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{{Infobox VG series
| image = [[File:Mortal Kombat Logo.svg|center|200px]]
| caption = The original logo of the Mortal Kombat tournament
| creator = {{plainlist|
* [[Ed Boon]]
* [[John Tobias]]
}}
| composer=
| platforms =[[Amiga]]<br>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]<br>[[Arcade game|Arcade]]<br>[[DOS]]<br>[[Dreamcast]]<br>[[Game Boy]]<br>[[Game Boy Advance]]<br>[[Game Boy Color]]<br>[[GameCube]]<br>[[Game.com]]<br>[[IBM PC compatible]]<br>[[iOS]]<br>[[Microsoft Windows]]<br>[[MS-DOS]]<br>[[Nintendo 64]]<br>[[Nintendo DS]]<br>[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]<br>[[PlayStation 2]]<br>[[PlayStation 3]]<br>[[PlayStation 4]]<br>[[PlayStation Portable]]<br>[[PlayStation Vita]]<br>[[R-Zone]]<br>[[Sega 32X]]<br>[[Sega CD]]<br>[[Sega Game Gear]]<br>[[Sega Genesis]]<br>[[Sega Master System]]<br>[[Sega Saturn]]<br>[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]<br>[[TV game]]<br>[[Wii]]<br>[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br>[[Xbox 360]]<br>[[Xbox One]]
| developer = {{plainlist|
* [[Avalanche Software]]
* [[Eurocom]]
* [[Kung Fu Factory|Just Games Interactive]]
* [[Midway Games]]
* [[Midway Studios Los Angeles]]
* Other Ocean Interactive
* [[Point of View, Inc.]]
* [[NetherRealm Studios]]
}}
| publisher = {{plainlist|
* [[Midway Games]]
* [[WMS Industries|Williams Entertainment]]
* [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]]
}}
| genre = [[Fighting game]]
| first release version = ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''
| first release date = October 8, 1992
| latest release version = ''[[Mortal Kombat XL]]''
| latest release date = March 1, 2016
}}
'''''Mortal Kombat''''' is a video game [[Media franchise|franchise]] originally developed by [[Midway Games]]' [[Chicago]] studio in 1992. Following Midway's bankruptcy, the ''Mortal Kombat'' development team was acquired by [[Warner Bros.]] and turned into [[NetherRealm Studios]]. [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] currently owns the rights to the franchise and [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]]ed it in 2011.
The development of the first game was originally based on an idea that [[Ed Boon]] and [[John Tobias]] had of making a video game starring [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]], but as that idea fell through, a [[fantasy]]-[[Horror and terror|horror]] themed [[fighting game]] titled ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' was created instead. The original game has spawned many sequels and has spun a [[media franchise]] consisting of several [[action-adventure game]]s, films ([[Mortal Kombat (film)#The Journey Begins|animated]] and [[Mortal Kombat (film)|live-action]] with its own [[Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|sequel]]), and television series ([[Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm|animated]] and [[Mortal Kombat: Conquest|live-action]]). Other spin-offs include [[Mortal Kombat (comics)|comic book series]], a [[Mortal Kombat Kard Game|card game]], and a [[Mortal Kombat: Live Tour|live-action tour]]. Along with [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Street Fighter]]'' and [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]]'s ''[[Tekken]]'', ''Mortal Kombat'' has become one of the most successful fighting franchises in the history of video games. {{As of|June 2000}}, the franchise had generated $5 billion in revenue,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threshold-digital-research-labs-greenlights-its-first-digitally-animated-feature-film-foodfight-73557002.html |title=Threshold Digital Research Labs Greenlights Its First Digitally Animated Feature Film, 'FOODFIGHT!' |website=[[PR Newswire]] |publisher=[[Cision Inc.|Cision]] |date=June 13, 2000 |accessdate=February 20, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108095511/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threshold-digital-research-labs-greenlights-its-first-digitally-animated-feature-film-foodfight-73557002.html |archivedate=January 8, 2017 }}</ref> making it one of the [[List of the highest-grossing media franchises|highest-grossing media franchise of all time]].
The series has a reputation for high levels of bloody violence, including, most notably, its [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|Fatalities]] (finishing moves, requiring a sequence of button inputs to perform). The Fatalities, in part, led to the creation of the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] video game rating system. The series name itself is also known for [[hard and soft C|using the letter "K" in place of "C"]] for the [[voiceless velar plosive|hard C]] sound, thus [[Sensational spelling|intentionally misspelling]] the word "combat", as well as other words with the hard C sound within later games in the series. Early games in this series were also noted for their realistic [[digitization|digitized]] [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] (which differentiated it from its contemporaries' hand-drawn sprites) and an extensive use of [[palette swap]]ping to create new characters.
==Gameplay==
{{Further|Fighting game}}
[[File:Mortal Kombat II arcade cabinet.jpg|thumb|''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' arcade cabinet's gameplay control board]]
The original three games and their updates, ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (1992), ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' (1993), ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'' (1995), ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'' (1995), and ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' (1996), were styled in a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] fighting fashion. The first two of them were played in the [[Arcade game|arcades]] with a [[joystick]] and five buttons: high punch, low punch, high kick, low kick, and block. ''Mortal Kombat 3'' and its updates added a sixth "run" button.<ref name="history" /> Characters in the early ''Mortal Kombat'' games play virtually identically to one another, with the only major differences being their special moves.<ref>{{cite web|title=1UP Show: Mortal Kombat vs. DCU Impressions|url=http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/22707|date=November 21, 2008|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|accessdate=April 2, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707061209/http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/22707|archivedate=July 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Through the 1990s, the developer and publisher [[Midway Games]] would keep their single styled fighting moves with four attack buttons for a different array of punches and kicks and blocks. ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'' changed this by differentiating characters normal moves and even giving them multiple fighting styles. Beginning in ''Deadly Alliance'' and until ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', the characters would have three fighting styles per character: two unarmed styles, and one weapon style.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeremy |last=Dunham |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance |date=November 19, 2002 |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377892p1.html |page=2,3 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325053022/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377892p1.html |archivedate=March 25, 2010 }}</ref> Few exceptions to this arose in ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'', such as monster-like [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] characters like [[Moloch (Mortal Kombat)|Moloch]] and [[Onaga (Mortal Kombat)|Onaga]] who would have only one fighting style.<ref name="MKA IGN review">{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Haynes |date=October 6, 2006 |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738086p3.html |page=3 |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529025043/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738086p3.html |archivedate=May 29, 2010 }}</ref> While most of the styles used in the series are based on real [[martial arts]], some are entirely fictitious.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews |date=November 22, 2002 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213214/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/review.html?tag=tabs%3Breviews |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> [[Goro (Mortal Kombat)|Goro's]] fighting styles, for example, are designed to take advantage of the fact that he has four arms. For ''Armageddon'', fighting styles were reduced to a maximum of two per character (generally one hand-to-hand combat style and one weapon style) due to the sheer number of playable characters.<ref name="MKA IGN review"/> ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'' dropped the multiple fighting style trend altogether in favor of giving each character a much wider variety of special moves,<ref>{{cite web|first=Carolyn |last=Petit |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213228/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review |archivedate=June 28, 2011 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes }}</ref> but some characters still use multiple fighting styles.<ref name="MK vs DC strategy guide">{{Cite journal |first=Pat |last=Reynolds |title= Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Strategy Guide by Pat Reynolds |journal =[[Tips & Tricks]]|publisher= [[Larry Flynt Publications]] |date= March–April 2009 |pages = 6, 21}}</ref> 2011's ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' returned to a single 2D fighting plane although characters are rendered in [[3D computer graphics|3D]];<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew |last=Webster |title=A gruesome return to form: hands-on with Mortal Kombat |date=August 23, 2010 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/08/a-gruesome-return-to-form-hands-on-with-mortal-kombat.ars?comments=1#comments-bar |publisher=Ars Technica |accessdate=August 28, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828151425/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/08/a-gruesome-return-to-form-hands-on-with-mortal-kombat.ars?comments=1 |archivedate=August 28, 2010 }}</ref> unlike previous ''MK'' games, each of the controller's four attack buttons corresponds to one of the character's limbs, the buttons thus becoming front punch, back punch, front kick and back kick (front and back indicating the limb closer to and farther from the opponent, respectively).
According to ''Mortal Kombat'' co-creator [[Ed Boon]], "since the beginning, one of the things that's separated us from other fighting games is the crazy moves we've put in it, like fireballs and all the magic moves, so to speak."<ref>{{cite web|first=Stuart |last=Bishop |title=Ed Boon talks Mortal Kombat |date=April 23, 2007 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/162494/interviews/ed-boon-talks-mortal-kombat/ |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] |accessdate=October 18, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810231652/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/162494/interviews/ed-boon-talks-mortal-kombat/ |archivedate=August 10, 2011 }}</ref> When asked if [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Street Fighter]]'' series would ever do a [[Fictional crossovers in video games|crossover game]] with ''Mortal Kombat'', ''Street Fighter'' producer [[Yoshinori Ono (game producer)|Yoshinori Ono]] called ''Mortal Kombat'' a very different game from ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Billy |last=Berghammer |title=Das Interview: Street Fighter IV Producer Yoshinori Ono, Part 1 |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5055106/sfiv-producer-on-marvel-v-capcom-mortal-kombat-v-capcom |page=2 |publisher=Dasgamer.com |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |quote=Yoshinori Ono: I think Street Fighter is a different type of game than Mortal Kombat. I think Mortal Kombat vs. Capcom could happen, but Mortal Kombat vs. Street Fighter, um. Question mark. |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106085901/http://kotaku.com/ |archivedate=November 6, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Luke |last=Plunkett |title=SFIV Producer On Marvel v Capcom, Mortal Kombat v Capcom |date=September 25, 2008 |url=http://kotaku.com/5055106/sfiv-producer-on-marvel-v-capcom-mortal-kombat-v-capcom |publisher=Kotaku |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004022237/http://kotaku.com/5055106/sfiv-producer-on-marvel-v-capcom-mortal-kombat-v-capcom |archivedate=October 4, 2009 }}</ref> Capcom's senior director of communications compared ''Street Fighter'' and ''Mortal Kombat'' by asking if the interviewer preferred the "precision and depth" of ''Street Fighter'' or the "gore and comedy" of ''Mortal Kombat''; he also stated that the ''Street Fighter'' and ''Mortal Kombat'' rivalry was considered similar to the [[Coca-Cola|Coke]] and [[Pepsi]] rivalry in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|first=Leigh |last=Alexander |date=August 21, 2009 |title=Interview: Capcom 'Would Welcome' Return Of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat Brand Rivalry |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=2484 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071716/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=2484 |archivedate=July 11, 2011 }}</ref> Senior producer of ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'', Hans Lo, himself also called ''Street Fighter'' "a little more cartoonic fantasy" in comparison to ''Mortal Kombat''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat VS DC: Midway Interview |date=November 25, 2008 |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-interview-p1.asp |page=1 |publisher=Video Game Daily |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418163208/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-interview-p1.asp |archivedate=April 18, 2010 }}</ref> In 2013, Boon named the hypothetical "''MKvsSF''" as his dream crossover game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/387381612981153792 |title=Twitter / noobde: @MarkindVGA 2m @noobde what |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219221657/https://twitter.com/noobde/status/387381612981153792 |archivedate=December 19, 2013 }}</ref> In 2014, Boon said his team has remained in touch with Capcom, but no one could resolve the incompatibility problem of ''Mortal Kombat'' being much more brutal than ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/23/mortal-kombat-x-hands-on-preview-and-sort-of-interview-goriest-game-ever-4771978/ |title=Mortal Kombat X hands-on preview and sort-of interview – goriest game ever |work=Metro |accessdate=October 7, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007063147/http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/23/mortal-kombat-x-hands-on-preview-and-sort-of-interview-goriest-game-ever-4771978/ |archivedate=October 7, 2014 }}</ref>
''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' and ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' feature "Konquest", a [[Open world|free-roaming]] [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] mode that significantly expanded on the single-player experience. Both games also include distinct [[minigame]] modes such "Chess Kombat", an action-[[strategy video game|strategy game]] similar to ''[[Archon: The Light and the Dark|Archon]]''. Two other bonus minigames, "Puzzle Kombat" inspired by ''[[Puzzle Fighter]]'' and "Motor Kombat" inspired by ''[[Mario Kart]]'', feature [[super deformed]] versions of ''Mortal Kombat'' characters.<ref name=history/> The games also contain various [[Unlockable (gaming)|unlockable]] content and hidden "[[cheat code|cheats]]".<ref>Ferry Groenendijk, [http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2011/04/15/all-mortal-kombat-2011-fatalities-babalities-guide-ps3-xbox-360.html "All Mortal Kombat 2011 Fatalities Babalities Guide (PS3, Xbox 360"]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=Al83tito |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Video Game Blogger'', April 15, 2011</ref>
===Finishing moves===
{{main|Fatality (Mortal Kombat)}}
[[File:Kung lao Fatality.png|thumb|left|[[Kung Lao]]'s "Razor's Edge" fatality being performed on [[Mileena]] in 2011's ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''. [[NetherRealm Studios]]' [[Ed Boon]] described it as possibly the most painful-looking finishing move in the series yet<ref>{{cite web|author=Xbox World 360 |date=January 6, 2011 |title=The secrets of gaming |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/281998/features/the-secrets-of-gaming/ |work=Xbox World 360 |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025234511/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/281998/features/the-secrets-of-gaming/ |archivedate=October 25, 2012 }}</ref> and promised these in the [[Mortal Kombat X|next game]] to be more extreme than ever<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/06/20/5-things-learned-mortal-kombat-x-e3-2014/ |title=5 things we learned about Mortal Kombat X at E3 2014 - PlayStation.Blog.Europe |publisher=Blog.eu.playstation.com |date= |accessdate=June 27, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628023848/http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2014/06/20/5-things-learned-mortal-kombat-x-e3-2014/ |archivedate=June 28, 2014 }}</ref>]]
{{quote box|quote=I think [''Mortal Kombat''] represents the difference in philosophy. [....] So in ''[[Street Fighter]]'' when you're playing it's the moment to moment gameplay that should be the best, whether you win or lose doesn't really matter. Whereas in ''Mortal Kombat'' the fighting and playing is just a pathway to get to the result – it's the [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|Fatality]] you want to see and you almost want to skip the fighting bit and get to the Fatality because that is the result.<ref>Jim Sterling, [http://www.destructoid.com/ono-mortal-kombat-represents-western-game-design-198318.phtml Ono: Mortal Kombat represents Western game design] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029073036/http://www.destructoid.com/ono-mortal-kombat-represents-western-game-design-198318.phtml |date=October 29, 2012 }}, Destructoid, 04.07.2011.</ref>|source=—''Street Fighter'' producer [[Yoshinori Ono (game producer)|Yoshinori Ono]]|width=30%|}}
The defining and best-known feature of the ''Mortal Kombat'' series is its finishing move system called Fatality. An original idea behind it was to give gamers a free hit at the end of the fight.<ref name=history2/> The basic Fatalities are finishing moves that allow the victorious characters to end a match in a special way by murdering their defeated, defenseless opponents in a gruesome manner, usually in the predefined ways exclusive for the given character. The only exception from this is ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'', which instead features the Kreate-A-Fatality, allowing the players to perform their own Fatalities by conducting a series of violent moves chosen from a pool that is common for all characters.<ref name=history/><ref name="MK3">{{cite web|author=Gertsmann, Jeff |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/ultimatemortalkombat3/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Review |publisher=GameSpot |date=October 24, 2008 |accessdate=January 11, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071814/https://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/ultimatemortalkombat3/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review |archivedate=July 11, 2011 }}</ref>
Other finishing moves in the various ''Mortal Kombat'' games include Animalities (introduced in ''Mortal Kombat 3'') turning a victor into an animal to violently finish off the opponent;<ref name="GameSpotMK3"/> Brutality (introduced in ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'') which is bashing an opponent into pieces with a long [[Combo (video gaming)|combo]] of hits; and Stage Fatalities/Death Traps (introduced in the original ''Mortal Kombat'' Pit Stage where the victor can uppercut their opponent off of the platform into a bed of spikes below, and later made more difficult in ''Mortal Kombat II'' by requiring specific and different button sequences to be pressed) utilizing parts of certain stages to execute a lethal finishing move (such as a pool of acid). ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' added the [[Seppuku|Hara-Kiri]], a self-Fatality allowing the losers to engage in a [[suicide]]-based finishing move (enabling a possible race between both players to see if the winning player can finish off the losing player before the losing character can kill himself or herself first).<ref name=history2>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] Premium Edition |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level="The History of Fatalities" commentary}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Greg |last=Kasavin |title=Mortal Kombat: Deception (Xbox) Review |date=October 4, 2004 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/review.html |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=September 3, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414174415/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/review.html |archivedate=April 14, 2009 }}</ref>
There are also some non-violent finishing moves in the series. Friendship moves, introduced in ''Mortal Kombat II'' and resulting in displays of friendship towards the enemy instead of slaughter,<ref name="Friendship?">{{cite web|first=Malcolm |last=Mayhew |title=NEW `MORTAL KOMBAT' IS GORIER THAN 1ST ONE |date=September 14, 1992 |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/375461/NEW-MORTAL-KOMBAT-IS-GORIER-THAN-1ST-ONE.html?pg=2 |publisher=Deseret News |accessdate=September 2, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715044918/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/375461/NEW-MORTAL-KOMBAT-IS-GORIER-THAN-1ST-ONE.html?pg=2 |archivedate=July 15, 2014 }}</ref> were made as a comical response to the attention the series gathered due to its violent content.<ref name=history2/> Also introduced in ''MKII'' was the Babality, which turns the opponent into a baby and is humorous in the same vein.<ref name="Friendship?" /> ''Mortal Kombat 3'' marked the first appearance of the Mercy, where the victor restores a minimal amount of the opponent's health bar and the fight then resumes; the player must perform a Mercy to be able to perform an Animality.<ref name="GameSpotMK3"/> {{Clear}}
==Plot==
The series takes place in a [[fictional universe]] consisting of eighteen surviving realms which, according to in-game backstories, were created by the Elder Gods. The ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' manual described six of the realms as: "Earthrealm, home to such legendary heroes as [[Liu Kang]], [[Kung Lao]], [[Sonya Blade]], [[Johnny Cage]], and [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax]], and also under the protection of the Thunder God [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]]; Netherrealm, the fiery depths of which are inhospitable to all but the most vile, a realm of demons and shadowy warriors such as [[Quan Chi]] and [[Noob Saibot]]; Outworld, a realm of constant strife which Emperor [[Shao Kahn]] claims as his own; Seido, the Realm of Order, whose inhabitants prize structure and order above all else; the Realm of Chaos, whose inhabitants do not abide by any rules whatsoever, and where constant turmoil and change are worshipped; and Edenia, which is known for its beauty, artistic expression, and the longevity of its inhabitants."<ref name="MKD booklet">{{Cite journal |title=Mortal Kombat Deception Instruction Booklet |year= 2004 |publisher= Midway Amusement Game, LLC |page= 15 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref><ref name="mkdk">{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 4, 2004 |level= Konquehh |accessdate=October 22, 2009}}</ref> The Elder Gods decreed that the denizens of one realm could only conquer another realm by defeating the defending realm's greatest warriors in ten consecutive Mortal Kombat tournaments.
