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Stuck In My Head: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Jeff continues to obsess over MKvDC.

E3 is over, which means I can turn my attention back to the site behind the site. But I’ve been thinking a lot about Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe all day today, so I felt I had to quickly get some info on the game out of my system. Using our development server’s built-in page editing tools, I quickly whipped up some new info on the game for what will eventually be our MKvDC page. So you don’t have to wait until next week, I figured I’d paste some of the details over here for everyone to check out…

Fighting System

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is primarily a 2D fighting game. Though players can sidestep, the sidestep is too slight to be overpowered up close, maintaining most of the usefulness of projectile attacks. The game places four numbered attack buttons on the face of the controller. On the shoulders is a block button, a sidestep button, and a button to initiate “klose kombat” sequences. Unlike the past 2D MK games, MKvDC’s fighters have varied normal moves, as opposed to assigning nearly identical normal attacks to each fighter. Special moves are performed by entering specific motions and button presses on the controller.

The game’s combo system retains many of the same concepts that MK was founded on, with plenty of juggle-friendly moves. Up close, some normal attacks can be strung together into combos, and like Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, fighters can begin combos from a jumping punch. Jumping punches and kicks will turn around the face foes who end up behind the fighter when the attack button is pressed. Double-tapping toward an enemy causes the character to begin running.

Mid-Fight Minigames

There are three different in-game systems that take the players out of the standard fighting mechanics and bring them into brief, counter-based minigames. Klose Kombat is a new fight mode that is initiated by pressing the KK button from within throw range. If it connects, the camera zooms up and the action slows a bit. The attacking player can hit any of the face buttons to perform an attack. The defending player attempts to guess which button the attacker will press. If the defender guesses correctly, the Klose Kombat mode is broken. If not, the attacker can attempt another move. This concept also applies to Freefall Kombat, which works while players fall from one level of a stage to the next. In this situation, if the defending player successfully guesses the button press, the attack is countered and the roles switch. After a few successful hits, the player in control can press a button to bust out a special mid-air attack that does extra damage and sends the victim crashing to the ground below.

The third and final in-fight system is Test Your Might, which is a concept that originated as a bonus round in the original Mortal Kombat. Here, however, it’s used to give players something to fight over while crashing through buildings horizontally on supported stages. This is basic button mashing, with the attacking player attempting to maximize the damage done while moving to the next part of the stage. The defender also mashes in an attempt to reduce damage.

Characters and Moves (Moves subject to change, move names not official)

Scorpion
Spear
Teleport Punch
Leg Grab
Can Make Fire Appear Under Opponent
Can plant his feet and set himself on fire, damaging incoming opponents
Fatality: Removes mask, breathes fire and torches opponent.

Sub-Zero
Ice Ball
Ice Block (shoots ice into air, forms an block of ice that falls on top of opponent, is unblockable)
Ice Parry (similar to ice clone, but SZ gets an ice shell that freezes opponent if touched)
Slide
Teleport

Sonya
Low Projectile (can be doubled)
Upward Bicycle Kick (can be done in air as a Downward Bicycle Kick)
Flipping Leg Grab
Stun Mist

Batman
Smoke Bomb Teleport
Batarang
Leg Grab

Flash
Kabal Run
Various Teleport Moves

Superman
Heat Vision (can be done during flight)
Ice Breath
Vacuum Breath to Uppercut
Can execute a Sindel-like hover for brief periods of time
Ground Pound (can be doubled)
Brutality: Pounds opponent’s body into the ground up to neck (but they’re still alive!)

Jeff Gerstmann on Google+

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jeff

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Edited By jeff

E3 is over, which means I can turn my attention back to the site behind the site. But I’ve been thinking a lot about Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe all day today, so I felt I had to quickly get some info on the game out of my system. Using our development server’s built-in page editing tools, I quickly whipped up some new info on the game for what will eventually be our MKvDC page. So you don’t have to wait until next week, I figured I’d paste some of the details over here for everyone to check out…

Fighting System

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is primarily a 2D fighting game. Though players can sidestep, the sidestep is too slight to be overpowered up close, maintaining most of the usefulness of projectile attacks. The game places four numbered attack buttons on the face of the controller. On the shoulders is a block button, a sidestep button, and a button to initiate “klose kombat” sequences. Unlike the past 2D MK games, MKvDC’s fighters have varied normal moves, as opposed to assigning nearly identical normal attacks to each fighter. Special moves are performed by entering specific motions and button presses on the controller.

