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The term 'Kombat' signifies the endless conflict among Earth's most celebrated fighters, who face off against adversaries from Outworld, the Netherrealm, and other dimensions. Wait—did you think I said 'Combat'? Mortal Kombat, a legendary fighting game series, is not just famous for one of pop culture's most iconic spelling quirks but has also sold millions of units, captivated audiences worldwide, and carved out a distinctive niche in entertainment history. However, beneath its gory surface lie some fascinating details that even dedicated fans might not be aware of.
10. Musical Influence
The minds behind Mortal Kombat are passionate about music, and this passion is reflected in their creations. While many are familiar with the infamous 'blood code' from the first Mortal Kombat game, here’s some context for those who aren’t. When the original Mortal Kombat arcade game launched in 1992, its success was so overwhelming that a home version was quickly developed for popular gaming consoles of the time. While Nintendo banned pixelated blood on their Super Nintendo, Sega embraced it for their Genesis platform through a button code. Players could enter 'ABACABB' using the Genesis’s 3-button controller, a code that cleverly references an album by Phil Collins’ band, Genesis (a nod to Sega Genesis). Entering this code during the game’s opening sequence unlocked the blood effects, which were otherwise hidden.
9. Do You Recognize Me?
Mortal Kombat also broke new ground by using digitized actors to bring its characters to life. While the first game featured friends and colleagues of the developers, later versions enlisted professional actors and models from Chicago, where the game was developed. Kerry Hoskins, the real-life inspiration for Sonya Blade, was a well-known Playboy model, earning her a place in the MK lineup. Lia Montelongo, who played the Outworld Queen Sindel, was a bodybuilding competitor and starred in the thriller 'Shower of Blood.' John Turk, famously known as Sub-Zero, appeared in Fox’s 'Prison Break' and later as a menacing thug in 'The Dark Knight.'
8. The Iconic Flying Kick
Next time you tune into the X Games or any rollerblading event, listen closely for a nod to Mortal Kombat. A trick where a skater extends their leg and strikes a mid-air pose is called the Liu Kang, named after the MK character famous for his signature 'Flying Kick' move.
7. From Rumor to Reality
One of the most iconic features in Mortal Kombat’s early games actually started as a fan-made rumor. Before the internet became ubiquitous, fans shared stories through letters and gaming magazines, often spreading false claims. A widely circulated myth during the Mortal Kombat 2 era was about a secret Fatality so difficult to execute that almost no one had seen it. This move, called the 'Animality,' allowed fighters to transform into wild animals or mythical beasts to finish off their opponents. The rumor gained such traction that developers included the 'Animality' in Mortal Kombat 3, letting players morph into bears, hawks, dinosaurs, and even giant scorpions to annihilate their foes—all inspired by fan speculation.
6. Glitch Turned Feature
The ninja-inspired characters are among the most beloved in Mortal Kombat, even for casual fans. Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Kitana, and other masked fighters have become iconic due to their unique abilities and interconnected histories. One such character, Ermac, was never intended to exist but emerged from a glitch in early versions of the game. To save memory and production costs, developers used a single actor to portray multiple ninjas, with red fabric serving as a placeholder for color changes. This allowed characters like Sub-Zero (blue) and Reptile (green) to be created through a process called 'palette swapping.' However, a glitch sometimes caused the ninja to revert to red during gameplay, displaying 'Er Mac' (Error Macro). Fans speculated this was a hidden character, but it was merely a visual bug. Developers later embraced the glitch, introducing Ermac as an official character in 1995, with a backstory explaining him as a collection of souls from fallen warriors. A rarer version of this glitch inspired Skarlet in the 2011 reboot of 'Mortal Kombat.'
5. The Artist Formerly Known As Prince
Another playful nod by Mortal Kombat’s creators is the character Rain, a purple-clad ninja introduced in 'Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.' His name and attire are a clear homage to Prince’s iconic film, 'Purple Rain.' Rain is also depicted as a prince from the realm of Edenia in the game’s lore. Despite his flashy lightning attacks and powerful kicks, Rain is often criticized as one of the weakest characters by outlets like ScrewAttack. In the 2011 reboot, he was initially excluded as a playable character but later added as downloadable content, complete with a humorous move that splashes water on opponents.
4. The Crow Was The Cage
Mortal Kombat transitioned to the big screen under New Line Cinema, dominating the box office for two consecutive weeks in 1995. The film received positive reviews at the time, even earning a 'thumbs up' from critic Gene Siskel, thanks to its impressive action sequences and a talented cast, including Christopher Lambert as Raiden and Bridget Wilson as Sonya Blade. Johnny Cage was originally intended for Brandon Lee, who had committed to the role before completing his work on the 1994 cult classic, 'The Crow.' Tragically, Lee’s life was cut short during the filming of 'The Crow' due to an on-set accident, leading Linden Ashby to step into the role of Johnny Cage.
3. It’s Not The Most Violent Game
Ironically, this entry concludes the list, yet it remains essential. While many attribute the rise of hyper-violence in video games to Mortal Kombat or the popular shooter Doom, which paved the way for infamous titles like Grand Theft Auto, the truth is that graphic violence in gaming emerged even earlier. Of course, 'violence' is a broad term with many forms, but when it comes to gore, the 1986 shooting game Chiller was the first to push boundaries to extreme levels. Unlike Mortal Kombat, where violence occurs between willing combatants, Chiller immerses players in a stationary first-person experience, forcing them to shoot innocent victims bound in S&M-themed settings, helplessly torn apart by bullets. The objective is straightforward yet grim: inflict prolonged torture, stripping away as much flesh as possible before time runs out. Gaming platforms like ArcadeUS have labeled the game as disgraceful, and sales of its diluted NES version in the 1980s were dismal. Nevertheless, Chiller stands as the first excessively violent game to make waves in the industry, sparking enough controversy to be banned from numerous arcades during its peak.
2. Baffled Lawyer
The most notorious legal challenge against Mortal Kombat didn’t stem from its violent content but rather from a customization feature and a subsequent misunderstanding. In the 2006 release, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, a 'Kreate-a-Fighter' feature allowed players to design and name their own warriors using custom armor and clothing. Outspoken video game critic and attorney Jack Thompson, known for his campaigns against violent games, stumbled upon online evidence suggesting his likeness was used without permission in the game. Unaware that it was merely the creation of a young gamer experimenting with the feature, Thompson issued a cease and desist to the developers, claiming, 'Mortal Kombat: Armageddon contains an unauthorized commercial exploitation of my name, photograph, image, and likeness within the game.' No lawsuit followed, and the game remains available. Two years later, Thompson was disbarred for unrelated issues, including making false statements in court.
1. GorierGame
The Mortal Kombat we recognize today almost didn’t exist. Initially, the design team aimed to secure the rights to the 'Bloodsport' name, planning to adapt the iconic 1980s film into a brutally violent arcade game. Martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme was slated to endorse and possibly feature in the game, but he withdrew to pursue a different video game project that ultimately never came to fruition. Despite this setback, Ed Boon, the creative force behind the MK series, refused to abandon the project. Instead, he pushed forward under Midway Entertainment, rebranding the game and replacing Van Damme’s role with a new character, Johnny Cage. Interestingly, the character’s initials pay homage to the original star, Jean-Claude Van Damme.
