Netherrealm's Missed Opportunity: Breath new Life into a Forgotten Mortal Kombat Concept

After a tumultuous period in the early to mid-2000s, the Mortal Kombat franchise took a temporary break and made a triumphant return in 2011 with a highly acclaimed reboot. Since then, NetherRealm Studios has consistently delivered exceptional games, with both Mortal Kombat X and Mortal Kombat 11 becoming massive successes in the long-standing fighting game series. Now, NetherRealm is on the verge of another victory with the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 1, poised to continue the streak.

Serving as another fresh start for the franchise, Mortal Kombat 1 is likely to serve as the ideal entry point for newcomers, mirroring the success of the 2011 Mortal Kombat reboot. However, this does not mean that Mortal Kombat should completely forget its past. There is one previous Mortal Kombat installment that may have faltered initially but definitely warrants a second chance after Mortal Kombat 1, and that is Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

It's Time for NetherRealm to Revisit Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe

Before being bought by Warner Bros. and rebranded as NetherRealm Studios, Midway released their final Mortal Kombat game titled "Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe." This release came at a difficult time for the franchise, as Midway faced financial and creative challenges. In an attempt to rejuvenate the series, they decided to create a crossover with DC. Unfortunately, the game received mixed reviews upon its launch. While the critics praised its fighting mechanics, visuals, iconic characters, and the incorporation of the DC license, there were significant flaws that disappointed many fans, leading to a somewhat mixed reception for the game.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe faced criticism for its lack of unlockable content compared to previous games in the series, and some of the additional game modes were seen as lackluster. However, the biggest drawback for fans was the noticeable absence of the trademark violence and gore that Mortal Kombat is known for. Due to the crossover with DC, the game was limited to a Teen rating, resulting in awkward Fatalities where the camera quickly shifted away to avoid showing anything too extreme.

Since then, NetherRealm has demonstrated its expertise in both the Mortal Kombat and DC franchises. The Mortal Kombat series continues to gain popularity with each installment, and the Injustice games have received rave reviews and achieved strong sales. Considering these successes, it seems only logical for NetherRealm to explore another collaboration between the two franchises, an idea that fans have eagerly expressed in recent years.

A new Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe game can break free from the constraints of the existing universes, giving NetherRealm the creative freedom to fully embrace the idea of Mortal Kombat characters colliding with DC heroes and villains. It would be a missed opportunity for NetherRealm, who has demonstrated their ability to handle both franchises effectively, to not revisit this exciting concept. The highly anticipated Mortal Kombat 1 is scheduled for release on September 19, 2023, and will be available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.