Fatalities are what give the Mortal Kombat franchise its identity. These finishing moves have been the subject of controversy for decades, often drawing the ire of conventional media outlets for their unabashed gruesome nature. Spilling viscera, slicing limbs, and crushing skulls have remained a staple of the series despite the criticism, however. As NetherRealm Studios prepares for the release of Mortal Kombat 11 and the property’s 30th anniversary, the following are some of the best Mortal Kombat fatalities that fans have witnessed so far.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Johnny Cage’s “Here’s Johnny” (Mortal Kombat X)
Johnny Cage is one of the medium’s best comic relief characters. His “Here’s Johnny” fatality is the perfect representation of his hilariously cruel style. In it, the famous actor slaps around his opponent, digs his fists into his or her back, and carves a hole big enough for his face to fit into. The camera cuts to the front portion of the victim’s body to capture Cage as he says “Heeeere’s Johnny!” Even if one can’t stomach Mortal Kombat‘s macabre gameplay, he or she can at least appreciate NetherRealm’s great taste in horror cinema.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Noob Saibot’s “Make A Wish” (Mortal Kombat)
Noob Saibot’s “Make A Wish” fatality is grisly enough to make the creator of the property, Ed Boon, uncomfortable. The wraith summons his shadow clone for this finisher so that each may cling on to one of an opponent’s legs. The men pull away so that the enemy is gradually ripped apart in the center and his or her guts spill onto the battlefield below. When each half is nicely torn off, Noob and his clone hold up their respective trophies proudly. The “Make A Wish” fatality is a move that only Mortal Kombat is able to get away with. Its inclusion in other franchises would have drawn significant controversy.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Quan Chi’s “Leg Beatdown” (Mortal Kombat 4)
What better way is there to defeat an opponent than with his or her own body parts? In “Leg Beatdown,” the necromancer Quan Chi severs an appendage off his victim and beats them down to a bloody pulp. He doesn’t stop until players exit away from the fatality screen. In subsequent Mortal Kombat entries, this finisher evolves to have the sorcerer crush his opponent’s skull first. While Quan Chi’s execution method isn’t sophisticated, it is resourceful.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Cassie Cage’s “Selfie” (Mortal Kombat X)
Cassie Cage’s “Selfie” fatality is the perfect finisher for the modern age. It begins when Cassie breaks her foe’s jaw off with her nightstick. The special forces sergeant then hoists the cadaver up and takes a picture with her smartphone. She uploads it to a fictional social media website called “Friendships,” where users can be seen commenting on Cassie’s recent accomplishment or damning her for defeating another agent of evil. The audiences are different with every foe, enticing players to use the character against every other Mortal Kombat X fighter just to see what the reactions are. It’s all about the attention.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Liu Kang’s “The Beast Within” (Mortal Kombat)
“The Beast Within” is one of Mortal Kombat‘s most iconic fatalities, as it has Liu Kang transform into a dragon that’s reminiscent of the franchise’s logo. After transforming into the winged serpent, Kang breathes fire and chomps down on his opponent. He deftly rips his or her torso off and swallows it down before returning to his human form and bowing. The move has varied throughout the series, as sometimes the dragon scorches his foes or thrashes them about with his fangs. The best version can be found in 2011’s Mortal Kombat, however, as one can’t help but wonder what Kang’s diet normally consists of.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Mileena’s “Tasty Treat” (Mortal Kombat X)
Mileena’s signature fatality reminds fans of the clone’s merciless personality. “Tasty Treat” has the clone leap onto her opponent and feverishly claw at his or her abdomen, revealing the mess of intestines and bodily fluids inside. As Mileena feeds on the innards, the victim’s torso attempts to crawl away but dies only inches into the escape. While the sai-wielder’s visceral finisher isn’t surprising, the fact that her foes try to save themselves is laughably pathetic.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Sub-Zero’s “Have An Ice Day” (Mortal Kombat)
Like his brother Noob Saibot, Sub-Zero takes great pride in his victories. “Have An Ice Day” has the mascot freeze opponents from their feet up to their waists. As they struggle to remove themselves from the block of ice, Sub-Zero coolly walks over and lifts their torsos away from the rest of the bodies. Blood and guts splay the floor as the cryomancer proudly shows off his newest trophy. Apparently, traditions like these run in the family.
Best Mortal Kombat Fatalities | Johnny Cage’s “Head’s Up!” (Mortal Kombat)
People who’ve always wanted to punch someone’s face off can finally do so with Johnny Cage’s “Head’s Up!” fatality. As its name suggests, Cage delivers an uppercut so powerful that it rockets a foe’s skull straight up into the air. As the head tumbles back down to Earth, the star proceeds to rip off his opponent’s torso. He slams it into the ground, catches the cranium, and looks into the camera with the spoils of his latest success.
Mortal Kombat 11 (Amazon Link) promises to introduce more devastating fatalities when it releases on April 23 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Baraka’s “Food For Thought,” for instance, has the Tarkata remove the front portion of his opponent’s face off to reveal their brain. As he or she falls to the floor, he skewers the cerebrum and takes a bite. Kabal’s “Road Rash” is also worth looking out for, as the Black Dragon member manages to slice an enemy’s entire body in half with his incredible speed. There’ll likely be many more fatalities for players to fall in love in this newest Mortal Kombat entry. No matter what features the franchise adds in the future, it’s a given that it’ll always include satisfying ways to massacre an opponent.
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