Last month, Sony made waves with the announcement of widespread PlayStation 2 emulation coming to the PlayStation 4!
Despite the immense global popularity of the second generation Sony console, players have been unable to bring their games forward to new generations since modifications to the original PS3.
Wired reported several Star Wars games were already available on the PlayStation Store at the time of the news, but a massive library of memorable games remains largely untapped. To aid in the selection process, Sony are monitoring the #ps2ps4 hashtag on Twitter!
PlayStation Software Developer Dave Thach made Sony's observation of the hashtag known earlier this month. For Mortal Kombat fans, this is a prime opportunity to revive a generation of modern klassics: Deadly Alliance, Deception, Armageddon and Shaolin Monks! To do so, join the many already retweeting Mortal Kombat Online [RT below], and tag us in when you tweet your own list!
2016 marks the 10th anniversary of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon: A controversial game amongst fans, which included nearly every playable character at the time, and ultimately served as the final installment of the series' long running fictional universe.
The PS2 generation proved formative for Mortal Kombat as a series, rebooted with 2002's Deadly Alliance. The revival marked the first time series co-creator John Tobias was absent from development. Despite major creative upheaval, Deadly Alliance succeeded in ushering in a new era for the series with the injection of fresh designs, a new approach to gameplay, and dramatic new storylines.
Shaolin Monks took Mortal Kombat off the beaten path in 2005, adapting the classic fighting styles of Mortal Kombat II into a three-dimensional action-adventure game! Starring Liu Kang and Kung Lao, the game was the first retelling of the original trilogy and featured all the classic characters, and contained its own new secrets. Developing a strong cult following over the years, it's the spin-off many fans want to see revisited!
Mad Hatter: Kung Lao does three-dimensional damage in Shaolin Monks!
Joined the movement? Register to make your voice heard on the 3D Kombat Klassics forum! Remember to tag us in when you tweet via @MK_Online and spread the word via Facebook! Finish them!
'Tis the season to be jolly and Mortal Kombat X Mobile players have plenty to make merry over! For the giving season; the elves at NetherRealm Studios have been rewarding players with a multitude of daily free bonuses!
Christmas bonuses so far have included: gold koins, item upgrades, and even a level upgrade for the character of your choosing! If you haven't already -- log in to see what your bonus reward is!
Having a happy holiday in MKX Mobile? Register to give the gift of sharing by telling us what you've unlocked on the Mortal Kombat X forums! Don't forget to take MKO with you by joining the nice list of followers: @MK_Online and Facebook!
It was first announced late in 2014, and confirmed completed this past August. Now, according to director Garrett Warren, the third Mortal Kombat live-action webseries finally has a release schedule for early 2016!
Speaking to a fan on Twitter, Garrett said, "It is scheduled to be released early next year." Adding in reply to another fan, "I have been told that it will be released early next year."
Given the bumpy ride to completion the third series has appeared to have, it's understandable that this isn't the most convincing of confirmations. Two previous series, directed by Kevin Tancharoen, were noted for their low budget, and fast shooting to release schedule.
An early 2016 release positions the series -- rumoured to be called Mortal Kombat: Generations -- somewhere opposite downloadable content extras released as Kombat Pack 2. The pack introduces Bo' Rai Cho to the Mortal Kombat X playable roster: a character believed to have a prominent role in episodes starring Lewis Tan as Kung Jin [read more].
With several big budget failures at the box office, Warner Brothers is increasingly finding investment gains in video games [full story]. Coordinating the series to promote deeper in-game transactions may be a logical strategy.
Warners also have bigger irons in the Mortal Kombat fire, with reports James Wan (Furious 7, Insidious) will produce a Mortal Kombat feature. Speaking about the movie, Garrett Warren said, "the film [is] using good hands and will be made."
In Mortal Kombat X, statues still adorn the Outworld imperial kingdom years after the former Emperor's demise. Such is the shadow cast by Shao Kahn - Mortal Kombat's ultimate boss! In the near future you'll be able to pay tribute to the Emperor with your own 1:4 scale Klassic statue, as this work in progress shows:
Pop Culture Shock Collectibles have released the above teaser for their latest work in progress. Even without his fully formed war hammer, or trademark armor and helmet - Kahn cuts an impressive figure! He'll clearly loom large over all other collectibles when complete!
