20 Games Nobody Thought Could Live Up To The Hype

Though Mortal Kombat was a powerhouse in the arcades during the '90s, the bloodsoaked IP's reputation became tainted by abysmal spin-offs, trashy ports, and bloodless crossovers. The overarching narrative became so messy, MK had little resemblance to how it started. So when publisher Midway filed for bankruptcy, the spine-ripping franchise appeared to be finished.

But the co-creator, Ed Boon, wasn't done yet. Under a new company called NetherRealm Studios, Boon and his team got to work on MK9, which served as a reboot for the original trilogy. Rather than being pure nostalgia-bait, 2011's Mortal Kombat reinvigorated the brand. The redesigned kombatants showcased vivid detail and fluid animation, making each move, fatality, and the newly introduced X-ray attacks visceral and impactful.

Plot has never been MK's strong suit, so it was inspiring to see the Story Mode flesh out every fighter, retool the lore, and make each rivalry feel palpable. Although death is normally inconsequential in Mortal Kombat, you actually care this time whether EarthRealm's champions lived or died.

Mortal Kombat has had its ups and down, but there's no question this entry was when it was at its peak.