Mortal Kombat Coming to PS3

[Pumpkin Head]

September 12, 2006 - One of the most controversial decisions in the Mortal Kombat universe hasn't been the inclusion of fatalities, but that characters would be killed off. Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, the latest installment of the franchise, has made that startling announcement as it proclaims that the upcoming title will be the final battle between good and evil. Is the end nigh for the fighting franchise?


Not according to Ed Boon, creative director of the Mortal Kombat team. During a recent visit to our offices, Boon mentioned some of the reasons behind the elimination behind some characters. "In Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, we wanted to end a number of things, actually. We wanted to end this chapter of the story. This is the last Mortal Kombat on this generation of consoles, and we also wanted to end this kind of fighting mechanic for Mortal Kombat."

Boon also hinted at what the next generation of Mortal Kombat would entail, which also includes new visuals and controls:

"On the next game, we're going to start new, with a bunch of brand new characters, a whole new fighting system, a new presentation with the new graphics for the new consoles, as well as a new control scheme to take advantage of some of the new technology available. We thought it was a good time to close this chapter and open a new one with every single aspect of Mortal Kombat -- It's going to be brand new."


Artist's Rendering (Not Actual Next Gen Image)

Looks like the next generation will have fatalities after all. Check back tomorrow for new impressions of Armageddon.


http://ps3.ign.com/articles/732/732421p1.html

[Nameless]

The idea of starting with all new characters could be a fresh approach to a stale franchise or it could backfire... I would like to see the original characters with FN3 type photorealistic visuals, now that would create some controversy, now image photorealistic visuals with fatalitites. :shocked:

[chrismt]

The new count for this article - 11.

[Carlos]

I'm actually liking the idea.

It could be good. It probbably means a better and new fighting system, a faster response time, than any other mortal Kombat game to date. It could be Killer Instinct traped in Mortal Kombat kind of thing. I hope. :)

[venomv]

This could end up real cool....or they could fall flat on their face, lol.

[jaxmkii]

fReNdShIp

[curryking1]

If Sub-Zero is not in it count me out!

Lol j/k I didn't play the MK series too much because I found Street Fighter to be way more fun, smooth, and faster, but how cool is Sub-Zero? Like what kind of name is that!? Hopefully this MK will bring the gameplay up to a new level to be at least compareable to something like Tekken or VF.

[CreativeWriter]

Scorpion was always my favorite (and Lui Kang in MK2). I was disappointed with Deception, though I think those games are best played multiplayer. I don't do much multiplayer these days. It was nostalgia for the franchise that got me to buy the game. I thought, "MK, cool!" not realizing that what I liked about the game was playing it with my friends in junior high all those years ago.

I also thought the violence wasn't shocking at all--just the same old ripping off of arms with unnatural projectile blood, etc. God of War gave me that same sense of "wow, that was violent" that I used to get from MK2 and 3. Maybe the jump to PS3 will bring something so violent, so horrific that Jack Thompson will flip out. Then maybe I'd pick up another MK title.

[EvilTaru]

This could end up real cool....or they could fall flat on their face, lol.

I wonder if MK still has relevance anymore.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I wish they'd stop making mortal combat games. It's a fighting franchise that's 15 years old and the appeal it had (realism and extreme violence) back then is gone, because plenty of games do that now. And the whole mortal kombat aesthetic is tired. Ugh...

[HolyPaladin]

I wish they'd stop making mortal combat games. It's a fighting franchise that's 15 years old and the appeal it had (realism and extreme violence) back then is gone, because plenty of games do that now. And the whole mortal kombat aesthetic is tired. Ugh...

It had realism? Did I miss a game somewhere? The only ones I recall have people shoot fire/ice from their hands, teleport, leap thirty feet into the air, and so on.

[VG Aficionado]

Does it look like it's going to be a PS3 exclusive? Anyway, I'm not too excited about this.

[venomv]

I wish they'd stop making mortal combat games. It's a fighting franchise that's 15 years old and the appeal it had (realism and extreme violence) back then is gone, because plenty of games do that now. And the whole mortal kombat aesthetic is tired. Ugh...

Hence they are going back to the drawing board, nothing wrong with that 'cause as you said it is tired. That is what makes me a bit excited.

[Viper]

Does it look like it's going to be a PS3 exclusive? Anyway, I'm not too excited about this.
I doubt it. Every IGN channel carried the same article, not just PS3.IGN.

[VG Aficionado]

I doubt it. Every IGN channel carried the same article, not just PS3.IGN.Not at the time I posted. Anyway, I haven't felt any interest since Mortal Kombat for SNES / Megadrive.

[Killing Moon]

It would probably help if Ed Boon actually knew HOW to design a fighting game to begin with. Y'know, instead of redundant dial-a-combo fests, combined with cheap, plastic looking, spandex clad super hero ninjas and T&A girls.

