The folks over at G4 got their hands on a newer build (than what has been seen in game shows recently) of Mortal Kombat on their long-running preview and review show X-Play. Veteran Adam Sessler sits down with series co-creator and project lead Ed Boon to discuss some of the finer points of the gameplay.

Nothing new is revealed as Boon and Sessler discuss topics from Mortal Kombat's return to the 2D plane, guest-star Kratos [full story] and the game's super meter which grants access to enhanced special moves (which Boon stated that would compatible with every special in the game), combo breakers and the devastating X-ray moves which are original to each character. On this build of the game, Sonya and Jax were now both playable and the video's main feature showed off Sonya's never-before-seen X-ray move. Mortal Kombat's first heroine's X-ray is an homage to her neck break of arch-nemesis Kano in the first Mortal Kombat movie. She then continues through with her upwards bicycle kick before finally flipping her opponent over with a hurricanrana which smashes their skull into the ground.

Check out the video embedded above or over on G4.

Ed later posted on his Twitter account, challenging MK fans to "find the new character reveal" somewhere in the video. Is there something more hidden inside the frames of the gameplay? Be sure to let us know in this thread!

Gamespot have just released a new interview with the games Lead Designer, Paulo Garcia regarding the upcoming installment of Mortal Kombat as part of their Most Anticipated Games of 2011 feature.

Whilst the interview doesn't bring much light in terms of new information, Paulo does state they have tinkered with the idea of introducing non-original characters absent from the MK1-UMK3 era and says that players should expect a few suprises in relation to the roster.

Other tidbits scattered throughout include their plans regarding post-release balancing in terms of the characters special moves, talk about the process of creating the games fatalities and discussion is held over why Mortal Kombat has managed to remain a success. Paulo also cites that Sub-Zero's classic Ice Clone special returns thanks to returning back to a 2D fighting plane.

Accompanying the interview are a small batch of screenshots. The most interesting however is a screen of MK3 alumnist Stryker who was recently unveiled by IGN with the Inside the X-Ray video which can be viewed here. The remaining screenshots show Jax, Kung Lao, Cyrax, Kitana and Scorpion who is seen performing his Hellfire Kick special against Sektor.

To view the article in it's entirety, please click here.

Hot on the heels of his appearance in IGN's X-Ray mode preview [full story] and his addition to the official Mortal Kombat website [full story], today's Mortal Monday brings us yet another appearance of series hero Liu Kang!

The Shaolin monk uses his raw power to punch straight through this unfortunate opponent's chest, complete with vicious blood spatter.

Followers may note this is the fourth in the series of Shadows wallpapers, based on the Shadows trailer from several months ago. Liu Kang follows Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Mileena in the line of characters featured on such images in the last few months. This may be a sign that like the previously mentioned characters, the upcoming weeks may bring us more Liu Kang related media, such as a gameplay showcase or character vignette.

Thanks to forum member for bringing this story to our attention!

In 1995, Mortal Kombat was released to theatres worldwide, grossing a respectable $23 million dollars in it's opening weekend in the United States. An American launching pad for British director, Paul Anderson (Resident Evil, Event Horizon), the film was also a watershed moment for the licensing of video game properties in Hollywood, which to that point, had resulted in critical and financial failure in the box office.

The movie was the culmination of a licensing agreement between major players of the time, then MK-owners Midway Games, and production studio, Threshold Entertainment. The deal would go on to produce a film sequel; animated series, Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm; live-action television show, Mortal Kombat: Conquest; and interactive live-action web series, Federation of Martial Arts.

In 2011, the original Mortal Kombat movie remains among the most popular and successful films to be based on video games. With the aquisition of the brand by Warner Brothers, both the original movie and it's 1997 sequel, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, will get a new lease on life in the Blu-Ray format with a re-release targetted for April 19.

Complete details remain unknown, but IGN.com report that the Blu-Ray release will come with special features lacking from the existing DVD. Both movies contain a theatrical trailer, HD Mortal Kombat video game trailer, and digital copy of the movies, while Mortal Kombat boasts Mortal Kombat: The Journey Begins -- a 1995 direct-to-video animated feature.

