Gaming
Battlefield 6’s Battle Royale Leaks Reveal New Map Details And A Possible New Name
25. Toasty is one of the most famous Easter Eggs in gaming
Toasty, one of the most famous Easter Eggs in gaming, started as an inside joke among the Mortal Kombat team. It features sound designer Dan Forden popping up in the corner to exclaim "Toasty!" after a brutal uppercut. | © Warner Bros. Games
24. Get over here was initially a simple attack
Scorpion’s spear move started as a simple attack, but Ed Boon’s addition of the iconic “Get over here!” catchphrase transformed it into a defining moment of the series. | © Warner Bros. Games
23. Mortal Kombat draws inspiration from movies
Mortal Kombat owes much of its modern style to the cult-classic 1995 movie. Even some of the lore and relationships depicted in the film became part of the game series. | © Warner Bros. Games
22. Mortal Kombat characters was created by stop-motion animation
While most Mortal Kombat characters were digitized from live-action actors, Goro was brought to life using stop-motion animation. This technique gave Goro his iconic, otherworldly presence which made him one of the most fearsome villains. | © Warner Bros. Games
21. Shang Tsung is Liu Kang's nemesis
Shang Tsung has been the ultimate nemesis of Liu Kang since the very first Mortal Kombat game. As a soul-stealing sorcerer, he is the perfect opposite of Liu Kang. | © Warner Bros. Games
20. Noob Saibot is named after creators
After the death of the original Sub-Zero, he was resurrected as the ninja known as Noob Saibot. Only dedicated fans know this name is a reversed combination of Ed Boon and John Tobias, who are the lead minds behind the legendary franchise. | © Warner Bros. Games
19. Ermac originated from an urban legend
Ermac started as a legend sparked by the term ERMACS on the game’s diagnostics screen, which stood for "error macro." Fans speculated about a hidden red ninja, and the rumors grew so big that the developers eventually made Ermac a real character. | © Warner Bros. Games
18. The fighting franchise could have easily been named something else
Mortal Kombat almost had a completely different name, with options like Fatality, Kumite, and Dragon Attack being considered but refused. It wasn’t until late in development that someone suggested Mortal Kombat, and the team instantly knew they had a winner. | © Warner Bros. Games
17. Liu Kang has a brother
Liu Kang has a younger brother, Chow Kang, who has only been mentioned in a few Mortal Kombat adaptations. Tragically, it’s revealed in the original timeline that Shang Tsung killed him and stole his soul. | © Warner Bros. Games
16. Johnny Cage uses Hollywood combat
Johnny Cage brings Hollywood battle style to deadly Mortal Kombat fights, using movie props and stunt doubles as deadly weapons. | © Warner Bros. Games
15. Special Forces is considered the worst MK game
Even though we all love Mortal Kombat games, Special Forces is widely regarded as the worst in the series. With clunky gameplay, a lackluster story, and poor design, it failed to live up to the standards of the franchise. | © Warner Bros. Games
14. Finish Him has been is referenced in numerous TV shows
The iconic Finish Him from Mortal Kombat has left its mark on pop culture, popping up in countless TV shows. This phrase remains a fan favorite, from the iconic Scorpion parody in Drawn Together to the hilarious fatality scene in The Cleveland Show. | © Warner Bros. Games
13. Sonya Blade was the first female character in MK
Sonya Blade was the first female character in Mortal Kombat. Fun fact: she was named after Ed Boon’s sister, which adds some personal story behind one of the most iconic characters in the franchise. | © Warner Bros. Games
12. Liu Kang was inspired by martial arts legend Bruce Lee
Liu Kang's fighting style and look were inspired by Bruce Lee, the legend of martial arts himself. Even his backstory takes cues from Lee's classic film Enter the Dragon. | © Warner Bros. Games
11. Mortal Kombat used digitized sprites for realism
Mortal Kombat was one of the first games to use digitized sprites for realism. Real actors were filmed and then digitized to create the characters, which gave them a level of realism that set them apart from other games of their time. | © Warner Bros. Games
10. Originally, only Shang Tsung could perform a fatality
In the earliest version of Mortal Kombat, only Shang Tsung was honored with the ability to perform a Fatality. After defeating his opponent, he’d swoop in to steal their soul, inspiring the brutal finishers fans have come to know and love. | © Warner Bros. Games
9. Sub-Zero is the only character who has been featured in every Mortal Kombat game
Sub-Zero has been the only character to appear in every single Mortal Kombat game. With different actors bringing him to life over the years, Kuai Liang is one of the most popular characters in the franchise. | © Warner Bros. Games
8. Ed Boon, the voice behind Scorpion, currently holds a Guiness World Record
Ed Boon was recognized in 2010 by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-serving video game voice actor, having voiced Scorpion for over 17 years. His contribution has left a lasting impact on gaming history. | © Warner Bros. Games
7. Johnny Cage was originally modeled after Van Damme
Johnny Cage was originally meant to be a digital version of Jean-Claude Van Damme, but when licensing fell through, the developers created their spin on the martial arts star. The result? A charismatic fighter who became one of Mortal Kombat’s most iconic characters. | © Warner Bros. Games
6. Mortal Kombat has been banned multiple times in several countries
The violent content in Mortal Kombat games leads the franchise to bans and censorship in countries like Germany, Brazil, and Indonesia. The franchise even caused a 1993 U.S. congressional hearing, influencing the creation of the ESRB rating system. | © Warner Bros. Games
5. Mortal Kombat has a successful movie adaptation
Mortal Kombat has a 1995 movie adaptation that shattered all expectations and earned over $122 million worldwide, proving that video game adaptations could be a hit. With its unforgettable theme song and edge-of-your-seat action, it’s still the gold standard among fans. | © Warner Bros. Games
4. Kratos was a character in Mortal Kombat 9
Kratos was a PlayStation-exclusive character in Mortal Kombat 9, complete with his fatalities, ending, and stage. However, Sony kept their God of War safe, banning humiliating or fear-inducing Fatalities from being performed on him. | © Warner Bros. Games
3. Reptile was the first secret character in fighting game history
Reptile was the first-ever secret character in a fighting game, combining the most iconic moves from Scorpion and Sub-Zero with his unique abilities. This hidden fighter sparked a legacy of secret characters in Mortal Kombat and beyond. | © Warner Bros. Games
2. Concept of Fatalities comes from Street Fighter II
The iconic Fatalities were inspired by the dizzy mechanic in Street Fighter II, where players got a free hit on a stunned opponent. Ed Boon took this idea to the next level, turning it into the brutal finishing moves that define the fighting genre. | © Warner Bros. Games
1. The original Mortal Kombat was developed by four individuals
The original Mortal Kombat was developed just by just four passionate creators, Ed Boon, John Tobias, John Vogel, and Dan Forden, who crafted the arcade classic in only 10 months. Their small but mighty team gave birth to one of the most iconic fighting game franchises in history! | © Warner Bros. Games
