Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a decent arcade fighting game, but has its flaws. The limited content and fighter line-up adds up to the absence of gore and violence, which is really a shame. The game still retains the Mortal Kombat-feel though, and the cast of DC-heroes is a nice bonus. The one-on-one multiplayer-rounds are fun enough for fans to consider purchasing Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

It's a great-looking HD debut for the series, and although the Story mode is cheesy, it's a good vehicle for players to test out their favorite combatants.

It contains its fair share of flaws, not the least of which are some gameplay unbalances and curious lack of interesting unlockable content. But if you’re looking for silly, lighthearted fun to kill a few hours with friends over a few laughs, you could certainly do a lot worse than Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

We had a blast playing the game here in the office, with almost everyone gathering to watch. But it is an inferior fighting game, no matter how oddly compelling it is to see two sets of fictional characters clash in such improbable circumstances.

While it won't satisfy technical fight-fiends, it's definitely a sterling lounge room fixture for a crowded night in of mashing each other into opposing franchise paste. [Summer 2009, p.68]

It's not going to be winning any Game of the Year awards, but it is good fun and a good sign that the Mortal Kombat series might finally be on its way back to figuring out what made it so great to start with… just with less blood this time, but hey, there's always the next game right?

The problem is, it's all a tiny bit unbalanced. [Christmas 2008, p.102]

It’s good to see that new life, by means of bizarre franchise combination, can be breathed into a nearly dead game series.

This game won’t take you hours to complete but you will come back for more. It’s a game that’s worthy of renting at least once, but if pounding high and mighty superheroes into the ground appeals to you, then this is one for your collection.

Typical Midway, in as far as there’s a few hours of absolute bliss here, before the taste goes completely and you’re left chewing cud. Rent with our blessing, but purchase only if you’re immune to buyer’s remorse.

Technical glitches aside, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a fun diversion in this dream-match crossover.

I just wish the game's signature (and somewhat watered-down -- go Teen rating!) Fatalities ("Heroic Brutalities" for the politically correct DC heroes) appeared in each character's move lists, as I'd rather not look up a button combination every time I want to shoot my opponent in the face or drop a Mortal Kombat arcade cabinet on his head. You know, the important stuff.

The game has some refreshing ideas, and if you can look past these issues, you may find some fun in Midway's latest romp.

It’s good facile fun, but we feel, with a little more depth and tweaking of movesets, something greater could have been achieved. [Christmas 2008, p.122]

Unless you are a MK fanboy (and I mean so die hard that you don't care if the game is the same old song and dance) or a DC fanboy who wants to see where the writers take their beloved superheroes, then this game is a rental at best. Hell I'm a fan of both, although not die hard for either brand, and I still couldn't find myself very interested in the final result.

The biggest problem for Mortal Kombat vs. the DC Universe is that it’s just meh (Yes, it's now a word, so I get to use it). You will neither love it nor hate it. Instead you will find yourself in a fighting game limbo where you feel kompelled to keep playing because you love one of the respective franchises, or you’ll just play for a while until a sense of disappointment and betrayal sets in.