This will be the second Shao Kahn statue from Pop Culture Shock! Their previous effort captured an action pose based on designs from the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot!
Stay tuned for future updates revealing Shao Kahn! Register to join all the collectible conversation in the Media & Merchandise forum. Keep it classic with more topics from the 2D Klassics forum. Like and share stories via @MK_Online and Facebook.
He was supposed to be Earthrealm's protector god, but his battles with the corrupt have tainted his soul! Now Dark Raiden is coming to Mortal Kombat X Mobile in the latest free-to-play challenge!
Unlocking Dark Raiden means answering five tiers of godly feats! Each tier consists of 12 battles, with the exception of the final 15 fight challenge! Tier 1 is a lightning round of all Bronze Kards, Tiers 2 & 3 promote you to Bronze & Silver kards. You'll need a Gold character kard in your Tier 4 team, before Tier 5 demands the attentions of super soldier Jax to take down the Dark Raiden boss fight!
Revealed during NetherRealm's Best Fighting Game acceptance at The Game Awards 2015: the Kombat Pack 2 character trailer launched as many questions as it answered. The full story won't crystallize until next year, but some preliminary questions can be answered. Here's what we know, so far:
Tri-Borg: How To Get A Head in Advertising The most mysterious entry into Kombat Pack 2 is without a doubt the grey mechanoid known as Tri-Borg.
His name was revealed by NetherRealm Studios with the release of the official trailer, in which he can be seen collecting what remains of broken Lin Kuei cyborg Sektor. Mortal Kombat X story mode already showed us Sektor was reduced to broken parts and a severed head - so there's no mystery there. What Tri-Borg means for Sektor's future, and the futures of fellow Lin Kuei cyborgs Cyrax and Smoke - a little more ambiguous.
It seems Tri-Borg will assimilate Sektor's skills to create one of three Character Variations - likely the first seen in select screens, according to NetherRealm Voice Director and Writer Brian Chard. Don't expect Tri-Borg to be a mere vehicle for three unused characters, though. The new cyborg is "his own 'man'", according to Chard, and will speak with his own voice, regardless of variation!
Chard couldn't reveal if Tri-Borg will be assigned his own LK Unit code like his predecessors, but he is a new character, even if the grey representation seen prominently in the trailer is to reflect cyborg Smoke. How can Smoke be a cyborg in the new timeline, where he was never converted by the Lin Kuei, and was last seen causing trouble as an Enenra/Revenant in story mode? "Not sure it'll end up being canon but there's an explanation", says a candid Chard.
Fans can look forward to more character depth revealed through fight intro dialogues. Lin Kuei icon Sub-Zero will have 'a few interesting things' to say to Tri-Borg. Even more intriguing: "... in a mirror match intro one of them calls himself something else." Could this new cyborg be someone, or something, we already know? A fallen Lin Kuei warrior? A remnant of the original timeline? A new twist on Sektor's Tekunin clan? Chard unsurprisingly rules out comics fodder turned Legacy robot, Hydro. The plot will thicken in 2016.
Go Home Console, Bo' Rai Cho. You're drunk. The drunken master is back! We last saw Bo' Rai Cho helping fight the forces of Shinnok during Mortal Kombat X's story mode, but we haven't played as the master martial artist since Armageddon! That'll be just shy of ten years, when downloadable content is released in 2016!
Another master drunk (on power) is series co-creator and creative lead Ed Boon, who's promising big things from Bo' in the gameplay department: "His drunken fighting style is so much fun to play & watch!" He isn't the only one! Brian Chard also elects Bo' Rai Cho as his tentative favourite character from Kombat Pack 2! Mortal Kombat Online fans responded positively, overwhelmingly voting him the best character! [Updated poll below].
Deadly Alliance introduced Bo' Rai Cho as a stumbling slob whose style incorporated various bodily functions as special attacks. It's tough to imagine the drunk fist won't arrive with at least one gross out Variation style, but if the hype is real, we'll look for an effective throwback to the martial arts mythology we know and love.