The [[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|first ''Mortal Kombat'' game]] takes place in Earthrealm (Earth) where seven different warriors with their own reasons for entering participated in the tournament with the eventual prize being the continued freedom of their realm, threatened with a takeover by Outworld. Among the established warriors were Liu Kang, Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade. With the help of the thunder god [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]], the Earthrealm warriors were victorious and Liu Kang became the new champion of Mortal Kombat.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat 2]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=1994 |level=Opening sequence}}</ref> In ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'', unable to deal with his minion [[Shang Tsung]]'s failure, Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn lures the Earthrealm warriors to the Outworld where the Earthrealm warriors eventually defeat Shao Kahn. By the time of ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'', Shao Kahn revives Edenia's (now a part of his Outworld domain) former queen [[Sindel]] in Earthrealm, combining it with Outworld as well. He then attempts to invade Earthrealm but is ultimately defeated by the Earthrealm warriors again. After Kahn's defeat, Edenia was freed from Kahn's grasp and returned to a peaceful realm, ruled by [[Kitana|Princess Kitana]]. The following game, ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'', features the former elder god [[Shinnok]] attempting to conquer the realms and attempting to kill the thunder god Raiden. However, he is also defeated by the Earthrealm warriors.
In ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'', the evil sorcerers Quan Chi and Shang Tsung join forces to conquer the realms. By ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', after several fights, the sorcerers emerge victorious having killed most of Earthrealms' warriors until Raiden steps forth to oppose them. The Dragon King [[Onaga (Mortal Kombat)|Onaga]], who had been freed by [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]] at the end of ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'',<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=November 20, 2002 |level=Reptile ending |accessdate=September 3, 2009}}</ref> had deceived [[Shujinko]] into searching for six pieces of Kamidogu,<ref name="mkdk"/> the source of Onaga's power. Onaga then confronted the alliance of Raiden, Shang Tsung, and Quan Chi and thus obtained Quan Chi's amulet,<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 4, 2004 |level=Opening Sequence}}</ref> the final piece of his power. Only a few warriors remained to combat against the Dragon King and his forces. Shujinko eventually triumphed over the Dragon King and removed his threat to the Mortal Kombat universe.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=April 4, 2007 |level=Shujinko Bio}}</ref>
In ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'' the catastrophe known as Armageddon starts. Centuries before the first ''Mortal Kombat'', Queen Delia foretold the realms would be destroyed because the power of all warriors from all the realms would rise to such greatness it would overwhelm and destabilize the realms, triggering an all-destructive chain of events. King Argus had his sons, [[Taven]], and [[Daegon]], put into incubation who would one day be awakened to save the realms from Armageddon by defeating a firespawn known as [[Blaze (Mortal Kombat)|Blaze]]. In the end, however, Shao Kahn is the one who defeats Blaze, causing Armageddon.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Konquest |accessdate=November 19, 2009}}</ref>
In [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|''Mortal Kombat'']] (2011), it is revealed that the battle between the warriors of the six realms culminated into only two survivors: Shao Kahn and Raiden. Badly beaten, Raiden had only one last move he could make to prevent Shao Kahn from claiming the power of Blaze. He sends last-ditch visions of the entire course of the ''Mortal Kombat'' timeline to himself in the past right before the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament (first game). This transfer of information to his former self causes a rift in time, causing a new "reboot" timeline to be introduced that splits off from the original ''Armageddon'' timeline, with a new outcome of Mortal Kombat history to be written. But this story leads to even worse unforeseen events. It ends with many of the main game characters dying at the hands of Queen Sindel and Raiden accidentally killing Liu Kang in self-defense. Eventually, the Elder Gods aid Raiden in killing Shao Kahn and saving Earthrealm. But as the scene goes on it is later revealed that this was all a plan by Shinnok and Quan Chi.
''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'' sees Shinnok and Quan Chi enacting their plan, leading an army of undead revenants of those that were killed in Shao Kahn's invasion against the realms. A team of warriors led by Raiden, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade oppose Shinnok, and in the ensuing battle, Shinnok is imprisoned, Quan Chi escapes, and various warriors are resurrected and freed from Shinnok's thrall. Twenty-five years later, Quan Chi resurfaces and allies himself with the insect-like D'Vorah in manipulating events that lead to Shinnok's release. Though Quan Chi is killed by a vengeful [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]] in the process, Shinnok resumes his assault against the realms. After a grueling, protracted battle, Shinnok is defeated by Cassandra Cage representing the next generation of Earthrealm's warriors. With both Quan Chi and Shinnok gone, the undead revenants of Liu Kang and Kitana assume control of the Netherrealm and Lord Raiden now protects the Earthrealm not defensively but offensively with the help of the remaining revenants.
==Characters==
{{main|List of Mortal Kombat characters}}
[[File:DragonCon 2012 - Thursday Night 01.jpg|thumb|Cosplayers of [[Kitana]], [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]], and [[Sonya Blade]] at Dragon Con 2012]]
The series features scores of [[player character]]s (64 as of 2012<ref name=ignvs>Brian Altano and Ryan Clements, [http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/09/24/street-fighter-vs-tekken-vs-mortal-kombat-by-the-numbers Street Fighter vs. Tekken vs. Mortal Kombat: Breaking it down, one face at a time.], IGN, September 14, 2012</ref>), including [[Baraka (Mortal Kombat)|Baraka]], [[Cassie Cage]], [[Cyrax]], [[Ermac]], [[Goro (Mortal Kombat)|Goro]], [[Jade (Mortal Kombat)|Jade]], [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax Briggs]], [[Johnny Cage]], [[Kabal (Mortal Kombat)|Kabal]], [[Kano (Mortal Kombat)|Kano]], [[Kenshi]], [[Kitana]], [[Kung Lao]], [[Kurtis Stryker]], [[Liu Kang]], [[Mileena]], [[Motaro]], [[Nightwolf]], [[Noob Saibot]], [[Quan Chi]], [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]], [[Rain (Mortal Kombat)|Rain]], [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]], [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]], [[Sektor]], [[Shang Tsung]], [[Shao Kahn]], [[Sheeva]], [[Shinnok]], [[Sindel]], [[Smoke (Mortal Kombat)|Smoke]], [[Sonya Blade]], and [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)|Sub-Zero]]. Among them are Earth's humans and cyborgs, good and evil deities, and denizens of Outworld and other realms. There are also some guest and crossover characters, such as several [[DC Universe]] heroes and villains, as well as [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|Alien]] (Xenomorph) from ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'', [[Freddy Krueger]] from ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'', [[Jason Voorhees]] from ''[[Friday the 13th (franchise)|Friday the 13th]]'', [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] from ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]'', [[Leatherface]] from ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre (franchise)|Texas Chainsaw Massacre]]'', and the [[Predator (alien)|Predator]] from ''[[Predator (franchise)|Predator]]''.
==Development history==
{{Timeline of release years
| range1 = 1992 -
| range1_color = #FF6600 #FFCC99
| 1992 = ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''
| 1993 = ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]''
| 1995a = ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]''
| 1995b = ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]''
| 1996 = ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]''
| 1997a = ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]''
| 1997b = ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]''
| 1999 = ''[[Mortal Kombat Gold]]''
| 2000 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]''
| 2002 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]''
| 2003 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition]]''
| 2004 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]''
| 2005 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]''
| 2006a = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]''
| 2006b = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Unchained]]''
| 2007 = ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat]]''
| 2008 = ''[[Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe]]''
| 2011a = ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (Reboot)
| 2011b = ''[[Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection]]''
| 2012 = ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)#Komplete Edition|Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition]]''
| 2015 = ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]''
| 2016 = ''[[Mortal Kombat X#Mortal Kombat XL|Mortal Kombat XL]]''
}}
===Origins===
''Mortal Kombat'' started development in 1991 with only four people: [[Ed Boon]] (programming), [[John Tobias]] and John Vogel (graphics), and [[Dan Forden]] (sound design).<ref name="mortalkombatint">{{cite web | url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_060707_mortal.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023152817/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_060707_mortal.html | archivedate=October 23, 2007 | title=Mortal Kombat: Ed Boon Interview | publisher=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] | accessdate=August 2, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first= Larry |last=Hryb |title= Show #305 : The Maw and Ed Boon |url= http://majornelson.com/index.php/2009/01/18/show-305-the-maw-and-ed-boone |date= January 18, 2009 |publisher= majornelson.com |accessdate= October 22, 2009}}</ref> Originally, Boon and Tobias were approached to create a video game adaptation of the 1992 film ''[[Universal Soldier (1992 film)|Universal Soldier]]''<ref name=gp>''GamePro'' 58 (May 1994), page 28-31</ref> starring martial arts film actor [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]], with a [[Digitizing|digitized]] version of the action star fighting villains.<ref>{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|year=2008|publisher=Guinness World Records|location=London|isbn=978-1904994213}}</ref> Intending to make a game "a lot more hard edge, a little bit more serious, a little bit more like ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'' or ''[[Bloodsport (film)|Bloodsport]]''" than ''[[Street Fighter II]]''{{'s}} cartoon fantasy style,<ref name="complex.com">Reyan Ali, [http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/ed-boons-12-best-mortal-kombat-memories/#gallery Ed Boon's 12 Biggest Mortal Kombat Memories] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119051028/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/ed-boons-12-best-mortal-kombat-memories/ |date=November 19, 2012 }}, Complex.com, September 12, 2012</ref> Boon and Tobias decided to continue their project even after the deal to use the ''Bloodsport'' license fell through.<ref name="GameMakers episode"/> One of their own characters, [[Johnny Cage]], became "a [[parody|spoof]] on the whole Van Damme situation".<ref name=gp/>
{{quote box|quote=''Mortal Kombat'' didn't rely on just good looks and gore for its success. Although the intense gore was a great way to attract attention, ''Mortal Kombat'' offered another side – an often-overlooked side – that kept people coming back for more: its storyline, including the uniquely different kind of gameplay as far as the fighting system within itself.<ref>Jeff Greeson and Cliff O'Neill, [https://web.archive.org/web/20021207203601/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p2.html The History of Mortal Kombat - The Storyline], GameSpot, 2002</ref>|source=—[[GameSpot]]|width=25%|align=left}}
John Tobias said that his inspirations for the game's story and characters came from the [[Chinese mythology]] and some of the stories and rumored events about the [[Shaolin monks]].<ref name=gp/> Regarding the film ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]'', Tobias wrote that although this movie "kind of Americanized my obsession for supernatural [[kung fu film]]s from China, it was not my biggest influence. My biggest influences came from [[Tsui Hark]] films -- ''[[Zu Warriors]]'' & ''[[The Swordsman (1990 film)|The Swordsman]]''. We had to get them from bootleggers in [[Chinatown, Chicago|Chicago's Chinatown]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/therealsaibot |title=John Tobias (@therealsaibot) on Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025130131/https://twitter.com/therealsaibot |archivedate=October 25, 2013 }}</ref> Tobias' writing and artistic input on the series ended in 1997, after the release of ''Mortal Kombat 3''. Fifteen years later, he said: "I knew exactly what I was going to do with a future story. A few years ago I [wrote] a sort of sequel to the first ''MK'' film and an advancement to the game's mythological roots. The goal was to not runaway from what came before with a retelling, but to move the themes forward. I did it for fun as an exercise in screenwriting, but it felt good to get that out of my system."<ref>[http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/content/News/read.cds?article=1731 In Konversation: Mortal Kombat Online vs John Tobias - Part 2], Mortal Kombat Online, January 10, 2012.</ref>
Ed Boon recalled that for six out of the eight months while they were in production of the original ''Mortal Kombat'', "nobody could come up with a name nobody didn't hate". Some of the names suggested included "[[Kumite]]", "Dragon Attack", "Death Blow" and just "Fatality". Someone had written down "combat" on the drawing board for the names in Boon's office and then someone wrote a K over the C, according to Boon, "just to be kind of weird". [[Steve Ritchie]], a [[pinball]] designer at that time, was sitting in Boon's office and saw the word "Kombat" and said to Boon, <nowiki>'Why don't you name it Mortal Kombat?'</nowiki> and that name "just stuck".<ref>{{cite web|title=Episode 123 of KOXM |url=http://dl.oxmonline.com/oxmp_123_20080710.mp3 |date=July 2008 |publisher=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |accessdate=October 21, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715030437/http://dl.oxmonline.com/oxmp_123_20080710.mp3 |archivedate=July 15, 2011 }}</ref> Since then, the series uses the letter [[Hard and soft C|"K" in place of "C"]] for various words containing the [[voiceless velar plosive|hard C]] sound. According to Boon, during the ''MK'' games' development they usually spell the words correctly and only "korrect it" when one of the developers points out they should do it.<ref>{{cite web |title= Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe: Ed Boon interview |url= http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-ed-boon-interview-71211 |date= October 8, 2008 |publisher= [[CraveOnline]] |accessdate= October 22, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301011636/http://www.craveonline.com/site/149888-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-ed-boon-interview|archivedate=March 1, 2016}}</ref>
===Graphics===
[[Image:Mortal Kombat.png|thumb|left|Screenshot of a fight between [[Johnny Cage]] and [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]] (played by [[Daniel Pesina]] and [[Carlos Pesina]]) in [[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|1992's game]]]]
The characters of the original ''Mortal Kombat'' and its initial sequels were created using digitized [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s mostly based on filmed actors, as opposed to drawn graphics.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[GamePro]] |author=Staff |page=117 |title=The Minds Behind Mortal Kombat II |issue=59 |date=June 1994}}</ref> Early ''Mortal Kombat'' games were known for their extensive use of [[palette swap]], a practice of re-coloring certain sprites to appear as different characters which was used for the ninja characters. In fact, many of the most popular characters have originated as simple palette swaps.<ref name="mkad">{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Reptile Kombat Card video}}</ref> In the very first game, the male ninja fighters were essentially the same character; only the colors of their attire, fighting stance, and special techniques indicated the difference.<ref name="mkad"/> Later games added other ninjas based on the same model, as well as several female ninja color swap characters initially also using just one base model (beginning with Kitana in ''Mortal Kombat II''). All of them gradually became very different characters in the following installments of the series.
''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'' brought the series into 3D, replacing the digitized fighters of previous games with [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygon]] models animated using [[motion capture]] technology.<ref>{{cite news|last=Elmer-Dewitt |first=Philip |date=June 24, 2001 |title=The Amazing Video Game Boom |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,162405,00.html |publisher=[[TIME]] |accessdate=November 30, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612093158/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C162405%2C00.html |archivedate=June 12, 2010 }}</ref>
===Hidden content===
''Mortal Kombat'' included secret characters, secret games, and other [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]]. For example, there is a hidden non-playable character in MK1 (Reptile), and three of them in MK2. Popular characters of Reptile and [[Jade (Mortal Kombat)|Jade]] were originally introduced as hidden enemies, becoming playable after returning in subsequent games. Also, there is a hidden game of ''[[Pong]]'' in ''Mortal Kombat II'',<ref name="GameSpotHistory"/> and ''Mortal Kombat 3'' includes a hidden game of ''[[Galaga]]''.<ref name="GameSpotMK3">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p15.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005211458/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p15.html |archivedate=October 5, 2007 }}</ref> Many extras in the series have only been accessible through very challenging, demanding, and sometimes coincidental requirements. The [[Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]] versions contains some unique eggs, such as "Fergality".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/fergality |title=Fergality - The Most Gruesome Finishing Moves Ever |publisher=UGO.com |date=February 11, 2011 |accessdate=October 3, 2014 |author=Jensen, K. Thor |quote=Here's a bizarre fatality that was just a rumor until very recently. The Sega Genesis port of Mortal Kombat was the version of choice for home consoles due to Nintendo stripping all of the blood out of the SNES version (and replacing it with sweat, eew). But the Genny version also had one very special fatality. With Raiden, entering a complex code would transform your opponent into... Fergus McGovern, one of the game's programmers. A fate worse than death! |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217233754/http://www.ugo.com/games/fergality |archivedate=February 17, 2011 }}</ref> The [[Sega Mega-CD]] version also contained an additional code (known as the "Dad's Code"), which changed the names of the fighters to that of characters from the classic [[BBC]] comedy series ''[[Dad's Army]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/cheats/games/mortal-kombat-1993-sega-cd-5611 |title=Dad's Army Characters Sega CD Cheat Code from IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=December 2, 1993 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324143201/http://uk.ign.com/cheats/games/mortal-kombat-1993-sega-cd-5611 |archivedate=March 24, 2012 }}</ref>
Some Easter eggs originated from [[in-joke]]s between members of the development team. One example is "Toasty", which found its way into the game in the form of a small image of sound designer Dan Forden, who would appear in the corner of the screen during gameplay (after performing an [[uppercut]]) and yell the phrase "Toasty!" This egg was also the key to unlocking the hidden character [[Smoke (Mortal Kombat)|Smoke]] when it happened in the Portal stage.<ref name="GameSpotHistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p14.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat II (1993) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084624/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p14.html |archivedate=October 21, 2007 }}</ref> In ''Mortal Kombat 4'', Forden would say "Toasty! 3D!" after Scorpion did his burn Fatality, a reference to the fact that it is the first 3D game of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p20.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat 4 (1997) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084644/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p20.html |archivedate=October 21, 2007 }}</ref> "Toasty!" is also found in ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'', appearing randomly after the character pulls off a chain of hits, though the picture of Forden was removed for that title,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Review |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-games/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/4505-9582_7-31447785-2.html |quote=In addition, Dan "Toasty" Forden's voice returns once again to utter the famous line at all the right times. |accessdate=November 23, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627194133/http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-games/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/4505-9582_7-31447785-2.html |archivedate=June 27, 2013 }}</ref> but brought back for the 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' game.
