An Unlikely Crossover That Eventually Led to Injustice Happened on This Day 17 Years Ago

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A surprising team-up between the DC Universe and Mortal Kombat 17 years ago actually helped both franchises become much more successful. Like any series that’s been around for a long time, both DC and Mortal Kombat have had their peaks and valleys. When Mortal Kombat was struggling, they decided to try a crossover with the DC Universe, and it turned out to be a great move.

The combination of Mortal Kombat‘s brutal fighting with the superhero world of DC seemed strange at first, like peanut butter and chocolate. But surprisingly, it worked incredibly well! This success not only boosted both game series but also established NetherRealms as a leading developer. This is the story of how Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe paved the way for the current popularity of Mortal Kombat and even sparked the creation of one of DC’s most popular spin-off titles.

How Superman Met Scorpion

The game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe uniquely combined characters from both franchises, ultimately paving the way for the popular Injustice: Gods Among Us series. It was the last Mortal Kombat game created by Midway Games before the company closed, and its more cinematic style impressed DC Comics and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

Following an agreement between Midway and DC, the game evolved into a crossover featuring characters from Mortal Kombat and the DC Universe. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe centers around Shao Khan and Darkseid—after both villains are defeated simultaneously in their own worlds, they unexpectedly combine into a single, powerful enemy. This fusion threatens both universes, forcing Raiden’s warriors and the Justice League to team up and fight for their survival.

The story mode in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was remarkably detailed for its time, featuring extensive animated cutscenes and a lengthy, engaging plot. The game was a commercial and critical success, proving to Warner Bros. Interactive that investing in the Mortal Kombat series was worthwhile and leading to the development of future installments. Its two key features – a grittier take on DC superheroes and a cinematic story woven into the fighting gameplay – significantly impacted both the Mortal Kombat and DC universes.

The Rise Of Dark Kahn

Building on the success of Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe, Midway Games was revived as NeverSoft Studios and started creating new fighting games for both franchises. Ed Boon, the creator of Mortal Kombat and NeverSoft’s Creative Director, emphasized the story-focused aspects of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, which led to the 2011 reboot of Mortal Kombat. This reboot prioritized a more cinematic and narrative-driven experience, establishing a trend of significant franchise revamps and paving the way for games like Mortal Kombat 1 to further emphasize cinematic storytelling.

2013 brought Injustice: Gods Among Us, which rapidly became a landmark DC video game. Building on the DC Universe’s dramatic storylines and powerful characters, Injustice combined the gameplay of Mortal Kombat with a darker, more narrative-driven approach, similar to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. While keeping the core fighting game elements, Injustice traded excessive gore for spectacular special moves that better suited its superhero setting.

The story mode in Injustice built upon the foundation laid by Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, realizing Ed Boon’s vision for a fighting game with a strong narrative focus. While developing Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Boon had to strongly advocate for a fully developed cinematic story mode. As director of Injustice, however, he was able to make the storyline a key feature. The game’s original story – a DC Universe facing a dark new reality where Superman, after killing the Joker, becomes a controlling dictator – offered a compelling take on the potential for darkness in superheroes, anticipating similar themes explored later in shows like Invincible and The Boys.

Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe Changed Both Franchises

Though it might seem different from other games in their histories, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe still has a lasting influence on both the Mortal Kombat and DC franchises. The game encouraged Mortal Kombat to focus more on storytelling, moving it beyond a simple fighting game format. Since then, Mortal Kombat has expanded its universe with a complex multiverse and has seen a resurgence in live-action and animated movies and shows.

The game Injustice: Gods Among Us was a huge hit for DC, creating a popular universe that has grown significantly. It led to several spin-off games for mobile and arcades, as well as a direct sequel, Injustice 2. The story has also been continued through a series of comics and an animated movie.

The Injustice series has connected with the main DC Comics universe, presenting a darker, Mortal Kombat-inspired take on familiar characters. Along with the Arkham games, Injustice has been key to DC’s growth in gaming, proving that superheroes could thrive in this medium. This success wouldn’t have been possible without the unexpected hit, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, which paved the way 17 years ago.

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2025-11-16 19:41