The road to an HD remaster of the original Mortal Kombat has been long & winding. There have been multiple false starts, but from an enthusiastic search for a final destination has come a bold detour: Eyeballistic Inc. With a 30th Anniversary on MK's horizon, the determined developer has asked fans to join them on their continued odyssey toward a finished product. Read on:

We first met the once & future Eyeballistic in the early 2010s as an enthusiastic group of fans working to remake the seminal 1992 arcade klassic. Their efforts worked to create an alternative to the lacklustre 2011 release of Mortal Kombat: Arcade Kollection.

The team's chosen method of upscaling was a meticulous recreation of sprites using CG models -- a solution to the challenges of digitzed live-action graphics used by the original game, and attempted by another aborted WB production.

A working MUGEN build of "Mortal Kombat HD: Kommunity Edition" was subject to a takedown by the rights holders in 2014. Speaking to Mortal Kombat Online at the time, Eyeballistic Lead Game Designer Gabriel Melendez explained "I never thought of competing with the real MK", but as ambitions grew, the team presented their work to series co-creator Ed Boon in 2016, earning support and an opportunity to pitch to Warner Brothers.

According to Eyeballistic, the publisher felt the project would struggle to "sell over 100,000 units world wide and thus they determined it wouldn’t be worth the substantial cost of marketing the product for sale" and chose to pass, as they did on other attempts to reinvent the klassic trilogy. In 2019, a greenlight was allegedly abruptly reversed as concerns went the other way, fearing a 'cannibalizing of sales' for the big budget release of Mortal Kombat 11.

Taking lessons learned from their experience, Eyeballistic has continued to develop their own independent work, purportedly signing contracts to develop games for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. They haven't given up on the dream of their expanded "Mortal Kombat Trilogy Remake" though, and have launched a Change.org petition in the hopes it will kickstart a new chapter for a build using Unreal Engine 5.

Screenshots released to Dark Side of Gaming demonstrate their expanded ambitions for MK Trilogy Remake, showcasing recreated sprites from the three major arcade releases, including klassic Goro, Mortal Kombat II Raiden, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Scorpion.

At the time of this writing the petition has gained over 5,800 signatures, and the burgeoning developer plans to approach Warner Brothers with a plan for crowdfunded development once their petition reaches 100,000 -- an unusual approach for a publisher as large as the corporate giant.

Although Eyeballistic have greatly expanded their tools and capabilities - including customizing popular proprietary online GGPO tech used similarly by NetherRealm Studios in 2016 - the rallying of fan interest can guarantee nothing more than support for the concept, which has remained mercurial through its many different forms and incarnations.

Last year a PEGI content rating renewed speculation about the existence of the once cancelled Mortal Kombat Kollection Online. Rumor mongering continues to speculate on an impending Mortal Kombat announcement, but for now we can only wonder.

[Related Article: MK30: The Creation of Scorpion's Mortal Kombat Spear]

Would you like to see Mortal Kombat Trilogy live again? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and speculate about upcoming releases in the Future Mortal Kombat forum. Or go back in time to the games that inspired it all in the 2D Kombat Klassics forum!

Mortal Kombat (2011) was rebooted last month thanks to its inclusion in Xbox Backwards Compatibility support, but with this revival came some unexpected problems accessing the full array of in-game content. WB Games Support was quick to issue a solution and if you're still having problems - read on:

The WB Games boffins wasted no time addressing the complaint via Twitter, which can be resolved through a simple console update and by reinstalling the game.

This should enable full access for players using Xbox 360 disc copies of Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition on either the Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One consoles. If you've been playing other titles actively since first encountering the error -- chances are you're probably ready to go if you reinstall the game. Players experiencing persistent errors while accessing DLC are encouraged to contact Mortal Kombat Games Support.

Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition was the first game developed by NetherRealm Studios to support downloadable content, adding playable characters Skarlet, Kenshi, Rain, and guest character Freddy Krueger to a 27 character base roster of klassic kombatants from the original trilogy.

The 2011 game was both a retelling and reboot of the original arcade installments, launching a slightly altered new timeline that continues through sequels Mortal Kombat X and MK11. All three games have continued to develop persistent online features that may see future access depend increasingly upon developer support and elaborate fixes.

[Related Article: Fixing Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection for Windows 10]

Did this fix work for you? Tell us all about your experiences returning to 2011 in the comments below and in the dedicated Mortal Kombat (2011) forum. Or crossover into the world of DC Universe Injustice to discuss the other backwards compatible game - Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe!

The early nineties was arguably a golden age for video games and their multimedia tie-ins, when mainstream organizations were enthusiastic to fully exploit a now sturdy market and its growing legion of fans. From this heady brew arose a British behemoth called GamesMaster: a much-loved gaming show with a penchant for kombat that has returned anew in 2021! Watch the first episode right here:

GamesMaster first broadcast in 1992 - the same year Mortal Kombat debuted to hysteria around the world. It's no surprise, then, that the series remained a perennial favourite for the show, which featured an entire dedicated Mortal Kombat episode for its revamped third series premier in late '93, and followed the feature film in the following years.