MKO USER POLL
- Bo' Rai Cho (48.4%)
- Leatherface (4.5%)
- Xenomorph (8.1%)
- Tri-Borg (38.9%)
Drunken fist kung-fu is a real group of styles, imitating the movements of a drunkard - something the alcohol swilling Outworld master knows plenty about! His very name is a play on the Spanish word for drunk: "borracho". Cho favors Earthrealm rice wine, but has never competed for his adopted home in the Mortal Kombat tournament. If he did, the victory would be Outworlds! Instead, he's responsible for training the likes of Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Shujinko, and fighting the good fight away from tournament rules.
Speaking of rules - there's been much consternation over the role Warner Brothers played in the selection of Kombat Pack 2 characters. Brian Chard fanned the flames, noting character selection "... gets decided over weeks, sometimes months, by lots of people/depts in NRS and WB." Adding that it's "not solely an NRS decision" Guest characters no doubt play a part, but it pays to remember WB are sitting on an unreleased, completed webseries with an unverified significant role for Bo' Rai Cho. Food for thought.
Alien versus Predator - Fight! The favoured of two new guest characters, the Alien arrives to complete the classic inter-company rivalry with prior guest Predator! Mortal Kombat Online teased at the Alien's potential coming in August, but even we failed to fully explore the possibility of kombatants playing host for the Xenomorph!
In the trailer, a Tarkatan is the unlucky soul from which a chest burster is violently born! If you know your movie lore, you know the Xenomorph adopts minor traits from it hosts. The result has given us an Alien with the terrifying addition of retractable blades, but if you think this is a stand-in for Baraka - you might want to do your homework! The Xenomorph has evolved many strong traits that will assuredly set the Mortal Kombat X Alien apart from the klassic MKII fighter!
Brian Chard notes, "there's plenty of alien about him." And that's exactly what he'll be called in the game - Alien. Chard reveals creating the unique character posed challenges, of which he believes the tail is one.
The alien is certainly very physically different from most characters, possibly requiring unique skeletal work, internal organs, and hit detection. It has no eyes; is typically an imposing figure; often takes advantage of uncanny agility and wall crawling abilities, which have interesting fighting game potential; and is most famous for its corrosive, acid-like blood. It will be interesting to see how burning blood is dealt with in a game where bodily fluids flow frequently! Chip damage may be one option, but another simple solution: the Alien's sturdy hide, which may not breach as easily as other characters.
With three Character Variations to fulfil, we're curious if there may be more than one MK twist to the character. Could other variations reflect a different hybrid? What about a Shokan Xenomorph? A Kytinn? A Zaterran? A XenoGod? As far as guest characters go - this has been one of the more fun integrations of an intruder. It's just a shame similar ideas couldn't have been used to fuel a new, or existing character.
If Leatherface Sees You, He'll Saw You By far the most controversial new addition: Leatherface rampages out of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre film series and into Mortal Kombat X! He isn't nearly the iconic rival for Jason Voorhees that Freddy Kreuger might have been -- but the slasher comparisons are easy to make. Both are mute, masked, movie maniacs who've prowled the American psyche for a couple of generations!
The differences between machete and chainsaw are obvious, but Brian Chard assures fans Jason is the only truly silent character in the game:"[Leatherface] doesn't talk, but makes noise". Fans of the films will also know Leatherface is a more erratic character than the traditionally stalking, stoic, silent threat of Jason. A fact captured brilliantly in animation in the Kombat Pack 2 trailer! Whether you love or hate the choice, it's clear NetherRealm are working to capture the insane waltz of one of modern horror's earliest mascots.
For bonus points: trivia buffs will recognize that the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was an informative inspiration behind Ridley Scott's original Alien. Which means coupling the pair in Kombat Pack 2 isn't such a crazy idea! Granted, it's difficult to ignore the overwhelming corporate logic of a character who'll headline Lionsgate's Leatherface Texas prequel in 2016. We noted the possibility in September, and can clearly see how DLC may have potential as a revenue source built on a captive audience [read more]. Product placement comes to Kombat.
You Can't Please Everyone... There's no denying fandom has been divided in its reception of Kombat Pack 2. A vocal diehard contingent has made it abundantly clear these aren't the characters they were hoping to see, favouring instead home team characters. A logical perspective, but not the only one, and by no means united in alternative preference.
Mortal Kombat X has reportedly sold over five million copies, making it a contender for the highest selling instalment of the series! This builds on the 2011 reboot, which also attracted a dramatic increase in audience - old and new. There's a very different majority, and downloadable content sales continue to reinforce their enjoyment of the novelty of crossover characters.
