Moment pages are Spoilers Off by default, so all spoilers were removed and all examples folderized. Proceed with caution. Also Moment pages admit no Meta moments. You Have Been Warned.
Violence may abound in the New Era of our Lord Liu Kang. But that doesn't mean you can't have a chuckle now and then.
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Gameplay
- For the first time in Mortal Kombat history, there are now on-demand taunt inputs… or rather, an anti-"teabagging" measure
where if you rapidly crouch four times in a row, you lock your character into an idling animation, leaving you open to getting wailed on by your opponent if you're still in combat. Pulling up the move list shows that it even includes "down-down-down-down" as a "Taunt" input.Note - As expected, Johnny Cage provides a lot of this.
- As seen in all the pre-release material so far, kharacters have two pre-battle poses, based on who chose their fighter first (for practicality reasons, we'll call them "defensive" and "attacking" poses). Johnny's defensive pose has him replacing his broken sunglasses with a new set; however, he uses his middle finger to properly set them. Meanwhile, his attacking pose has him looking for something, only for him to output an imaginary bird-flipping hand-crank, complete with sound effects and all.
- His taunts have him gesturing to the audience, either cheering for him or booing at his opponent. In some cases, you can hear a woman shout "Finish me, Johnny!"
- Filling up his aptly named "Hype Meter" causes a spotlight to follow him until the meter is depleted. It will still follow him even if he is being comboed by his opponent for a majority of the meter's duration.
- He still uses his iconic nut punch, and his low blow. In the Gameplay Announcement trailer, after he hits a nut punch on Kenshi, said attack causes the music to suddenly halt.
- The Roomba in his mansion may come into the foreground and sweep up a bit of the blood being spilled. It's even possible to knock the Roomba around during a fight.
- The Johnny Cage announcer option from MK11 returns full force here, and he's just as willing to be irreverent and unprofessional as ever.[Selecting Rain]: H-2-Bro!
[Selecting Kenshi]: Best friend!
[Selecting Shang Tsung]: (Groan) Not him again./Why him?!
[Selecting Shao]: Muscle Beach./Soldier Boy.
[Selecting Raiden]: Kidd Thunder./Oops, I shouldn'ta touched that!
[Selecting Scorpion]: Shirai Ry-who? Shirai Ry-YOU.
[Selecting Havik]: Hav...ick.
[Selecting himself]: He's single!/Captain of Zero Fucks.
[Selecting Kung Lao]: Sharp-Dressed Man.
[Selecting Nitara]: Hot wings.
[Selecting Peacemaker]: And they call me inappropriate.
[Selecting Kano]: (With a mock-Aussie accent) Ay, you drongo!
[Selecting Goro]: (Whispering) Sheeva is cooler./Still waiting for those shades.
[Selecting Motaro]: That's it, I'm out./My Neighbor Motaro.
[Selecting Darrius]: I want shades like that!
[Selecting Sareena]: Why are demons so hot?!
[Selecting Sektor]: Ketchup.
[Selecting Cyrax]: Mustard.
[Selecting Sonya]: Someday, Lieutenant Blade./Let me just say, damn.
[Selecting Jax]: Arms of steel.
[Selecting Frost]: Frosty the Snow Chick.
[Selecting Janet]: Did it just get hot in here?
- As is tradition, Fatalities turned up the gruesomeness in this installment, however, some of them are really worth a chuckle:
- In a twisted way, Kameo!Scorpion's "Toasty!!!" Fatality… Mortal Kombat II-style. As in, the victim is burned out, but explodes releasing tons of scorched bones, even from parts where there's already a bone.
- Li Mei makes her triumphant return with a Fatality, "Roman Candle", that may be disgusting, but it's more than enough to give you a chuckle. First, she rips out the opponent's entrails, then she lights it up using her powers just like a TNT fuse. She then kicks off the opponent's head before it completely EXPLODES like a firework. You can practically hear the Looney Tunes theme in the background.
