10 Things You Might Not Know About Mortal Kombat
“Kombat” is the ever‑lasting clash of Earth’s most famed fighters, battling denizens of Outworld, the Netherrealm, and beyond. No, we’re not talking about ordinary “combat.” The typo has become iconic, but Mortal Kombat itself is a legendary fighting‑game franchise that has sold millions, thrilled billions, and carved out a distinct niche in pop‑culture history. Yet tucked behind its blood‑splattered fame are a handful of quirky tidbits that even veteran fans often overlook. This article uncovers those hidden gems, so brace yourself for ten revelations you probably didn’t know about Mortal Kombat.
The creators of Mortal Kombat are self‑professed music buffs, a passion that seeped into the game’s DNA. Most gamers recognize the infamous “blood code” from the original arcade release, but the backstory is even cooler. When the 1992 arcade hit hit the shelves, its popularity spurred a rapid home‑console port. Nintendo, ever the family‑friendly giant, refused to allow any pixelated gore on the Super Nintendo, yet Sega embraced the challenge. The Sega Genesis version featured a secret button combo—ABACABB—entered on the three‑button pad. Far from random, the sequence spells out the title of a Genesis album by Phil Collins’s band, cleverly nodding to the console’s name. Punch this code during the opening sequence, and the hidden blood splatter appears, giving players a gory treat otherwise omitted.
9 Have I Seen You Before?
One of Mortal Kombat’s groundbreaking moves was the full‑on use of digitized actors to portray its roster. While the inaugural game relied on the developers’ friends and coworkers, later installments recruited bona fide Chicago‑based talent. Sonya Blade, for instance, was embodied by Kerry Hoskins—a Playboy catalog model turned actress—earning her a spot on the roster. Sindel’s sultry presence came from Lia Montelongo, a former bodybuilding competitor who also appeared in the thriller “Shower of Blood.” Sub‑Zero’s iconic mask was worn by John Turk, who later showed up in Fox’s “Prison Break” and even played a thug in “The Dark Knight.” These real‑world faces added a tangible layer of authenticity to the frantic fights.
Next time you catch a roller‑blading competition at the X Games, listen for a shout‑out to MK. A trick where a blader launches a high kick mid‑air is dubbed the “Liu Kang,” a nod to the franchise’s celebrated Flying Kick move.
8 Fan‑Born Fatalities Turned Real
One of Mortal Kombat’s most iconic features actually sprouted from a rumor. Before the internet era, fans flooded magazines and mailboxes with wild speculation. A particularly persistent myth claimed a secret Fatality—dubbed the “Animality”—allowed fighters to morph into beasts and finish opponents in a bestial fashion. Developers took notice, and by the time Mortal Kombat 3 rolled out, the Animality was real: players could transform into bears, hawks, dinosaurs, or massive scorpions to rip apart foes. This fan‑driven myth became a genuine gameplay mechanic, illustrating how community chatter can shape a franchise.
7 Glitch‑Born Character: Ermac
The ninja‑type fighters—Sub‑Zero, Scorpion, Kitana—have always been fan favorites. Yet one such warrior, Ermac, started life as a simple programming error. Early games used “palette swaps,” where a single actor’s costume could be recolored (blue for Sub‑Zero, green for Reptile). A rare glitch occasionally reverted a character to the original red suit, flashing the message “Er Mac” (short for Error Macro). Rumors swirled that this was a secret fighter, and the developers eventually embraced the myth, giving Ermac an official backstory in 1995: a collective of souls from fallen warriors. A parallel female glitch later inspired the character Skarlet in the 2011 reboot.
6 Prince‑Inspired Fighter: Rain
Another tongue‑in‑cheek nod appears in the form of Rain, debuting in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. His moniker and violet attire directly reference Prince’s iconic film “Purple Rain.” In‑game lore, Rain is a “prince” of Edenia, wielding lightning attacks and superhuman kicks. Despite his flashy moveset, critics often label him one of the weaker entries in the roster, with outlets like ScrewAttack branding him a low‑tier pick. In the 2011 reboot he re‑emerged as a downloadable character, complete with a water‑splash attack.
5 Hollywood Adaptation and Tragedy
Mortal Kombat leapt onto the silver screen under New Line Cinema, dominating the box office for two consecutive weeks in 1995. Critics, including Gene Siskel, praised its action and solid casting: Christopher Lambert as Raiden, Bridget Wilson as Sonya Blade, and Brandon Lee as Johnny Cage. Tragically, Lee’s untimely death on the set of “The Crow” halted his involvement. Consequently, Linden Ashby stepped into the Johnny Cage role for the film.
4 The Near‑Miss Bloodsport License
Before Mortal Kombat became the brand we know, its creators initially aimed to secure the “Bloodsport” name, hoping to adapt the 1980s martial‑arts film. They even courted Jean‑Claude Van Damme for endorsement and a cameo. When Van Damme withdrew to pursue another, unfulfilled project, Ed Boon salvaged the effort, rebranding the game as Mortal Kombat and inventing Johnny Cage as a homage to Van Damme (the initials J.C. echo his name).
3 Legal Showdown Over Custom Fighters
Mortal Kombat : Armageddon (2006) introduced a “Kreate‑a‑Fighter” mode, letting players assemble custom warriors from assorted armor pieces. Attorney Jack Thompson, notorious for his crusade against violent games, claimed the feature illegally used his likeness, citing a fan‑created character that resembled him. He issued a cease‑and‑desist, alleging unauthorized commercial exploitation of his name and image. The lawsuit never materialized, and two years later Thompson was disbarred for unrelated misconduct, including false statements in court.
2 The Pre‑Mortal Kombat Violence Era
Ironically, Mortal Kombat isn’t the pioneer of extreme gore. That dubious honor belongs to the 1986 arcade shooter “Chiller,” which forced players to torture bound victims in S&M‑themed rooms, delivering graphic, first‑person carnage. While MK’s violence pits willing combatants against each other, Chiller’s brutality involved helpless victims, earning it bans from numerous arcades and a reputation as one of gaming’s darkest titles.
1 The Music‑Code Easter Egg
Finally, let’s revisit the secret “ABACABB” code that unlocks blood on the Sega Genesis version. This isn’t just a random string; it’s a clever tribute to the band Genesis, whose album title matches the code’s letters. By entering it during the opening sequence, players can reveal the hidden gore that Nintendo’s stricter policies kept hidden on the SNES. It’s a perfect example of how the developers blended their love of music with game design, giving fans a hidden treat for those in the know.