Mortal Kombat Could Be Heading In A Completely Different Direction

Each new Mortal Kombat game typically introduces something fresh, whether it’s a change to how the game plays or extra downloadable content. While surprising additions have become expected in this famously violent series, creator Ed Boon recently hinted at something that might even shock long-time fans. Though Boon is known for playfully teasing fans online, his latest idea involves a crossover with another popular fighting game and is particularly intriguing.

Ed Boon, creator of the popular Mortal Kombat series, is often asked for his opinions on other fighting games. People value his expertise and seek his thoughts on potential crossovers like Street Fighter vs. Mortal Kombat, and even how to improve games like Tekken. Recently, Boon shared his ideas on X (formerly Twitter) about how another fighting game series, similar to Mortal Kombat, could return to its classic arcade style.

Mortal Kombat’s Creator Has Asked Fans How Fighting Game Series Killer Instinct Should Return

Ed Boon recently posted a poll asking how to revive Killer Instinct, a popular fighting game from the 90s that made a comeback in 2013. The revived Killer Instinct became a hit with fighting game fans, offering innovative features like a solid free-to-play model and excellent online play thanks to rollback netcode. While Killer Instinct (2013) is a great game, it hasn’t received any updates since its 10-year anniversary patch in 2023.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting a new installment in the Killer Instinct series, and a recent post from Ed Boon suggests it might be happening. He’s been gauging player interest, asking what form a potential Killer Instinct revival should take.

  • $70 full game Xbox only
  • $70 full game all systems
  • Free to play Xbox only
  • Free to play all systems

The original Killer Instinct (2013) faced criticism for being exclusive to Xbox for a long period, eventually becoming available on Steam for PC players. A recent poll by Ed Boon showed strong fan interest in a return for the game on all platforms. Nearly 46% of over 40,000 voters favored a full $70 purchase, while almost 43% preferred a free-to-play option, demonstrating significant demand for a new installment.

Killer Instinct & Mortal Kombat Are Two Series That Share Many Similarities

Both Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct strongly evoke the feeling of the 1990s, largely because of the immersive worlds they build. The characters in both games draw heavily on popular culture and nostalgia from the time their original arcade versions were released. For instance, Killer Instinct‘s Fulgore combines elements of the Terminator and Predator, while Mortal Kombat‘s Liu Kang is clearly inspired by Bruce Lee and other martial arts icons of that era.

Although Mortal Kombat has plenty of hidden details, it’s always openly drawn inspiration from classic kung fu and martial arts films, which heavily influenced its gritty look and feel. Killer Instinct, on the other hand, pulls from a different side of pop culture, blending heavy metal, a rough urban aesthetic, and occasional sci-fi elements. Ultimately, both games share a common thread by referencing and incorporating popular culture trends.

Mortal Kombat’s Next Game May Feature A Crossover With Killer Instinct Icons

Although Ed Boon has stated his recent poll wasn’t a formal announcement, fans are buzzing with speculation that it hints at a future project. Given that Mortal Kombat often features guest characters, many believe a fighter from Killer Instinct could be a possibility. This crossover has actually been a popular request for years, particularly when Killer Instinct (2013) was gaining traction alongside the release of downloadable content for Mortal Kombat X.

As a fighting game fan, I could totally see characters like Fulgore, Jago, Tusk, or even Hisako showing up in the next Mortal Kombat after Mortal Kombat 1. Mortal Kombat is famous for bringing in guests from all sorts of places – comics, movies, you name it. So, getting someone from Killer Instinct in the game might be a long shot. But, considering how similar the histories of both series are, and how Ed Boon has been talking about Killer Instinct again lately, I think there’s a real chance we could see a character from that Xbox gem end up in the bloody arena!

Ed Boon’s recent statement definitely shows there’s still a lot of interest in a new Killer Instinct game. While it might not appear as part of Mortal Kombat, it could encourage Xbox to consider reviving this popular fighting game series, which fans have been eagerly awaiting for a while.

Would you be interested in seeing a team-up between Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct? Share your thoughts in the comments or discuss it on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-01 21:12