The Mortal Kombat franchise has been a staple in the fighting game genre since its arcade debut back in 1992, with the most recent title, Mortal Kombat 11, recently releasing to a generally favorable critical reception. But it seems like the latest entry is not the only one turning heads, as the original Mortal Kombat has officially been inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

The Strong National Museum of Play, situated in Rochester, New York, is a collection-based museum that houses this Hall of Fame, and for any game to be inducted, it has to meet certain criteria. These are icon status, longevity, geographical reach, and influence, all of which are met by the original Mortal Kombat game and franchise. If nothing else, the critical success of Mortal Kombat 11 upon release speaks for this franchise, as it is constantly improving upon its established formula.

Concerning Mortal Kombat's qualifications, Digital Games Curator Andrew Borman states that “Beyond its controversial content and role in triggering debate about the role of violent video games in society, Mortal Kombat’s compelling gameplay, iconic characters, and many sequels have kept players coming back again and again." Even now, Mortal Kombat 11 continues to inspire conversation, as it has drawn criticism over its casting of Ronda Rousey as Sonya Blade.

Mortal Kombat is not the only 2019 inductee, however, as it is also joined by Colossal Cave Adventure, Microsoft Solitaire, and Super Mario Kart. Colossal Cave Adventure may not be as instantly recognizable as the others, but it debuted in the 70s as a text-based adventure game, helping usher in the world of video games. And while each of the aforementioned represents different facets of gaming, there's no doubting the reach and influence each of these titles has had.

What's next for the Mortal Kombat franchise remains to be seen, but for now, many are awaiting the rumored 19 DLC characters the game will feature. Although there is a solid confirmation that Shaggy will not be one of those characters, that hasn't stopped director Ed Boon from teasing those who want Shaggy as Mortal Kombat 11 DLC.

Mortal Kombat 11 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Source: Museum of Play