- Johnny Cage's comically dark "Hollywood Walk of Pain" Fatality: He first walks up the opponent with a wide grin and wraps his arm around their back as he walks them forwards and starts streaming with his phone, tells his viewers to meet Hollywood's newest talent, and then, without any hesitation, he slams the opponent onto a Walk of Fame plaque (with their name on it) so hard that, when he tries pulling them back up, their entire face gets pulled off. This is capped off with Johnny taking a note out of his daughter's book from the past timeline by pulling his phone back out to do a selfie with his faceless opponent's corpse with varying expressions. You also get to see that his username is YouGotCAGEd.
- His second Fatality, "Krash and Burn", is twice as funny: He first Shadow Kicks (or something similar to that) the opponent into a nice-looking sports car that somehow appeared in the arena, followed by him opening the door, where the glass-riddled opponent falls out before Johnny slams the door on them, cutting them in half while their intestine is still stuck, and to top it all off, he starts the car (complete with him saying "Vroom vroom!" and a "Toasty!" sound effect being heard) where it drives off with the opponent still stuck on it before it explodes. Johnny's reaction and the head appearing next to him in the aftermath is what really sells it.
- His "You got Caged" brutality. Johnny tosses his sunglasses and sits on a director's chair while his make-up artist approaches his opponent and tries to apply make-up on them... up until said make-up artist starts slicing up their face with make-up knife and brutalizing the opponent in Johnny's stead. Even funnier is that if the opponent is another Johnny; then the thrown sunglasses will bounce off of his head due to him already wearing a pair.
- His "Welcome to the Party" Brutality, in which he punches his opponent in the balls. While they're doubled over in pain, he summons a tiny version of himself that jumps on the opponent's face, climbs down their throat, and then lets Johnny detonate it inside them. Adding to it is the victim just looking at the camera in complete confusion before the detonation.
- Remember Smoke's Fatality in Mortal Kombat 3 wherein he drops several dozen bombs and blows up the Earth? Cyrax brings it back from Mortal Kombat 4, under the name "Annihilation", and it is still as ridiculous as ever, made better in glorious high definition (along with a faint Big "NO!" from the victim just as the explosion begins)!
- Nitara's first fatality, "Brake Check", is gruesome and funny in equal measure. After tearing open her victim's guts, she grabs them by their intestine, pull them into the air, then knock them back down while still holding onto their entrails. The force of the knockback is so great that, once the intestine runs out of slack, her victim's skeleton pops out of their skin!
- Geras' second Fatality, "Temporal Execution", is darkly comedic even by fatality standards, in that he opens a time rift to the future, rips off his opponent's head, smacks off the opponent's jaw and gives them a moment to stare at their own severed head for a few seconds before Geras rips off their head from the past.
- As gruesome as Quan Chi's second fatality, "Final Offering", is, there's something darkly hilarious about seeing the opponent graciously handing Quan Chi their own head.
- In any Kameo Fatality, if your main character is Johnny Cage, he will step back and start recording.
- This entry also includes holiday-themed universal fatalities that go out of their way to be as over the top and campy as possible.
- Halloween has the initiator smash a Jack o' Lantern filled with creepy-crawlies onto the loser's head before kicking the entire thing - head included - off their shoulders and onto a neighborhood front porch. Trick or treat indeed.
- Thanksgiving sees the winner prepare a wonderful turkey dinner with all the sides, and they want the loser to eat every goddamn bit of it, breaking their jaw open on the table and shoving a handful of green bean casserole, a pumpkin pie, and the entire turkey bones and all down their throat, knocking them to the floor, and then jumping on their engorged stomach to send it all gushing up to their head so fast it blows their head open in one of the most grotesque displays the franchise has seen. When the winner reaches for the turkey, the dinging of a timer can be heard.