Yet another private joke was the hidden character [[Noob Saibot]], who has appeared in various versions of the game starting with ''Mortal Kombat II''. The character's name derived from two of the series' creators' surnames, Ed Boon and John Tobias, spelled backwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters-noob-saibot |title=Noob Saibot - Top 11 Mortal Kombat Characters |publisher=[[UGO Networks|UGO.com]] |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319060304/http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters-noob-saibot |archivedate=March 19, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In addition, a counter for ERMACS on the game's audits screen (ERMACS being short for '''''er'''ror '''mac'''ros''), was interpreted by some players as a reference to a hidden character in the original ''Mortal Kombat''. The development team decided to turn the rumor into reality, introducing [[Ermac]] in ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'' as an unlockable secret character.<ref name="gameological">{{cite web|url=http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-ed-boon/| publisher=The Gameological Society|first=Roger|last=Riddell|title=Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator|date=October 15, 2012|accessdate=November 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p16.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084634/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p16.html |archivedate=October 21, 2007 }}</ref> The character [[Mokap]], introduced in ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance,'' is a tribute to [[Carlos Pesina]], who played Raiden in ''MK'' and ''MKII'' and has served as a motion capture actor for subsequent titles in the series.<ref name="GameSpotUMK3">{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Mokap Kombat Card video}}</ref> {{Clear}}
==Media==
{{main|List of Mortal Kombat media}}
===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Overview over titles and versions in the ''Mortal Kombat'' series
|-
! scope="col" | '''Title'''
! scope="col" | '''Release'''
! scope="col" | '''Original platform'''
! scope="col" | '''Ports'''
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' || 1992 || [[Arcade game|Arcade]] || Various || The original ''Mortal Kombat'' game.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' || 1993 || Arcade || [[Home versions of Mortal Kombat II|Various]] || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'' || 1995 || Arcade || Various || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat II''.
|-
| ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'' || 1995 || Arcade || Various || An update of ''MK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' || 1996 || [[PlayStation|PS1]], [[Nintendo 64|N64]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Game.com]], [[R-Zone]] || An update of ''UMK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'' || 1997 || Arcade || PS1, N64, [[Microsoft Windows]] || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat 3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]'' || 1997 || PS1, N64 || {{NA}} || An action-adventure spin-off about [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)|Sub-Zero]]. Prequel to the first ''Mortal Kombat''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Gold]]'' || 1999 || [[Dreamcast]] || {{NA}} || An update of ''MK4''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]'' || 2000 || PS1 || {{NA}} || An action-adventure spin-off about [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax]]. Prequel to the first ''Mortal Kombat''.
|-
| ''Mortal Kombat: Advance'' || 2001 || GBA || {{NA}} || An port of UMK3
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'' || 2002 || [[PlayStation 2|PS2]], [[GameCube|GCN]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] || [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] (2003) || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat 4''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition]]'' || 2003 || GBA || {{NA}} || One of two GBA versions of ''Deadly Alliance''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'' || 2004 || PS2, GCN, Xbox || {{NA}} || Sequel to ''Deadly Alliance''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]'' || 2005 || PS2, Xbox || {{NA}} || An action-adventure spin-off about [[Liu Kang]] and [[Kung Lao]] set in an alternate timeline between ''MK'' and ''MKII''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'' || 2006 || PS2, Xbox || [[Wii]] (2007) || Sequel to ''Deception'' and the final title of the original main series.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Unchained]]'' || 2006 || [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] || {{NA}} || The PSP version of ''Deception''.
|-
| ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat]]'' || 2007 || [[Nintendo DS|NDS]] || {{NA}} || Another port of ''UMK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'' || 2008 || [[PlayStation 3|PS3]], [[Xbox 360|X360]] || {{NA}} || A non-canonical crossover title set in an alternate timeline between ''MKII'' and ''MK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (2011) || 2011 || PS3, Xbox 360 || [[PlayStation Vita|PS Vita]] (2012) || Reboot story combining ''Mortal Kombat'', ''Mortal Kombat II'', and ''Mortal Kombat 3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection]]'' || 2011 || [[PlayStation Network|PSN]], [[Xbox Live Arcade|XBLA]] || [[Microsoft Windows]] (2012) || Includes ''MK'', ''MKII'' and ''UMK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)#Komplete Edition|Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition]]'' || 2012 || PS3, Xbox 360 || [[Microsoft Windows]] (2013) || Re-release of ''Mortal Kombat'' (2011) including its downloadable content.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'' || 2015 || [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trmk.org/features/interview_mortal_kombat_x_ed_boon_e3_2014/2/ |title=TRMK Features - Interview Mortal Kombat X Ed Boon E3 2014 |publisher=Trmk.org |date= |accessdate=June 27, 2014}}</ref> || [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]] || A sequel to the 2011 game.
|-
|''[[Mortal Kombat X#Mortal Kombat XL|Mortal Kombat XL]] || 2016 || [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One]] || [[Microsoft Windows]] || Re-release of '' Mortal Kombat X'' including its downloadable content.
|}
====Fighting games====
The original ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' game was released for [[Arcade game|arcade machines]] during October 1992, having since been ported to several console and home computer systems by [[Probe Software]] and released by [[Acclaim Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=mortal+kombat&platform=0&s=s |publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> The sequel, ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'', was released for arcades in 1993, featuring an increased roster and improved graphics and gameplay, then [[Home versions of Mortal Kombat II|ported to the numerous home systems]] in 1993-1995 by [[Probe Entertainment]] and [[Sculptured Software]], released again by Acclaim; it was rereleased in 2007 for the [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat II|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+II&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'' followed in 1995 in both arcade and home versions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat 3|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> ''MK3'' got two updates which expanded the number of characters and other features from the game: ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'', published that same year,<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Ultimate+Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> and ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' the next year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat Trilogy|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+Trilogy&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> The following game, ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'', was released in 1997, marked the jump of the series to 3D rendered graphics instead of the series' previously staple digitized 2D graphics. ''Mortal Kombat 4'' was ported to the [[PlayStation]], [[Nintendo 64]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]. An update of ''MK4'' titled ''[[Mortal Kombat Gold]]'' was released exclusively for the [[Dreamcast]] in 1999.
While to this point ''Mortal Kombat'' games were only titled with their installment number, starting with ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'' in 2002, the series' naming scheme changed to favor the use of sub-titles instead.<ref>{{cite web|title=MK6 Image Leak |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/491/491732p1.html |date=February 11, 2004 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217103648/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/491/491732p1.html |archivedate=February 17, 2007 }}</ref> It was also at this point that the series started being targeted at consoles only, with ''Mortal Kombat 4'' being the last game in the series to ever be released for the arcades. ''Deadly Alliance'' was released initially for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]] (PS2) and [[GameCube]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213444/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;3 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213501/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B3 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213520/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> ''Deadly Alliance'' was also the first ''Mortal Kombat'' game to feature fully 3D gameplay, where up to ''Mortal Kombat 4'' the gameplay had stayed in a 2D plane; this trend would continue for the following two games. The next sequel was the 2004 ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', released for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424121025/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archivedate=April 24, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525163246/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archivedate=May 25, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeception/index.html |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207075937/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeception/index.html |archivedate=February 7, 2009 }}</ref> Its port for the [[PlayStation Portable]], ''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'', was developed by [[Just Games Interactive]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Unchained Release dates |url=http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 16, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212042448/http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archivedate=February 12, 2009 }}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'' was published in the same year for the PS2, Xbox, and in 2007 on the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213706/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;2 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213803/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B2 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (Wii) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213815/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> In 2008, Midway released the ''Mortal Kombat Kollection'', an anthology of the three then-most recent titles to the main franchise: ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'', ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'', and ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Kollection Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatkollection/index.html?tag=result;title;3 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213823/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatkollection/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B3 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'', a crossover between the ''Mortal Kombat'' franchise and [[DC Universe]] released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Release dates (PS3) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213847/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Release dates (X360) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213856/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref>
A ninth game in the series, a [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] titled simply ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'', was developed by former [[Midway Games]] Chicago,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |title=Mortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago' |date=July 27, 2009 |accessdate=July 27, 2009 |work=Joystiq |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729075234/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |archivedate=July 29, 2009 }}</ref> now owned by [[Warner Bros. Games]] and renamed as [[NetherRealm Studios]]. It was first released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, and was ported for the [[PlayStation Vita]] in 2012 and for the [[Microsoft Windows]] in 2013. A sequel, ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'' was released in April 2015 on [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Microsoft Windows]]. Ed Boon has stated that he would like to do an ''Mortal Kombat''/''[[Killer Instinct]]'' crossover game for the Xbox One.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-killer-instinct-crossover-554/ |title=Killer Instinct / Mortal Kombat Crossover Would Be Xbox Exclusive, Says Boon |publisher=Game Rant |last=Jacques |first=John |date=June 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620033948/http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-killer-instinct-crossover-554/ |archivedate=June 20, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/744192737356832768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw|title=Ed Boon on Twitter|publisher=|accessdate=December 30, 2016}}</ref>
====Action-adventure games====
Besides the fighting games, there are three action titles that work as spin-offs from the ''Mortal Kombat'' storyline. ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]'' was released in 1997 for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64;<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Release Dates (N64) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213902/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Release Dates (PlayStation) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214027/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> its story is focused on the first incarnation character of Sub-Zero and is focused in the timeline of before the first ''Mortal Kombat'' game. The next action game was ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]'' released in 2000 for the PlayStation; it is an [[action game]] starring Major [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jackson Briggs]] in his mission to destroy the Black Dragon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat:Special Forces Release Dates (PlayStation) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/mortalkombatspecialforces/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214051/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/mortalkombatspecialforces/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]'' was released in 2005 for the PS2 and the Xbox; starring Liu Kang and Kung Lao and telling an alternate version of the events between the first and second ''Mortal Kombat'' games. A similar game titled ''Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice'', which would star Scorpion and again Sub-Zero, was canceled when Paradox Development ([[Midway Studios – Los Angeles]]), the creators of ''Shaolin Monks'', "couldn’t do it in time and under budget".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/09/ed-boon-reveals-mk-fire-and-ice.aspx |title=Ed Boon Reveals The Canceled Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice - News |publisher=www.GameInformer.com |date=July 9, 2010 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817050524/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/09/ed-boon-reveals-mk-fire-and-ice.aspx |archivedate=August 17, 2013 }}</ref>
===Other media===
====Films====
''Mortal Kombat'' was adapted into two major motion pictures, ''[[Mortal Kombat (film)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (1995), and ''[[Mortal Kombat: Annihilation]]'' (1997), both co-developed by [[Threshold Entertainment]] and released by [[New Line Cinema]] (eventual corporate sibling, and later label, of ''Mortal Kombat'' rights holder [[Warner Bros.]]). Neither film was screened for critics prior to theatrical release. The first movie was released on August 18, 1995, grossing $23 million on its first weekend.<ref>{{cite news|title=CORRECTED: "Superbad" rushes to super spot at U.S. box off |date=August 19, 2007 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/08/19/us-boxoffice-correction-idUSN1920384020070819 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |work=Reuters |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513041739/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/08/19/us-boxoffice-correction-idUSN1920384020070819 |archivedate=May 13, 2012 }}</ref> ''Mortal Kombat'', despite mixed reviews from critics, became a financial success, eventually grossing $70 million in the U.S. (and over $122 million worldwide) and gaining a cult following from fans of the series while jump starting the Hollywood career of its director [[Paul W. S. Anderson]].<ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm |title=''Mortal Kombat'' at Box Office Mojo |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307221053/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm |archivedate=March 7, 2010 }}</ref> That momentum did not carry over into [[John R. Leonetti]]'s ''Annihilation'', however, which suffered from a poor reception by critics and fans alike, grossing only $36 million in the U.S. and $51 million worldwide, compared to the first movie's worldwide intake of $122 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm |title=''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' at Box Office Mojo |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212110546/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm |archivedate=February 12, 2010 }}</ref>
In 2010, director [[Kevin Tancharoen]] released an eight-minute ''Mortal Kombat'' short film titled ''[[Mortal Kombat: Rebirth]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |title=If This Is The Next Mortal Kombat, Sign Us Up (Update) |publisher=Kotaku |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611055341/http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |archivedate=June 11, 2010 }}</ref> made as a [[proof of concept]] for Tancharoen's pitch of a reboot movie franchise to Warner Brothers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ryan |first=Jeri |url=https://twitter.com/JeriLRyan/status/15752179609 |title=Twitter Post |date=June 8, 2010 |accessdate=January 20, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121026/http://twitter.com/JeriLRyan/status/15752179609 |archivedate=July 17, 2011 }}</ref> Tancharoen later confirmed that while the short is entirely unofficial, it does feature the writing of Oren Uziel, who was rumored to be writing the screenplay for the third ''Mortal Kombat'' movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/31318/ |title=Interview with MORTAL KOMBAT: REBIRTH Director Kevin Tancharoen; Talks About What He Wants to do in a Feature Version! |author=Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub |publisher=Collider |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429173426/http://collider.com/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/31318 |archivedate=April 29, 2011 }}</ref> In 2011, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. announced that Tancharoen has signed on to direct the reboot from a screenplay written by Uziel.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lesnick |first=Silas |title=New Line to Reboot Mortal Kombat |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |publisher=ComingSoon |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516144432/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |archivedate=May 16, 2014 }}</ref> In October 2013, however, Tancharoen left the project to pursue "other creative opportunities".<ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Tancharoen on Twitter: "After 3 years of Kombat, I've decided to move on to other creative opportunities. I wish everyone involved in the movie big success. Thanks!" |url=https://twitter.com/KTANCH/status/393872867852435456 |publisher=[[Twitter]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208230632/https://twitter.com/KTANCH/status/393872867852435456 |archivedate=February 8, 2015 }}</ref> In 2015, [[James Wan]] signed-on to produce the reboot film;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce |title=Mortal Kombat Movie: James Wan to Produce |publisher=comingsoon.net |date=August 7, 2015 |accessdate=August 7, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809235539/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce |archivedate=August 9, 2015 }}</ref> Wan said he would not rush it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2016/08/10/james-wan-says-they-wont-rush-new-mortal-kombat-movie |title=JAMES WAN SAYS THEY WON'T RUSH NEW MORTAL KOMBAT MOVIE |publisher=IGN |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=August 10, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811001025/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/10/james-wan-says-they-wont-rush-new-mortal-kombat-movie |archivedate=August 11, 2016 }}</ref> In 2016, Simon McQuoid was reported to be in talks to direct the reboot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/ |title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Reboot Finds Director in Simon McQuoid (EXCLUSIVE) |publisher=Variety |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=November 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119120151/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/ |archivedate=November 19, 2016 }}</ref>
====Literature====
[[Mortal Kombat (comics)|Several ''Mortal Kombat'' comic books]] were based on the video game series, including the official ''Mortal Kombat'' and ''Mortal Kombat II'' comic books created by Tobias and advertised in the [[attract mode]]s on early versions of the first two games. In 1994, [[Malibu Comics]] launched an official ''MK'' comic book series, spawning two six-issue series ("Blood and Thunder" and "Battlewave"), along with several miniseries and one-shot special issues dedicated to specific characters, until its publication ended in August 1995. Two more comics were also made as [[tie-in]]s for ''Mortal Kombat 4'' and the DC Universe crossover game<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/search/?q=Mortal%20Kombat |title=Mortal Kombat comics directory at Comic Vine |publisher=Comicvine.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013}}</ref> and a new miniseries was published prior to the release of ''Mortal Kombat X'' in 2015. [[Jeff Rovin]] penned a novelization of the first ''Mortal Kombat'' game, which was published in June 1995 in order to coincide with the release of the movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Kombat-Jeff-Rovin/dp/1572970596 |title=Mortal Kombat (9781572970595): Jeff Rovin: Books |publisher=Amazon.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629211342/http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Kombat-Jeff-Rovin/dp/1572970596 |archivedate=June 29, 2013 }}</ref> Novelizations of both ''Mortal Kombat'' movies were written by Martin Delrio and Jerome Preisler.
====Music====
''[[Mortal Kombat: The Album]]'', a techno album based on the first game was created for [[Virgin America]] by [[Lords of Acid]] members [[Praga Khan]] and Oliver Adams as [[The Immortals (band)|The Immortals]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://immortals.pragakhan.com/biography.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715111301/http://immortals.pragakhan.com/biography.html |archivedate=July 15, 2011 |title=The Immortals-Biography |accessdate=January 20, 2011}}</ref> Its iconic theme "Techno Syndrome", incorporating the "Mortal Kombat!" yell first shown in the ''Mortal Kombat'' commercial for home systems, was first released in 1993 as a single and was also used as a [[theme music]] for the ''Mortal Kombat'' film series. Each movie had their own soundtracks (including the hit and award-winning compilation album ''[[Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]''), as had the second video game (''Mortal Kombat II: Music from the Arcade Game Soundtrack''). The 2011 video game saw the release of ''[[Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors]]'', a new soundtrack album featuring electronic music by various artists.
====Television====
The franchise sparked two television series by [[New Line Television]]: the 1996 cartoon ''[[Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm]]'' and the 1998 live-action series ''[[Mortal Kombat: Conquest]]'', both of them co-developed by Threshold Entertainment. Neither series ran for more than one season.<ref name=gf>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefront.com/the-convoluted-blood-spattered-history-of-mortal-kombat-infographic/ |title=The Convoluted, Blood-Spattered History of Mortal Kombat (Infographic) |publisher=GameFront |date=April 15, 2011 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521133603/http://www.gamefront.com/the-convoluted-blood-spattered-history-of-mortal-kombat-infographic/ |archivedate=May 21, 2013 }}</ref> In 2010, [[Warner Premiere]] ordered a web series inspired by the ''Rebirth'' short, titled ''[[Mortal Kombat: Legacy]]'' and also directed by Kevin Tancharoen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23052 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202041603/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23052 |archivedate=February 2, 2012 |title=Warner Premiere's 'Mortal Kombat' Tourney Goes Websides! |last=Miska |first=Brad|publisher=BLOODY-DISGUSTING LLC|date=January 14, 2011 |accessdate=March 25, 2011}}</ref> The series' first season was released for free on [[YouTube]] starting in April 2011, promoted by [[Machinima.com]],<ref>{{youtube|6s6UiEuCYXA|Mortal Kombat: Legacy: Ep. 1 - Jax, Sonya and Kano (Part 1)}}</ref> and the second season arrived in 2013. In 2014, Warner Bros and Blue Ribbon are developing a live-action untitled ''Mortal Kombat'' series that was to tie in with ''Mortal Kombat X'' for a planned 2016 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-first-development-742586 |title=Warner Bros. Unveils First Development Slate From New Digital Unit |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 20, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024002734/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-first-development-742586 |archivedate=October 24, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/119099/20151223/mortal-kombat-generations-web-series-to-launch-in-2016-movie-to-follow.htm |title='Mortal Kombat: Generations' Web Series To Launch In 2016, Movie To Follow |publisher=Tech Times |date=December 23, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201235450/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/119099/20151223/mortal-kombat-generations-web-series-to-launch-in-2016-movie-to-follow.htm |archivedate=February 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GarrettXWarren/status/676191494932336640 |title=Garrett Warren on Twitter |publisher= |accessdate=December 30, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305124922/https://twitter.com/GarrettXWarren/status/676191494932336640 |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref>
====Other media====
An animated prequel to the first movie, titled ''[[Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins]]'', was released [[direct-to-video]] in 1995.<ref name=gf/> The stage show ''[[Mortal Kombat: Live Tour]]'' was launched at the end of 1995, expanded to 1996, and featured ''Mortal Kombat'' characters in a theatrical display on stage. [[Brady Games]] produced the collectible card game ''[[Mortal Kombat Kard Game]]'' in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Kard Game (1995) |url=http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9274/mortal-kombat-kard-game |publisher=BoardGameGeek |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830055108/http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9274/mortal-kombat-kard-game |archivedate=August 30, 2010 }}</ref> [[Score Entertainment]]'s 2005 collectible card game ''[[Epic Battles]]'' also used some of the ''Mortal Kombat'' characters.
