49 Mortal Kombat Facts That All Gamers Will Absolutely Love

Shagun Dhanuka
Sep 26, 2022 By Shagun Dhanuka
Originally Published on Mar 24, 2022
Edited by Rhian Morgan
Read these 49 'Mortal Kombat' facts if you're interested in the classic computer game.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 8.9 Min

'Mortal Kombat' is one of the most iconic video games of all time.

It has been around for more than two decades, and it still maintains a large and passionate fan base. The creators of 'Mortal Kombat' were actually sued for including blood and gore in their game.

Ed Boon and John Tobias are the two men responsible for creating 'Mortal Kombat'. The pair met while working at Midway Games, and they pitched the idea for 'Mortal Kombat' to the company's president at the time.

The game was originally going to be a street-fighting game that would have been similar to Capcom's popular 'Street Fighter II'. However, Ed Boon and John Tobias decided to add elements of violence and gore to the game in order to make it stand out from the competition.

This decision ended up being a major factor in 'Mortal Kombat's success.

'Mortal Kombat' made its debut in arcades in 1992. The game proved to be a hit with gamers, and it quickly became one of the most popular arcade games of all time.

There are nine official games in the 'Mortal Kombat' series. The game would go on to spawn a number of sequels over the years, and it is still popular to this day.

There are many things that make 'Mortal Kombat' so special. Firstly, it was one of the first games to use digitized actors to create realistic-looking fighters. This gave the game a truly unique look and feel which helped it stand out from the competition.

Secondly, it pioneered the use of Fatalities, gruesome finishing moves that can be used to finish off an opponent in style. These Fatalities have become synonymous with the franchise and are one of the main reasons why 'Mortal Kombat' is so popular.

Thirdly, 'Mortal Kombat' has a rich and detailed history and mythology. The games are set in a fictional universe that is full of interesting characters, locations, and stories. This helps to make the world of 'Mortal Kombat' feel truly alive and allows gamers to immerse themselves in its rich lore.

Finally, the game has an excellent soundtrack that features some iconic tunes that have become synonymous with the franchise.

The original MK movie was released in 1995, and it quickly became a cult classic. The film starred Christopher Lambert as Raiden, and it featured some of the most epic fight scenes ever seen on screen.

Did you know that the game was originally going to be called 'Night Trap'? And that one of the game's characters, Lo Pan, is based on a character from the 1980s cult classic film 'Big Trouble in Little China'?

These are just some of the interesting 'Mortal Kombat' facts that many gamers will absolutely love! From more interesting tidbits about the game's development to little-known trivia, we have got you covered. So, without further ado, let's get started.

History Of Mortal Kombat

'Mortal Kombat' was actually based on a video-game tournament that took place in Chicago.

John Vogel and Ed Boon were both in attendance at the event, and they were so inspired by what they saw that they decided to create their own fighting game. 'Mortal Kombat' was released in 1992 by Midway Games.

The first game in the series was released for arcade machines and home consoles.

'Mortal Kombat' became popular because it was one of the first fighting games to use digitized graphics and live-action footage. The game featured realistic blood and gore, which was controversial at the time.

In 2011, 'Mortal Kombat' was rebooted and the game was praised by critics for its darker tone and improved gameplay.

'Mortal Kombat X' was released in 2015 and sold more than five million copies worldwide.

'Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate' is the latest game in the franchise, released in 2020.

One of 'Mortal Kombat's most famous Fatalities is 'Spine Rip' by Sub Zero. This move sees Sub Zero rip his opponent's spine out of their body in a gory display.

Another popular Fatality is Scorpion's 'Toasty!' move, which sees Scorpion burning his opponent alive with a stream of fire.

'Mortal Kombat's success would eventually lead to it being released on a variety of home consoles, including the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, and Game Gear.

The Art Direction Of Mortal Kombat

The original 'Mortal Kombat' game was created in 1992 by Midway Games. It was a huge success and spawned multiple sequels over the years. The latest installment, 'Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate, was released in 2020.

'Mortal Kombat' is known for its intense violence and gory graphics. In fact, it’s one of the most violent video games ever made.

'Mortal Kombat' was banned in many countries because of its extreme violence. The game has been criticized for promoting animal cruelty, racism, and sexism.

Despite the controversy, 'Mortal Kombat' is one of the most popular video games of all time. It has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and spawned multiple sequels.

'Mortal Kombat' is a fighting game that pits two or more players against each other in hand-to-hand combat. The game features a large roster of characters to choose from, each with its own unique set of moves and abilities.

'Mortal Kombat X' was released in 2015. The game received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success, selling more than one million copies within its first week of release.

'Mortal Kombat's latest movie came out in 2021, and was a reboot starring Lewis Tan. 

The 'Mortal Kombat' games are typically two-dimensional fighting games in which players battle against each other using a variety of attacks and special moves.

