10 Pre-Internet Video Game Secrets Everyone Fell For

Mortal Kombat earned its place in history, not just for its gratuitous violence but for popularising gaming secrets and hidden characters. Although Reptile was the only secret opponent in the original, there was speculation surrounding another alleged kombatant.

How did this theory come to be? Well, the audit menu had a listing called ERMACS designed to find code errors. Unaware of what the message meant, players assumed it referred to an unseen fighter called Ermac.

But it didn't stop there. When Mortal Kombat II was released, it was falsely reported that of a female fighter called Skarlet would appear under specific circumstances. There was also a rumour that every kombatant could perform an animal-based finishing move called an Animality.

But that's not all. In The Pit arena, two men can be seen in the distance, referred to as Hornbuckle and Blaze by the gaming community. Even though these fighters merely served as a background decoration, many believed there was a way to face them in battle.

Though there was no truth to these claims at first, Skarlet, Ermac, Blaze, and Animalities were implemented into later instalments. 

Sadly, no word about Hornbuckle being added to the roster. Yet.