In my childhood, around the age of eight, I delved into the world of the infamous one-on-one fighting game, Mortal Kombat, which stirred controversy among parents and politicians in the early 1990s. Engaged in gameplay with my cousins at Toronto’s Pearson airport, I stumbled upon a hidden finishing move. As I controlled the ninja character Scorpion, a shocking moment unfolded as he unleashed a fireball, leaving his adversary charred to a skeleton, accompanied by the bold text “FATALITY.”
The impact of Mortal Kombat’s graphic violence solidified its status as a must-play game in 1992. The latest offering from Digital Eclipse, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, showcases a comprehensive compilation of 23 Mortal Kombat games spanning from 1992 to 2003. The collection features the original arcade releases and home console versions, including unconventional adaptations for portable systems like the Game Boy and spin-offs like MK Mythologies: Sub-Zero.
The interactive documentary component of Legacy Kollection provides insights into the development and release of the first Mortal Kombat game, with interviews featuring key creators such as lead programmer Ed Boon and artist/designer John Tobias. The documentary also addresses the game’s place in history, acknowledging predecessors like Street Fighter II and earlier games that incorporated graphic violence and digitized characters.
While Mortal Kombat’s gameplay remains impactful and memorable, especially with its iconic characters, the aging process has exposed limitations in graphics and gameplay mechanics of the home console versions. Despite these shortcomings, Legacy Kollection serves as a nostalgic journey through the evolution of Mortal Kombat and offers a platform to explore the series’ influence on popular culture. The collection may not be flawless, but it stands as a definitive avenue to revisit a significant chapter in Western entertainment history.