The folks over at ScrewAttack have released the second episode in a new series of versus videos entitled "Death Battle", this one featuring Mortal Kombat's resident sorcerer and original boss Shang Tsung!

The series's purpose is to match two characters from different franchises against one another and determine the winner. Tsung's opponent turns out to be Akuma from Street Fighter fame. Each character is given a short biography before a staged fight is held, this one taking place in the Mortal Kombat 3 stage The Temple. The highly edited video features both characters performing custom moves, such as Shang Tsung being able to use his sword and regen his health in the 2D plane. The fight is close, but in the end Shang Tsung falls to Akuma. The reasoning given by the hosts is that Shang never seems to actually win, despite his grandeur and therefore would be unaccustomed to accomplishing a goal such as winning a match against Akuma.

Thanks to Bryan from ScrewAttack for letting us know about this video!

For today's Fatality Friday video we have another comical issue featuring several members of Netherrealm Studios commenting on what they would say to Johnny Cage to put the egomaniacal superstar in his place.

Several members of the team thought it would be impossible, given his personality. Others remarked they would make fun of his poorly grossing movie Ninja Mime, or the fact he dies in most every Mortal Kombat game. His character was identified by more than one team member as "douche" and included a likening him to the popular Jersey Shore archetype that has become prevalent in society.

Johnny however remains unphased. The video is spliced with gameplay featuring Cage dealing out the damage to his opponents, using his signature taunts such as "I make this look easy", "I'm so pretty!" and "Money shot!" while he makes short work of his would-be detractors. Cage will no doubt have something to say about this himself on his official Twitter account.

Click here to watch the video on Youtube; we hope to have a downloadable version of this outtake some time later.

As previously announced, Kratos from God of War will make his first appearance in promotional Mortal Kombat media in the January 2011 issue of Playstation magazine (issue 041) along with the recently confirmed Ermac. Kratos graces the front of this issue along with Scorpion, a continuation of their confrontation in the recent trailer.

Playstation: The Official Magazine's Editor in Chief Gary Steinman posted this cover along with a summary of the magazine's contest on the site's blog section, noting that the issue focused on the biggest games of the upcoming year. We will keep you updated on the contents of this magazine, due out soon; be sure to go out and pick it up!

Thanks to forum member seanay for word on this story.

One of the most treasured Mortal Kombat games has recently made its way onto your mobile phones and now is also available for Apple products! Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 makes it's way onto an exciting new platform, complete with the key features that made it an arcade and home classic years ago. From the iTunes App store:

"FINISH HIM!" The original arcade fighting game is available NOW! With 13 klassic warriors including Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Sonya Blade; multiple game modes; kustomizable kontrols; and updated visuals aimed to maximize the high-resolution Retina Display...you can relive the brutal combos and vicious fatalities that made Mortal Kombat one of the most iconic videogames EVER!

ENTER KOMBAT! 10 Klassic arenas await in Arcade Mode pitting you against the top Mortal Kombat warriors. Kustomize your button layout and dominate your opponents in head-to-head battle. Then "Finish Him!" with epic Fatalities and humiliating Babalities.

MULTIPLAYER MODES AND BEYOND Challenge friends in merciless head-to-head battles via local WiFi or Bluetooth®. Or rack up points in challenging timed battles against the treacherous Shao Kahn.

VIVID VISUAL IMPACT Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 takes full advantage of the high-resolution Retina Display offering incredible visual fidelity enhanced from the original arcade game.

New features in this game include a mode called "Shao Karnage", where the goal is to land as many hits against Shao Kahn as you can within a time limit. The game comes packed with its own achievements and leaderboard as well. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for Apple is produced by Electronic Arts and retails for $6.99 USD. Click here to go to the iTunes store.

Thanks to staff member DArqueBishop and forum member for the images below!

The January 2011 issue of Official Playstation Magazine has exclusively revealed the inclusion of the enigmatic red-clad ninja Ermac.

Ermac is shown to be wearing attire similar to his Deception costume and is shown performing his Hado Energy projectile against the recently revealed Kratos from God of War fame who is set to be a Playstation 3 console-exclusive character.

Any other new information regarding the article will be updated into this post.

Issue 41 of the magazine is available on US Newstands now!

Thanks to forum member for the word on this story!