Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a video game that consists of 9 releases

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Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe successfully merges the two worlds while also delivering a great new fighting system for the current generation of consoles.

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The Mortal Kombat and DC Comics universe's collide in Midway's first cross-over Mortal Kombat game developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Overview

Officially released on November 16, 2008 in North America, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a significant departure for Midway's long-running Mortal Kombat series. The game is a crossover between a selection of Mortal Kombat fighters and characters from the world of DC Comics. The game initially announced in April 2008 at Midway's annual press event in Las Vegas. Ed Boon, the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series, was on-hand to give the initial details and show a brief teaser trailer.

At the time of the game's announcement, only four characters were confirmed as appearing in the game. Scorpion and Sub-Zero represented the game's Mortal Kombat side. Superman and Batman were the first two confirmed DC characters. Since that time, the full roster was released via press releases and updating showings of the game at trade shows for both the game and the comic industries. The game's backgrounds will cover a variety of famous MK and DC locations.

The story that justifies the tying together of these two groups involves the merging of universes. The chaos that ensues with the DC version of Earth begins coming together with MK's Earthrealm serves as the backdrop for the game. The fighters become infected with "kombat rage," a state in which the urge to battle overtakes their entire body. This is what the game uses to justify situations where "good" characters fight amongst themselves.

This is the first Mortal Kombat game to be developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and it is using Unreal Engine 3, also a first for the MK series. Along with the new engine, the game's fighting is being rebuilt, moving away from the multiple unarmed and weapon-based fighting styles found in the previous few games.

Due to the game's crossover with DC Comics, and the wider potential audience that brings, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will be built with a T for Teen rating in mind. This means that the grisly fatalities that have become something of a calling card for the MK series won't be present in MK vs. DC. The game will, however, still have finishing moves of some sort, and Midway has stated that it intends to push this game right up to the line that separates the ESRB's T rating from its M for Mature rating. The European release of the game will show slightly more violence due to the availability of a "15" rating, as opposed to the implied age of 13 in the US.

Gameplay

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is primarily a 2D fighting game. Though players can sidestep, the sidestep is too slight to be very useful 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, a regular throw, and a button to initiate "klose kombat" sequences. Unlike the past 2D MK games, MK vs. DC'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.

Generally speaking, the top two attack buttons are primarily used for punches, while the bottom two are usually kicks. This varies by character and by combo. This varies from the classic Mortal Kombat setup, which put high and low punches on the left side of the controls and kicks on the right.

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.

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.

Fatalities

With the exception of story mode, finishing moves can be performed by the winner of a fight during a brief window before the match ends. To help differentiate between the "good" DC characters that wouldn't normally kill their opponents, some characters have "heroic brutalities" instead of fatalities. The end result is roughly the same, as both types of finishers trigger flashy animations that result in the definitive defeat of the enemy. Each character has two finishing moves.

Roster

Counting the two unlockable characters that are attained by completing each side of the story mode, there appear to be 22 characters in the game, 11 per side. The Mortal Kombat side of the roster has been described as a "greatest hits" roster, consisting entirely of characters who debuted in Mortal Kombat or Mortal Kombat II.

The DC side of the roster pulls from a few different places, including obvious choices like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, as well as less-popular characters like Deathstroke and Captain Marvel.

Midway has not ruled out the possibility of releasing downloadable characters as premium post-release content, but hasn't come out and announced characters, either.

Moves List

BARAKA Moves & Fatalities

Sharp Spark - D, B 1 (hold 1 for delay)

Scrape Kick - F, F 2

Chop Chop Blades - B, B 3

Blade Cyclone - D, F 4

Fatality 1 - B, F, D, F, 1

Fatality 2 - F, F, D, D, 3

BATMAN Moves & Fatalites

Smoke Capsule - D, B 2
Batarang - D, F 1 (Also in air)
Leaping Shadow Kick - D, F 4
Leg Take Down - D, B 4
Sneaky Batarang - D, B 1
Dark Absorbtion - B, B 2 (Projectile Resistance)
Smoke Escape - D, B 3

Heroic Brutality 1 - D, B, F, F, 4
Heroic Brutality 2 - D, D, D, U, 3

CAPTAIN MARVEL Moves & Fatalities

Solomon Escape - D, B 4
Strength of Hercules - B, F 2
Atlas Clap - D, B 2
Power of Zeus - D, B 1
Achilles Bolt - D, B 3
Mercury Bear Hug - B, F 4

Heroic Brutality 1 - D, F, B, F, 1
Heroic Brutality 2 - D, B, D, F, 2

CATWOMAN Moves & Fatalities

Whip Sting - D, B 1 (Also in air)
Lasso Grip - B, F 2
Kitty Surprise - B, F 3
Raging Cat - B, F 4
Somersaulting Fever - D, F 3
Nine Lives - D, B 4 (Projectile Resistance)