- Winter has the kombatants whisked away to a winter wonderland, which the winner is quick to capitalize on by picking up a giant candy cane, breaking it over their head and then impaling them to the ground with it. Then, the sound of sleigh bells can be heard as a sleigh pulled by eight undead hell steeds, one of them with a familiar red glow in its nasal cavity, trample them before the sleigh's ice runners slice the victim's head off, letting it land neatly in the box of who else… but the Krampus as played by General Shao, who wishes the winner a Merry Khristmas with a voice that's equal parts warm with joy and fury as he takes off into the sky and becomes a silhouette on the moon. Extra hilarity can be added to the fatality should it be done during a General Shao Mirror Match.
- Some of the Fatal Blows also receive comedic flourishes:
- Geras' Fatal Blow has him executing one of the craziest forms of Fearful Symmetry possible: after his Kameo lands their hits, Geras punches the opponent into a time portal, followed by a mirrored Split Screen of two parallel Geras' catching their respective opponents, grabbing them by the head, and then slamming their skulls into each other (themselves?) at the portal's gate.
- Johnny Cage's Fatal Blow suddenly shifts to a first-person view of an in-universe film camera, with Johnny proceeding to slam his opponent into it (creating an "error macro" text on the HUD), picking it up (taking a moment to flash a smile and give out his most sinister laugh possible), and then slamming it onto his prone enemy for good measure. Additionally, Johnny's Fatal Blow (being itself a parry, similar to his X-Ray from 9) is one of the few whose input can be held down for a few seconds, prompting him to do a stupid little dance to himself before he slugs his enemy, all while an offscreen crowd chants "Johnny! Johnny!"
- The traditional Test Your Might minigame appears in its klassic form in Invasions, and every playable character has their own special animations.
- Havik's is to headbutt the object so hard, he has to snap his profusely bleeding head back into place.
- Geras of all people actually grins when he succeeds, in spite of his sheer strength being one of his significant attributes.
- Liu Kang can also be seen grinning, seemingly in a 'I still got it' manner in spite of being a godly entity.
- Peacemaker leans back as he aims his gun at the object he's destroying. Failing actually makes both his gun and his helmet fly off his person before he's offed by the crowd.
- The failure animations also are amusing in that you can have Shang Tsung fail to use his magic and harming himself in the process, General Shao failing to chop the object in front of him with his battle axe or Reptile wincing in pain as he goes from his Zaterran form to human. Immediately after, someone in the crowd kills the poor sap in retaliation, one of which is Johnny Cage tossing his award so hard, it goes right through their skull.Johnny: Now that's just embarrassing...!
- Speaking of Test Your Might, one of the objects you may have to destroy is a plain old living chicken. And when you successfuly smash it, it makes a squeaking noise.
- Raiden's Electric Fly has his classic "Aybabayay!" replaced by a high-pitched, almost feminine "Yeet!". Seriously, it gotta be heard to be believed.
- One of Omni-Man's taunts is none other than the infamous "Think Mark Think!" pose.
- There are hidden "Secret Fights" in Invasion mode. Upon discovery, the announcer occasionally says things like "Sick!" or "Nice!" (as opposed to the usual "Fight" or "Round 1") upon starting the match. It's even funnier if you assume that the announcer, much like older games, is Shao Kahn (or General Shao, since we're talking about the New Era).
- As shown on the pre-release material, both of Peacemaker's intro animations could qualify. On the "attacking" side, he tells his opponent to "Suck on that!" and proceeds to Air Guitar with audible riffs. On the "defending" side, he gets knocked back like a toddler while yelping "Jesus! What the hell!?" over the opponent hurting his hand.
- One of Peacemaker's Fatalities has his opponent turn out to be possesed by a Butterfly, causing Peacemaker to say "What the fuck?" before trying to shoot the Butterfly down, only to kill his opponent in the process. When that doesn't work, Peacemaker just decides to crush it in his hands after it lands on his gun. It's the first incompetent Fatality!
- Likewise, one of Peacemaker's Brutalities is a reference to how he defeats Annie Sturphausen, which is to say using a Sonic Boom to utterly annihilate them, falling on his ass in the process. After a quick Beat of him looking around the bloody mess he created, he only has this to say.
