As we reach the peak of yet another winter holiday season, we also have reached another milestone for the site. Eight years ago today, MK5.ORG (as Mortal Kombat Online was then known) opened its doors. Starting out as a news site primarily concerned with what would eventually be called Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, the site has evolved into the most trusted name in news and discussion for the entire Mortal Kombat franchise. This year has seen a lot of news, ranging from big stories like the release of the last Mortal Kombat game for the PS2/Xbox/GameCube generation, to personal stories such as the resignation of this site's former webmaster and cofounder. Through it all, we've maintained a core commitment to the fans of Mortal Kombat, and have striven to continue to be your source for all news Mortal Kombat.

So, where do we go from here? The Nintendo Wii version of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon will be coming in the new year, and further down the road we may even see hints and teases towards the next generation of Mortal Kombat games. Who knows? We may even see a surprise or two down the road. For now, though, we will continue to strive to serve you, the Mortal Kombat community, as best we can, and look towards the future of the Mortal Kombat franchise!

So, from all of us at Mortal Kombat Online, to all of you whereever you are, have a safe and joyous holiday season.

The latest award to be given to MK: Armageddon is the Best Fighting Game for PS2 for 2006, by IGN. Unfortunately, they didn't seem to have a category for Best Fighting Game for either the Xbox or Xbox 360 consoles. From the article:

Everything comes to an end at some time, and while some things go out gently, others go out with a fierce bang. Midway decided to literally bring the Mortal Kombat universe to a close with the release of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, a massive compilation of almost fifteen years of storylines, characters and martial arts.

As a result, players have 62 classic characters to choose from, which is perhaps the largest number of fighters ever available in a MK game, or perhaps any brawler. Players that tire of the included characters can use the extremely deep Kreate-A-Fighter mode to make their own warriors, complete with ending bio. Armageddon also features a new diversionary mode with Motor Kombat and a newly redesigned Konquest mode that's inspired by the action based MK: Shaolin Monks. Oh yeah, did we mention newly redesigned finishing moves based on the player's skill instead of pre-canned animations? You'll never look at fatalities the same way again, especially once you figure out the best way to chain together eight or nine hit death combos.

Thanks go to MK Online forum/chat member for the tip on this update!

Just in time for the holiday, Cinder from the official Midway Forums, has posted a new winter-themed wallpaper for MK fans!

Over a background of white snow rests a snowman decorated in various gear from Mortal Kombat characters such as Raiden, Kabal and Scorpion. In the top left hand corner a cursive inscription reads "Have a flawless Holiday Season and an exciting New Year!"; underneath is the Midway logo.

This wallpaper comes in two sizes; 1280x1024 and a smaller 1024x768 version. To view the thread in which these images were originally posted, click here.

Thanks to a few unregistered MKO readers for sending in these leads!

EDIT - 23 December 2006 11:56 PM CST - In addition to the wallpaper posted by Cinder in the Midway forums, Sub-Zero has posted another holiday-themed wallpaper on his MySpace site! This wallpaper has the headless body of the snowman from the previous wallpaper in the background, while Sub-Zero forms the head with his ice powers in the foreground.

To visit Sub-Zero's MySpace where the wallpapers were posted, click here and choose the latest blog entry.

Our thanks to forum/chat member for letting us know about the other wallpaper!

As 2006 comes to a close, the Mortal Kombat series makes yet another apperance in the form of a nominee for fighting game of the year. However, this time neither of the recently released MK games (Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and Mortal Kombat: Unchained) are up for the award. Instead, the classic fighter from the 1990's, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is, in the form of it's reapperance on the XBox 360 console's XBox Live Arcade. The potential award comes from gaming preview and review site, GameSpot and their Best Games and Worst Games of 2006 awards. UMK3, of course, makes its appearance in the Fighting genre.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (X360)

Publisher: Midway Developer: Digital Eclipse

You can drop a Mortal Kombat machine on some dude's head from the other side of the planet. Does any more really need to be said? This is an excellent rendition of a true fighting classic.

The game will be up against other ports of older games from years gone by, such as Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX and Tekken: Dark Resurrection along with newer games such as Dead Or Alive 4 and King Of Fighters 2006. To vote for your favourite game, click here and click the large vote button.

Thanks to forum member for informing us of this latest MK-related award nomination.

EDIT: It seems the results are now in, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 has won the award for the best fighting game of 2006!

After the subpar release of Street Fighter 2, we were worried about the future of arcade fighters on Xbox Live Arcade. Then Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 came along and did everything right, with essentially perfect emulation, entertaining achievements, and an underlying fighting game that may look a little long in the tooth but has proven its longevity with matches raging endlessly on Xbox Live. In fact, given Street Fighter 2's latency problems online, we were pleased to see just how well UMK3 works over the Internet. The game's AI may quickly wear a little thin, but when you've got an endless supply of willing, skilled challengers to play against, who cares?

Congratulations to the MK team, Midway and Digital Eclipse for this achievement!

One of the major announcements from Fight Night was the news that Midway would in fact be providing character bios for Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. Today, the fabled question mark page was updated, revealing the contents of the final question mark box: Kenshi's bio! Kenshi's bio details what happened to him after leaving Outworld with Sub-Zero and up to the events of MK: Armageddon. From the bio:

With Shang Tsung rumored dead, I had no further need of the Special Forces. And although I had an ally in Sub-Zero, I had no desire to join the Lin Kuei. I returned to Earthrealm, content to be a lone warrior once again. Guided by my ancestors' sword, I hunted the wicked, slaying those who would threaten the meek. In the dark, my blindness was an advantage. I struck unseen and toppled many criminal organizations from the safety of the night.

As I fought against the underworld, I intercepted encrypted communications to Mavado from a secretive clan known as the Red Dragon. The messages revealed an elaborate plan designed to ensnare one man: an Edenian half-god named Taven. The Red Dragon were in a frenzy, and it seemed as though something very important was underway. Before I could determine the location of the Red Dragon base, however, I was met by a former ally, Johnny Cage. He believed that the fallen Elder God Shinnok had resurfaced and wanted to gather the Forces of Light to discuss a battle plan. I refused the invitation, not wanting to get involved in yet another pointless melee between "good" and "evil". I had my own agenda: bring down the Red Dragon and finish Mavado.

Alone in the Botan Jungle, stalking Red Dragon scouts, I was overwhelmed by an intense psychic scream. I became aware of Taven and Daegon and their quest to slay the fire elemental, Blaze. My sword also heard the scream and pleaded with me to ally with the Forces of Light once more. I had received insight from my blade before, but this time it seemed drawn to kombat. It was as if I could feel the sword pulling me towards some epic clash.

I will not deny its cry for blood. Though Johnny Cage is gather the Forces of Light, I will be the one to take them into battle. The lone warrior will become a leader of many.

To see the question mark page in its entirety, click here. This is the first of hopefully 62 bios; as more are posted online, we'll be sure to report it!

Our thanks to forum member for the heads-up on the first of the bios!