The objective is to defeat the opponent by draining their health bar or causing them to run out of time. Fatalities are finishing moves that can be performed once the player has won a match.

These often involve graphic violence and gore, such as ripping an opponent's head off or tearing their spine out.

Several of the initial characters were voiced by Ed Boon since they couldn't afford to hire voice actors.

Audience Reception

The original 'Mortal Kombat' game was released in 1992 and was developed by Midway Games.

'Mortal Kombat II', which is considered to be the most popular game in the series, was released in 1993.

The third installment of 'Mortal Kombat', 'Mortal Kombat III', was released in 1995.

'Mortal Kombat: Armageddon', which is the seventh main game in the series, was released in 2006.

'Mortal Kombat X' was released in 2015.

'Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate' is the latest installment, released in 2020.

The 'Mortal Kombat' franchise has also spawned several movies, TV shows, comics, and novels.

'Mortal Kombat' is one of the highest-grossing video-game franchises of all time and has sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.

'Mortal Kombat' was released to critical acclaim and quickly became a commercial success, with critics praising the game's graphics, gameplay, and characters.

However, the game's depiction of violence caused controversy among some parents and politicians.

Despite this, 'Mortal Kombat' went on to become one of the most popular fighting games. 

'Mortal Kombat' sold more than two million copies in North America within its first month of release.

The game went on to become the best-selling game of 1992 and remained one of the top-selling games for several years afterward.

'Mortal Kombat' is a gaming franchise that has captured the imaginations of gamers all over the world. It features realistic graphics, brutal Fatalities, interesting mythology, and an excellent soundtrack. If you're a fan of video games, then you owe it to yourself to check out 'Mortal Kombat'.

FAQs

What is 'Mortal Kombat' known for?

'Mortal Kombat' is known for being one of the most iconic and popular fighting games. The franchise has been around for more than 25 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

The games are known for their brutal violence, over-the-top action, as well as gory Fatalities. They have also been praised for their well-developed storyline and characters.

In the game, if you lose two rounds in a row, you can use a dragon attack to attempt to come back and win the match. This move is incredibly powerful and can often take down an opponent in just one hit.

If you manage to deplete your opponent's health bar completely, you can then use a death blow to finish them off. This move is usually very graphic and gory, which is part of what makes the 'Mortal Kombat' franchise so popular.

How many 'Mortal Kombat' characters are there?

There are 24 playable 'Mortal Kombat' characters. This includes the original seven (Sub Zero and Liu Kang, among others), plus 17 additional fighters.

Liu Kang is one of the most iconic characters in the 'Mortal Kombat' series and is known for his amazing fighting skills. He is often considered to be the main protagonist of the franchise and has appeared in almost every game.

Each character has his or her own story arc that progresses through the game’s single-player mode. In addition, there are dozens of unlockables that players can obtain by playing through the video-game modes.

These include new costumes, Fatalities, and other bonus content. Finally, there is an online component where players can battle it out against other players from around the world.

Who is the strongest in 'Mortal Kombat'?

There are many incredibly powerful 'Mortal Kombat' characters but, if we're talking about the strongest ones, then there are a few that stand out above the rest.

Shang Tsung, for example, is one of the most powerful sorcerers in the series and has been able to defeat some of the strongest opponents.

Similarly, Quan Chi is another exceptionally powerful sorcerer who has bested some of 'Mortal Kombat's greatest warriors.

Other incredibly powerful characters include Raiden, Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, and Scorpion.

What is 'Mortal Kombat'?

'Mortal Kombat' is an iconic and legendary fighting video game franchise that has been around since 1992. Two combatants face off against each other in a one-on-one battle, using various punches, kicks, and special moves to try to defeat their opponent. It's a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping experience that has kept gamers hooked for decades.

Who played Scorpion in 'Mortal Kombat'?

The role of Scorpion in 'Mortal Kombat' was originally played by Daniel Pesina. However, the character has been portrayed by a number of different actors over the years, including John Turk, Steve Ritchie, and Keith Silverstein.

Who is Cole in 'Mortal Kombat'?

Cole is a character who made his debut in 'Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'. He is a mercenary and assassin who was hired by the game's main villain, Shang Tsung, to kill Liu Kang.

However, Cole eventually joins forces with Liu Kang and helps him to defeat Shang Tsung and save the world from destruction. He is an interesting character and has become a fan-favorite among gamers.

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Written by Shagun Dhanuka

Bachelor of Business Administration

Shagun Dhanuka picture

Shagun DhanukaBachelor of Business Administration

With a Degree in Business Administration, Shagun is an avid writer with a passion for food, fashion, and travel, which she explores on her blog. Her love of literature has led her to become a member of a literary society, where she contributes to promoting literary festivals in her role as head of marketing for her college. Shagun also pursues learning the Spanish language in her free time.

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