The old adage comes to mind where pleasing everyone is concerned. Emphasizing this fact was Brian Chard, who received his own torrent of disappointment, despite having nothing to do with character selection. A fan himself since joining the series with Deception, he noted his hypothetical Kombat Pack 2 might've included: Fujin, Havik, Sareena & Khameleon, with Ashrah and Li Mei outlying contenders.
Informed by MKX's status as a retelling of MK4; Mortal Kombat Online named Fujin the character we most wanted to see return from post-Armageddon absence. Will he make it to DLC before Mortal Kombat X closes up shop? Brian Chard says it's "a vocal minority" requesting specific characters. That may be true, but given the character's treatment as Raiden's equal in Mortal Kombat X story mode sequences, and comics, we're willing to believe the majority would welcome him as much, if not more, than Bo' Rai Cho.
Will fans get a chance to show their affection with a DLC purchase? Prior to the game's release, Mortal Kombat Online speculated Fujin might become this game's Martian Manhunter. The speculation was base on NetherRealm's surprising decision to omit the Justice League stalwart from Injustice: Gods Among Us until very late in its life. With DLC ballooning and only four kombatants downloadable, that prospect still seems viable. Failing that - there's always next game!
Did new information change your mind? What are you still waiting to find out? Register to join the discussion and share your thoughts on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Follow Brian Chard on Twitter @bcharred and tag us in your conversations @MK_Online. Stay tuned for more!
As fans look ahead to the future for Mortal Kombat and its upcoming Kombat Pack 2 -- series head Ed Boon has commented on the long term possibilities of new downloadable content.
Speaking to Shacknews at The Game Awards; Boon acknowledged the popular request for Story Mode DLC, revealing it has been discussed by the studio: "It's a lot of data, a lot of content, but that's absolutely part of a long-term plan. People really tend to love our story modes, so to be able to give them new content is always something we're hoping to work out."
Editor's Note: This answer should not be confused with a promise of DLC coming in the immediate future. With demands of content high and inconsistent around the world, its unclear if intent is for this game, this hardware generation, or the next.
Mortal Kombat X continued to develop a chapter based, cinematic story experience that weaves playable kombat between advancements of plot. Working from a premise based on Mortal Kombat 4, the game juggled core plots surrounding the fallen elder god Shinnok and the introduction of new powerful players in the war of realms: Kotal Kahn and Mileena.
The demands of the Mortal Kombat X epic left many characters diminished or completely unutilized, sometimes at the expense of greater depth. Cameos by the likes of Kai and Skarlet were cut, while heavily promoted icons such as Goro arrived with no story presence at all. Many classic characters killed in the last game were presented with design updates contradictory to their presence in the story -- a significant disconnect.
Historically, the series has been one of the strongest fighting games when tending to its characters' development. Story Mode DLC could allow the developer to reconnect with the lost art of developing individual characters through their own sub-plots and rivalries. With Kombat Pack 2 set to deliver a new arena, story additions are one of the few frontiers remaining for NetherRealm.
Would you brave large downloads for more chapters? Register to tell us your thoughts on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Share this tale and others with friends by sharing via @MK_Online and Facebook.
Even as hardcore fandom reignites debate over the legitimacy of guest characters in Mortal Kombat X; Creative Director Ed Boon has been discussing some of the franchise crossovers that never quite came to pass.
Speaking with IGN, Boon revealed characters from Terminator and Halloween were among the choices discussed at NetherRealm Studios: "We've tossed around a whole bunch of names, like The Terminator, or something like that. And for various reasons – whether it wasn't a match, or we just couldn't come to terms with it – they didn't happen."
Lone Star State:Leatherface and the Alien Xenomorph in 2016's Kombat Pack 2.
Horror movie slashers have obviously been an accessible favourite for the studio, who introduces their third in Kombat Pack 2 with Texas Chainsaw Massacre's Leatherface.
The chainsaw killer follows Freddy Kreuger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) in Mortal Kombat (2011) and Jason Voorhees (Friday The 13th) in the first Kombat Pack.
Boon told IGN, "We're always exploring a lot more than we actually end up doing. For instance: Michael Meyers from the Halloween franchise. We talked about that at one point but it just never kind of panned out."
Unlucky For Some:Jason Voorhees and The Predator in the original 2015 Kombat Pack.
