Mortal Kombat - PlayStation Vita

The Fighter Hits The Road With More Content Than Ever

Dan Ryckert — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:00 GMT

When Ed Boon and his team at NetherRealm returned Mortal Kombat to its ultra-violent roots last year, they did so in a manner that satisfied longtime fans and newcomers alike. It combined a classic roster, fantastic gameplay, creative (and disgusting) Fatalities, and a massive amount of content to make it the most complete entry in the notorious franchise. In an impressive feat, the team has managed to cram all of that game’s content, its post-release DLC, and even more onto the Vita. Most importantly, it plays as smoothly as ever.

On home consoles, Mortal Kombat featured a lengthy, CG-filled story mode, a challenge tower with 300 stages, a krypt with hundreds of unlockables, numerous minigames, 2-on-2 tag team play, and online multiplayer. This new Vita version features all of this, but adds a 150-stage bonus challenge tower, new minigames, and a surprisingly effective touchscreen-based method of performing Fatalities (players can swipe the directional inputs on the screen, eliminating accidental jumps or strikes).

In terms of content, the bonus challenge tower is the most substantial addition to the package. Its 150 stages aren’t simple rehashes of the ones you’ve already seen, as they’ve been tailored to take advantage of the four DLC characters (Skarlet, Kenshi, Rain, and Freddy Krueger) as well as the Vita’s hardware. Early trailers featured a player wiping blood off of the screen during a match, which looked like a silly gimmick. You don’t have to worry about these admittedly gimmicky new features encroaching on the established modes, as they’re completely restricted to the occasional bonus tower appearance.

Many of these bonus stages do feel gimmicky, but most are surprisingly fun. Whether you’re flinging decapitated Sub-Zero heads at your opponent or slashing at organs in a deranged Fruit Ninja knockoff, they stay silly and entertaining throughout the tower. For every annoying new mission (such as the ones that require you to tap missiles to keep a character juggled in mid-air), there are ten fun ones waiting to be played.

Even if you never touch the bonus tower, Mortal Kombat’s core gameplay and modes (including online play) are recreated perfectly on the handheld. A little bit of detail has been lost when it comes to character models, and online play is limited to two-player (ad hoc supports four), but it remains a fantastic port. Returning fans will love the new content and touchscreen Fatalities, and first-timers will be greeted with an almost overwhelming amount of great content. This is the most complete version of Mortal Kombat available.

Mortal Kombat Vita Teased In New Live Action Trailer

Jeff Marchiafava — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:57:00 GMT

This live action trailer for the Vita version of Mortal Kombat is not so much about the game as it is women dressed in skimpy outfits.

Although the cinematic opening strikes a serious tone, things quickly devolve when Mileena takes the stage, whose costume doesn't cover much. Aside from a few pixelated shots of the actual game, there's not much violence to get upset about in the trailer. If you're disturbed by cleavage, however, you best look away.

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The PlayStation Vita version of Mortal Kombat will be available on May 1. If you want to see a trailer that actually shows off the game, watch this breakdown of the new minigames being added to the handheld version.

See Mortal Kombat's Vita-Exclusive "Klassic Skins"

Joe Juba — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:23:00 GMT

When the reboot of Mortal Kombat came out last year, it put a modern spin on many of the series' classic elements. However, if you want even more old-school homages, you can pick up the Vita version and enjoy its "klassic" skins.

The trailer below shows characters like Sub-Zero and Scorpion fighting in more traditional outfits instead of their new ninja gear. These costumes are only available on the Vita version of the game.

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Mortal Kombat Vita comes out next week, on May 1. For more video of the game in action, watch this trailer highlighting the new Vita minigames.

Mortal Kombat Vita Trailer Shows Off Minigames And Violence

Kyle Hilliard — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:48:54 GMT

The latest trailer for the Vita version of Mortal Kombat shows off finger slicing decapitations and fatalities.

You'll see the typical Mortal Kombat, um, combat, and you'll also see the minigames that take advantage of the Vita's capabilities. There's a Fruit Ninja type game, a balancing act game that seems to use the Vita's tilt mechanics, and at least one head removal via slicing your finger across the screen, among many others.

There isn't an exact release date just yet, but we should see Mortal Kombat for PlayStation Vita this Spring.

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Mortal Kombat Packing A Small But Mighty Punch

Matthew Kato — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:10:00 GMT

The PlayStation Vita launch games are out, and one title that unfortunately could not be there is Mortal Kombat. Still, you can take a look at what the game has to offer in this new trailer.

Although Mortal Kombat doesn't feature a library level, you can certainly take it there and play the game, as well as enjoy some Vita-exclusive gameplay features like using the front touchscreen. Judging by the video below, however, we bet that we'll be more impressed by how the game appears to move as fluidly as the PS3 version.

If this excites you, take a look at this previous video showing more of Mortal Kombat's gameplay.

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The PlayStation Vita Version Of Mortal Kombat Earns Its M Rating

Kyle Hilliard — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:36:51 GMT

There is no need worry that the handheld version of the historically brutal franchise (except for that one time Batman and Superman got involved) is getting scaled back.

There's still plenty of face ripping and on the fly heart surgery going on. You also get to see what the Vita versions of Kratos and Freddy Krueger look like.

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Mortal Kombat for the PlayStation Vita will be available in March of this year.

Thanks to Alex for the news tip.

[via PlayStation.Blog]