If you've been waiting to crush your enemies and see them driven before you, the wait is basically over. NetherRealm Studios has a habit of making us sweat for guest characters, but Conan the Barbarian is finally stepping out of the 1982 cult classic and into the blood-soaked arenas of Earthrealm.
Honestly, the conan release date mk1 was one of the most anticipated drops for the Khaos Reigns expansion. It’s not just about a new body on the roster; it’s about that specific Arnold Schwarzenegger nostalgia that Mortal Kombat handles so well. But let's get into the actual calendar stuff because the "release date" isn't just one single day—it depends on how much you’ve already spent on the game.
The Actual Conan Release Date MK1 Details
The rollout followed the standard two-tier system NetherRealm uses for all their DLC.
January 21, 2025, was the big day for anyone who owned the Khaos Reigns Expansion or the Kombat Pack 2. This was the "early access" window. If you bought the full expansion bundle, he just showed up in your character select screen (after a beefy update, usually).
For everyone else? The wide release was January 28, 2025. That was the date Conan became available for standalone purchase on the digital storefronts for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch.
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If you're looking at your screen right now in 2026 and wondering why you don't see him, it’s likely because he’s tucked away in the store menu rather than being part of the base roster. You’ve gotta go grab him.
Why the Schwarzenegger Likeness Matters
It’s worth mentioning that while this is 100% Arnold’s face from the 1982 film, it is not his voice. This has been a bit of a sticking point for fans. Remember when they got Peter Weller for RoboCop or Sylvester Stallone for Rambo? That was the gold standard. For Conan, they used a voice double who sounds remarkably close to a young Cimmerian Arnold, but it’s a legal and scheduling reality we’ve had to live with.
Still, the visual fidelity is insane. The way his muscles flex during the sword swings—it’s peak NetherRealm tech.
How Conan Actually Plays: Sword, Muscle, and... Camels?
Conan isn't just a slower version of Kotal Kahn or Shao. He’s a "rushdown" powerhouse. If you like staying in your opponent's face and making them guess, he’s your guy.
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His kit is built almost entirely around the Atlantean Sword. He’s got these wide, sweeping arcs that cover a ton of ground. But the coolest (and weirdest) part of his moveset is the deep-cut movie references.
- The Camel Punch: Yes, they actually did it. In Conan the Destroyer, there’s a scene where a drunk Conan punches a camel. In MK1, he has a special move that references this absurdity.
- The Resurrection: This is a game-changer. Drawing from the lore where Conan is basically too angry and legendary to die, he has a "second wind" mechanic. In the final round, he can actually resurrect with a sliver of health. It’s frustrating to play against but feels amazing when you’re the one doing it.
- Kameo Projectile: Most characters throw a fireball. Conan? He picks up his Kameo partner and hurls them across the screen. It’s hilarious and surprisingly effective for closing gaps.
The Finishing Moves You Need to See
You can't talk about a Mortal Kombat character without the gore. Conan’s Fatalities are surprisingly "grounded" compared to someone like Omni-Man, but they are brutal.
One of them involves a massive cauldron—a direct nod to the ritualistic vibes of the original film. He basically boils the opponent and then takes their skull as a trophy. It’s simple, effective, and very Cimmerian.
His Animality is also a standout. For those who missed the update, every character in MK1 eventually got an Animality (a finishing move where they turn into an animal). Conan transforms into a massive, raging bull. He gores the opponent and just... well, it’s a mess.
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Is He the Last Character?
There’s been a lot of chatter about the future of MK1. As of now, Conan was the penultimate character of the Khaos Reigns cycle, followed shortly by the T-1000 (Robert Patrick’s liquid metal assassin) in March 2025. Rumors have been flying that a third Kombat Pack was canceled, which would make Conan one of the final additions to this specific iteration of the franchise.
Whether or not that's true, he feels like a "capstone" character. He fits the grim, gritty aesthetic of the New Era perfectly.
Actionable Steps for New Conan Players
If you’re just picking him up now, don't just mash buttons. Here is how to actually get good with the Barbarian:
- Master the Mid-Range: Use his sword's reach. You don't always need to be touching the opponent to start a combo. His standing 2 (High punch) has surprising range.
- Learn the "Second Wind" Timing: Don't give up if your health hits zero in the final round. If you have the meter and the setup, the resurrection can steal a win from the jaws of defeat.
- Abuse the Kameo Toss: It’s one of the best ways to punish people who try to zone you out with projectiles. Since your "projectile" is a whole person, it often eats smaller fireballs and hits the opponent anyway.
- Check the Store: If you don't see him, remember that he’s part of Kombat Pack 2. You can buy him individually for about $7.99 if you don't want the whole expansion.
Conan is a blast. He’s a heavy-hitter that rewards aggression and knowledge of the 80s films. Just watch out for those Sub-Zero players; they love to freeze a Cimmerian mid-swing.