These aren't the first franchise near misses revealed for the series. In 2014, Boon revealed Marcus Fenix (Gears of War) was in consideration for a Microsoft exclusive in 2011 [full story], while early PlayStation mascot Sweet Tooth (Twisted Metal) almost balanced the other side [full story]. Sony received the only console exclusive of the generation: God of War's Kratos. No exclusives were made for MKX.
While die hard Mortal Kombat fans inevitably lament the klassic characters left untouched, a majority of customers continue to show support for licensed novelties. Guest fighters in Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) and Mortal Kombat (2011) were both cited as the top selling additions. The appeal of 2015's Alien versus Predator potential is sure to spur on new success.
The Wall Street Journal has reported sales in excess of five million for Mortal Kombat X [full story]. The monetary success positioned Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment as the leading games publisher for 2015, and expanded the MK player base to its highest potential total, to date.
As expansive micro-transaction content becomes a fighting game standard, and Mortal Kombat continues to break new mass market ground, it's easy to see how video game cross-promotion could not only be here to stay - but become a business platform unto itself. Comments from one producer have already suggested Warner Brothers' hand in Kombat Pack 2 character selection. Lionsgate release their Texas Chainsaw prequel Leatherface next year. With a captive audience in the millions playing Mortal Kombat X, it's a logical investment for advertisers, and a potentially lucrative platform for Warner Bros.
The unveiling of new characters may have been the headline attraction for Mortal Kombat X fans, but the developers had more to celebrate during 2015's The Game Awards - taking 2015 Best Fighting Game!
Skip to 33:38 to watch Ed Boon's interview.
Series co-creator and NetherRealm Studios Creative Director Ed Boon accepted the award, appearing during the live pre-show. He described the accolade as "a beautiful, very, very heavy trophy" and a "cherry" on top of their year.
Mortal Kombat X was a strong favourite in its only nominated award category, unchallenged by its established franchise rivals. The 2015 Warner Brothers juggernaut bested cult opposition: Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign-, Rise of Incarnates and Rising Thunder
Asked about fan reaction to Mortal Kombat X, Boon noted the phenomenon of the highest selling iteration of the long running series: "It's been amazing". The immediacy of support made Mortal Kombat X the highest selling game for mid-year 2015 after just two months [full story]!
Fan reaction continued to amaze with the official reveal of Kombat Pack 2 downloadable content. While many reported not seeing the advertised exclusive trailer during The Game Awards show, its online release generated strong reactions.
Mortal Kombat Online congratulates NetherRealm Studios on their award. Will their success continue in 2016? Register to discuss all the developing stories on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Spread the love by liking and sharing stories via @MK_Online & Facebook!
Ermac and Quan Chi stroll through the forest. Sektor's disembodied head sits quietly alone. A drunken hand reaches up from the floor. A Tarkatan has a nasty tummy ache... These seemingly innocuous events can only be harbingers for new warriors coming to Mortal Kombat X! Scenes featured in a trailer leaked ahead of The Game Awards announcement [full story].
The Game Awards is expected to officially unveil a trailer for Kombat Pack 2 -- a four-character DLC selection coming in 2016! The video clip has leaked early through unofficial sources. Find out how to watch The Game Awards live here.
New playable warriors will include an eclectic array of concepts: drunken master Bo' Rai Cho; Tri-Borg: a hybrid Lin Kuei cyber-assassin comprised of Cyrax, Sektor & Smoke; a Tarkatan infused Xenomorph; and horror movie icon Leatherface.
Per a previous announcement, we already know Kombat Pack 2 will also bring a fresh crop of character skins [read more], and a new arena [read more]. It remains unclear if introductory scenes in the trailer are strictly for promotion, or if new characters will arrive with more than the standard intro and arcade ending.
The announcement of more characters already makes this the largest post-release downloadable content scheme from any NetherRealm Studios title. With the sequel echoing the first MKX Kombat Pack in its divided offerings -- 2 film crossovers, an appropriated fan concept, and an obscure MK classic -- the potential for more content in the future remains very available.
Is this The Kombat Pack sequel you hoped for? Will there be more to come? Register to discuss your feelings on the Mortal Kombat X forum! Discuss everything from The Game Awards right here. Support the community by liking & sharing stories via @MK_Online and Facebook!
