Summary

  • Do you remember Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe?
  • It was a 2008 crossover fighter that saw the DC Universe fight against Mortal Kombat characters in a T-rated environment.
  • Gamers took to Reddit to share why the game missed the mark, including its limited roster and toned-down violence.

Long before the likes of Ghostface and Conan the Barbarian were squaring off against Scorpion and Sub-Zero, it was Batman and Superman. And long before Batman and Superman were fighting Gorilla Grodd and Sinestro, it was The Flash and Wonder Woman. That's because Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, the 2008 fighting game crossover from Midway Games, represented the first of Mortal Kombat's future crossovers, as well as the potential for a DC Universe-based fighting game.

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All these years later, with Mortal Kombat entering the HD era and introducing myriad pop culture icons into the game, and with Injustice being the premier showdown of DC luminaries, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe remains but a blip in the minds of most fans. The keyword being most. Because a group of loyal fans took to Reddit to discuss the often forgotten fighter and share just why it missed the mark at the end of the day.

There are some valid points brought up, and it's an interesting trip down memory lane to what was, at the time, a T-rated Mortal Kombat game.

Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Might Have Played Things Too Safe

As one commenter noted, the game "was a massive departure in tone and gameplay." Being a T-rated game, Midway was not afforded the same liberties that other M-rated Mortal Kombat games had. It was also attempting several ideas for what was then considered next-gen consoles.

Another aspect that was pointed out was the limited roster. Indeed, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe launched with 20 characters, and it was rather underwhelming. The DC side had members of the Justice League and The Joker, while Mortal Kombat retained its familiar grouping of Scoprion, Sub-Zero and Raiden.

In the following years, Mortal Kombat has greatly expanded its own rosters to include original creations along with past fan favorites. Meanwhile, DC has seen an explosion in popularity as a result of its animated endeavors and live-action efforts, allowing the likes of Atrocitus and Black Adam to go from obscure characters to household names.

As a final bit of criticism, the story was panned for being all around mediocre. Funnily enough, with Mortal Kombat (2011) and subsequent titles, the franchise has been lauded for its story mode. However, at that time, the story was considered a bust.

Either way, it's an interesting look at what could have been the start of something new, but is instead a forgotten piece of fighting game history. Maybe it'll make a comeback down the line.

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