The game’s combo system retains many of the same concepts that MK was founded on, with plenty of juggle-friendly moves. Up close, some normal attacks can be strung together into combos, and like Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, fighters can begin combos from a jumping punch. Jumping punches and kicks will turn around the face foes who end up behind the fighter when the attack button is pressed. Double-tapping toward an enemy causes the character to begin running.

Mid-Fight Minigames

There are three different in-game systems that take the players out of the standard fighting mechanics and bring them into brief, counter-based minigames. Klose Kombat is a new fight mode that is initiated by pressing the KK button from within throw range. If it connects, the camera zooms up and the action slows a bit. The attacking player can hit any of the face buttons to perform an attack. The defending player attempts to guess which button the attacker will press. If the defender guesses correctly, the Klose Kombat mode is broken. If not, the attacker can attempt another move. This concept also applies to Freefall Kombat, which works while players fall from one level of a stage to the next. In this situation, if the defending player successfully guesses the button press, the attack is countered and the roles switch. After a few successful hits, the player in control can press a button to bust out a special mid-air attack that does extra damage and sends the victim crashing to the ground below.

The third and final in-fight system is Test Your Might, which is a concept that originated as a bonus round in the original Mortal Kombat. Here, however, it’s used to give players something to fight over while crashing through buildings horizontally on supported stages. This is basic button mashing, with the attacking player attempting to maximize the damage done while moving to the next part of the stage. The defender also mashes in an attempt to reduce damage.

Characters and Moves (Moves subject to change, move names not official)

Scorpion
Spear
Teleport Punch
Leg Grab
Can Make Fire Appear Under Opponent
Can plant his feet and set himself on fire, damaging incoming opponents
Fatality: Removes mask, breathes fire and torches opponent.

Sub-Zero
Ice Ball
Ice Block (shoots ice into air, forms an block of ice that falls on top of opponent, is unblockable)
Ice Parry (similar to ice clone, but SZ gets an ice shell that freezes opponent if touched)
Slide
Teleport

Sonya
Low Projectile (can be doubled)
Upward Bicycle Kick (can be done in air as a Downward Bicycle Kick)
Flipping Leg Grab
Stun Mist

Batman
Smoke Bomb Teleport
Batarang
Leg Grab

Flash
Kabal Run
Various Teleport Moves

Superman
Heat Vision (can be done during flight)
Ice Breath
Vacuum Breath to Uppercut
Can execute a Sindel-like hover for brief periods of time
Ground Pound (can be doubled)
Brutality: Pounds opponent’s body into the ground up to neck (but they’re still alive!)

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Berkie

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Edited By Berkie

 It looks fantastic, they got the look just right. I just hope the fatalitys arent as nuetured as I think theyre gonna be.

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victorviper

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Edited By victorviper

Jeff, I think your enthusiasm is contageous, because I went from zero hype for this game to full blown anticipation.

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SarazinRuin

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Edited By SarazinRuin

I think it looks great. Im getting it for sure.

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OGCartman

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Edited By OGCartman

This is gonna be one kickass game

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Cake

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Edited By Cake

Nice to hear that it's basically a 2D fighter. Looking forward to see who else is gonna be in the game, a Joker fatality whould be awesome.

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TwoOneFive

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Edited By TwoOneFive

cool, this game looks alright, everyone seems to be hating on it on the GS forums but I think, despite the wild premise, that this game will rock. 

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KnightsofRound

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Edited By KnightsofRound

When Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was originally announced it seemed ridiculously stupid to me.  However, the more I read about this game, and the more footage I see it just looks AWESOME.  I am a huge MK fan, so I basically can't wait for this game to come out, and so far it sounds totally badass.

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Mox007

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Edited By Mox007

I was always a Street Fighter kind of guy back in the day. I never really got into the MK series. With that being said I loved Marvel Vs Capcom 2 (seems like a similar premise) and if this game is as fun as that title I will pick it up.

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dillonator

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Edited By dillonator

I will say, while the concept is ballsy, the fighting genre all but died with the extinction of the Arcade.

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Charleslegrand

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Edited By Charleslegrand

Sounds really cool and I'd love to play but I just can't afford an xbox360 right now (even though the price dropped 50$ temporarily)

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bread_or_decide

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Edited By bread_or_decide

People have to ask themselves...did I care about the last Mortal Kombat? Most of us didn't. The franchise needs something this radical, something this crazy, to get everyones attention. I'm excited to see how it turns out. Its crazy enough to work and doing another boring old MK game would've been far less interesting.

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Proximo

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Edited By Proximo

OK,   I think the game is looking amazing and the play mechanics are also fantastic.   I think this will be a fighting game for all gamers to enjoy.

