Here are some interesting facts about the Mortal Kombat series, which is a popular fighting game franchise in the world of computer games:
Inspiration from Movies: The creators of Mortal Kombat, Ed Boon and John Tobias, drew inspiration from martial arts movies like "Enter the Dragon" and "Big Trouble in Little China." The game's characters and settings reflect this influence.
The Genesis of the ESRB: Mortal Kombat played a significant role in the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The controversy surrounding its violent content led to the video game industry adopting a content rating system.
Hidden Reptile Character: In the original Mortal Kombat, there's a hidden character named Reptile. Players had to fulfill specific in-game conditions to fight him. This marked the beginning of the trend of secret characters in fighting games.
Fatalities: Mortal Kombat is famous for its "Fatalities," finishing moves that allow a player to execute their opponent in gruesome ways. The original Mortal Kombat had only a few Fatalities, but the concept has since become a staple of the series.
Censorship and Changes: Due to the controversy surrounding the game's violence, Mortal Kombat underwent censorship in various versions. In the SNES version, for example, the blood was replaced with "sweat." However, the Sega Genesis version retained the blood with a special cheat code.
Motion Capture: To make the game's characters move realistically, real actors were used for motion capture in the early games. This technique allowed for more lifelike character animations.
Toasty Guy: The "Toasty!" voice clip that plays during uppercut moves is a reference to Dan Forden, a sound designer for the game. If you performed a specific combination, he would appear on screen saying, "Toasty!" and awarding you with a special move.
Kano's Heart Rip Fatality: One of the most iconic Fatalities in Mortal Kombat is Kano's heart-ripping move. Interestingly, it was inspired by a scene from the movie "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in which a character's heart is ripped out.
Cross-Overs: Mortal Kombat has had several crossover games, including "Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe" and "Mortal Kombat vs. Street Fighter." These games brought characters from different franchises together for epic battles.
Long-Lasting Legacy: Mortal Kombat has remained popular for decades and continues to receive new installments and updates. The series has a dedicated fan base, competitive scene, and even its own movies and animated series.
These facts showcase the enduring impact and cultural significance of the Mortal Kombat franchise in the world of computer games.