IT HAS BEGUN — speculation for the second batch of downloadable content for Mortal Kombat 1, that is!
MK1 is the latest entry into the controversial and beloved fighting game franchise from developer NetherRealm Studios and publisher WB Games.
With the first six DLC fighters already known and included in Kombat Pack 1 with the game’s Premium Edition, here’s our wishlist for post-launch guest characters we would love to play as in Mortal Kombat 1 for a Kombat Pack 2.
ASH WILLIAMS
We were so close to seeing Ash Williams from Evil Dead enter the bloody fighting arena of MK in Mortal Kombat 11, but sadly, NetherRealm Studios couldn’t finalize a deal with the actor behind the iconic character, Bruce Campbell.
In an interview with AV Club back in April, Campbell stated that he wanted other horror characters to appear in Evil Dead games instead of the other way around.
Ash has previously appeared as a playable character in other games like Dead By Daylight and Fortnite. Many believed he was already set to appear in MK11 thanks to leaked intro dialogue and reference to his trusty chainsaw in the trailer for the first round of DLC.
We can only hope that Bruce changes his tune after the release of Mortal Kombat 1. I mean, hey, if NetherRealm can get Jean Claude Van Damme to appear in MK1 after 30 years of the series, then anything is possible.
HARLEY QUINN
Ever since Margot Robbie’s memorable portrayal of the clown princess of crime in the DC film universe, Harley Quinn has been one of the most popular comic book characters. It would be fitting for her to appear in Mortal Kombat 1 since her male counterpart, The Joker, was a guest in MK11.
NetherRealm Studios have worked on Harley gameplay before thanks to her appearing in both of the Injustice games. Those titles may have been rated T for Teen, but as of late, Ms. Quinn has been the star of her own hyper-violent animated series streaming on Max. Crushing skulls and busting kneecaps are like breathing to this lovable psychopath - a prerequisite for a worthy guest of Mortal Kombat.
Fellow DC character Peacemaker is already set to appear as DLC, both of whom were hilarious in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. We can only imagine the comedic banter those two could come up with if they were to face off.
DOOM SLAYER
The protagonist of the DOOM series is no stranger to blood and gore. A strong, silent-type who was born to kill, Doomguy will leave opponent's speechless themselves when he stoically blasts them to smithereens with his arsenal of insane weapons like the famous BFG.
Doom Slayer is rumored to be in the second Kombat Pack of DLC characters, along with previously mentioned Harley Quinn, so our fingers are extra crossed that the rumor ends up being true and that our dreams won’t be DOOM-ed.
DEADPOOL
This one might be a bit tough, not because his healing factor essentially won’t let him die — which would make doing a fatality on him pretty pointless — but because he is a Marvel character and Mortal Kombat is published by Warner Bros. a.k.a. the parent company of comic book rival, DC.
Let’s pretend we live in a perfect world where big companies don’t care about licensing rights. Deadpool could have some of the most over-the-top fatalities. He could chop up the opponent with his katanas, shove a duffle bag worth of grenades in their wounds, and then blow them away with some giant laser cannon that he miraculously pulled out of his back pocket. If that happens, I could die happy.
SHREDDER
It’s a coin toss whether Shredder would be a better guest in Mortal Kombat or Injustice because he could easily fit right in in both universes. A classic supervillain whose ego could rival that of Shao Kahn’s, Shredder could really live up to his name and absolutely eviscerate whoever would dare go toe to toe with him.
NetherRealm did an amazing job designing the gameplay for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Injustice 2, so the trust from the franchise is there.
They basically modeled Sub-Zero’s look in Mortal Kombat: Deception after Shredder, and revamped it in MK11, so the assets for it are ready to go. All this points towards Shredder being an excellent addition to the roster.
JUDGE DREDD
The first Kombat Pack of DLC characters has a theme for its guest characters: dark superheroes. Who better to keep them in line than Judge Dredd? He IS the law!
The gear system implemented in Mortal Kombat 1 would let players choose their Dredd of choice, whether it’s the Stallone version or the modern Karl Urban design. Judge Dredd hasn’t been in a video game since 2012, but it was a mobile game, so it’s about time for a Dredd-issance.
MASTER CHIEF
Back in 2011 when the Mortal Kombat franchise was rebooted (the first time), that entry featured Kratos from the God of War series who was exclusive to PlayStation 3. In the present day of gaming, a game as enormously popular as Mortal Kombat would likely avoid this route of additional content, especially with how many gamers favour PlayStation over Xbox these days.
Then again, who expected to see Omni-Man and Homelander on the DLC road map? They certainly weren’t on my MK Bingo card.
Master Chief from Halo is an Xbox exclusive character, but that shouldn’t lessen his chances of showing up as an extra fighter. He has already appeared as a skin in Fortnite, which can be played across several different platforms.
Of all studios, NetherRealm is a great candidate to make it happen as they often deliver quality content for their games. Chief’s been toned down in recent years, so if he got blood all over that Spartan armor again, Xbox fans everywhere would rejoice.
Xbox gamers can bolster their gaming setup with our Xbox Accessory Collection for Xbox Series X | S.
JOHN WICK
People keep asking if John Wick would be a good guest character in Mortal Kombat 1 and I haven’t really had an answer, but yeah, I’m thinking John Wick would be a great guest character!
Keanu Reeves has made John Wick a household name. A hitman who knows at least a half dozen different fighting styles and is deadly with all types of firearms; I’m surprised John Wick isn’t already a Mortal Kombat character. He even killed three guys in a bar with a pencil. A pencil!
With the power of WB in their corner, the developers were lucky enough to get the likenesses and voices of JK Simmons and John Cena for Omni-Man and Peacemaker, respectively. Last game featured Peter Weller as Robocop, Sylvester Stallone as Rambo, and some of the original cast of the Mortal Kombat movie were brought in to reprise their legendary roles.
All this to say that NetherRealm should have no problem landing Keanu’s face and voice in MK1.
LARA CROFT
Lara Croft is arguably one of the most iconic female characters in the history of video games. The earlier Tomb Raider games were more tame for gameplay that featured a woman in a tank top and cargo shorts shooting twin pistols at wild animals and ancient monsters. Her recent entries, however, have been a lot more visceral and violent.
Typically the leading lady, Lara hasn’t had very many guest appearances; however, she can currently be played in Call of Duty: Warzone as an additional Operator.
It seems like this is the year for her to put up her dukes against the likes of Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Kitana. With the absence from the main roster of franchise mainstay Sonya Blade, Mortal Kombat 1 has an open spot for a badass, gun-toting femme fatale.
FINAL WORDS
From movies to comics to video games, there are a plethora of characters that could square off against the diverse cast of Mortal Kombat 1.
NetherRealm Studios likes to pull off surprises with their add-ons. They really know how to get fans like us excited for the future of MK.
Who do you want to see added to MK1’s DLC roster? Sound off in the comments! Be sure to check out the New Release section of the Glistco Shop for all the latest in gaming accessories.