Deep down inside of me, I still see a problem with the CONCEPT.    What do I mean?    Let's pretend for just a minute that the MK and DC Universe really did exist.  I know some of you do believe these altered realities are real and are looking at my post like a Cow Looking at a new fence.   But for the rest of us.  IF the MK and DC Universe did exist.   This game would be very boring.

Why you ask?

There is no way the MK Characters could stand a chance against the DC Characters.......

Come on.  Let's be real here.  (Did I just say that)     If you put Superman up against the entire MK line up.  Superman would demolish all of them without breaking a sweat.  This is true for most DC Characters.  

Besides this small inner problem I have with the Concept of this game.   I do believe it will be awesome and I am looking forward in playing it.  :-)

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Vash108

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Edited By Vash108

Its a game just for fun. I love fighting games and if it plays well, I will probably pick it up.

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MindChamber

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Edited By MindChamber

im still not convinced, all of the different levels of gameplay "KloseKombat, Freefall, etc"  seems like good ideas stuck in a fighter mechanic that has long been stale and stilted for years now.

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Hamz

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Edited By Hamz

This game looks badass, Batman looks pretty cool in it for sure!

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Edited By kennybaese

I'm thinking odds aren't good that this game is coming to the Wii... which means that I probably won't be playing it a whole lot. Unless my roommate with the PS3 picks it up, which I'm also doubting. But who knows, it might find its way onto Wii. In which case I just might pick it up. It looks cool.

Am I the only one that thinks Batman's cape needs to be a bit... bigger?

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DogRaperMcSodomy

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Edited By DogRaperMcSodomy

I know that I am not alone in thinking that this game looks like crap. The MK fanboys are pissed because the DC rules prevent it from being senselessly brutal, the DC fanboys are pissed because either their favorite characters are left out or the power levels don't match, and I'm pissed because this is so far below the level of Marvel vs Capcom that you can't even see it from MK vs DCU. Mortal Kombat has always been a crappy fighting game.

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sizu

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Edited By sizu

I would consider myself a MK fan, and a thought enters my mind.

Jeff, not sure if you will check this post again, but answer  this for another MK fan.

Did you like MK4? :)

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Edited By austintrees

having just watch the ed boon interview where the game is playing in the background, it made me think of a few things...

1) after hearing it was mk vs dcu, i wasnt upset, or giddy, i was just confused and wasnt sure what to think. but after seeing the gameplay it looks good and not a crappy evolution of the mk:da game engine like mk:d and mk:a. (while i liked all three from last gen, with each game, i played them less and less. even though mk:d's Onaga boss was in my view the best boss fight from the series)

2) its funny to see that this mk game is getting back to a more 2d game focus, especially after hearing in an interview with ed boon after the annoncement of mk vs dcu talking about how they came to making a game with dc in it, he mentioned how he loved crossovers, and how that they were in talks with capcom to make a mortal kombat vs street fighter game. that fell apart after one of the main people they were talking to at capcom left the company, so my thought was i wonder if the 2d gameplay was the focus of the mk vs sf talks that led them to create steet fighter 4 in a 3d/2d manner.

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Jared

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Edited By Jared

I must admit, at first I wasn't interested in this game at all. However, after reading the hands on previews and watching a few trailers the game looks promising. The MK series has gotten a bit stale over the years, hopefully this can put it back on the map.

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AnthraX

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Edited By AnthraX

I was a little pissed  after the announcement of MK vs DC,but have since changed my stance. It is beginning to look awesome and I hope it plays as well. I'm remaining open minded about  the outcome. I just hope it is going to be one hell of a fighting experience.

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Edited By ImperiousRix

I've been pretty excited about this game, and after watching some game footage my excitement has only grown.  It looks like a return to form, and I know some people are complaining about the whole inclusion of DC characters, but haven't they ever heard of a game called X-Men vs. Street Fighter?  How about Marvel vs. Capcom?  Superheroes + Established fighting game franchise = Deliciousness.  'Nuff said.

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angryemu

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Edited By angryemu

All I can say is Mxyzptlk versus Noob Saibot would be the best match-up ever.

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SoulTaker

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Edited By SoulTaker

I'm still a little skeptical about this game, but I'll that the wait and see approach.  

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Telecomdog

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Edited By Telecomdog

I agree, this game has a long way to go before I can really get excited.  It looks the same old MK moves with new character models.

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Batman

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Edited By Batman

Yeah, this game is definitely staying on my radar until its release.

