The Origins of the Iconic Fatalities of 'Mortal Kombat'
The Beginnings of Extra Bloody Fun
Mortal Kombat games first introduced us to the iconic fatality moves that have become part of the franchise's legacy. It might be hard to believe but these X-rated executions were something of a focus for the games early on and original versions of the game were almost too gory!
Mortal Kombat Origins
Mortal Kombat's original arcade game hit store shelves in 1992. At that point, the game quickly became known and popular for its ultra violent and bloody fight scenes. The game was one of the pioneers of visual violence in video games and the fatalities quickly became synonymous with the title.
Blood and Gore
These finishing moves truly pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable video game content. Not only did players have to deal with the usual punches and kicks but now they could tear their enemies to shreds in the ultimate display of gory victory- a signature of Mortal Kombat.
The Balance between Violence and Fun
The fatalities of Mortal Kombat are clearly violent but, at the same time, they present an over-the-top style of violence that allows the games to stay fun. After all, no one has to be seriously concerned about dismembered limbs or decapitated heads - these are just the most creative pay-off of the intense action of the game.
From Kiddie to Killer Games
Mortal Kombat is widely credited for spurring an era of video games with increased violence. Sega eventually had to create its own 'Mature' rating due to the intense violence of the game. Today, these games are mainstream entertainment and no longer considered to be controversial.
Fatalities are a big part of the legacy of Mortal Kombat and they remain a favourite feature of the long-running series. This iconic, exaggerated type of violence pushed the boundaries of what was thought to be possible in video games, sparking a revolution that changed the course of video game history.
Thanks for reading!
This blog post was written by Stanley Johnson