Unlock the Ultimate Clash: Injustice 3's Groundbreaking Kameo System Takes Cues from Mortal Kombat 1

NetherRealm Studios has established a comfortable cycle over the past decade, alternating between two highly acclaimed fighting game franchises. After dipping their toes in the water with Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe in 2008, NetherRealm went all in five years later with Injustice: Gods Among Us, a fully-developed 2D DC fighting game. With the upcoming release of Mortal Kombat 1, it seems plausible that Injustice 3 may follow suit soon.

Continuing the trend of reboots, Mortal Kombat 1 pays homage to the series' gory origins while introducing fresh gameplay mechanics. One such mechanic, called the Kameo Fighter system, has been briefly teased, and has the potential to become the defining feature of the series, possibly even making its way into Injustice 3.

A Kameo Fighter System Would Fit Perfectly With Injustice 3

The new Kameo Fighter system in Mortal Kombat 1 is easily understandable for fans. After selecting a main fighter, players will be presented with a secondary roster of Kameo Fighters. These fighters cannot be fully played, but provide support during combat. By pressing a button and a direction, the chosen Kameo Fighter will appear, execute a special move, and then leave combat. While the primary purpose of these fighters is to extend combos, they also enable the execution of unique Fatalities by combining the movesets of different fighters.

Although only a few Kameo Fighters have been announced for Mortal Kombat 1, studio head Ed Boon has confirmed that the roster will include characters from throughout the history of the Mortal Kombat franchise. This serves as a reward for long-time fans who have remained loyal to the franchise even during its more challenging periods. With each Kameo Fighter having only a limited number of moves, it is likely that they require less development work from NetherRealm compared to fully playable fighters. Consequently, they serve as a perfect form of fan-service.

The Kameo Fighter system from Mortal Kombat 1 would be an ideal addition to the upcoming Injustice game. With the vast DC Universe spanning almost 90 years across various media, including comic books, novels, video games, movies, TV shows, and animations, there are numerous popular characters deserving of a place in Injustice 3's roster. While it may not be possible to include all of these characters as playable fighters, the Kameo Fighter system could provide an opportunity to feature a good number of them.

This system would particularly suit the lesser-known DC heroes or villains who may not have enough prominence to occupy a full spot on the playable roster, but are more than mere references. Characters like Plastic Man, Detective Chimp, The Question, and Mister Miracle would all be excellent candidates for Kameo-style fighters in Injustice 3.

Introducing a Kameo Fighter system to Injustice 3 goes beyond just catering to die-hard DC fans; it can also enhance gameplay diversity like never before. While Injustice and its sequel showcased a fairly diverse roster, the addition of a Kameo Fighter mechanic would exponentially expand the possibilities. Players could match up wildly contrasting powers and abilities, such as pairing Superman's heat-vision with Mr. Freeze's ice ray or combining Doctor Fate's magic with Beast Boy's animal-based abilities. The potential combinations would be virtually limitless.

Mortal Kombat 1 is set for release on September 19, 2023, and will be available for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.