==Reception==
{{VG Series Reviews
|updated = April 27, 2011
|gr = yes
|game1 = [[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]] ''(1992)
|gr1 = (GEN) 84.17%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563332-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424000205/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563332-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 24, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(SNES) 83.33%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588499-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424002344/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588499-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 24, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(SCD) 60.00%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/segacd/919575-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423235704/http://www.gamerankings.com/segacd/919575-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 23, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GB) 42.17%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563285-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424002210/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563285-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 24, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc1 = –
|game2 = [[Mortal Kombat II]]
|gr2 = (SNES) 85.87%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588500-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052735/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588500-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GEN) 85.62%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563224-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052653/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563224-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS3) 68.40%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/937627-mortal-kombat-ii-psn/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II (PSN)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513142721/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/937627-mortal-kombat-ii-psn/index.html |archivedate=May 13, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GB) 64.50%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585811-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052814/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585811-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(SAT) 57.50%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562828-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052950/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562828-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc2 = (PS3) 72<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-ii-psn |title=''Mortal Kombat II (PSN)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223005401/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-ii-psn |archivedate=February 23, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game3 = [[Mortal Kombat 3]]
|gr3 = (SNES) 80.23%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588501-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 3'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052740/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588501-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GEN) 76.67%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/367071-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 3'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052839/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/367071-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS1) 70.33%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/375939-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 3'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052929/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/375939-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc3 = –
|game4 = [[Mortal Kombat 4]]
|gr4 = (N64) 76.07%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197989-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052658/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197989-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS1) 75.75%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197990-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052916/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197990-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PC) 72.14%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197987-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220003506/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197987-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=December 20, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(DC) 54.97%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197991-mortal-kombat-gold/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat Gold'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404143712/http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197991-mortal-kombat-gold/index.html |archivedate=April 4, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GBC) 46.00%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/197988-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052834/http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/197988-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc4 = –
|game5 = [[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]
|gr5 = (PS1) 53.20%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197993-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052921/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197993-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(N64) 44.84%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197992-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052703/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197992-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc5 = –
|game6 = [[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]
|gr6 = (PS1) 40.23%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197995-mortal-kombat-special-forces/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Special Forces'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052713/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197995-mortal-kombat-special-forces/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc6 = (PS1) 28<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/mortal-kombat-special-forces |title=''Mortal Kombat: Special Forces'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107021548/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/mortal-kombat-special-forces |archivedate=November 7, 2014 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game7 = [[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]
|gr7 = (GBA) 84.63%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/551910-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130142014/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/551910-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=November 30, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 82.68%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/551907-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220004103/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/551907-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=December 20, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 81.99%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/551915-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052723/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/551915-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 81.82%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/551908-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052648/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/551908-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc7 = (GBA) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211110236/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=December 11, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401014828/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095651/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 79<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201134932/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=February 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game8 = [[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]
|gr8 = (PS2) 82.00%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919922-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425155727/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919922-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 81.31%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/919923-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217235208/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/919923-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archivedate=December 17, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 77.43%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/924069-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052819/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/924069-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PSP) 70.88%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928288-mortal-kombat-unchained/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052940/http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928288-mortal-kombat-unchained/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc8 = (PS2) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deception |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221193525/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deception |archivedate=February 21, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deception |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401051449/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deception |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deception |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095656/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deception |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PSP) 70<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/mortal-kombat-unchained |title=''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031533/http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/mortal-kombat-unchained |archivedate=February 18, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game9 = [[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]
|gr9 = (Xbox) 80.64%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425053034/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 78.70%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426095735/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc9 = (Xbox) 78<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425055248/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401050002/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game10 = [[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]
|gr10 = (Xbox) 77.39%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/931478-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527134139/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/931478-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archivedate=May 27, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 75.33%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/931479-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052935/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/931479-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Wii) 72.49%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/934714-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210201241/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/934714-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archivedate=February 10, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc10 = (Xbox) 77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-armageddon |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401020801/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 75<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-armageddon |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430152113/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archivedate=April 30, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Wii) 71<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/mortal-kombat-armageddon |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407033221/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archivedate=April 7, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game11 = [[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]
|gr11 = (PS3) 77.87%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/943566-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044438/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/943566-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(X360) 74.55%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/943567-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415114721/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/943567-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |archivedate=April 15, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc11 = (PS3) 76<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829082056/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |archivedate=August 29, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(X360) 72<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007223203/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |archivedate=October 7, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game12 = [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]] ''(2011)
|gr12 = (Vita) 87.31%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/639757-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502035352/http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/639757-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=May 2, 2012 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS3) 86.09%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/961031-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044633/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/961031-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(X360) 85.67%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/961032-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427194120/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/961032-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 27, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc12 = (X360) 86<ref name="metacritic1">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830170126/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat |archivedate=August 30, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Vita) 85<ref name="metacritic1"/><br />(PS3) 84<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513060258/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat |archivedate=May 13, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game13 = [[Mortal Kombat X]]
| gr13 = (XONE) 85.97%<ref name="GRXONE">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/802906-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425083613/http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/802906-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PS4) 84.18%<ref name="GRPS4">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/802908-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 4 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426082245/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/802908-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PC) 75.20%<ref name="GRPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/802904-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for PC |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426205918/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/802904-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2015 }}</ref>
| mc13 = (XONE) 86<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mortal-kombat-x |title=Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425093541/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mortal-kombat-x |archivedate=April 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PS4) 83<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mortal-kombat-x |title=Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 4 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425014601/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mortal-kombat-x |archivedate=April 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PC) 76<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mortal-kombat-x |title=Mortal Kombat X for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311094840/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mortal-kombat-x |archivedate=March 11, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
=== Sales ===
''Mortal Kombat'' has been one of the most successful fighting game franchises in video game history only trailing [[Tekken]] and [[Street Fighter]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-04-30|title=List of best-selling video game franchises|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=List_of_best-selling_video_game_franchises&oldid=838952953|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref> The previous two Mortal Kombat games have been [[NetherRealm Studios|NetherRealm Studio's]] best selling games with [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat(2011)]] at six million dollars and [[Mortal Kombat X]] at 5 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://vgsales.wikia.com/wiki/Best_selling_fighting_games|title=Best selling fighting games|work=Video Game Sales Wiki|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en}}</ref> Ed Boon reported that the ''Mortal Kombat'' games have sold 26 million copies by 2007,<ref name="mortalkombatint" /> and the number has reportedly reached over 30 million by 2012.<ref>Morgan Webb, [http://www.g4tv.com/videos/60325/the-history-of-mortal-kombat/ The History of Mortal Kombat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310122245/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/60325/the-history-of-mortal-kombat/ |date=March 10, 2013 }}, G4tv.com, August 15, 2012</ref> As of April 2015, after the release of ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'', the franchise had sold 35 million units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/as-mortal-kombat-x-arrives-entire-franchise-reache/1100-6426616/ |title=As Mortal Kombat X Arrives, Entire Franchise Reaches 35 Million Units Sold |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=April 19, 2015 |accessdate=April 19, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419103837/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/as-mortal-kombat-x-arrives-entire-franchise-reache/1100-6426616/ |archivedate=April 19, 2015 }}</ref> A particularly successful game was ''Mortal Kombat II'', which had unprecedented opening week sales figures never seen before in the video game industry, for the first time beating the box office numbers of summer hit films.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/business/mortal-kombat-sales.html Mortal Kombat Sales] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701050805/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/business/mortal-kombat-sales.html |date=July 1, 2017 }}, ''The New York Times'', September 23, 1994</ref> The Franchise generated more than 4 billion by the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reese|first=Joel|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68802187.html|title=Mortal Combat Creators Game for Another Video Hit|subscription=yes|publisher=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)]]|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|date=April 8, 1999|accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref>`
=== Ratings, reviews, and awards ===
The 2008 edition of ''[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]]'' awarded the ''Mortal Kombat'' series with seven world records, including "most successful fighting game series".<ref>{{cite web |title=Guinness World Records in Leipzig |date= September 1, 2008|url=http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/010908_leipzig.aspx |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913235621/http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/010908_leipzig.aspx|archivedate=September 13, 2008 |accessdate= August 22, 2009}}</ref> The franchise holds ten world records in the 2011 ''Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition'', including the "largest promotional campaign for a fighting video game" (''Mortal Kombat 3''), "highest grossing film based on a beat ‘em up video game" (''Mortal Kombat'' 1996), and "most successful video game spin-off soundtrack album" (''Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-guinness-world-records-jc-79788/undefined|title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Franchise Boasts Numerous Guinness World Records|author=J.C. Reeves|publisher=Gamerant|accessdate=March 22, 2017}}</ref>The franchise also had three games win the Best Fighting Game of the year award. In 2004, [[Mortal Kombat: Deception]], in 2011 [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat(2011)]], and in 2015 [[Mortal Kombat X]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-04-22|title=Spike Video Game Awards|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Spike_Video_Game_Awards&oldid=837737084|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-04-27|title=The Game Awards|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Game_Awards&oldid=838520631|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref>
Numerous publications described it as one of the most important and also most violent series in the history of video games; in 2011, the staff of [[GameSpy]] wrote "its place in fighting game history is undeniable".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p11.html |title=GameSpy's Top 50 Arcade Games of All-Time |publisher=Uk.gamespy.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320232617/http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p11.html |archivedate=March 20, 2013 }}</ref> In 2009, [[GameTrailers]] ranked ''Mortal Kombat'' as the ninth top fighting game franchise<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/47398 |title=Top 10 Fighting Games Franchises |date=April 6, 2009 |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |accessdate=April 6, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519233119/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/47398 |archivedate=May 19, 2009 }}</ref> as well as the seventh bloodiest series of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top ten bloodiest games of all time |date=December 1, 2009 |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/59603 |accessdate=December 7, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206053303/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/59603 |archivedate=December 6, 2009 }}</ref> In 2012, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked ''Mortal Kombat'' as 37th best video game franchise overall, commenting on its "legendary status in video game history".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/mortal-kombat |title=The 50 Best Video Game Franchises |publisher=Complex |date=September 25, 2012 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229130047/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/mortal-kombat |archivedate=December 29, 2012 }}</ref> ''Mortal Kombat'' as a series was also ranked as the goriest video game ever by [[CraveOnline]] in 2009 and by [[G4tv.com]] in 2011;<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeremy |last=Azevedo |title=Top 10 Goriest, Bloodiest, Nastiest Video Games of All Time |url=http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/top-10-goriest-bloodiest-nastiest-video-games-of-all-time-86215/2 |date=September 23, 2009 |publisher=Craveonline |accessdate=November 24, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003104536/http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/top-10-goriest-bloodiest-nastiest-video-games-of-all-time-86215/2 |archivedate=October 3, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56046/7-goriest-games-of-all-time-part-2/ |title=7 Goriest Games of All Time Part 2 – |publisher=G4tv.com |date=October 31, 2011 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310104504/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56046/7-goriest-games-of-all-time-part-2/ |archivedate=March 10, 2013 }}</ref> including it on their list of the goriest games, Cheat Code Central commented that "''Mortal Kombat'' had enough gore to simultaneously offend a nation and change gaming forever."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10goriestgames2.html#.UQpdpb92SrE |title=Cheat Code Central: Top 10 Goriest Video Games |publisher=Cheatcc.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709003959/http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10goriestgames2.html |archivedate=July 9, 2013 }}</ref>
==Legacy and cultural impact==
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=== Influence on other games ===
According to [[IGN]], during the 1990s "waves of imitators began to flood the market, filling arcades with a sea of blood from games like ''[[Time Killers]]'', ''[[Survival Arts]]'', and ''Guardians of the Hood''. ''Mortal Kombat'' had ushered in an era of [[Psychological manipulation|exploitation]] games, both on consoles and in arcades, all engaging in a battle to see who can cram the most blood and guts onto a low-res screen."<ref name=history>Travis Fahs, [http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/05/05/the-history-of-mortal-kombat?page=2 The History of Mortal Kombat. Follow its bloody legacy from 1992 to present day.], IGN, May 5, 2011</ref> Notable ''Mortal Kombat'' [[video game clone|clones]], featuring violent finishing moves and/or digitized sprites, included ''[[Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.]]'', ''[[BloodStorm]]'', ''[[Cardinal Syn]]'', ''[[Catfight (video game)|Catfight]]'', ''[[Eternal Champions]]'', ''[[Kasumi Ninja]]'', ''[[Killer Instinct (1994 video game)|Killer Instinct]]'', ''[[Mace: The Dark Age]]'', ''[[Primal Rage]]'', ''[[Street Fighter: The Movie (arcade game)|Street Fighter: The Movie]]'', ''[[Tattoo Assassins]]'', ''[[Thrill Kill]]'', ''[[Ultra Vortek]]'', ''[[Way of the Warrior (video game)|Way of the Warrior]]'', and Midway's own ''[[War Gods (video game)|War Gods]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/04/10-mortal-kombat-rip-offs/ |title=The Klone Wars: The 10 Most Blatant "Mortal Kombat" Rip-Offs Ever |publisher=Complex |date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829215705/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/04/10-mortal-kombat-rip-offs/ |archivedate=August 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/the_11_worst_mortal_kombat_rip-offs.php |title=The 11 Worst Mortal Kombat Rip-Offs |publisher=Topless Robot |date=June 22, 2009 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518062740/http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/the_11_worst_mortal_kombat_rip-offs.php |archivedate=May 18, 2013 }}</ref>
In a 2009 poll by ''[[GamePro]]'', 21% of voters chose ''Mortal Kombat'' as their favorite fighting game series, ranking it third after ''Street Fighter'' and ''[[Tekken]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |title = What's your favorite fighting game series? |publisher = ''[[GamePro]]'' |date = November 2009 |page = 91}}</ref> In 2012, Capcom's ''Street Fighter'' producer Yoshinori Ono said he is getting a lot of requests for ''Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat'' and understands why people want it, "but it's easier said than done. Having [[Chun-Li|Chun Li]] getting her spine ripped out, or [[Ryu (Street Fighter)|Ryu]]'s head bouncing off the floor...it doesn't necessarily match."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/02/evo-ono-discusses-cole-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-ps-vita-development/ |title=EVO: Ono Discusses Cole in Street Fighter X Tekken, PS Vita Development – PlayStation Blog |publisher=Blog.us.playstation.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624092539/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/02/evo-ono-discusses-cole-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-ps-vita-development/ |archivedate=June 24, 2013 }}</ref> In 2014, martial artist [[Frankie Edgar]] opined ''Mortal Kombat'' has been far superior to ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/frankie-edgar-mortal-combat-street-fighter-video-games/ |title=UFC Bad Ass Frankie Edgar - 'Mortal Kombat' Was Better Than 'Street Fighter' |publisher=TMZ.com |date=April 16, 2014 |accessdate=May 29, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519192433/http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/frankie-edgar-mortal-combat-street-fighter-video-games |archivedate=May 19, 2014 }}</ref>
=== Influence on society ===
The series and its characters are also referenced in the various other works of [[popular culture]], such as in the title of [[Powerglove (band)|Powerglove]]'s debut album ''[[Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man]]'' and the ''[[Workaholics]]'' episode "Model Kombat". According to ''Complex'' in 2012, "Years ago, ''MK'' became a phenomenon far outside gaming circles alone. Its name has become recognizable enough to be name dropped on sitcoms (''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'' and ''[[Married... with Children]]''), found in movies ([[Christian Slater]] plays ''MK4'' in ''[[Very Bad Things]]''), and used as part of cultural studies (see [[Justine Cassell]] and [[Henry Jenkins]]' book ''From Barbie to Mortal Kombat: Gender and Computer Games'')."<ref name="complex.com"/> It was also featured in the film ''[[Doom Generation]]''. The name "Mortal Kombat" was even given to a dangerous illegal recreational drug that was introduced and caused multiple fatalities in early 2014.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Powell |url=http://www.webpronews.com/mortal-kombat-pills-linked-to-multiple-deaths-2014-03 |title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Pills Linked to Multiple Deaths |publisher=WebProNews |date=March 31, 2014 |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504190725/http://www.webpronews.com/mortal-kombat-pills-linked-to-multiple-deaths-2014-03 |archivedate=May 4, 2014 }}</ref>
In 2012, John Tobias said: "If you look at any other pop culture phenomenon—like if you look at the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', for instance—it became popular at the time right around when ''Mortal Kombat'' became popular, and it had its highs and lows, and here they are once again talking about a major motion picture. That’s because of its place in pop culture. It’s always there for someone to pick up, polish off, blow the dust off of it, and re-release it. And ''Mortal Kombat'' will always be that way. It’ll be around 50 years from now."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-john-tobias/ |title=John Tobias, Mortal Kombat co-creator | Interview | The Gameological Society |publisher=Gameological.com |date=October 15, 2012 |accessdate=July 23, 2013}}</ref>
=== Competitive play ===
Fighting games have been a popular genre among tournaments since the late 90s. ''Mortal Kombat'' has its place in some of the world's biggest fighting game tournaments like [[Evolution Championship Series|Evo]] and [[Combo Breaker 2017|Combo Breaker]], as well as many local and online tournaments around the world. Since the 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' game was released, the game has been one of the most popular games at these events. Between 2014 and 2017, however, the game was mostly absent from the tournament scene, due to [[NetherRealm Studios]] being focused on their ''Injustice'' series as their top priority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://segmentnext.com/2017/01/25/evo-2017-lineup-revealed-goodbye-mortal-kombat-x/|title=EVO 2017 Lineup Revealed, Goodbye Mortal Kombat X {{!}} SegmentNext|website=segmentnext.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref> The 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' is expected to return to Combo Breaker in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://combobreaker.org/|title=Combo Breaker 2018|website=COMBO BREAKER|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref>
===Controversies===
{{main|Controversies surrounding Mortal Kombat}}
The series was subject of a major [[Video game controversies|video game controversy]]<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090892/p-5.html A History of Video Game Controversy: Mortal Kombat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120010823/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090892/p-5.html |date=November 20, 2012 }} at GameSpot</ref> and several court cases, largely related to its extremely violent content, especially in relation to the original game which paved a way for the introduction of the ESRB ([[Entertainment Software Rating Board]]) game rating system in 1994 as well as [[Australian Classification Board]].<ref name="GameMakers episode">{{cite web|title=GameMakers Mortal Kombat Episode #313 |url=http://g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/3446/Mortal-Kombat.html |publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] |accessdate=October 22, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806163531/http://www.g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/3446/Mortal-Kombat.html |archivedate=August 6, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat |url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/06/15/games-violence-columbine-tech-cx_ag_0618videogames_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined |date=June 15, 2007 |publisher=Forbes |accessdate=March 13, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416075844/http://www.forbes.com/2007/06/15/games-violence-columbine-tech-cx_ag_0618videogames_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined |archivedate=April 16, 2010 }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110704160734/http://www.gamestar.com/11_04/features/fea_savageseven.shtml Video Game Violence: The Savage Se7en], ''[[GameStar]]'', 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/it-took-18-years-but-mortal-kombat-is-finally-banned/story-e6frfrt9-1226014699735 It took 18 years, but Mortal Kombat's finally banned] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217022453/http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/it-took-18-years-but-mortal-kombat-is-finally-banned/story-e6frfrt9-1226014699735 |date=February 17, 2013 }}, news.com.au, March 2, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414040202/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |archivedate=April 14, 2010 |title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=April 14, 2010 |accessdate=June 11, 2012}}</ref> Various games in the series have been banned in a number of countries. SuperData Research CEO Joost van Dreunen said, "Because of the obvious rift between gamers on the one hand and adult society on the other, ''Mortal Kombat'' set the tone for what constituted [[gamer]] culture."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2015/05/08/mortal-kombat-warner-bros/ |title=Violence sells: Mortal Kombat X most successful game in the franchise |publisher=Fortune |date=May 8, 2015 |accessdate=December 17, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224105739/http://fortune.com/2015/05/08/mortal-kombat-warner-bros/ |archivedate=December 24, 2015 }}</ref> {{Clear}}
==See also==
*[[List of fighting games]]
*[[List of best-selling video game franchises]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.mortalkombat.com}} (Warner Bros.)