MK will always be lackluster as a game because the creators aren't good at making fighters. But it'll always go over with Americans, who only care bout T&A, cheap thrills and blood n' guts more than half the time.

In other words...morons.

[Kiosko]

Sounds great. Introducting new characters and starting fresh is not a bad idea. I'll keep a watch on this title.

[Carlos]

It would probably help if Ed Boon actually knew HOW to design a fighting game to begin with. Y'know, instead of redundant dial-a-combo fests, combined with cheap, plastic looking, spandex clad super hero ninjas and T&A girls.

In an interview with Ed Boon in one of the Gamepro magazines back in the day, the reason why the fighting system is the way it is, is because:

A) They want it so that its recognizable to pull off moves, and combos.

B) People would memorize the moves, as Mortal Kombat II has shown.

The reason Mortal Kombat II was the most popular of the series, and still is; its easy, quick learning curve, and most of all, recognizable.

They have move sets similar in some characters for this very reason. To ensure fun factor, and simplicity.

Think about that.

EDIT: Your post is fine Carlos for everything but the first sentence, which was a straight insult. I've removed it, but think about that in the future. ;)

[Red_Eyes]

After playing Tekken and Street Fighter for years, going back to the Mortal Kombat fighting system is hard. To block, you have to hold R1 instead of just pressing on the back button. Standing, you have low and high moves. Sitting, you have low and high moves too. It's too confusing. Why not just make it the control system standard like all those other fighting games? It'll be much easier to switch over from another game. Easier to switch over = more people will switch over and give it a chance.

[OmniCloud]

Wow..a lotta MK hate going around. I have fond memories of the series tho. Like trying to turn on the Blood on the original SNES game!! LOL...now that was hilarious...I bought the first one that came out for PS2 and it was kinda cool seeing the killing moves with new graphics. Once u remember the combos it was a button mashing/fest. Still tho-they have some of the best characters in ANY fighting game IMO...What duo can even come close to Sub-Zero vs. Scorpion besides Ken vs. Ryu?? Yes..the appeal is gone nowadays with games like GoW, but I think MK deserves some credit for its past...

btw-what the HELL happened to Killer Instict??!! I was gonna get an Xbox for the simple reason of Conkers, Perfect Dark, and Killer Instinct...WOW M$ they really screwed up on that one. Conkers was cool tho...OFF TOPIC sry

[Red_Eyes]

Yeah, a new Killer Instinct would have been awesome.

[venomv]

After playing Tekken and Street Fighter for years, going back to the Mortal Kombat fighting system is hard. To block, you have to hold R1 instead of just pressing on the back button. Standing, you have low and high moves. Sitting, you have low and high moves too. It's too confusing. Why not just make it the control system standard like all those other fighting games? It'll be much easier to switch over from another game. Easier to switch over = more people will switch over and give it a chance.

I think the MK fighting system is easiest out of pretty much all fighting games.

[Ivory_Soul]

Yeah, I'm excited for the new MK. I wonder what they're going to do. There are just so many possibilities! I wish they would come out with a new KI though. That would be kick ass. Even if it was for handhelds or current gen systems.

[cliffbo]

if it is being completely rebuilt from the ground up what do you think they will do to make it a true next gen title besides better gfx & snd what could they do to make the gameplay better?

:)

[Viper]

We may never see another KI again. Midway, Nintendo and Rare all own part of the license.

[xbdestroya]

Killer Instinct was great, must say...

There are a lot of frozen franchises that I'd like to see have new iterations. Where's a sequel to Kid Icarus? You'd think with the Metroid revival going on, some other 8-bit originals would see some love. :smoke:

(not that KI was part of the 8-bit era)

[Viper]

Where's a sequel to Kid Icarus?
Patience, young padawan.

Pit wasn't placed in Super Smash Brothers Brawl for nothing. It's a market guage.

[Illmatic]

We may never see another KI again. Midway, Nintendo and Rare all own part of the license.


Serious? If true then damn!!

Killer Instinct (arcade) is my favourite fighting game ever. KI2 was o.k, but KI1 was <3. I was really looking forward to a third, that was actually my most anticipated 360 title http://forums.e-mpire.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

[Domination]

Hopefully they'll step up the gameplay engine this time. Before, it resembled a buttonmasher much too closely. There were also too many cheap counters and specials.

[Carlos]

We may never see another KI again. Midway, Nintendo and Rare all own part of the license.
Where'd you get this?

I knew they developed the machine together, but a license?

Nintendo = Ultra 64

Midway = Arcade Manufacture/Cabinet design

Rare = Software/Game Developement

[Viper]

Midway co-published KI arcade and was the sole publisher of KI2 arcade.

[Carlos]

Actually, after a little investigation: NINTENDO owns the trademark rights to the name (http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=rclfor.2.10).

