Just want to start this post out with, there's no deal breakers for me with MK. I'll be playing it regardless, it's MY fighting game, I don't play the others lol. That said, things I want to never return:
1. Variation system. Go back to complete characters. If they have an archetype and have bad matchups, so be it. Learn an alt or learn the matchup.
2. XRay/Super/Ultimate/Fatal Blow whatever it's called, NOT being tied to meter. I don't mind the meter system at all in mk, but having that comeback mechanic not tied to meter was wack.
3. XRay/Super/Ultimate/Fatal Blow being able to be used more that once. Needs to go back to if you use it and miss, it's gone.
4. MKX style gameplay. Aka revolving around 50/50s and lack of neutral. No thanks
5. Quan Chi
6. Lack of, hmm, how to put this, the cammy effect in MK. If you gotta go with the whole all the ladies get nun outfits while the dudes get to go shirtless thing for cancel culture and wokeness or whatever, at least give the ladies ONE outfit where they get to flaunt. And no I do not consider the MK2 diaper lady outfits as being that like NRS thinks they are. lol You guys invented the damn ESRB and you're telling me you can't be a little risque? pfft
all I can think of right now.