The new Mortal Kombat game comes out next Tuesday, so I figured the time is right to admit that I’ve been a fanboy ever since the first one was released in arcades back in 1992. I remember watching older kids playing the cabinet at the local Straw Hat Pizza, and to be honest, I was nervous the first time I dropped in a quarter to fight.
Yes, I got my ass kicked. Let’s ignore the fact that I was only seven at the time and shouldn’t have been playing games like that quite yet…
I’ve been watching the teaser and gameplay videos for the new game, and have pretty much read all the spoilers. With all the changes Netherrealm Studios (formerly Midway) have made to this newest iteration, I’m genuinely excited and hoping that the series is going to make a proper comeback – the 3D gameplay of the games like Deadly Alliance and Deception that were released in more recent years were cool, but the stiff, shallow fighting mechanics never quite suited me. MK vs. DC I just never bothered with, because I thought that was a horrible idea from the start. The new game will be bringing the series back to its 2D fighting roots, but with beautiful new visuals and a brand new fighting engine.
One thing I’ve loved in every Mortal Kombat game has been the music. Each game in the series has had its own unique style, and the dark, beat-driven, brooding themes of Mortal Kombat 3 come especially to mind. To this day, I still think the character select and “Choose Your Destiny” themes from that game are some of the best I’ve ever heard in a fighting game. Simple, repetitive, but badass.
With the new game is coming a new soundtrack, on which a few modern artists have contributed their own remixes/versions/arrangements of different character themes. I’ve heard most of these and while a) I don’t like most of them and b) doubt any of them will be used for gameplay, the Reptile theme by Skrillex I find quite awesome.
Warning: beware if you don’t like house/electro/dubstep type stuff.
If you thought that was cool, be sure to check out some of Skrillex’s other tracks – I only discovered him recently (never been as in tune with this type of music, but it’s growing on me) and am digging his work.
And finally, I have to do this:
Any other MK fans? Man I’m excited.
Is it wrong that I was legitimately rocking out to the new Mortal Kombat theme after reading this? Well said, my good man. I can’t wait to play this!