[Viper]

Yes, I know that. I've posted that before too. but if you'll note on 7/1/2003, Rare became an assingee. Guess when Nintendo sold off its shares back to Rare Ltd?

[Carlos]

I swear, I hate Nintendo sometimes. They do stupid shit.

They KNOW Killer Instinct is a cult following.

[Viper]

Carlos, not much they can do there. Nintendo can try all they want but MS most likely will not just hand over Rares stake in it.

[EvilTaru]

I never understood the appeal of KI other than the fact that it looked great at the time. If I wanted to go 2D, there was SF, if I want full 3D, there was either Tekken or even better, VF. Heck I even liked Soul Edge and FIGHTING *SMURFIN'* VIPERS over KI. BRING BACK FIGHTING VIPERS!!!http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v500/EvilTaru/angry.gif

[Viper]

It was the mad paced combo system that actually had some depth to it that attracted people. 99% of 3D fighters are much, much slower paced and some people just liked clobbering the hell out of the other guy in an impressively fast flurry of combos.

[EvilTaru]

It was the mad paced combo system that actually had some depth to it that attracted people. 99% of 3D fighters are much, much slower paced and some people just liked clobbering the hell out of the other guy in an impressively fast flurry of combos.

KI wasn't really "3D" though, in gameplay I mean. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was a fun game to fool around with, the two guys living across the hall at my dorm in university had a N64 and one of those old school projectors that they bought and it was pretty darn wicked, but I didn't think it was the kind of series I would stick with for a long time, it's kind of like MK (actually looking at old footage, KI is SO MK it's not even funny), which was kind of hard to take seriously as a fighting series.

I think people want another installment so much BECAUSE both Nintendo and Rare basically killed it and in reality it's never coming back, not trying to sound cruel or anything.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v500/EvilTaru/gladtomeetya.gif

[Viper]

I wasn't saying KI was 3D but that 3D fighters were becoming the norm and they were much slower paced.

MK at the time was nothing but dial a combo and characters that had the exact same move sets just differernt special moves. Same punch, same kick, etc...boring. KI and MK are not very much alike.

Thankfully, MK changed most of that crap this gen.

[frosty]

^But they still didn't quite get it right.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

I'm tired of mortal kombat. The fighting system just isn't on the same level as the other top brawlers out there. Tekken, street fighter, soul calibur, virtua fighter, all pwn it to hell. We'll see if they can actually make it work this time.

[GTShotoKen]

Speaking of classic game revivals, how about paperboy anyone?

Anyways, I actually wonder how Boon is going to reinvent the series? does he plan on making another MKII?

[Carlos]

I loved killer instinct for the reasons Viper mentioned, but other reasons, such as the fact that there is a lot of variety in character design, like orchid, you would NEVER find a girl like that nowdays, she has this distinguishing look to herself, that set her apart from any other girl characters ever introduced in the Fighting genre. Her combos were very unique, as was most of the characters, like Spinal, he disappears unpredictably during combos...While the game wasn't full 3D, it still was a great "peseudo" 3D game. The original Killer Instinct was better in this regard, than the second one, which was a graphical candy. KI 2 didn't have the kind of "spark" the original did. However, KI2 was a great game in its own right.

Cinder was the Liu Kang of the series. The pre-matches videos were also the best thing about the game, I still love T.J combo's Arcade cutscene. There was just so much to it than just combos and blood.

[woundingchaney]

I'm actually liking the idea.

It could be good. It probbably means a better and new fighting system, a faster response time, than any other mortal Kombat game to date. It could be Killer Instinct traped in Mortal Kombat kind of thing. I hope. :)
I agree they absolutely have to do something with the franchise before it loses all hopes of revival.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

woundingchaney stop malepropising the english language! retribution means punishment!

[woundingchaney]

woundingchaney stop malepropising the english language! retribution means punishment!
LOL

Yeah it was getting a little late for me, I do apologize.

[Z]

from the serious Genesis days to today's laughing stock. MK does needs a serious change. no, not a make over, irradicate then creat a new.

beyond the good ol' Genesis days, I never got into MK for the reason I mentioned. at least, starting from the ground up they can only make mechanics and presentations good-at least. they can re-use the same charaters of course. the problem I have with MK is that I feel I am playing with an amature garage-like effort.

to their credit, they did make an online 3D game. I only know of it and DoA that are online enabled 3D fighters. (I am looking at you Namco and Sega!)

[Carlos]

MK isn't, and wasn't a laughing stock, speak for yourself. -_-

[Z]

you actually took it seriously since the very first PS2 game came out?
maybe it's just me, but I kept laughing like mad when even I look at it or even hear its sound FX. even kids around me shrug it off.

maybe I need some physc-help? *goes watch Frazier re-runs*.