Fatality 1 - D, B, D, F, 2
Fatality 2 - F, B, F, B, 4

DEATHSTROKE Moves & Fatalities

Close Flash Bomb - D, D 3
Far Flash Bomb - D, D 4
Pistol Shot - B, F 1
Lunging Stab - B, F 2
Stomach Stab - D, F 1

Fatality 1 - F, F, D, F, 2
Fatality 2 - F, D, B, F, 3

THE FLASH Moves & Fatalities

Fast Escape - D, B 3
Super Uppercut - D, B 2
Teleport Uppercut - D, B 4
Around The World - B, F 4
Flurry Punch - B, F 2
Teleport Flurry - D, B 1

Heroic Brutality 1 - B, B, F, F, 4
Heroic Brutality 2 - D, F, D, B, D, F, 3

GREEN LANTERN Moves & Fatalites

Summoned Hand Grip - D, B 1
Justice Grip - D, F 3
Strength of Will - D, B 2
Judgement Hammer - B, B 3
Wall Barrier - B, F 4

Heroic Brutality 1 - F, B, D, B, 3
Heroic Brutality 2 - B, F, D, D, 4

JAX Moves & Fatalities

Gun Runner - B, B 1
Power Fist - D, B 2 (Hit 1 or 3 after the punch for an extra hit)
Blinding Light - D, B 1
Rocket Blast - D, B 3
Double Rocket Blast - D, B 3, D, B 4
Gotcha Grab - F, F 2 (Tap 2 for extra hits)
Ground Pound - D, D 4

Fatality 1 - B, F, F, B, 2
Fatality 2 - F, F, B, B, 3

THE JOKER Moves & Fatalities

Joker’s Wild - D, B 2
Bombs Away - F, F 4
Bombs Away Close - F, F 2
Bombs Away Medium - F, F 3
Put It There Pal - D, B 1
Sinister Heels - B, F 4
Funnyman - B, D, F 3
Magic Trick - D, B 4
After Magic Trick:
1) Surprise Pistol Whip - 1
2) Surprise Bomb - 2
3) Surprise Stomp - 3
4) Surprise Slide - 4

Fatality 1 - F, B, F, 1
Fatality 2 - B, D, B, F, 2

KANO Moves & Fatalities
Kano Ball - B, F 4
Kano Up Ball - D, F 2
Brutal Throw - D, F 1
Knife Toss - D, B 1
Parry - D, B 2
Eye Laser - B, B 1

Fatality 1 - B, D, B, F, 1
Fatality 2 - D, D, F, B, 4

KITANA Moves & Fatalities

Bladed Fans - F, F 1 (Also in air)
Square Wave Punch - D, B 2
Rolling Fury - D, F 4
Mystical Teleportation - D, B 1 (Also in air)
Fan Lift - B, B 1
Razor’s Tip - D, F 2

Fatality 1 - B, B, F, 1
Fatality 2 - F, D, D, B, 3

LEX LUTHOR Moves & Fatalities

Target Practice - D, B 1
Powered Palms - D, F 2
Lexcorp Rocket - D, B 3 (Also in air)
Hot Flames - B, F 3
Evasive Manuever - D, B 4
Rocket Boots - B, F 4

Fatality 1 - D, F, D, B, 2
Fatality 2 - U, U, U, 1

LIU KANG Moves & Fatalities

High Dragon Fire - F, F 1 (Also in air)
Low Dragon Fire - F, F 3
Flying Dragon Kick - F, F 2
Bicycle Kick - B, B, F 4
Dragon’s Tail - D, B 4
After Dragon’s Tail:
1) Spinning Backfist - 1
2) Uppercut - 2 (Sets up juggle)
3) Zen Trip - 3
4) Shaolin Spirit - 4

Fatality 1 - F, B, D, D, 3
Fatality 2 - D, D, F, D, 4

RAIDEN Moves & Fatalities

Vicinity Blast - D, B 2 (Hold 2 to lengthen attack)
Lightning Bolt - D, B 1
Projectile Cancel - D, F (Cancels Vicinity Blast & Lighting Bolt)
Energy Teleport - D, B 3
Lightning Shock - F, F 2
The Superman - F, F 4 (Also in air)

Fatality 1 - D, F, D, U, 2
Fatality 2 - B, F, F, D, 4

SCORPION Moves & Fatalities

Spear - B, B 1
Fiery Teleport - D, B 3 (Also in air)
Inner Flames - D, D 2 (Hold 2 for longer flame)
Hell Fire - D, B 2
Hellish Slide - D, B 4

