Ghostface is finally here. Honestly, seeing the Scream icon pop up on the Mortal Kombat 1 select screen for the first time felt kinda surreal. We’ve had Freddy, we’ve had Jason, and we’ve had Leatherface, but there’s something specifically mean about how NetherRealm handled the Woodsboro killer. This isn't just a guy in a costume. It's a tribute to a thirty-year-old horror legacy that feels right at home next to Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
If you’ve been playing the Khaos Reigns expansion, you know the vibe. Ghostface isn't just one person in this game—it's a collective. The moveset actually incorporates multiple killers appearing on screen at once, which makes the finishers feel way more frantic than your average "rip a spine out" routine.
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The Mortal Kombat 1 Ghostface Fatality: Slashing the Fourth Wall
The first finisher you’ll likely see is Slashing the Fourth Wall. It’s basically a love letter to the meta-narrative of the movies. Ghostface doesn't just kill the opponent; he makes it a cinematic event.
To pull this off, you need to be at Close range. The inputs are Down, Forward, Down, 3 (that’s Front Kick, or X on PlayStation/A on Xbox).
When it connects, the screen goes black for a split second before Ghostface pops up, effectively "breaking" the game's UI. It’s a jump scare that actually works. He drags the opponent into a scene that feels ripped straight from a 90s slasher set. There's a moment where a second Ghostface appears—referencing the "there's always two" rule—and they just go to town. One stabs from the front, the other from the back. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s exactly what Scream fans wanted.
What’s really cool is the attention to detail. If you look closely during the animation, you can see the reflection of the other Ghostface in the victim's eyes. It’s a tiny touch, but it’s the kind of thing NetherRealm excels at.
Planning the Sequel: The Second Finisher
The second fatality, Planning the Sequel, is a bit more traditional but no less brutal. Again, you want to be at Close range for this one. The inputs are Back, Forward, Back, 2 (Back Punch, or Triangle on PlayStation/Y on Xbox).
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This one plays out like a classic horror movie "reveal." Ghostface traps the opponent and proceeds to perform a series of surgical, cruel stabs that mimic some of the most famous kills in the franchise. It ends with a classic knife wipe—that signature flick of the wrist to clear the blood—which Ghostface actually does during his regular gameplay too.
The Animality: Critically Endangered
Since Animalities made a comeback, everyone was wondering what Ghostface would turn into. A wolf? A vulture?
Nope. He turns into a Condor.
The finisher is called Critically Endangered. Ghostface transforms into a massive, dark bird of prey and dives onto the opponent. He doesn't just peck; he bloodily eats into their chest, pulling out entrails before eventually ripping the entire spine and head through the chest cavity. It’s one of the most visceral Animalities in the game, probably because of how "grounded" the gore feels compared to someone like Rain turning into a pufferfish.
Quick Input Guide
If you're in the middle of a match and forget the buttons, here's the quick breakdown for the PlayStation/Xbox defaults:
- Slashing the Fourth Wall (Fatality 1): Down, Forward, Down, X/A (Close)
- Planning the Sequel (Fatality 2): Back, Forward, Back, Triangle/Y (Close)
- Critically Endangered (Animality): Down, Down, Back, Circle/B (Mid)
Why Ghostface Works in MK1
Most people thought Ghostface would be too "weak" for Mortal Kombat. He’s just a human, right? But the game leans into the "Deranged Amusement" aspect of the character. He doesn't need magic or cyborg arms because he has friends.
In the MK1 lore, Ghostface is actually a trio. The "Main" Ghostface (who many speculate is Billy Loomis given the voice lines) has recruited the Black Dragon mercenaries Kobra and Kira to fill out the roles of the other killers. This explains why he can "teleport" or have helpers jump out from the side of the screen. It’s a clever way to keep the character's human identity while making him a threat to literal gods like Liu Kang.
Also, the voice acting is top-tier. Roger L. Jackson returned to provide the iconic voice changer dialogue. If you perform certain Brutalities, he’ll even mock the opponent using their own victory quotes in that creepy, raspy tone.
Mastering the Brutalities
Speaking of Brutalities, "The Klassic" is always there (Down + 2), but you should definitely try to land Feelin’ A Little Woozy. You need to be in the Black Dragon Assassin or Enforcer stance and finish the match with a Back Throw while holding Down. It’s a direct quote from the first movie and satisfies that itch for nostalgia.
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Another one to look out for is Deputy Dead. This one requires you to be playing as the "Billy Loomis" version of the character and finish with an Enhanced Rushing Stab while holding Up. The variety in these finishers shows just how much the developers cared about the license.
If you’re looking to master Ghostface, start by practicing the transition between his different "killer" stances. Each version of Ghostface has access to different special moves, and knowing which one leads into your favorite fatality is key to ending the match in style. Head into the Tutorial or Practice Mode and pin the "Slashing the Fourth Wall" inputs to your screen so you don't choke when the "FINISH HIM" prompt finally appears. Once you've got the timing down, try taking him into the Towers to unlock his mastery rewards, which is where you'll find most of his hidden Brutalities and gear.