Watch: GamesMaster Series 8 Episode 1 | GamesMaster Mortal Kombat Special

A twenty-three year drought between episodes has been ended thanks to Channel 4's E4 and Facebook sponsor Meta Quest, who're preying upon gamers' nostalgia with a well rounded reinvention of the original's various game show and magazine article formats. The first episode features modern contests, like a Super Mario 3D World speedrun, with a trio of new hosts, and Sir Trevor McDonald as the new head in charge - the titular GamesMaster.

Keeping the MK tradition alive is a brutal battle between brothers, Ryan "Ketchup" Neal and Jake "Mustard" Neal, whose showdown for sibling supremacy in the final segment comes with the promise of the coveted Golden Joystick, and the threat of impending death. Hey, no problem. This is the nineties!

Mortal Kombat 11 provides their arena, which means the competition pros who were synonymous with Sektor and Cyrax in the past had to make do with Rain and Frost. The result was an exciting three round bout that put on a pulse pounding (games)master class with one very "cool combo" and an exciting finish.

[Related Article: MK30: The Creation of Scorpion's Mortal Kombat Spear]

What were your favourite video game shows on television in decades of yore? Share your nostalgia with us in the comments below and keep the dream alive in the Mortal Kombat 11 forum. Or go back to the past for the latest in retro in the 2D Kombat Klassics forum!

In a world of increasingly traded and converging intellectual properties few things are sacred, but as The Matrix prepares for resurrection, Keanu Reeves still believes in keeping some realities separate. The star was asked about his iconic characters crossing over with Mortal Kombat in a recent Q&A. Watch and learn:

The actor tackled popular facts and fiction about his career in an "Explain This" interview with Esquire. He was asked everything from marital status to casting sliding doors, but it's the prospects for his iconic characters appearing in Mortal Kombat that got a thoughtful, but decisive rejection.

Fans have been dying for Neo or John Wick to appear in a Mortal Kombat game. [Laughs]. If it were up to you, would you allow it to happen?
If it was up to me: no. Mortal Kombat is awesome - in so many ways - but I think, y'know... Neo, John Wick. Yeah, man. They're doing their own thing. Mortal Kombat's doing their own thing.

The idea of Neo entering Mortal Kombat was seriously considered when the fighting game franchise was rebooted under new parent company, Warner Brothers, a decade ago.

Creative Director Ed Boon revealed the Matrix crossover submitted during development, but the team ultimately realised "horror characters tend to lend themselves to it". The 2011 reboot game instead featured horror slasher Freddy Krueger, and PlayStation exclusive Kratos.

Multimedia guest characters continue to be a high selling cottage industry unto themselves, but also remain controversial amongst die hard fans, who, like Reeves, have a healthy respect for characters and projects that are "doing their own thing". That may not stop Warner Brothers finding ways to commodify their blockbuster property, though.

MultiVersus will take the pop culture megamix of WB's Space Jam: A New Legacy and Ready Player One a step further, consolidating WB cartoon and pop properties in a Super Smash Bros style platform fighting game coming 2022.

Neither The Matrix nor Mortal Kombat have been confirmed for the upcoming brawler, but the inclusion of a Game of Thrones character has thrown the door wide open to speculation that traditionally adult brands may get a kid-friendly makeover on their way to battling Steven Universe and Adventure Time characters.

[Related Articles: Rambo vs Terminator Mortal Kombat 11 Trailers]

The 2011 video game that could've featured Neo is enjoying a revival thanks to newly added Xbox backwards compatibility. Would you have liked to see Neo or John Wick in kombat? Where we go from here is a choice I leave to you. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or discuss the infinite possibilities for the series' next step in the Future MK forum.

It's the game enthusiastic fans have clamored for but didn't even know they wanted. MultiVersus officially brings together the characters & brands of Warner Bros for a crossover platform fighter that will finally unleash the fighting instinct of Shaggy and more! Read on for much needed explanations:

Can an internet meme really launch a franchise? MultiVersus seizes upon the viral sensation of "Ultra Instinct Shaggy", answering the cries of over 380,000 fans who've continued to sign a petition to get Shaggy into Mortal Kombat 11 -- even though developer support for the game ended in July.

Last month rumors incorrectly circulated that the Super Smash Bros style game would be developed by NetherRealm Studios, and while Shaggy's involvement in MK is likely to remain limited to an animated cameo, we can't rule out a rematch between Scorpion and his new Saturday morning cartoon rival.

Game of Thrones anti-heroine Arya Stark has opened the door to traditionally adult franchises in the otherwise kid-friendly free-to-play team-based platform fighter, which will be coming to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2022.

The game has also previewed DC Comics fighters Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, who've starred in NetherRealm's Injustice franchise, and clashed with MK in Mortal Kombat versus DC Universe -- a newly added 360 title added to Xbox Backwards Compatibility support.

The game has also previewed characters from the Cartoon Network stable, including Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Looney Tunes, and Tom & Jerry. Among the adult franchise characters rumored for a future inclusion is "Mad" Max Rockatansky.

Do you think MK will enter the MultiVersus arena? Could the Player First Games free-to-play model be a testground for future NetherRealm fighters? Share your thoughts about the kombatants you'd like to see in the comments below and find more crossover action in the DC Universe Injustice forum. Or discuss your hopes & expectations for Mortal Kombat in the Future MK forum!