Mortal Kombat 11 is the latest game in the long-running fighting franchise. With so many games preceding it, the title has tons of material to pull from for callbacks, references and easter eggs. This game in particular has tons of connections to the two live-action movies from the mid-1990s.
But that isn't what we're here for now. On this list, we will catalogue 10 of the coolest references that only make sense to fans who played to the original series (that being prior to the 2011 reboot). Let the blood spill and the fists fly.
10 The Klassic Brutality
Brutalities are a type of finishing move that fighters can use in Mortal Kombat 11 that are more spontaneous than Fatalities but just as brutal. While every fighter has their own unique ones, they all share one which is a simple uppercut that pops the opponent's head off called The Klassic.
This is a throwback to the original 2 Mortal Kombat with Johnny Cage as his fatalities in those games involve uppercutting his foes heads clean off. Someone of Johnny's ego would love the fact that a brutality all fighters share in this game is a reference to his handsomeness.
9 Subtitle Mania
In Mortal Kombat 11's story mode, it's revealed that Liu Kang and Raiden's destinies are revealed to be intertwined across all timelines. Judging by one of their shared intros however, it appears their true destiny is to reference the old PS2/Xbox/Gamecube era games.
If a match is made between these two, there is a chance that this dialogue will trigger:
Liu Kang: "Are we the Deadly Alliance?"
Raiden: "That is Kronika's Deception."
Liu Kang: "Or a recipe for Armageddon."
For newer fans of the series, Deadly Alliance, Deception and Armageddon were all the subtitles for the three main titles of Mortal Kombat's 128-bit generation games. Those games still hold nostalgia for tons of fans so it's nice to hear it get some love.
8 The Krypt's Warrior Statues
If you wonder around Mortal Kombat 11's Krypt long enough, you're bound to find some easter eggs making tons of deep cut references to the series' past movies, TV shows and games. But the most obvious one looks down on you.
If you wander near the section that brings you down to Goro's Lair, you'll find a row of statues depicting Raiden, Sub Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, Johnny Cage, Kano and Goro. These statues are actually a reference to a stage in the first MK game which has you fighting in front of these very same stone visages of the original roster.
7 The Only Good Spin Off
In chapter 3 of Mortal Kombat 11's story mode, players take control of the Shaolin brothers in arms; Liu Kang and Kung Lao. One is a humble chosen one and the other is a cocky descendant of a famed lineage with a chip on his shoulder. Despite their differences in personality and occasional disputes they're the best of friends.
While the name of the chapter may fly over most people's heads, "Shaolin Monks" is a reference to the only Mortal Kombat spin off game that is worth a damn: Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks for the Xbox and Playstation 2 from 2005. In that co-op action adventure, players take control of both shaolin monks as they do in this chapter to relive the events of Mortal Kombat 2.
6 Who's Head Is In The Bag?
Despite his lack of relevance to the plot of the series, Erron Black has become a fan favorite due to his high level of competitive play, cool demeanor and cowboy aesthetic. However, he might have gotten the most brownie points from fans for his apparent murder of a certain Red Dragon clan member.
Introduced in Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance, Hsu Hao holds the reputation of being the most hated MK fighter among fans and even series creator Ed Boon himself. That's probably why his severed head is the one that flows out of Black's bag when he drops it in his intro animation. Hey don't fret too much Hsu Hao fan, at least he made it into a game again!
5 Warner Bros. Corporate Synergy
The connection between Mortal Kombat and the DC Universe has always been of one of the most interesting in gaming. From a rated T for Teen crossover game that riled up MK fans to guest appearances by MK fighters in the Injustice games, Warner Bros. really flexes their corporate synergy whenever these two franchises collide.
As a cool reference to the final MK game made before the series was rebooted, Raiden and Sub-Zero remember the DC heroes in this intro:
Raiden: "I dreamt of a strange and unjust world."
Sub-Zero: "With a dark knight and a caped wonder?"
Raiden: "How could you know my dream?"
While this is more of a reference to Injustice, this also counts as a reference to Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe game on the Xbox 360 and PS3 even if fans like to forget about that game as much as possible.
4 Taven/Daegon Intro Cetrion v Cetrion Intro
The first-ever Elder God playable in a Mortal Kombat game, Cetrion is canonically one of the most powerful fighters in the franchise with her command over nature itself. But even Elder Gods need backup plans as referenced by this intro which occurs if you do a mirror match of Cetrion vs Cetrion.
Cetrion 1: "Balancing the realms is mother's will."
Cetrion 2: "Leave that work to the sons of Argus."
Cetrion 1: " Taven and Daegon had their chance."
For those who played Mortal Kombat Armageddon, those names will be familiar as they were the ones tasked with stopping Armageddon. Of course they failed miserably as if those plains worked than we would have no more Mortal Kombat games. Now that is a world we cannot live in.
3 Shao Kahn Raiden Intro About The Deadly Alliance
For all his power and resources, Shao Kahn has terrible judgment in people. Although we suppose that if you're inter-dimensional Genghis Kahn, you're not going to have morally decent people at your side. In an intro between Raiden and Shao Kahn, a reference is made to the plot of Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance:
Raiden: "Next time do not heed sorcerers."
Shao Kahn: "If Shang Tsung or Quan Chi return, I'll kill them."
Raiden: "It is your hubris that fails you Shao Kahn."
Of course in the game mentioned above, Shao Kahn was slain by the two Outworld sorcerers in the game's intro cutscene so that they may rule the realms for themselves. Kahn would return though, as he always does.
2 Erron Black's Taste In Women
Erron Black appears to be quite the ladies' man if Mortal Kombat 11 is any indication. There are several intros that allude to a past relationship or fling between himself and crimson blood witch Skarlet. But that isn't the only blood manipulator that Erron has his eyes...
Erron Black: "I stepped out with Nitara before I met you."
Skarlet: "You clearly have a type Erron."
Erron Black: "Just like living dangerously"
For those wondering who the hell Nitara is, she is a vampire from Outworld who had a prominent role in Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance as she was indirectly responsible for bringing about the return of Dragon King. Now that's living dangerously Erron.
1 Oufff... He's Not Going To Be DLC
In a franchise full of bizarre fighters, Mokap might just take the cake which is impressive considering he's just an average human being. However in a franchise full of cyborgs, sorcerers and giant insects, ordinary humans are totally out of place.
Well it seems that Mokap was put in his place by Kabal however as one of the hookswords that players can unlock for Kabal are called "Mokap Decapitators". Damn, Kabal must have hated his motion capture work.