Bigger news for gamers: the movies come packed with an exclusive downloadable "classic skin" costume for Jade! The DLC bonus is exclusively available for the PlayStation 3 version of Mortal Kombat -- the new game released on the same day as the movies, April 19, on PS3 and Xbox 360.

Fans keen for new live-action material will also be able to get their hands on a brand new upcoming digital series, to be released around the same time [full story].

Update Feb. 3: Jade's bonus "classic" costume can been seen in the latest advertisement for the Blu-Ray releases [accessible below]. The design pays homage to Jade's debut as a playable character in the Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 style. All bonus costumes are expected to be made available for both consoles at a later date.

Update Feb. 6: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Blu-Ray.com has hi-resolution cover artwork from the new releases, which are essentially identical to their previous home DVD releases. You can get a closer look at the covers front and back, with updated blurbs for 2011, above (in the story).

Since assuming ownership of Midway's intellectual properties in July of 2010 [full story], Warner Brothers have shown clear intent to capitalize on the Mortal Kombat brand in all of it's potential licensing and merchandising mediums.

To accompany the release of the upcoming game in April, a series of licensing deals have already been formed by WB and it's subsidiaries, to produce: an Official Strategy Guide with Prima Games; a custom game stick by PDP [Performance Designed Products]; an as yet untitled digitally released live-action series; and a concept music album with Teenage Riot Records, Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors.

In Spring, their massive merchandising line-up will be joined by a series of new action figures released by Jazwares. The deal is a return of the MK license to the toy manufacturer, who created three series of action figures inspired by Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, from 2005 to 2007.

Jazwares Series 1 Mortal Kombat: Deception Action Figures (2005).

In an interview with aNb media earlier in the month; Jazwares Executive Vice-President of Sales, Laura Zebersky, confirmed the renewel of their Mortal Kombat licensing agreement in a vague reference to their Spring plans.

In addition to the all-important fourth quarter, Jazwares focuses on events surrounding our licenses such as game releases and TV events. We release new product to coincide with video game releases. At the time of the Sonic & Sega All Stars Racing game release this past spring, we launched a new line of vehicles, which were shown in the game. We have the same plan in place for the scheduled release of the new Mortal Kombat game this spring.

JazWares' previous releases included two versions of Scorpion and Sub-Zero, alongside 6' figures for Raiden, Baraka, Liu Kang, Kung Lao, Kano, Johnny Cage, Noob Saibot, and Reptile, who are all expected to be present in the current game. Limited Goro and Kintaro figures were also designed.

How previous releases will effect selection for the new series of action figures remains to be seen. No certain details are available regarding the new toy line-up, but Italian gaming site, Multiplayer.com, has an order page featuring render images of Raiden, Johnny Cage, Scorpion, and Sub-Zero in their present form, not all widely available. The reliability of this information is presently unverified, but French site, Sikozu, is also featuring the same artwork resources, with a listed release date of March 25.

Update Feb. 14: Jazwares is expected to unveil their complete range of MK and Street Fighter action figures at the upcoming 108th Annual American International Toy Fair. In the Toy Fair line-up are the previously reported 6" figures based on current designs for Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Johnny Cage.

In conjunction with the 6" feature releases, there will be a series of 3.75" repaint figures based on the Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 palette swap ninja design. Available in yellow, blue, green, and grey they are Scorpion, "Classic" Sub-Zero, Reptile, and "Human" Smoke. Complimenting these is a three-pack Lin Kuei cyborg set, featuring; Smoke, Sektor, and Cyrax.

Toy Fair 2011 begins February 14, running for four days until Wednesday, February 18. Images of the Jazwares display plan have leaked on the internet, despite a clear no photography embargo. Mortal Kombat Online will continue to follow the story as it develops.

Update Feb. 22: Toy Fair 2011 produced only the afforementioned teaser display, with no glimpses of the Jazwares action figures themselves. Toy News International featured pictures of the display [pictured above], with many more shots from the show floor in their expanded gallery. MKO will continue to monitor the story.

Thanks to Inside Mortal Kombat for forwarding the Italian site lead. If you think you have a newslead, let MKO know about it. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter, @MK_Online!