*[http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/mortal-kombat-games ''Mortal Kombat''] at [[MobyGames]]
*{{tvtropes|MortalKombat|''Mortal Kombat''}}
*[http://www.mksecrets.net/index.php?section=kolumn&lang=eng&contentID=5364&title=The-History-Of-Mortal-Kombat-Video-Series ''The History of Mortal Kombat'' video series]
{{Mortal Kombat series}}
{{Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment}}
[[Category:Demon video games]]
[[Category:Hell in popular culture]]
[[Category:Martial arts video games]]
[[Category:Mortal Kombat]]
[[Category:Ninja video games]]
[[Category:Versus fighting games]]
[[Category:Fighting video games by series]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1992]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into films]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into television programs]]
[[Category:Video games featuring parallel universes]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Other uses}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox VG series
| image = [[File:Mortal Kombat Logo.svg|center|200px]]
| caption = The original logo of the Mortal Kombat tournament
| creator = {{plainlist|
* [[Ed Boon]]
* [[John Tobias]]
}}
| composer=
| platforms =[[Amiga]]<br>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]<br>[[Arcade game|Arcade]]<br>[[DOS]]<br>[[Dreamcast]]<br>[[Game Boy]]<br>[[Game Boy Advance]]<br>[[Game Boy Color]]<br>[[GameCube]]<br>[[Game.com]]<br>[[IBM PC compatible]]<br>[[iOS]]<br>[[Microsoft Windows]]<br>[[MS-DOS]]<br>[[Nintendo 64]]<br>[[Nintendo DS]]<br>[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]<br>[[PlayStation 2]]<br>[[PlayStation 3]]<br>[[PlayStation 4]]<br>[[PlayStation Portable]]<br>[[PlayStation Vita]]<br>[[R-Zone]]<br>[[Sega 32X]]<br>[[Sega CD]]<br>[[Sega Game Gear]]<br>[[Sega Genesis]]<br>[[Sega Master System]]<br>[[Sega Saturn]]<br>[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]<br>[[TV game]]<br>[[Wii]]<br>[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br>[[Xbox 360]]<br>[[Xbox One]]
| developer = {{plainlist|
* [[Avalanche Software]]
* [[Eurocom]]
* [[Kung Fu Factory|Just Games Interactive]]
* [[Midway Games]]
* [[Midway Studios Los Angeles]]
* Other Ocean Interactive
* [[Point of View, Inc.]]
* [[NetherRealm Studios]]
}}
| publisher = {{plainlist|
* [[Midway Games]]
* [[WMS Industries|Williams Entertainment]]
* [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]]
}}
| genre = [[Fighting game]]
| first release version = ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''
| first release date = October 8, 1992
| latest release version = ''[[Mortal Kombat XL]]''
| latest release date = March 1, 2016
}}
'''''Mortal Kombat''''' is a video game [[Media franchise|franchise]] originally developed by [[Midway Games]]' [[Chicago]] studio in 1992. Following Midway's bankruptcy, the ''Mortal Kombat'' development team was acquired by [[Warner Bros.]] and turned into [[NetherRealm Studios]]. [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] currently owns the rights to the franchise and [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]]ed it in 2011.
The development of the first game was originally based on an idea that [[Ed Boon]] and [[John Tobias]] had of making a video game starring [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]], but as that idea fell through, a [[fantasy]]-[[Horror and terror|horror]] themed [[fighting game]] titled ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' was created instead. The original game has spawned many sequels and has spun a [[media franchise]] consisting of several [[action-adventure game]]s, films ([[Mortal Kombat (film)#The Journey Begins|animated]] and [[Mortal Kombat (film)|live-action]] with its own [[Mortal Kombat: Annihilation|sequel]]), and television series ([[Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm|animated]] and [[Mortal Kombat: Conquest|live-action]]). Other spin-offs include [[Mortal Kombat (comics)|comic book series]], a [[Mortal Kombat Kard Game|card game]], and a [[Mortal Kombat: Live Tour|live-action tour]]. Along with [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Street Fighter]]'' and [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]]'s ''[[Tekken]]'', ''Mortal Kombat'' has become one of the most successful fighting franchises in the history of video games. {{As of|June 2000}}, the franchise had generated $5 billion in revenue,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threshold-digital-research-labs-greenlights-its-first-digitally-animated-feature-film-foodfight-73557002.html |title=Threshold Digital Research Labs Greenlights Its First Digitally Animated Feature Film, 'FOODFIGHT!' |website=[[PR Newswire]] |publisher=[[Cision Inc.|Cision]] |date=June 13, 2000 |accessdate=February 20, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108095511/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threshold-digital-research-labs-greenlights-its-first-digitally-animated-feature-film-foodfight-73557002.html |archivedate=January 8, 2017 }}</ref> making it one of the [[List of the highest-grossing media franchises|highest-grossing media franchise of all time]].
The series has a reputation for high levels of bloody violence, including, most notably, its [[Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|Fatalities]] (finishing moves, requiring a sequence of button inputs to perform). The Fatalities, in part, led to the creation of the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]] video game rating system. The series name itself is also known for [[hard and soft C|using the letter "K" in place of "C"]] for the [[voiceless velar plosive|hard C]] sound, thus [[Sensational spelling|intentionally misspelling]] the word "combat", as well as other words with the hard C sound within later games in the series. Early games in this series were also noted for their realistic [[digitization|digitized]] [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] (which differentiated it from its contemporaries' hand-drawn sprites) and an extensive use of [[palette swap]]ping to create new characters.
==Gameplay==
{{Further|Fighting game}}
[[File:Mortal Kombat II arcade cabinet.jpg|thumb|''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' arcade cabinet's gameplay control board]]
The original three games and their updates, ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (1992), ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' (1993), ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'' (1995), ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'' (1995), and ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' (1996), were styled in a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] fighting fashion. The first two of them were played in the [[Arcade game|arcades]] with a [[joystick]] and five buttons: high punch, low punch, high kick, low kick, and block. ''Mortal Kombat 3'' and its updates added a sixth "run" button.<ref name="history" /> Characters in the early ''Mortal Kombat'' games play virtually identically to one another, with the only major differences being their special moves.<ref>{{cite web|title=1UP Show: Mortal Kombat vs. DCU Impressions|url=http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/22707|date=November 21, 2008|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|accessdate=April 2, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707061209/http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/22707|archivedate=July 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Through the 1990s, the developer and publisher [[Midway Games]] would keep their single styled fighting moves with four attack buttons for a different array of punches and kicks and blocks. ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'' changed this by differentiating characters normal moves and even giving them multiple fighting styles. Beginning in ''Deadly Alliance'' and until ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', the characters would have three fighting styles per character: two unarmed styles, and one weapon style.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeremy |last=Dunham |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance |date=November 19, 2002 |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377892p1.html |page=2,3 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325053022/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/377/377892p1.html |archivedate=March 25, 2010 }}</ref> Few exceptions to this arose in ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'', such as monster-like [[Boss (video gaming)|boss]] characters like [[Moloch (Mortal Kombat)|Moloch]] and [[Onaga (Mortal Kombat)|Onaga]] who would have only one fighting style.<ref name="MKA IGN review">{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Haynes |date=October 6, 2006 |title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Review |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738086p3.html |page=3 |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529025043/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/738/738086p3.html |archivedate=May 29, 2010 }}</ref> While most of the styles used in the series are based on real [[martial arts]], some are entirely fictitious.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeff |last=Gerstmann |title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/review.html?tag=tabs;reviews |date=November 22, 2002 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213214/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/review.html?tag=tabs%3Breviews |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> [[Goro (Mortal Kombat)|Goro's]] fighting styles, for example, are designed to take advantage of the fact that he has four arms. For ''Armageddon'', fighting styles were reduced to a maximum of two per character (generally one hand-to-hand combat style and one weapon style) due to the sheer number of playable characters.<ref name="MKA IGN review"/> ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'' dropped the multiple fighting style trend altogether in favor of giving each character a much wider variety of special moves,<ref>{{cite web|first=Carolyn |last=Petit |date=November 20, 2008 |title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213228/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary%3Bread-review |archivedate=June 28, 2011 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 4, 2010 |deadurl=yes }}</ref> but some characters still use multiple fighting styles.<ref name="MK vs DC strategy guide">{{Cite journal |first=Pat |last=Reynolds |title= Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Strategy Guide by Pat Reynolds |journal =[[Tips & Tricks]]|publisher= [[Larry Flynt Publications]] |date= March–April 2009 |pages = 6, 21}}</ref> 2011's ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' returned to a single 2D fighting plane although characters are rendered in [[3D computer graphics|3D]];<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew |last=Webster |title=A gruesome return to form: hands-on with Mortal Kombat |date=August 23, 2010 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/08/a-gruesome-return-to-form-hands-on-with-mortal-kombat.ars?comments=1#comments-bar |publisher=Ars Technica |accessdate=August 28, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828151425/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/08/a-gruesome-return-to-form-hands-on-with-mortal-kombat.ars?comments=1 |archivedate=August 28, 2010 }}</ref> unlike previous ''MK'' games, each of the controller's four attack buttons corresponds to one of the character's limbs, the buttons thus becoming front punch, back punch, front kick and back kick (front and back indicating the limb closer to and farther from the opponent, respectively).
According to ''Mortal Kombat'' co-creator [[Ed Boon]], "since the beginning, one of the things that's separated us from other fighting games is the crazy moves we've put in it, like fireballs and all the magic moves, so to speak."<ref>{{cite web|first=Stuart |last=Bishop |title=Ed Boon talks Mortal Kombat |date=April 23, 2007 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/162494/interviews/ed-boon-talks-mortal-kombat/ |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] |accessdate=October 18, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810231652/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/162494/interviews/ed-boon-talks-mortal-kombat/ |archivedate=August 10, 2011 }}</ref> When asked if [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Street Fighter]]'' series would ever do a [[Fictional crossovers in video games|crossover game]] with ''Mortal Kombat'', ''Street Fighter'' producer [[Yoshinori Ono (game producer)|Yoshinori Ono]] called ''Mortal Kombat'' a very different game from ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Billy |last=Berghammer |title=Das Interview: Street Fighter IV Producer Yoshinori Ono, Part 1 |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5055106/sfiv-producer-on-marvel-v-capcom-mortal-kombat-v-capcom |page=2 |publisher=Dasgamer.com |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |quote=Yoshinori Ono: I think Street Fighter is a different type of game than Mortal Kombat. I think Mortal Kombat vs. Capcom could happen, but Mortal Kombat vs. Street Fighter, um. Question mark. |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106085901/http://kotaku.com/ |archivedate=November 6, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Luke |last=Plunkett |title=SFIV Producer On Marvel v Capcom, Mortal Kombat v Capcom |date=September 25, 2008 |url=http://kotaku.com/5055106/sfiv-producer-on-marvel-v-capcom-mortal-kombat-v-capcom |publisher=Kotaku |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004022237/http://kotaku.com/5055106/sfiv-producer-on-marvel-v-capcom-mortal-kombat-v-capcom |archivedate=October 4, 2009 }}</ref> Capcom's senior director of communications compared ''Street Fighter'' and ''Mortal Kombat'' by asking if the interviewer preferred the "precision and depth" of ''Street Fighter'' or the "gore and comedy" of ''Mortal Kombat''; he also stated that the ''Street Fighter'' and ''Mortal Kombat'' rivalry was considered similar to the [[Coca-Cola|Coke]] and [[Pepsi]] rivalry in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|first=Leigh |last=Alexander |date=August 21, 2009 |title=Interview: Capcom 'Would Welcome' Return Of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat Brand Rivalry |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=2484 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071716/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=2484 |archivedate=July 11, 2011 }}</ref> Senior producer of ''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'', Hans Lo, himself also called ''Street Fighter'' "a little more cartoonic fantasy" in comparison to ''Mortal Kombat''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat VS DC: Midway Interview |date=November 25, 2008 |url=http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-interview-p1.asp |page=1 |publisher=Video Game Daily |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418163208/http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/features/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-interview-p1.asp |archivedate=April 18, 2010 }}</ref> In 2013, Boon named the hypothetical "''MKvsSF''" as his dream crossover game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/387381612981153792 |title=Twitter / noobde: @MarkindVGA 2m @noobde what |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219221657/https://twitter.com/noobde/status/387381612981153792 |archivedate=December 19, 2013 }}</ref> In 2014, Boon said his team has remained in touch with Capcom, but no one could resolve the incompatibility problem of ''Mortal Kombat'' being much more brutal than ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/23/mortal-kombat-x-hands-on-preview-and-sort-of-interview-goriest-game-ever-4771978/ |title=Mortal Kombat X hands-on preview and sort-of interview – goriest game ever |work=Metro |accessdate=October 7, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007063147/http://metro.co.uk/2014/06/23/mortal-kombat-x-hands-on-preview-and-sort-of-interview-goriest-game-ever-4771978/ |archivedate=October 7, 2014 }}</ref>
''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' and ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' feature "Konquest", a [[Open world|free-roaming]] [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] mode that significantly expanded on the single-player experience. Both games also include distinct [[minigame]] modes such "Chess Kombat", an action-[[strategy video game|strategy game]] similar to ''[[Archon: The Light and the Dark|Archon]]''. Two other bonus minigames, "Puzzle Kombat" inspired by ''[[Puzzle Fighter]]'' and "Motor Kombat" inspired by ''[[Mario Kart]]'', feature [[super deformed]] versions of ''Mortal Kombat'' characters.<ref name=history/> The games also contain various [[Unlockable (gaming)|unlockable]] content and hidden "[[cheat code|cheats]]".<ref>Ferry Groenendijk, [http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2011/04/15/all-mortal-kombat-2011-fatalities-babalities-guide-ps3-xbox-360.html "All Mortal Kombat 2011 Fatalities Babalities Guide (PS3, Xbox 360"]{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=Al83tito |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Video Game Blogger'', April 15, 2011</ref>
i like turtles
==Plot==
The series takes place in a [[fictional universe]] consisting of eighteen surviving realms which, according to in-game backstories, were created by the Elder Gods. The ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' manual described six of the realms as: "Earthrealm, home to such legendary heroes as [[Liu Kang]], [[Kung Lao]], [[Sonya Blade]], [[Johnny Cage]], and [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax]], and also under the protection of the Thunder God [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]]; Netherrealm, the fiery depths of which are inhospitable to all but the most vile, a realm of demons and shadowy warriors such as [[Quan Chi]] and [[Noob Saibot]]; Outworld, a realm of constant strife which Emperor [[Shao Kahn]] claims as his own; Seido, the Realm of Order, whose inhabitants prize structure and order above all else; the Realm of Chaos, whose inhabitants do not abide by any rules whatsoever, and where constant turmoil and change are worshipped; and Edenia, which is known for its beauty, artistic expression, and the longevity of its inhabitants."<ref name="MKD booklet">{{Cite journal |title=Mortal Kombat Deception Instruction Booklet |year= 2004 |publisher= Midway Amusement Game, LLC |page= 15 |postscript=<!--None-->}}</ref><ref name="mkdk">{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 4, 2004 |level= Konquehh |accessdate=October 22, 2009}}</ref> The Elder Gods decreed that the denizens of one realm could only conquer another realm by defeating the defending realm's greatest warriors in ten consecutive Mortal Kombat tournaments.
The [[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|first ''Mortal Kombat'' game]] takes place in Earthrealm (Earth) where seven different warriors with their own reasons for entering participated in the tournament with the eventual prize being the continued freedom of their realm, threatened with a takeover by Outworld. Among the established warriors were Liu Kang, Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade. With the help of the thunder god [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]], the Earthrealm warriors were victorious and Liu Kang became the new champion of Mortal Kombat.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat 2]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=1994 |level=Opening sequence}}</ref> In ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'', unable to deal with his minion [[Shang Tsung]]'s failure, Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn lures the Earthrealm warriors to the Outworld where the Earthrealm warriors eventually defeat Shao Kahn. By the time of ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'', Shao Kahn revives Edenia's (now a part of his Outworld domain) former queen [[Sindel]] in Earthrealm, combining it with Outworld as well. He then attempts to invade Earthrealm but is ultimately defeated by the Earthrealm warriors again. After Kahn's defeat, Edenia was freed from Kahn's grasp and returned to a peaceful realm, ruled by [[Kitana|Princess Kitana]]. The following game, ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'', features the former elder god [[Shinnok]] attempting to conquer the realms and attempting to kill the thunder god Raiden. However, he is also defeated by the Earthrealm warriors.
In ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'', the evil sorcerers Quan Chi and Shang Tsung join forces to conquer the realms. By ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', after several fights, the sorcerers emerge victorious having killed most of Earthrealms' warriors until Raiden steps forth to oppose them. The Dragon King [[Onaga (Mortal Kombat)|Onaga]], who had been freed by [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]] at the end of ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'',<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=November 20, 2002 |level=Reptile ending |accessdate=September 3, 2009}}</ref> had deceived [[Shujinko]] into searching for six pieces of Kamidogu,<ref name="mkdk"/> the source of Onaga's power. Onaga then confronted the alliance of Raiden, Shang Tsung, and Quan Chi and thus obtained Quan Chi's amulet,<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 4, 2004 |level=Opening Sequence}}</ref> the final piece of his power. Only a few warriors remained to combat against the Dragon King and his forces. Shujinko eventually triumphed over the Dragon King and removed his threat to the Mortal Kombat universe.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=April 4, 2007 |level=Shujinko Bio}}</ref>
In ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'' the catastrophe known as Armageddon starts. Centuries before the first ''Mortal Kombat'', Queen Delia foretold the realms would be destroyed because the power of all warriors from all the realms would rise to such greatness it would overwhelm and destabilize the realms, triggering an all-destructive chain of events. King Argus had his sons, [[Taven]], and [[Daegon]], put into incubation who would one day be awakened to save the realms from Armageddon by defeating a firespawn known as [[Blaze (Mortal Kombat)|Blaze]]. In the end, however, Shao Kahn is the one who defeats Blaze, causing Armageddon.<ref>{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Konquest |accessdate=November 19, 2009}}</ref>
In [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|''Mortal Kombat'']] (2011), it is revealed that the battle between the warriors of the six realms culminated into only two survivors: Shao Kahn and Raiden. Badly beaten, Raiden had only one last move he could make to prevent Shao Kahn from claiming the power of Blaze. He sends last-ditch visions of the entire course of the ''Mortal Kombat'' timeline to himself in the past right before the tenth Mortal Kombat tournament (first game). This transfer of information to his former self causes a rift in time, causing a new "reboot" timeline to be introduced that splits off from the original ''Armageddon'' timeline, with a new outcome of Mortal Kombat history to be written. But this story leads to even worse unforeseen events. It ends with many of the main game characters dying at the hands of Queen Sindel and Raiden accidentally killing Liu Kang in self-defense. Eventually, the Elder Gods aid Raiden in killing Shao Kahn and saving Earthrealm. But as the scene goes on it is later revealed that this was all a plan by Shinnok and Quan Chi.
''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'' sees Shinnok and Quan Chi enacting their plan, leading an army of undead revenants of those that were killed in Shao Kahn's invasion against the realms. A team of warriors led by Raiden, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade oppose Shinnok, and in the ensuing battle, Shinnok is imprisoned, Quan Chi escapes, and various warriors are resurrected and freed from Shinnok's thrall. Twenty-five years later, Quan Chi resurfaces and allies himself with the insect-like D'Vorah in manipulating events that lead to Shinnok's release. Though Quan Chi is killed by a vengeful [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]] in the process, Shinnok resumes his assault against the realms. After a grueling, protracted battle, Shinnok is defeated by Cassandra Cage representing the next generation of Earthrealm's warriors. With both Quan Chi and Shinnok gone, the undead revenants of Liu Kang and Kitana assume control of the Netherrealm and Lord Raiden now protects the Earthrealm not defensively but offensively with the help of the remaining revenants.