Fatality 1 - D, D, D, 4
Fatality 2 - F, F, B, D, 3

SHANG TSUNG Moves & Fatalities

Skull Fire - B, B 2
Sky Fire - D, B 2
Slide Launch - D, F 4
Soul Steal - D, B 3
Hot Escape - D, B 4
Body Switch - D, B, F 1

Fatality 1 - B, D, F, 3
Fatality 2 - D, D, F, F, 3

SONYA Moves & Fatalities

Ring of Doom - D, F 1 (Can do twice)
Deadly Kiss - D, B 1
Leg Grab - B, F 4
Bicycle Kick - D, B 4 (Also in air)
Kartwheel Flip - D, F 3
Square Wave Punch - D, B 2

Fatality 1 - D, D, B, F, 1
Fatality 2 - D, B, F, F, 4

SUB-ZERO Moves & Fatalities

Icy Counter - D, B 1
Ice Nugget - D, B 2 (Unblockable)
Icy Freeze - D, F 3
Tombstone Teleport - D, B 3
Cold Slide - B 3 4

Fatality 1 - B, B, D, B, 4
Fatality 2 - B, F, D, F, 2

SUPERMAN Moves & Fatalities

Heat Vision - B, B 1 (Also in air, Can be done 1 times)
Inhale Capture - D, B 2
Soaring Knockout - D, F 2
Ice Breath - D, F 3
Ground Tremor - D, D 4
Shoulder Charge - F, F 4
Up, Up and Away - D, B 3
After Up, Up and Away:
1) Hover Heat Vision Close - 1
2) Hover Heat Vision Far - 2
3) Ground Tremor - 3 or 4

Heroic Brutality 1 - D, D, F, F, 1
Heroic Brutality 2 - F, F, D, B, 4

WONDER WOMAN Moves & Fatalities

Wonderous Spin - D, B 4 (Also in air)
Divine Princess - D, F 2
Splits Grab - D, F 3
Gotcha Girl - F, F 4
Handstand Burst - D, B 3
Lasso Grab - B, F 1

Heroic Brutality 1 - U, B, D, F, 1
Heroic Brutality 2 - F, B, B, F, 4

The Future

Midway's financial state notwithstanding, there is a stated desire from Midway reps to continue making Mortal Kombat games past this one, but whether the next game would be a sequel that also contains DC characters or a new game that returns the series to its M-rated roots is unknown at this time.

Xbox 360 Game Installation

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe requires 6.4GB of space to install on an Xbox 360 HDD.

General Information Edit

Game Name	Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Platform(s)	Xbox 360 PlayStation 3
Publisher(s)	Midway Games
Developer(s)	Midway Chicago
Genres	Add a new genre Fighting
Themes	Add a new theme Martial Arts Superhero
Original US Release	Nov. 16, 2008 need a fuzzy date?
Original US Release	know the real date?
Aliases	MKvDC MKvsDC MK vs DC MK vs. DCU MK vs. DC Universe Mortal Kombat 8

Trivia

Which of these characters is NOT appearing in the soon to be released MK vs DC universe game?

Scorpion
Captain Marvel
Darkseid
Jax
Martian Manhunter

User Reviews

Platform	User Reviews	Avg. Score
All Reviews	8 reviews
Xbox 360	6 reviews
PlayStation 3	2 reviews
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Associated News

New Releases: Nov 10 - Nov 16!
More games. The hits keep coming as we roll into the middle of November. Act now!

Mortal Kombat A Little Less Teen-Friendly In Europe?
Reports out of the UK claim that the DC Universe might be a little rougher overseas.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe: Story, Kombos, and More
Midway swings through with a nearly complete version of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, and we take a look at its various modes.

A Vote For Baraka Is A Vote For Stabbing Dudes With Arm Blades
I'm taking this as a clear reminder to vote early and vote often.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Achievement Leak Reveals Possible Full Roster
Achievements for a pre-release version of MKvDC have turned up on xbox.com.

Your Early Morning Germany Wrap-Up
Not in Germany? Hey, neither are we! But here's what's been happening over there while you slept.

Stuck In My Head: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Jeff continues to obsess over MKvDC.

New MKvDC Trailer
Apparently Jeff enjoys Mortal Kombat. Who knew?

Videos

	Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Review Jeff tests the might of the latest entry in the Mortal Kombat franchise.
	MKvDC Ultimate Mash-Ups Psssst...hey funny lady...I think your zipper might be broken.
	MKvDC Rage! Those glowy eyes aren't just for looks anymore!
	MKvDC Finishing Moves Here's what everybody wants to see! Well, a short bit of it...
	Ed Boon on Mortal Kombat vs. DC The co-creator of MK joins us in the basement for a chat about Mortal Kombat vs. DC.