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BrownBagga

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Edited By BrownBagga

MKvsDC will steal the show at Comic-Con 2008

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Edited By noble_art

This is an awesome idea we totally need more ideas like this.  Remember Fighters Megamix for Saturn?  You could fight as a car in that game.  I'm not saying I want to fight as the batmobile but the fighting genre has kinda fallen off.  Lets hope this game and possibly Soul Claibur IV can pump some life back in to the genre.

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galfisk

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Edited By galfisk

"There is no way the MK Characters could stand a chance against the DC Characters......."

Pfft, Sub-Zero would mop the floor with Superman. No-one can defeat a ninja!

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Repulsar

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Edited By Repulsar

The whole game looks promising but honestly, as a hardcore MK fan there are some things that dont fit in the MK universe. Gore is minimum and no real fatalities ? Anyway I  really want to see how Ed will fit the story together in this one.  High hopes for every MK game :)

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Scarabus

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Edited By Scarabus

I am neither an MK fan or care much for comics so this game does nothing for me. It looks really stiff and stale compared to other fighting games.

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Met2609

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Edited By Met2609

You guys talking about MK vs. DCU on the Bombcast actually inspired me to go get MK2 on the PSN.

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Pandemonium

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Edited By Pandemonium

When I first heard about this game, I thought the matchup was absolutely absurd and viewed the game as a definite PASS, that is, until I saw the footage at E3. When I saw just how much the game is dripping with nostalgic goodness... the characters, the environments, the moves... I went from the game being a "no way" to a "no way am I going to miss this". Sure, the combination of Mortal Kombat with DC Universe was and is still absurd, but now I realize that doesn't have to be a bad thing. And If I ever get tired of the nostalgia of playing with Scorpion or Sub Zero (if that's possible) in their own backyards again I can play as some of my favorite graphic novel superheroes. If that isn't a win-win I don't know what is.

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Edited By MrT

MK vs Dragonball qould of been super better

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deactivated-64ba519b6e291

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It's cool to see everyone enthusiasm growing as this game gets closer to release.  From the moment this trailer hit for some reason I was completely excited about this game like I've not been for years of gaming.  It's a feeling I recall getting when new Atari and NES games were released but something I've rarely felt since.   Sure I'm looking forward to Gears 2 and Fable 2... but this game makes me want to run out and buy it now.  It makes me feel like I'm 13 and saving up my paper route money for Mortal Monday again.  I'm sure it won't be the best game out this year, or probably even that month... but it is the only game to make that excitement bubble up to the surface again. 

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BashantArvel

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Edited By BashantArvel

The game looks great. I will be getting it on day one.

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ahoodedfigure

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Edited By ahoodedfigure

What's the character count so far?  Sonya, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Shang-Tsung, The Flash, Catwoman, Superman, Batman.

See, I like Raiden.  Always been a fan.  Not sure how popular he is with the rest of the MK players out there, though.  Wonder Woman?  Liu Kang?

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_Joey_

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Edited By _Joey_

how come the flash has only 2 moves???

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unihoaxer

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Edited By unihoaxer

At first it sounded terrible and I am also just tired of the Mortal Kombat thing. After the trailer I actually became excited. I want to play this game. I want to play as the Flash and run people through a bunch of walls.

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darthincredible25

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I can't wait to play, I hope one of the cyborgs are in game. Maybe Smoke or Cyrax?

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FaintDeftone

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Edited By FaintDeftone

I'm really surprised that this game is getting good buzz. Personally I thought it looked pretty awful. I guess I'll find out this fall.

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markuslui

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Edited By markuslui

the game looks great, I just hope the combat is fluent enough for people to keep on playing

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Fisco

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Edited By Fisco

I just want to rip Superman apart, that's all.

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Heil68

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Edited By Heil68

I am anxiously awaiting this game.

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Koopa_kid12

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Edited By Koopa_kid12

looks great so far

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Rually

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Edited By Rually

I was an MK fan up until MK3. Then the series went downhill for me. This looks interesting, but I have some sort of cognitive barrier accepting the DC universe meshing with them. Had the same problem with Batman vs. Predator and SUperman vs. aliens

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flyingburrito

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Edited By flyingburrito

i hope they do a marvel vs dc in the future. everybody would buy that

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Daniel

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Edited By Daniel

I know Ed Boon will be talking at Comic Con tomorrow, so hopefully he'll release the rest of the characters/locations for the game. I remembering hearing he'd let a couple more out of the bag.

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PaperMario

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Edited By PaperMario

Where's the love for Flintstones vs. Jetsons? Or Hanna-Barbera vs. Merrie Melodies? There is so much untapped potential out there.