==Characters==
{{main|List of Mortal Kombat characters}}
[[File:DragonCon 2012 - Thursday Night 01.jpg|thumb|Cosplayers of [[Kitana]], [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]], and [[Sonya Blade]] at Dragon Con 2012]]
The series features scores of [[player character]]s (64 as of 2012<ref name=ignvs>Brian Altano and Ryan Clements, [http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/09/24/street-fighter-vs-tekken-vs-mortal-kombat-by-the-numbers Street Fighter vs. Tekken vs. Mortal Kombat: Breaking it down, one face at a time.], IGN, September 14, 2012</ref>), including [[Baraka (Mortal Kombat)|Baraka]], [[Cassie Cage]], [[Cyrax]], [[Ermac]], [[Goro (Mortal Kombat)|Goro]], [[Jade (Mortal Kombat)|Jade]], [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax Briggs]], [[Johnny Cage]], [[Kabal (Mortal Kombat)|Kabal]], [[Kano (Mortal Kombat)|Kano]], [[Kenshi]], [[Kitana]], [[Kung Lao]], [[Kurtis Stryker]], [[Liu Kang]], [[Mileena]], [[Motaro]], [[Nightwolf]], [[Noob Saibot]], [[Quan Chi]], [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]], [[Rain (Mortal Kombat)|Rain]], [[Reptile (Mortal Kombat)|Reptile]], [[Scorpion (Mortal Kombat)|Scorpion]], [[Sektor]], [[Shang Tsung]], [[Shao Kahn]], [[Sheeva]], [[Shinnok]], [[Sindel]], [[Smoke (Mortal Kombat)|Smoke]], [[Sonya Blade]], and [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)|Sub-Zero]]. Among them are Earth's humans and cyborgs, good and evil deities, and denizens of Outworld and other realms. There are also some guest and crossover characters, such as several [[DC Universe]] heroes and villains, as well as [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|Alien]] (Xenomorph) from ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'', [[Freddy Krueger]] from ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise)|A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'', [[Jason Voorhees]] from ''[[Friday the 13th (franchise)|Friday the 13th]]'', [[Kratos (God of War)|Kratos]] from ''[[God of War (franchise)|God of War]]'', [[Leatherface]] from ''[[Texas Chainsaw Massacre (franchise)|Texas Chainsaw Massacre]]'', and the [[Predator (alien)|Predator]] from ''[[Predator (franchise)|Predator]]''.
==Development history==
{{Timeline of release years
| range1 = 1992 -
| range1_color = #FF6600 #FFCC99
| 1992 = ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]''
| 1993 = ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]''
| 1995a = ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]''
| 1995b = ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]''
| 1996 = ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]''
| 1997a = ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]''
| 1997b = ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]''
| 1999 = ''[[Mortal Kombat Gold]]''
| 2000 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]''
| 2002 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]''
| 2003 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition]]''
| 2004 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]''
| 2005 = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]''
| 2006a = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]''
| 2006b = ''[[Mortal Kombat: Unchained]]''
| 2007 = ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat]]''
| 2008 = ''[[Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe]]''
| 2011a = ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (Reboot)
| 2011b = ''[[Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection]]''
| 2012 = ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)#Komplete Edition|Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition]]''
| 2015 = ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]''
| 2016 = ''[[Mortal Kombat X#Mortal Kombat XL|Mortal Kombat XL]]''
}}
===Origins===
''Mortal Kombat'' started development in 1991 with only four people: [[Ed Boon]] (programming), [[John Tobias]] and John Vogel (graphics), and [[Dan Forden]] (sound design).<ref name="mortalkombatint">{{cite web | url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_060707_mortal.html | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023152817/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_060707_mortal.html | archivedate=October 23, 2007 | title=Mortal Kombat: Ed Boon Interview | publisher=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] | accessdate=August 2, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first= Larry |last=Hryb |title= Show #305 : The Maw and Ed Boon |url= http://majornelson.com/index.php/2009/01/18/show-305-the-maw-and-ed-boone |date= January 18, 2009 |publisher= majornelson.com |accessdate= October 22, 2009}}</ref> Originally, Boon and Tobias were approached to create a video game adaptation of the 1992 film ''[[Universal Soldier (1992 film)|Universal Soldier]]''<ref name=gp>''GamePro'' 58 (May 1994), page 28-31</ref> starring martial arts film actor [[Jean-Claude Van Damme]], with a [[Digitizing|digitized]] version of the action star fighting villains.<ref>{{cite book|title=Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|year=2008|publisher=Guinness World Records|location=London|isbn=978-1904994213}}</ref> Intending to make a game "a lot more hard edge, a little bit more serious, a little bit more like ''[[Enter the Dragon]]'' or ''[[Bloodsport (film)|Bloodsport]]''" than ''[[Street Fighter II]]''{{'s}} cartoon fantasy style,<ref name="complex.com">Reyan Ali, [http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/ed-boons-12-best-mortal-kombat-memories/#gallery Ed Boon's 12 Biggest Mortal Kombat Memories] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119051028/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/ed-boons-12-best-mortal-kombat-memories/ |date=November 19, 2012 }}, Complex.com, September 12, 2012</ref> Boon and Tobias decided to continue their project even after the deal to use the ''Bloodsport'' license fell through.<ref name="GameMakers episode"/> One of their own characters, [[Johnny Cage]], became "a [[parody|spoof]] on the whole Van Damme situation".<ref name=gp/>
{{quote box|quote=''Mortal Kombat'' didn't rely on just good looks and gore for its success. Although the intense gore was a great way to attract attention, ''Mortal Kombat'' offered another side – an often-overlooked side – that kept people coming back for more: its storyline, including the uniquely different kind of gameplay as far as the fighting system within itself.<ref>Jeff Greeson and Cliff O'Neill, [https://web.archive.org/web/20021207203601/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p2.html The History of Mortal Kombat - The Storyline], GameSpot, 2002</ref>|source=—[[GameSpot]]|width=25%|align=left}}
John Tobias said that his inspirations for the game's story and characters came from the [[Chinese mythology]] and some of the stories and rumored events about the [[Shaolin monks]].<ref name=gp/> Regarding the film ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]'', Tobias wrote that although this movie "kind of Americanized my obsession for supernatural [[kung fu film]]s from China, it was not my biggest influence. My biggest influences came from [[Tsui Hark]] films -- ''[[Zu Warriors]]'' & ''[[The Swordsman (1990 film)|The Swordsman]]''. We had to get them from bootleggers in [[Chinatown, Chicago|Chicago's Chinatown]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/therealsaibot |title=John Tobias (@therealsaibot) on Twitter |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025130131/https://twitter.com/therealsaibot |archivedate=October 25, 2013 }}</ref> Tobias' writing and artistic input on the series ended in 1997, after the release of ''Mortal Kombat 3''. Fifteen years later, he said: "I knew exactly what I was going to do with a future story. A few years ago I [wrote] a sort of sequel to the first ''MK'' film and an advancement to the game's mythological roots. The goal was to not runaway from what came before with a retelling, but to move the themes forward. I did it for fun as an exercise in screenwriting, but it felt good to get that out of my system."<ref>[http://www.mortalkombatonline.com/content/News/read.cds?article=1731 In Konversation: Mortal Kombat Online vs John Tobias - Part 2], Mortal Kombat Online, January 10, 2012.</ref>
Ed Boon recalled that for six out of the eight months while they were in production of the original ''Mortal Kombat'', "nobody could come up with a name nobody didn't hate". Some of the names suggested included "[[Kumite]]", "Dragon Attack", "Death Blow" and just "Fatality". Someone had written down "combat" on the drawing board for the names in Boon's office and then someone wrote a K over the C, according to Boon, "just to be kind of weird". [[Steve Ritchie]], a [[pinball]] designer at that time, was sitting in Boon's office and saw the word "Kombat" and said to Boon, <nowiki>'Why don't you name it Mortal Kombat?'</nowiki> and that name "just stuck".<ref>{{cite web|title=Episode 123 of KOXM |url=http://dl.oxmonline.com/oxmp_123_20080710.mp3 |date=July 2008 |publisher=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |accessdate=October 21, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715030437/http://dl.oxmonline.com/oxmp_123_20080710.mp3 |archivedate=July 15, 2011 }}</ref> Since then, the series uses the letter [[Hard and soft C|"K" in place of "C"]] for various words containing the [[voiceless velar plosive|hard C]] sound. According to Boon, during the ''MK'' games' development they usually spell the words correctly and only "korrect it" when one of the developers points out they should do it.<ref>{{cite web |title= Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe: Ed Boon interview |url= http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-ed-boon-interview-71211 |date= October 8, 2008 |publisher= [[CraveOnline]] |accessdate= October 22, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301011636/http://www.craveonline.com/site/149888-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe-ed-boon-interview|archivedate=March 1, 2016}}</ref>
===Graphics===
[[Image:Mortal Kombat.png|thumb|left|Screenshot of a fight between [[Johnny Cage]] and [[Raiden (Mortal Kombat)|Raiden]] (played by [[Daniel Pesina]] and [[Carlos Pesina]]) in [[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|1992's game]]]]
The characters of the original ''Mortal Kombat'' and its initial sequels were created using digitized [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s mostly based on filmed actors, as opposed to drawn graphics.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[GamePro]] |author=Staff |page=117 |title=The Minds Behind Mortal Kombat II |issue=59 |date=June 1994}}</ref> Early ''Mortal Kombat'' games were known for their extensive use of [[palette swap]], a practice of re-coloring certain sprites to appear as different characters which was used for the ninja characters. In fact, many of the most popular characters have originated as simple palette swaps.<ref name="mkad">{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Reptile Kombat Card video}}</ref> In the very first game, the male ninja fighters were essentially the same character; only the colors of their attire, fighting stance, and special techniques indicated the difference.<ref name="mkad"/> Later games added other ninjas based on the same model, as well as several female ninja color swap characters initially also using just one base model (beginning with Kitana in ''Mortal Kombat II''). All of them gradually became very different characters in the following installments of the series.
''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'' brought the series into 3D, replacing the digitized fighters of previous games with [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygon]] models animated using [[motion capture]] technology.<ref>{{cite news|last=Elmer-Dewitt |first=Philip |date=June 24, 2001 |title=The Amazing Video Game Boom |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,162405,00.html |publisher=[[TIME]] |accessdate=November 30, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612093158/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C162405%2C00.html |archivedate=June 12, 2010 }}</ref>
===Hidden content===
''Mortal Kombat'' included secret characters, secret games, and other [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]]. For example, there is a hidden non-playable character in MK1 (Reptile), and three of them in MK2. Popular characters of Reptile and [[Jade (Mortal Kombat)|Jade]] were originally introduced as hidden enemies, becoming playable after returning in subsequent games. Also, there is a hidden game of ''[[Pong]]'' in ''Mortal Kombat II'',<ref name="GameSpotHistory"/> and ''Mortal Kombat 3'' includes a hidden game of ''[[Galaga]]''.<ref name="GameSpotMK3">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p15.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005211458/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p15.html |archivedate=October 5, 2007 }}</ref> Many extras in the series have only been accessible through very challenging, demanding, and sometimes coincidental requirements. The [[Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive/Genesis]] versions contains some unique eggs, such as "Fergality".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/fergality |title=Fergality - The Most Gruesome Finishing Moves Ever |publisher=UGO.com |date=February 11, 2011 |accessdate=October 3, 2014 |author=Jensen, K. Thor |quote=Here's a bizarre fatality that was just a rumor until very recently. The Sega Genesis port of Mortal Kombat was the version of choice for home consoles due to Nintendo stripping all of the blood out of the SNES version (and replacing it with sweat, eew). But the Genny version also had one very special fatality. With Raiden, entering a complex code would transform your opponent into... Fergus McGovern, one of the game's programmers. A fate worse than death! |deadurl=unfit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217233754/http://www.ugo.com/games/fergality |archivedate=February 17, 2011 }}</ref> The [[Sega Mega-CD]] version also contained an additional code (known as the "Dad's Code"), which changed the names of the fighters to that of characters from the classic [[BBC]] comedy series ''[[Dad's Army]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/cheats/games/mortal-kombat-1993-sega-cd-5611 |title=Dad's Army Characters Sega CD Cheat Code from IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=December 2, 1993 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324143201/http://uk.ign.com/cheats/games/mortal-kombat-1993-sega-cd-5611 |archivedate=March 24, 2012 }}</ref>
Some Easter eggs originated from [[in-joke]]s between members of the development team. One example is "Toasty", which found its way into the game in the form of a small image of sound designer Dan Forden, who would appear in the corner of the screen during gameplay (after performing an [[uppercut]]) and yell the phrase "Toasty!" This egg was also the key to unlocking the hidden character [[Smoke (Mortal Kombat)|Smoke]] when it happened in the Portal stage.<ref name="GameSpotHistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p14.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat II (1993) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084624/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p14.html |archivedate=October 21, 2007 }}</ref> In ''Mortal Kombat 4'', Forden would say "Toasty! 3D!" after Scorpion did his burn Fatality, a reference to the fact that it is the first 3D game of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p20.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Mortal Kombat 4 (1997) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084644/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p20.html |archivedate=October 21, 2007 }}</ref> "Toasty!" is also found in ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'', appearing randomly after the character pulls off a chain of hits, though the picture of Forden was removed for that title,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Review |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-games/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/4505-9582_7-31447785-2.html |quote=In addition, Dan "Toasty" Forden's voice returns once again to utter the famous line at all the right times. |accessdate=November 23, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627194133/http://reviews.cnet.com/xbox-games/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/4505-9582_7-31447785-2.html |archivedate=June 27, 2013 }}</ref> but brought back for the 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' game.
Yet another private joke was the hidden character [[Noob Saibot]], who has appeared in various versions of the game starting with ''Mortal Kombat II''. The character's name derived from two of the series' creators' surnames, Ed Boon and John Tobias, spelled backwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters-noob-saibot |title=Noob Saibot - Top 11 Mortal Kombat Characters |publisher=[[UGO Networks|UGO.com]] |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319060304/http://www.ugo.com/games/mortal-kombat-characters-noob-saibot |archivedate=March 19, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In addition, a counter for ERMACS on the game's audits screen (ERMACS being short for '''''er'''ror '''mac'''ros''), was interpreted by some players as a reference to a hidden character in the original ''Mortal Kombat''. The development team decided to turn the rumor into reality, introducing [[Ermac]] in ''Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3'' as an unlockable secret character.<ref name="gameological">{{cite web|url=http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-ed-boon/| publisher=The Gameological Society|first=Roger|last=Riddell|title=Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator|date=October 15, 2012|accessdate=November 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p16.html |title=The History of Mortal Kombat - Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |author1=Greeson, Jeff |author2=O'Neill, Cliff |lastauthoramp=yes |accessdate=April 6, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021084634/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/hist_mortalk/p16.html |archivedate=October 21, 2007 }}</ref> The character [[Mokap]], introduced in ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance,'' is a tribute to [[Carlos Pesina]], who played Raiden in ''MK'' and ''MKII'' and has served as a motion capture actor for subsequent titles in the series.<ref name="GameSpotUMK3">{{cite video game|title=[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]] |developer=Midway |publisher=Midway |date=October 11, 2006 |level=Mokap Kombat Card video}}</ref> {{Clear}}
==Media==
{{main|List of Mortal Kombat media}}
===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Overview over titles and versions in the ''Mortal Kombat'' series
|-
! scope="col" | '''Title'''
! scope="col" | '''Release'''
! scope="col" | '''Original platform'''
! scope="col" | '''Ports'''
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' || 1992 || [[Arcade game|Arcade]] || Various || The original ''Mortal Kombat'' game.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'' || 1993 || Arcade || [[Home versions of Mortal Kombat II|Various]] || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'' || 1995 || Arcade || Various || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat II''.
|-
| ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'' || 1995 || Arcade || Various || An update of ''MK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' || 1996 || [[PlayStation|PS1]], [[Nintendo 64|N64]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]] || [[Microsoft Windows]], [[Game.com]], [[R-Zone]] || An update of ''UMK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'' || 1997 || Arcade || PS1, N64, [[Microsoft Windows]] || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat 3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]'' || 1997 || PS1, N64 || {{NA}} || An action-adventure spin-off about [[Sub-Zero (Mortal Kombat)|Sub-Zero]]. Prequel to the first ''Mortal Kombat''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Gold]]'' || 1999 || [[Dreamcast]] || {{NA}} || An update of ''MK4''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]'' || 2000 || PS1 || {{NA}} || An action-adventure spin-off about [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jax]]. Prequel to the first ''Mortal Kombat''.
|-
| ''Mortal Kombat: Advance'' || 2001 || GBA || {{NA}} || An port of UMK3
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'' || 2002 || [[PlayStation 2|PS2]], [[GameCube|GCN]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] || [[Game Boy Advance|GBA]] (2003) || Sequel to ''Mortal Kombat 4''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition]]'' || 2003 || GBA || {{NA}} || One of two GBA versions of ''Deadly Alliance''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'' || 2004 || PS2, GCN, Xbox || {{NA}} || Sequel to ''Deadly Alliance''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]'' || 2005 || PS2, Xbox || {{NA}} || An action-adventure spin-off about [[Liu Kang]] and [[Kung Lao]] set in an alternate timeline between ''MK'' and ''MKII''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'' || 2006 || PS2, Xbox || [[Wii]] (2007) || Sequel to ''Deception'' and the final title of the original main series.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat: Unchained]]'' || 2006 || [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] || {{NA}} || The PSP version of ''Deception''.
|-
| ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat]]'' || 2007 || [[Nintendo DS|NDS]] || {{NA}} || Another port of ''UMK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'' || 2008 || [[PlayStation 3|PS3]], [[Xbox 360|X360]] || {{NA}} || A non-canonical crossover title set in an alternate timeline between ''MKII'' and ''MK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (2011) || 2011 || PS3, Xbox 360 || [[PlayStation Vita|PS Vita]] (2012) || Reboot story combining ''Mortal Kombat'', ''Mortal Kombat II'', and ''Mortal Kombat 3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection]]'' || 2011 || [[PlayStation Network|PSN]], [[Xbox Live Arcade|XBLA]] || [[Microsoft Windows]] (2012) || Includes ''MK'', ''MKII'' and ''UMK3''.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)#Komplete Edition|Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition]]'' || 2012 || PS3, Xbox 360 || [[Microsoft Windows]] (2013) || Re-release of ''Mortal Kombat'' (2011) including its downloadable content.
|-
| ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'' || 2015 || [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trmk.org/features/interview_mortal_kombat_x_ed_boon_e3_2014/2/ |title=TRMK Features - Interview Mortal Kombat X Ed Boon E3 2014 |publisher=Trmk.org |date= |accessdate=June 27, 2014}}</ref> || [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]] || A sequel to the 2011 game.
|-
|''[[Mortal Kombat X#Mortal Kombat XL|Mortal Kombat XL]] || 2016 || [[PlayStation 4|PS4]], [[Xbox One]] || [[Microsoft Windows]] || Re-release of '' Mortal Kombat X'' including its downloadable content.
|}
====Fighting games====
The original ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' game was released for [[Arcade game|arcade machines]] during October 1992, having since been ported to several console and home computer systems by [[Probe Software]] and released by [[Acclaim Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=mortal+kombat&platform=0&s=s |publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> The sequel, ''[[Mortal Kombat II]]'', was released for arcades in 1993, featuring an increased roster and improved graphics and gameplay, then [[Home versions of Mortal Kombat II|ported to the numerous home systems]] in 1993-1995 by [[Probe Entertainment]] and [[Sculptured Software]], released again by Acclaim; it was rereleased in 2007 for the [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat II|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+II&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat 3]]'' followed in 1995 in both arcade and home versions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat 3|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> ''MK3'' got two updates which expanded the number of characters and other features from the game: ''[[Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3]]'', published that same year,<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Ultimate+Mortal+Kombat+3&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> and ''[[Mortal Kombat Trilogy]]'' the next year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Best matches for Mortal Kombat Trilogy|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Mortal+Kombat+Trilogy&platform=0&s=s|publisher=[[GameFAQs]] |accessdate=April 27, 2010}}</ref> The following game, ''[[Mortal Kombat 4]]'', was released in 1997, marked the jump of the series to 3D rendered graphics instead of the series' previously staple digitized 2D graphics. ''Mortal Kombat 4'' was ported to the [[PlayStation]], [[Nintendo 64]] and [[Microsoft Windows]]. An update of ''MK4'' titled ''[[Mortal Kombat Gold]]'' was released exclusively for the [[Dreamcast]] in 1999.
