Unveiling the Unprecedented Connection Between Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and Mortal Kombat 1

Highlights

Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 have a few interesting similarities if fans look closely.

The games have a similar release timeframe and both place significant emphasis on their high-quality singleplayer campaigns. Despite their names, which may be misleading, both games explore new aspects of their respective settings and feature fresh interpretations of their characters. Additionally, actor Yuri Lowenthal can be found in both titles.

Adding to these coincidences, there is another parallel between the characters Reptile from Mortal Kombat 1 and the Lizard from Spider-Man 2 – they bear striking resemblances in appearance.

The end of 2023 is set to be filled with a lineup of blockbuster releases. Among these highly anticipated games, Mortal Kombat 1 stands out as one of the earlier titles, expected to drop in September, while Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is slated to follow in October. Although these games may not appear to have much in common at first glance, other than their release dates and emphasis on captivating singleplayer campaigns, there are actually more connections than meets the eye.

Marvel's Spider-Man exists in its own separate universe, as demonstrated by its cameo appearance in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Similarly, Mortal Kombat 1 takes place in a rebooted timeline, offering fresh interpretations of the game's setting and characters. In fact, earlier promotions for Mortal Kombat 1 revealed that Yuri Lowenthal, the voice actor behind Insomniac's Peter Parker, has now assumed the role of Smoke. However, it is the most recent trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 that unveils a direct parallel between the iconic characters from these two franchises, which is impossible to ignore.

Mortal Kombat 1 Has Given Reptile A Total Overhaul

Reptile makes his long-awaited return to Mortal Kombat 11's roster in the EVO 2023 trailer for Mortal Kombat 1. This iteration of Reptile is the most unique yet, showcasing a combination of his fully human appearance and his terrifying reptilian form. While both designs have been used separately in the past, this is the first time they have been integrated together. Reptile's signature special moves, along with some exciting new ones, highlight his seamless transformation from human to reptile.

Not only has Reptile undergone a physical transformation, but his story has also undergone a significant overhaul. While maintaining his name, Syzoth, from Mortal Kombat X, Reptile now aligns himself firmly with the heroes, particularly assisting Liu Kang. As he was exiled from his Saurian people due to his unique human features, Reptile seems to find solace in working with humans. This portrayal marks a notable improvement from his previous appearances in older Mortal Kombat games. In titles like MK9 and MKX, his story mode chapters were withheld, and he was even denied a speaking role in MK9. Although it may seem unusual to focus on a historically minor character like Reptile, comparing him to Spider-Man, the only shared trait between Reptile and Miles Morales' Spider persona is their ability to turn invisible. However, there is a much closer connection to a common Spider-Man villain that adds an intriguing layer to Reptile's character.

Reptile and the Lizard Now Have A Lot In Common

During Sony's May 2023 PlayStation Showcase, a preview of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 showcased the appearance of the Lizard, a well-known adversary of Spider-Man. The Lizard, also known as Dr. Curtis Connors, is a brilliant scientist who transformed into a reptilian creature while attempting to regrow his missing arm. Spider-Man had previously fought and temporarily cured the Lizard, but now Connors has joined Oscorp in search of a cure for the dying Harry Osborne. This creates an urgent situation, as Harry relies on Connors' medical expertise, making the hunt for the Lizard crucial.

Both Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 have recently introduced reptilian threats in significant roles, and the similarities run deeper than appearance. When Reptile from MK1 fully transforms into his Saurian form, he bears a striking resemblance to Spider-Man's Lizard, surpassing any of his previous iterations. Their physical attributes, including their silhouettes, are almost identical, and their shared brown-green color schemes further highlight their similarities. Additionally, both Syzoth and Connors are positioned as characters aligned with the forces of good, although they may not be the primary driving forces in their respective games' narratives. More parallels between these reptilian creatures are expected to be unveiled as both Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 prepare for their upcoming releases.

Mortal Kombat 1 launches September 19 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.