of the Storm Collectibles Mortal Kombat action figures, Scorpion has articulation points at every joint, including in the torso.
This figure should not be confused with the 2017 release of Scorpion. This previous Scorpion figure looked similar but came with different interchangeable pieces: a skull head, seven additional hands, two masks, two hellfire pieces, an extended scorpion chain prop made of plastic, and a coiled scorpion chain prop made of plastic.
#11
Storm Collectibles: New York Comic-Con Exclusive Bloody Scorpion
Price: $200 “sealed”
Released: July 2020
Released for NYCC 2019, the Bloody Scorpion Mortal Kombat action figures are painted in yellow, black, skin tone, and blood red. The figures include an extra mask, four pairs of hands, three blood effects, an ax, and a scorpion spear. This is a variation on the original “Clean Scorpion” that was released back in 2017. A brother figure, an updated “Clean Scorpion,” was released at the same time as this NYCC exclusive at the San Diego Comic-Con.
#10
Storm Collectibles: San Diego Comic-Con 2018 Exclusive Ermac
Price: $150-$200
Released: Mid 2018
Released during SDCC 2018, the classic red and black Ermac figure comes with seven additional hands, two blood effects, two green spheres, one green acid effect, and an extra mask. The textured vest and loincloth make this a striking figure, complete with a warm, contrasting paint job.
#9
New York Comic-Con Exclusive Storm Collectibles: Smoke
Price: $150-$200
Released: Late 2019
These Mortal Kombat action figures were black, purple, and metallic gray with extra pieces. Smoke’s armor is beautifully sculpted, with posable joints at perfect locations. This storm figure came with 8 hands, four yellow studded orbs, a trident attached to a wavy rope, a boom mic, and two hand effects.
#8
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Bloody Reptile
Price: $200-$250
Released: Early 2018
There are a few differences between the regular Reptile figure and the two Special Edition Reptile figures. On the Special Edition “Bloodied Reptile” figure, the vest and hanging loincloth are textured with a scale pattern. The bloodied figure also has blood splatters across the features. Reptile’s eyes are completely white, and the bloodied figure comes with two masks and a reptilian head. The figure also comes with 3 slime effects, a long tongue, a short tongue, and several interchangeable hands.
#7
Midway: Hot Topic Exclusive Scorpion & Sub-Zero
Price: $200-$250 “sealed”
Released: 2005
This set contains two separate figures: Scorpion and Sub-Zero in robe-like fighting attire. Scorpion is seen in a yellow vest with a crosshatch pattern and a skull on his belt, rocking studded lower arm guards. Sub-Zero has frosty, frozen lower arms, a blue and black vest with shoulder pauldrons. These figures are different from other Mortal Kombat action figures in this list in that they were made by Midway rather than Storm Collectibles. The high resale price for this item is due to the fact that this two-pack of figures was only sold by the clothing and collectibles company “Hot Topic” for a short time.
#6
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Clean Reptile
Price: $250-$300
Released: Early 2018
Again, this Special Edition “Reptile” is slightly different than the original figure in that Reptile’s Vest and loincloth are textured with a scale-like pattern, just like in the Special Edition “Bloodied Reptile” figure. This figure does not have blood splatters across the miniature’s features, and it comes with all of the same interchangeable pieces as the bloodied figure: 3 slime effect pieces, a short and long tongue, and seven hands.
#5
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Bloody Noob Saibot
Price: $250-$300
Released: Late 2017
This figure is completely black, except for the blood effects added to the outside of the figure. Noob Saibot wears a black, textured vest and loincloth that cover black, skintight clothing and armor. This figure also came with seven additional hands, two blood effects, two flame effects, an extra mask, a skull head, and a long chain arrow attachment.
#4
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Clean Goro
Price: $300-$350
Released: Late 2018
Roughly 11” tall, taller than the other figures in this line, Goro is a sight to behold. Goro also was released in a “bloody” version around the same time. With four arms and two legs, Goro is the ultimate villain. His ultra-ripped muscular body is painted with extreme detail, and his odd, three-fingered hands are sculpted with precision. Posable in all of the expected locations, this Goro figure is of top-notch quality.
#3
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Clean Shao Kahn
Price: $350
Released: Late 2017
The supreme ruler of Outworld, Shao Kahn is one of Mortal Kombat’s main “bad guys.” For this reason, these Shao Kahn Mortal Kombat toys are sculpted to high qualities and have incredible paint jobs. This action figure even comes with a throne to seat Shao Kahn upon! The set also includes a stunning warhammer, eight additional hands, and an additional face.
#2
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Clean Sub-Zero (MK I/II Version)
Price: $300-$400
Released: Q3 2017
Sub-Zero makes an appearance in the textured vest line-up as well. Wearing a black hooded undershirt and black pants, this action figure is cast with the same model as its brother figures and is painted with different colors (blue for this character). The Sub-Zero Mortal Kombat toys also come with a spine and skull, a couple of ice effects, seven additional hands, and an extra mask.
#1
Storm Collectibles: Special Edition Bloody Shao Kahn
Price: $400-$500
Released: Early 2018
These Mortal Kombat action figures are just like the “Clean Shao Kahn” Mortal Kombat toys listed above in #7. The only difference is that the “Bloody” action figure has blood splattered over the body, armor, and throne.
Do You Own Mortal Kombat Toys or Mortal Kombat Action Figures?
Do you own any of these awesome collectibles? Perhaps you own a different collectible action figure and are interested in starting your Mortal Kombat action figures collection. These figures are a great investment, especially when a new one comes out! The demand for them is quite high and prices rise steadily over time. Which of the Mortal Kombat toys do you have your eyes on?
1 comment
Hmm. I see the scorpion on eBay for 100.bucks. Why 700?