While to this point ''Mortal Kombat'' games were only titled with their installment number, starting with ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]'' in 2002, the series' naming scheme changed to favor the use of sub-titles instead.<ref>{{cite web|title=MK6 Image Leak |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/491/491732p1.html |date=February 11, 2004 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217103648/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/491/491732p1.html |archivedate=February 17, 2007 }}</ref> It was also at this point that the series started being targeted at consoles only, with ''Mortal Kombat 4'' being the last game in the series to ever be released for the arcades. ''Deadly Alliance'' was released initially for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]], [[PlayStation 2]] (PS2) and [[GameCube]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213444/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;3 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213501/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B3 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Release dates (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213520/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeadlyalliance/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> ''Deadly Alliance'' was also the first ''Mortal Kombat'' game to feature fully 3D gameplay, where up to ''Mortal Kombat 4'' the gameplay had stayed in a 2D plane; this trend would continue for the following two games. The next sequel was the 2004 ''[[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]'', released for the PS2, Xbox and GameCube.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424121025/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archivedate=April 24, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525163246/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archivedate=May 25, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Deception Release dates (GameCube) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeception/index.html |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 15, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207075937/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/mortalkombatdeception/index.html |archivedate=February 7, 2009 }}</ref> Its port for the [[PlayStation Portable]], ''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'', was developed by [[Just Games Interactive]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Unchained Release dates |url=http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=February 16, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212042448/http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/mortalkombatdeception/similar.html?mode=versions |archivedate=February 12, 2009 }}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]'' was published in the same year for the PS2, Xbox, and in 2007 on the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213706/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (Xbox) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;2 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213803/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B2 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat: Armageddon Release dates (Wii) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213815/http://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> In 2008, Midway released the ''Mortal Kombat Kollection'', an anthology of the three then-most recent titles to the main franchise: ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'', ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'', and ''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Kollection Release dates (PS2) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatkollection/index.html?tag=result;title;3 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213823/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatkollection/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B3 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'', a crossover between the ''Mortal Kombat'' franchise and [[DC Universe]] released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Release dates (PS3) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213847/http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Release dates (X360) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213856/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/mortalkombat/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref>
A ninth game in the series, a [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] titled simply ''[[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'', was developed by former [[Midway Games]] Chicago,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |title=Mortal Kombat team sheds Midway skin for 'WB Games Chicago' |date=July 27, 2009 |accessdate=July 27, 2009 |work=Joystiq |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729075234/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/27/mortal-kombat-team-sheds-midway-skin-for-wb-games-chicago/ |archivedate=July 29, 2009 }}</ref> now owned by [[Warner Bros. Games]] and renamed as [[NetherRealm Studios]]. It was first released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011, and was ported for the [[PlayStation Vita]] in 2012 and for the [[Microsoft Windows]] in 2013. A sequel, ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'' was released in April 2015 on [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Microsoft Windows]]. Ed Boon has stated that he would like to do an ''Mortal Kombat''/''[[Killer Instinct]]'' crossover game for the Xbox One.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-killer-instinct-crossover-554/ |title=Killer Instinct / Mortal Kombat Crossover Would Be Xbox Exclusive, Says Boon |publisher=Game Rant |last=Jacques |first=John |date=June 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620033948/http://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-killer-instinct-crossover-554/ |archivedate=June 20, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/noobde/status/744192737356832768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw|title=Ed Boon on Twitter|publisher=|accessdate=December 30, 2016}}</ref>
====Action-adventure games====
Besides the fighting games, there are three action titles that work as spin-offs from the ''Mortal Kombat'' storyline. ''[[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]'' was released in 1997 for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64;<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Release Dates (N64) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213902/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero Release Dates (PlayStation) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result;title;1 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214027/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/action/mortalkombatms/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B1 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> its story is focused on the first incarnation character of Sub-Zero and is focused in the timeline of before the first ''Mortal Kombat'' game. The next action game was ''[[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]'' released in 2000 for the PlayStation; it is an [[action game]] starring Major [[Jax (Mortal Kombat)|Jackson Briggs]] in his mission to destroy the Black Dragon.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat:Special Forces Release Dates (PlayStation) |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/mortalkombatspecialforces/index.html?tag=result;title;0 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214051/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/adventure/mortalkombatspecialforces/index.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B0 |archivedate=June 28, 2011 }}</ref> ''[[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]'' was released in 2005 for the PS2 and the Xbox; starring Liu Kang and Kung Lao and telling an alternate version of the events between the first and second ''Mortal Kombat'' games. A similar game titled ''Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice'', which would star Scorpion and again Sub-Zero, was canceled when Paradox Development ([[Midway Studios – Los Angeles]]), the creators of ''Shaolin Monks'', "couldn’t do it in time and under budget".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/09/ed-boon-reveals-mk-fire-and-ice.aspx |title=Ed Boon Reveals The Canceled Mortal Kombat: Fire & Ice - News |publisher=www.GameInformer.com |date=July 9, 2010 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817050524/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/09/ed-boon-reveals-mk-fire-and-ice.aspx |archivedate=August 17, 2013 }}</ref>
===Other media===
====Films====
''Mortal Kombat'' was adapted into two major motion pictures, ''[[Mortal Kombat (film)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (1995), and ''[[Mortal Kombat: Annihilation]]'' (1997), both co-developed by [[Threshold Entertainment]] and released by [[New Line Cinema]] (eventual corporate sibling, and later label, of ''Mortal Kombat'' rights holder [[Warner Bros.]]). Neither film was screened for critics prior to theatrical release. The first movie was released on August 18, 1995, grossing $23 million on its first weekend.<ref>{{cite news|title=CORRECTED: "Superbad" rushes to super spot at U.S. box off |date=August 19, 2007 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/08/19/us-boxoffice-correction-idUSN1920384020070819 |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |work=Reuters |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513041739/http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/08/19/us-boxoffice-correction-idUSN1920384020070819 |archivedate=May 13, 2012 }}</ref> ''Mortal Kombat'', despite mixed reviews from critics, became a financial success, eventually grossing $70 million in the U.S. (and over $122 million worldwide) and gaining a cult following from fans of the series while jump starting the Hollywood career of its director [[Paul W. S. Anderson]].<ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm |title=''Mortal Kombat'' at Box Office Mojo |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307221053/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat.htm |archivedate=March 7, 2010 }}</ref> That momentum did not carry over into [[John R. Leonetti]]'s ''Annihilation'', however, which suffered from a poor reception by critics and fans alike, grossing only $36 million in the U.S. and $51 million worldwide, compared to the first movie's worldwide intake of $122 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm |title=''Mortal Kombat Annihilation'' at Box Office Mojo |accessdate=April 3, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212110546/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mortalkombat2.htm |archivedate=February 12, 2010 }}</ref>
In 2010, director [[Kevin Tancharoen]] released an eight-minute ''Mortal Kombat'' short film titled ''[[Mortal Kombat: Rebirth]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |title=If This Is The Next Mortal Kombat, Sign Us Up (Update) |publisher=Kotaku |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611055341/http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up |archivedate=June 11, 2010 }}</ref> made as a [[proof of concept]] for Tancharoen's pitch of a reboot movie franchise to Warner Brothers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ryan |first=Jeri |url=https://twitter.com/JeriLRyan/status/15752179609 |title=Twitter Post |date=June 8, 2010 |accessdate=January 20, 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717121026/http://twitter.com/JeriLRyan/status/15752179609 |archivedate=July 17, 2011 }}</ref> Tancharoen later confirmed that while the short is entirely unofficial, it does feature the writing of Oren Uziel, who was rumored to be writing the screenplay for the third ''Mortal Kombat'' movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/31318/ |title=Interview with MORTAL KOMBAT: REBIRTH Director Kevin Tancharoen; Talks About What He Wants to do in a Feature Version! |author=Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub |publisher=Collider |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429173426/http://collider.com/kevin-tancharoen-interview-mortal-kombat-rebirth-feature-film/31318 |archivedate=April 29, 2011 }}</ref> In 2011, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. announced that Tancharoen has signed on to direct the reboot from a screenplay written by Uziel.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lesnick |first=Silas |title=New Line to Reboot Mortal Kombat |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |publisher=ComingSoon |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516144432/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=82709 |archivedate=May 16, 2014 }}</ref> In October 2013, however, Tancharoen left the project to pursue "other creative opportunities".<ref>{{cite web|title=Kevin Tancharoen on Twitter: "After 3 years of Kombat, I've decided to move on to other creative opportunities. I wish everyone involved in the movie big success. Thanks!" |url=https://twitter.com/KTANCH/status/393872867852435456 |publisher=[[Twitter]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208230632/https://twitter.com/KTANCH/status/393872867852435456 |archivedate=February 8, 2015 }}</ref> In 2015, [[James Wan]] signed-on to produce the reboot film;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce |title=Mortal Kombat Movie: James Wan to Produce |publisher=comingsoon.net |date=August 7, 2015 |accessdate=August 7, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809235539/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/469707-mortal-kombat-movie-james-wan-to-produce |archivedate=August 9, 2015 }}</ref> Wan said he would not rush it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2016/08/10/james-wan-says-they-wont-rush-new-mortal-kombat-movie |title=JAMES WAN SAYS THEY WON'T RUSH NEW MORTAL KOMBAT MOVIE |publisher=IGN |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=August 10, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811001025/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/10/james-wan-says-they-wont-rush-new-mortal-kombat-movie |archivedate=August 11, 2016 }}</ref> In 2016, Simon McQuoid was reported to be in talks to direct the reboot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/ |title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Reboot Finds Director in Simon McQuoid (EXCLUSIVE) |publisher=Variety |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=November 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119120151/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mortal-kombat-reboot-director-simon-mcquoid-james-wan-1201921068/ |archivedate=November 19, 2016 }}</ref>
====Literature====
[[Mortal Kombat (comics)|Several ''Mortal Kombat'' comic books]] were based on the video game series, including the official ''Mortal Kombat'' and ''Mortal Kombat II'' comic books created by Tobias and advertised in the [[attract mode]]s on early versions of the first two games. In 1994, [[Malibu Comics]] launched an official ''MK'' comic book series, spawning two six-issue series ("Blood and Thunder" and "Battlewave"), along with several miniseries and one-shot special issues dedicated to specific characters, until its publication ended in August 1995. Two more comics were also made as [[tie-in]]s for ''Mortal Kombat 4'' and the DC Universe crossover game<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/search/?q=Mortal%20Kombat |title=Mortal Kombat comics directory at Comic Vine |publisher=Comicvine.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013}}</ref> and a new miniseries was published prior to the release of ''Mortal Kombat X'' in 2015. [[Jeff Rovin]] penned a novelization of the first ''Mortal Kombat'' game, which was published in June 1995 in order to coincide with the release of the movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Kombat-Jeff-Rovin/dp/1572970596 |title=Mortal Kombat (9781572970595): Jeff Rovin: Books |publisher=Amazon.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629211342/http://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Kombat-Jeff-Rovin/dp/1572970596 |archivedate=June 29, 2013 }}</ref> Novelizations of both ''Mortal Kombat'' movies were written by Martin Delrio and Jerome Preisler.
====Music====
''[[Mortal Kombat: The Album]]'', a techno album based on the first game was created for [[Virgin America]] by [[Lords of Acid]] members [[Praga Khan]] and Oliver Adams as [[The Immortals (band)|The Immortals]] in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://immortals.pragakhan.com/biography.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715111301/http://immortals.pragakhan.com/biography.html |archivedate=July 15, 2011 |title=The Immortals-Biography |accessdate=January 20, 2011}}</ref> Its iconic theme "Techno Syndrome", incorporating the "Mortal Kombat!" yell first shown in the ''Mortal Kombat'' commercial for home systems, was first released in 1993 as a single and was also used as a [[theme music]] for the ''Mortal Kombat'' film series. Each movie had their own soundtracks (including the hit and award-winning compilation album ''[[Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]''), as had the second video game (''Mortal Kombat II: Music from the Arcade Game Soundtrack''). The 2011 video game saw the release of ''[[Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors]]'', a new soundtrack album featuring electronic music by various artists.
====Television====
The franchise sparked two television series by [[New Line Television]]: the 1996 cartoon ''[[Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm]]'' and the 1998 live-action series ''[[Mortal Kombat: Conquest]]'', both of them co-developed by Threshold Entertainment. Neither series ran for more than one season.<ref name=gf>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefront.com/the-convoluted-blood-spattered-history-of-mortal-kombat-infographic/ |title=The Convoluted, Blood-Spattered History of Mortal Kombat (Infographic) |publisher=GameFront |date=April 15, 2011 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521133603/http://www.gamefront.com/the-convoluted-blood-spattered-history-of-mortal-kombat-infographic/ |archivedate=May 21, 2013 }}</ref> In 2010, [[Warner Premiere]] ordered a web series inspired by the ''Rebirth'' short, titled ''[[Mortal Kombat: Legacy]]'' and also directed by Kevin Tancharoen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23052 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202041603/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23052 |archivedate=February 2, 2012 |title=Warner Premiere's 'Mortal Kombat' Tourney Goes Websides! |last=Miska |first=Brad|publisher=BLOODY-DISGUSTING LLC|date=January 14, 2011 |accessdate=March 25, 2011}}</ref> The series' first season was released for free on [[YouTube]] starting in April 2011, promoted by [[Machinima.com]],<ref>{{youtube|6s6UiEuCYXA|Mortal Kombat: Legacy: Ep. 1 - Jax, Sonya and Kano (Part 1)}}</ref> and the second season arrived in 2013. In 2014, Warner Bros and Blue Ribbon are developing a live-action untitled ''Mortal Kombat'' series that was to tie in with ''Mortal Kombat X'' for a planned 2016 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-first-development-742586 |title=Warner Bros. Unveils First Development Slate From New Digital Unit |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 20, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024002734/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-unveils-first-development-742586 |archivedate=October 24, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/119099/20151223/mortal-kombat-generations-web-series-to-launch-in-2016-movie-to-follow.htm |title='Mortal Kombat: Generations' Web Series To Launch In 2016, Movie To Follow |publisher=Tech Times |date=December 23, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201235450/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/119099/20151223/mortal-kombat-generations-web-series-to-launch-in-2016-movie-to-follow.htm |archivedate=February 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GarrettXWarren/status/676191494932336640 |title=Garrett Warren on Twitter |publisher= |accessdate=December 30, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305124922/https://twitter.com/GarrettXWarren/status/676191494932336640 |archivedate=March 5, 2016 }}</ref>
====Other media====
An animated prequel to the first movie, titled ''[[Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins]]'', was released [[direct-to-video]] in 1995.<ref name=gf/> The stage show ''[[Mortal Kombat: Live Tour]]'' was launched at the end of 1995, expanded to 1996, and featured ''Mortal Kombat'' characters in a theatrical display on stage. [[Brady Games]] produced the collectible card game ''[[Mortal Kombat Kard Game]]'' in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat Kard Game (1995) |url=http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9274/mortal-kombat-kard-game |publisher=BoardGameGeek |accessdate=April 2, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830055108/http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/9274/mortal-kombat-kard-game |archivedate=August 30, 2010 }}</ref> [[Score Entertainment]]'s 2005 collectible card game ''[[Epic Battles]]'' also used some of the ''Mortal Kombat'' characters.
==Reception==
{{VG Series Reviews
|updated = April 27, 2011
|gr = yes
|game1 = [[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]] ''(1992)
|gr1 = (GEN) 84.17%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563332-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424000205/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563332-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 24, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(SNES) 83.33%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588499-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424002344/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588499-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 24, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(SCD) 60.00%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/segacd/919575-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110423235704/http://www.gamerankings.com/segacd/919575-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 23, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GB) 42.17%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563285-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (1992)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424002210/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/563285-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 24, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc1 = –
|game2 = [[Mortal Kombat II]]
|gr2 = (SNES) 85.87%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588500-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052735/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588500-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GEN) 85.62%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563224-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052653/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563224-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS3) 68.40%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/937627-mortal-kombat-ii-psn/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II (PSN)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513142721/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/937627-mortal-kombat-ii-psn/index.html |archivedate=May 13, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GB) 64.50%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585811-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052814/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585811-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(SAT) 57.50%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562828-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat II'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052950/http://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562828-mortal-kombat-ii/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc2 = (PS3) 72<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-ii-psn |title=''Mortal Kombat II (PSN)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223005401/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-ii-psn |archivedate=February 23, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game3 = [[Mortal Kombat 3]]
|gr3 = (SNES) 80.23%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588501-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 3'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052740/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588501-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GEN) 76.67%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/367071-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 3'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052839/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/367071-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS1) 70.33%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/375939-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 3'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052929/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/375939-mortal-kombat-3/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc3 = –
|game4 = [[Mortal Kombat 4]]
|gr4 = (N64) 76.07%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197989-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052658/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197989-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS1) 75.75%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197990-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052916/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197990-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PC) 72.14%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197987-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220003506/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/197987-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=December 20, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(DC) 54.97%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197991-mortal-kombat-gold/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat Gold'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404143712/http://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/197991-mortal-kombat-gold/index.html |archivedate=April 4, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GBC) 46.00%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/197988-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat 4'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052834/http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/197988-mortal-kombat-4/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc4 = –
|game5 = [[Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero]]
|gr5 = (PS1) 53.20%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197993-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052921/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197993-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(N64) 44.84%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197992-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052703/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/197992-mortal-kombat-mythologies-sub-zero/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc5 = –
|game6 = [[Mortal Kombat: Special Forces]]
|gr6 = (PS1) 40.23%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197995-mortal-kombat-special-forces/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Special Forces'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052713/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/197995-mortal-kombat-special-forces/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc6 = (PS1) 28<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/mortal-kombat-special-forces |title=''Mortal Kombat: Special Forces'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107021548/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/mortal-kombat-special-forces |archivedate=November 7, 2014 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game7 = [[Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance]]
|gr7 = (GBA) 84.63%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/551910-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130142014/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/551910-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=November 30, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 82.68%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/551907-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220004103/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/551907-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=December 20, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 81.99%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/551915-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052723/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/551915-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 81.82%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/551908-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052648/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/551908-mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc7 = (GBA) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211110236/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=December 11, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401014828/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095651/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 79<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201134932/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deadly-alliance |archivedate=February 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game8 = [[Mortal Kombat: Deception]]
|gr8 = (PS2) 82.00%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919922-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425155727/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/919922-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 81.31%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/919923-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217235208/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/919923-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archivedate=December 17, 2010 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 77.43%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/924069-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052819/http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/924069-mortal-kombat-deception/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PSP) 70.88%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928288-mortal-kombat-unchained/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052940/http://www.gamerankings.com/psp/928288-mortal-kombat-unchained/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc8 = (PS2) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deception |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221193525/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-deception |archivedate=February 21, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Xbox) 81<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deception |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401051449/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-deception |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(GC) 77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deception |title=''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401095656/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/mortal-kombat-deception |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PSP) 70<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/mortal-kombat-unchained |title=''Mortal Kombat: Unchained'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218031533/http://www.metacritic.com/game/psp/mortal-kombat-unchained |archivedate=February 18, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game9 = [[Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks]]
|gr9 = (Xbox) 80.64%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425053034/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/925008-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 78.70%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426095735/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925007-mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc9 = (Xbox) 78<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425055248/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |title=''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401050002/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-shaolin-monks |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game10 = [[Mortal Kombat: Armageddon]]
|gr10 = (Xbox) 77.39%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/931478-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527134139/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/931478-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archivedate=May 27, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 75.33%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/931479-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425052935/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/931479-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Wii) 72.49%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/934714-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210201241/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/934714-mortal-kombat-armageddon/index.html |archivedate=February 10, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc10 = (Xbox) 77<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-armageddon |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401020801/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archivedate=April 1, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS2) 75<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-armageddon |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430152113/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archivedate=April 30, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Wii) 71<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/mortal-kombat-armageddon |title=''Mortal Kombat: Armageddon'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407033221/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/mortal-kombat-armageddon |archivedate=April 7, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game11 = [[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]
|gr11 = (PS3) 77.87%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/943566-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044438/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/943566-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(X360) 74.55%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/943567-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415114721/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/943567-mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe/index.html |archivedate=April 15, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc11 = (PS3) 76<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829082056/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |archivedate=August 29, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(X360) 72<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |title=''Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007223203/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat-vs-dc-universe |archivedate=October 7, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game12 = [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat]] ''(2011)
|gr12 = (Vita) 87.31%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/639757-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502035352/http://www.gamerankings.com/vita/639757-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=May 2, 2012 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(PS3) 86.09%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/961031-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426044633/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/961031-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(X360) 85.67%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/961032-mortal-kombat/index.html |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427194120/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/961032-mortal-kombat/index.html |archivedate=April 27, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|mc12 = (X360) 86<ref name="metacritic1">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830170126/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/mortal-kombat |archivedate=August 30, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref><br />(Vita) 85<ref name="metacritic1"/><br />(PS3) 84<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat |title=''Mortal Kombat (2011)'' Reviews |accessdate=April 27, 2011 |date= |year= |month= |work= |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |location= |pages= |doi= |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513060258/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/mortal-kombat |archivedate=May 13, 2011 |quote= |deadurl=no }}</ref>
|game13 = [[Mortal Kombat X]]
| gr13 = (XONE) 85.97%<ref name="GRXONE">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/802906-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425083613/http://www.gamerankings.com/xboxone/802906-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archivedate=April 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PS4) 84.18%<ref name="GRPS4">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/802908-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 4 |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426082245/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps4/802908-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PC) 75.20%<ref name="GRPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/802904-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |title=Mortal Kombat X for PC |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426205918/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/802904-mortal-kombat-x/index.html |archivedate=April 26, 2015 }}</ref>
| mc13 = (XONE) 86<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mortal-kombat-x |title=Mortal Kombat X for Xbox One Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425093541/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/mortal-kombat-x |archivedate=April 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PS4) 83<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mortal-kombat-x |title=Mortal Kombat X for PlayStation 4 Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425014601/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/mortal-kombat-x |archivedate=April 25, 2015 }}</ref><br />(PC) 76<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mortal-kombat-x |title=Mortal Kombat X for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 30, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311094840/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/mortal-kombat-x |archivedate=March 11, 2015 }}</ref>
}}
=== Sales ===
''Mortal Kombat'' has been one of the most successful fighting game franchises in video game history only trailing [[Tekken]] and [[Street Fighter]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-04-30|title=List of best-selling video game franchises|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=List_of_best-selling_video_game_franchises&oldid=838952953|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref> The previous two Mortal Kombat games have been [[NetherRealm Studios|NetherRealm Studio's]] best selling games with [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat(2011)]] at six million dollars and [[Mortal Kombat X]] at 5 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://vgsales.wikia.com/wiki/Best_selling_fighting_games|title=Best selling fighting games|work=Video Game Sales Wiki|access-date=2018-05-03|language=en}}</ref> Ed Boon reported that the ''Mortal Kombat'' games have sold 26 million copies by 2007,<ref name="mortalkombatint" /> and the number has reportedly reached over 30 million by 2012.<ref>Morgan Webb, [http://www.g4tv.com/videos/60325/the-history-of-mortal-kombat/ The History of Mortal Kombat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310122245/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/60325/the-history-of-mortal-kombat/ |date=March 10, 2013 }}, G4tv.com, August 15, 2012</ref> As of April 2015, after the release of ''[[Mortal Kombat X]]'', the franchise had sold 35 million units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/as-mortal-kombat-x-arrives-entire-franchise-reache/1100-6426616/ |title=As Mortal Kombat X Arrives, Entire Franchise Reaches 35 Million Units Sold |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=April 19, 2015 |accessdate=April 19, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419103837/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/as-mortal-kombat-x-arrives-entire-franchise-reache/1100-6426616/ |archivedate=April 19, 2015 }}</ref> A particularly successful game was ''Mortal Kombat II'', which had unprecedented opening week sales figures never seen before in the video game industry, for the first time beating the box office numbers of summer hit films.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/business/mortal-kombat-sales.html Mortal Kombat Sales] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701050805/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/business/mortal-kombat-sales.html |date=July 1, 2017 }}, ''The New York Times'', September 23, 1994</ref> The Franchise generated more than 4 billion by the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|last=Reese|first=Joel|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-68802187.html|title=Mortal Combat Creators Game for Another Video Hit|subscription=yes|publisher=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)]]|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|date=April 8, 1999|accessdate=December 27, 2016}}</ref>`
=== Ratings, reviews, and awards ===
The 2008 edition of ''[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition]]'' awarded the ''Mortal Kombat'' series with seven world records, including "most successful fighting game series".<ref>{{cite web |title=Guinness World Records in Leipzig |date= September 1, 2008|url=http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/010908_leipzig.aspx |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913235621/http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/010908_leipzig.aspx|archivedate=September 13, 2008 |accessdate= August 22, 2009}}</ref> The franchise holds ten world records in the 2011 ''Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition'', including the "largest promotional campaign for a fighting video game" (''Mortal Kombat 3''), "highest grossing film based on a beat ‘em up video game" (''Mortal Kombat'' 1996), and "most successful video game spin-off soundtrack album" (''Mortal Kombat: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/mortal-kombat-guinness-world-records-jc-79788/undefined|title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Franchise Boasts Numerous Guinness World Records|author=J.C. Reeves|publisher=Gamerant|accessdate=March 22, 2017}}</ref>The franchise also had three games win the Best Fighting Game of the year award. In 2004, [[Mortal Kombat: Deception]], in 2011 [[Mortal Kombat (2011 video game)|Mortal Kombat(2011)]], and in 2015 [[Mortal Kombat X]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-04-22|title=Spike Video Game Awards|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Spike_Video_Game_Awards&oldid=837737084|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-04-27|title=The Game Awards|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Game_Awards&oldid=838520631|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref>
Numerous publications described it as one of the most important and also most violent series in the history of video games; in 2011, the staff of [[GameSpy]] wrote "its place in fighting game history is undeniable".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p11.html |title=GameSpy's Top 50 Arcade Games of All-Time |publisher=Uk.gamespy.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320232617/http://uk.gamespy.com/articles/115/1151159p11.html |archivedate=March 20, 2013 }}</ref> In 2009, [[GameTrailers]] ranked ''Mortal Kombat'' as the ninth top fighting game franchise<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/47398 |title=Top 10 Fighting Games Franchises |date=April 6, 2009 |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |accessdate=April 6, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519233119/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/47398 |archivedate=May 19, 2009 }}</ref> as well as the seventh bloodiest series of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top ten bloodiest games of all time |date=December 1, 2009 |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/59603 |accessdate=December 7, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206053303/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-gt-countdown/59603 |archivedate=December 6, 2009 }}</ref> In 2012, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked ''Mortal Kombat'' as 37th best video game franchise overall, commenting on its "legendary status in video game history".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/mortal-kombat |title=The 50 Best Video Game Franchises |publisher=Complex |date=September 25, 2012 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229130047/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/mortal-kombat |archivedate=December 29, 2012 }}</ref> ''Mortal Kombat'' as a series was also ranked as the goriest video game ever by [[CraveOnline]] in 2009 and by [[G4tv.com]] in 2011;<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeremy |last=Azevedo |title=Top 10 Goriest, Bloodiest, Nastiest Video Games of All Time |url=http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/top-10-goriest-bloodiest-nastiest-video-games-of-all-time-86215/2 |date=September 23, 2009 |publisher=Craveonline |accessdate=November 24, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003104536/http://www.craveonline.com/gaming/article/top-10-goriest-bloodiest-nastiest-video-games-of-all-time-86215/2 |archivedate=October 3, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56046/7-goriest-games-of-all-time-part-2/ |title=7 Goriest Games of All Time Part 2 – |publisher=G4tv.com |date=October 31, 2011 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310104504/http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56046/7-goriest-games-of-all-time-part-2/ |archivedate=March 10, 2013 }}</ref> including it on their list of the goriest games, Cheat Code Central commented that "''Mortal Kombat'' had enough gore to simultaneously offend a nation and change gaming forever."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10goriestgames2.html#.UQpdpb92SrE |title=Cheat Code Central: Top 10 Goriest Video Games |publisher=Cheatcc.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709003959/http://www.cheatcc.com/extra/top10goriestgames2.html |archivedate=July 9, 2013 }}</ref>
==Legacy and cultural impact==
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=== Influence on other games ===
According to [[IGN]], during the 1990s "waves of imitators began to flood the market, filling arcades with a sea of blood from games like ''[[Time Killers]]'', ''[[Survival Arts]]'', and ''Guardians of the Hood''. ''Mortal Kombat'' had ushered in an era of [[Psychological manipulation|exploitation]] games, both on consoles and in arcades, all engaging in a battle to see who can cram the most blood and guts onto a low-res screen."<ref name=history>Travis Fahs, [http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/05/05/the-history-of-mortal-kombat?page=2 The History of Mortal Kombat. Follow its bloody legacy from 1992 to present day.], IGN, May 5, 2011</ref> Notable ''Mortal Kombat'' [[video game clone|clones]], featuring violent finishing moves and/or digitized sprites, included ''[[Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.]]'', ''[[BloodStorm]]'', ''[[Cardinal Syn]]'', ''[[Catfight (video game)|Catfight]]'', ''[[Eternal Champions]]'', ''[[Kasumi Ninja]]'', ''[[Killer Instinct (1994 video game)|Killer Instinct]]'', ''[[Mace: The Dark Age]]'', ''[[Primal Rage]]'', ''[[Street Fighter: The Movie (arcade game)|Street Fighter: The Movie]]'', ''[[Tattoo Assassins]]'', ''[[Thrill Kill]]'', ''[[Ultra Vortek]]'', ''[[Way of the Warrior (video game)|Way of the Warrior]]'', and Midway's own ''[[War Gods (video game)|War Gods]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/04/10-mortal-kombat-rip-offs/ |title=The Klone Wars: The 10 Most Blatant "Mortal Kombat" Rip-Offs Ever |publisher=Complex |date=April 18, 2011 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829215705/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/04/10-mortal-kombat-rip-offs/ |archivedate=August 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/the_11_worst_mortal_kombat_rip-offs.php |title=The 11 Worst Mortal Kombat Rip-Offs |publisher=Topless Robot |date=June 22, 2009 |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518062740/http://www.toplessrobot.com/2009/06/the_11_worst_mortal_kombat_rip-offs.php |archivedate=May 18, 2013 }}</ref>
In a 2009 poll by ''[[GamePro]]'', 21% of voters chose ''Mortal Kombat'' as their favorite fighting game series, ranking it third after ''Street Fighter'' and ''[[Tekken]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |title = What's your favorite fighting game series? |publisher = ''[[GamePro]]'' |date = November 2009 |page = 91}}</ref> In 2012, Capcom's ''Street Fighter'' producer Yoshinori Ono said he is getting a lot of requests for ''Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat'' and understands why people want it, "but it's easier said than done. Having [[Chun-Li|Chun Li]] getting her spine ripped out, or [[Ryu (Street Fighter)|Ryu]]'s head bouncing off the floor...it doesn't necessarily match."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/02/evo-ono-discusses-cole-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-ps-vita-development/ |title=EVO: Ono Discusses Cole in Street Fighter X Tekken, PS Vita Development – PlayStation Blog |publisher=Blog.us.playstation.com |date= |accessdate=July 23, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624092539/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/08/02/evo-ono-discusses-cole-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-ps-vita-development/ |archivedate=June 24, 2013 }}</ref> In 2014, martial artist [[Frankie Edgar]] opined ''Mortal Kombat'' has been far superior to ''Street Fighter''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/frankie-edgar-mortal-combat-street-fighter-video-games/ |title=UFC Bad Ass Frankie Edgar - 'Mortal Kombat' Was Better Than 'Street Fighter' |publisher=TMZ.com |date=April 16, 2014 |accessdate=May 29, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519192433/http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/16/frankie-edgar-mortal-combat-street-fighter-video-games |archivedate=May 19, 2014 }}</ref>
=== Influence on society ===
The series and its characters are also referenced in the various other works of [[popular culture]], such as in the title of [[Powerglove (band)|Powerglove]]'s debut album ''[[Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man]]'' and the ''[[Workaholics]]'' episode "Model Kombat". According to ''Complex'' in 2012, "Years ago, ''MK'' became a phenomenon far outside gaming circles alone. Its name has become recognizable enough to be name dropped on sitcoms (''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]'' and ''[[Married... with Children]]''), found in movies ([[Christian Slater]] plays ''MK4'' in ''[[Very Bad Things]]''), and used as part of cultural studies (see [[Justine Cassell]] and [[Henry Jenkins]]' book ''From Barbie to Mortal Kombat: Gender and Computer Games'')."<ref name="complex.com"/> It was also featured in the film ''[[Doom Generation]]''. The name "Mortal Kombat" was even given to a dangerous illegal recreational drug that was introduced and caused multiple fatalities in early 2014.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Powell |url=http://www.webpronews.com/mortal-kombat-pills-linked-to-multiple-deaths-2014-03 |title=‘Mortal Kombat’ Pills Linked to Multiple Deaths |publisher=WebProNews |date=March 31, 2014 |accessdate=May 13, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504190725/http://www.webpronews.com/mortal-kombat-pills-linked-to-multiple-deaths-2014-03 |archivedate=May 4, 2014 }}</ref>
In 2012, John Tobias said: "If you look at any other pop culture phenomenon—like if you look at the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'', for instance—it became popular at the time right around when ''Mortal Kombat'' became popular, and it had its highs and lows, and here they are once again talking about a major motion picture. That’s because of its place in pop culture. It’s always there for someone to pick up, polish off, blow the dust off of it, and re-release it. And ''Mortal Kombat'' will always be that way. It’ll be around 50 years from now."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gameological.com/2012/10/interview-mortal-kombat-cocreator-john-tobias/ |title=John Tobias, Mortal Kombat co-creator | Interview | The Gameological Society |publisher=Gameological.com |date=October 15, 2012 |accessdate=July 23, 2013}}</ref>
=== Competitive play ===
Fighting games have been a popular genre among tournaments since the late 90s. ''Mortal Kombat'' has its place in some of the world's biggest fighting game tournaments like [[Evolution Championship Series|Evo]] and [[Combo Breaker 2017|Combo Breaker]], as well as many local and online tournaments around the world. Since the 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' game was released, the game has been one of the most popular games at these events. Between 2014 and 2017, however, the game was mostly absent from the tournament scene, due to [[NetherRealm Studios]] being focused on their ''Injustice'' series as their top priority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://segmentnext.com/2017/01/25/evo-2017-lineup-revealed-goodbye-mortal-kombat-x/|title=EVO 2017 Lineup Revealed, Goodbye Mortal Kombat X {{!}} SegmentNext|website=segmentnext.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-08}}</ref> The 2011 ''Mortal Kombat'' is expected to return to Combo Breaker in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://combobreaker.org/|title=Combo Breaker 2018|website=COMBO BREAKER|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-05}}</ref>
===Controversies===
{{main|Controversies surrounding Mortal Kombat}}
The series was subject of a major [[Video game controversies|video game controversy]]<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090892/p-5.html A History of Video Game Controversy: Mortal Kombat] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120010823/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6090892/p-5.html |date=November 20, 2012 }} at GameSpot</ref> and several court cases, largely related to its extremely violent content, especially in relation to the original game which paved a way for the introduction of the ESRB ([[Entertainment Software Rating Board]]) game rating system in 1994 as well as [[Australian Classification Board]].<ref name="GameMakers episode">{{cite web|title=GameMakers Mortal Kombat Episode #313 |url=http://g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/3446/Mortal-Kombat.html |publisher=[[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4TV]] |accessdate=October 22, 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806163531/http://www.g4tv.com/gamemakers/episodes/3446/Mortal-Kombat.html |archivedate=August 6, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mortal Kombat |url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/06/15/games-violence-columbine-tech-cx_ag_0618videogames_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined |date=June 15, 2007 |publisher=Forbes |accessdate=March 13, 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416075844/http://www.forbes.com/2007/06/15/games-violence-columbine-tech-cx_ag_0618videogames_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined |archivedate=April 16, 2010 }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110704160734/http://www.gamestar.com/11_04/features/fea_savageseven.shtml Video Game Violence: The Savage Se7en], ''[[GameStar]]'', 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/it-took-18-years-but-mortal-kombat-is-finally-banned/story-e6frfrt9-1226014699735 It took 18 years, but Mortal Kombat's finally banned] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217022453/http://www.news.com.au/technology/gaming/it-took-18-years-but-mortal-kombat-is-finally-banned/story-e6frfrt9-1226014699735 |date=February 17, 2013 }}, news.com.au, March 2, 2011.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414040202/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |archivedate=April 14, 2010 |title=Internet Archive Wayback Machine |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=April 14, 2010 |accessdate=June 11, 2012}}</ref> Various games in the series have been banned in a number of countries. SuperData Research CEO Joost van Dreunen said, "Because of the obvious rift between gamers on the one hand and adult society on the other, ''Mortal Kombat'' set the tone for what constituted [[gamer]] culture."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2015/05/08/mortal-kombat-warner-bros/ |title=Violence sells: Mortal Kombat X most successful game in the franchise |publisher=Fortune |date=May 8, 2015 |accessdate=December 17, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224105739/http://fortune.com/2015/05/08/mortal-kombat-warner-bros/ |archivedate=December 24, 2015 }}</ref> {{Clear}}
==See also==
*[[List of fighting games]]
*[[List of best-selling video game franchises]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.mortalkombat.com}} (Warner Bros.)
*[http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/mortal-kombat-games ''Mortal Kombat''] at [[MobyGames]]
*{{tvtropes|MortalKombat|''Mortal Kombat''}}
*[http://www.mksecrets.net/index.php?section=kolumn&lang=eng&contentID=5364&title=The-History-Of-Mortal-Kombat-Video-Series ''The History of Mortal Kombat'' video series]
{{Mortal Kombat series}}
{{Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment}}
[[Category:Demon video games]]
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[[Category:Martial arts video games]]
[[Category:Mortal Kombat]]
[[Category:Ninja video games]]
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[[Category:Fighting video games by series]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1992]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]
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