Peacemaker:: All right, that might be overkill.
Pre-fight Intros
As seen in all the pre-release material so far, pre-fight intros return from X and 11, but this time they only take place in the character selection screen for versus matches. As expected, some of them are quite hilarious (and reference-filled):
- Any of Johnny Cage's pre-fight intros can qualify as this.
- Despite being the Keeper of Time, Liu Kang has a bit of a problem with Internet language:Johnny Cage: You cool with me posting Outworld pics on social?
Liu Kang: Social what, Johnny Cage? - Though Liu Kang knows somewhat how to speak Johnny's "language":Johnny Cage: So last time around, I hooked up with someone else?
Liu Kang: Spoilers, Johnny Cage. - Johnny has a realization!Liu Kang: I will now demonstrate why you sanded those floors.
Johnny Cage: Holy shit, I've been Miyagi'ed! - Guess who's (once again) Breaking the Fourth Wall:Liu Kang: I don't need a "credit" on your film, Johnny Cage.
Johnny Cage: You EP'ed the shit out of this timeline. Oh, you're getting one! - Living a life other than one of vanity? Say it ain't so!Liu Kang: There is more to life than fortune and glory.
Johnny Cage: (laughs) Oh wait, you're serious. - Even the master of time makes mistakes. Bolstered by Liu's expression during his line:Johnny Cage: I don't know how, but you made me even more perfect!
Liu Kang: (throwing an Aside Glance) If only I had made you more humble. - Johnny embraces his inner 8-year-old.Kenshi: I am not betting Sento on this fight!
Johnny Cage: Bawk bawk bawk, baaaaaawk baw-BWAW! - Apparently, Johnny takes his filming career very seriously, as evidenced by a seemingly recent recruit…Kenshi: C'mon, Johnny. Forty takes is enough.
Johnny Cage: We don't wrap until it's perfect. - Unfortunately, one day Mr. Jonathan Carlton chose the weirdest moment for his "bad guy voice."Johnny Cage: (affecting a supervillain voice) Well, if it isn't Special Agent Takahashi of the F...B...I...
Kenshi: It's not funny anymore, Cage! - Proving that his Nut Kracks aren't just physical, Johnny roasts Bi-Han on his Parental Issues:Johnny Cage: I thought I had daddy issues, but you?
Sub-Zero: My family is none of your business! - Sub-Zero's threat provides Johnny with the perfect opportunity for a Shout-Out (bonus points for nailing the accent)!
- Johnny should remember that not everyone speaks like Earthrealmers:Kitana: It is the height of impertinence to call me "eye candy"!
Johnny Cage: Easy, kitty, it's just an expression! - Such a wonder how in the Ten Hells did Cage get a camera crew in Outworld of all places… There's even a Freeze-Frame Bonus of Kitana briefly looking at the camera before she speaks.Kitana: Your film crew is overrunning the palace!
Johnny Cage: That's how the sausage gets made, princess! - That said, it can't be said that Johnny didn't get permission...Mileena: Why did I agree to let your film crew into the palace?
Johnny Cage: Because deep down, you know you wanna be in showbiz. - Kitana making the worst conceivable bet with Johnny.Kitana: Some may swoon for you, but I will not.
Johnny Cage: Challenge accepted. - For this, Cage is bound to face Pun-ishment.Johnny Cage: Li, Mei I have this fight?
Li Mei: Ugh, that was criminal, Earthrealmer. - Expressing pride for Mama CarltonLi Mei: How do you know so much about policing?
Johnny Cage: My mom was a cop. Heh, you did not fuck with her. - Li Mei knows puns but that's as far as her skills at Earthrealm humor extend:Li Mei: Who's on second, Cage?
Johnny Cage: No! Who's on first! What's on second! - Alien Arts Are Appreciated even to Edenians.Kitana: You were right! Seeing a film is a transcendent experience!
Johnny Cage: Hollywood magic for the win. - And she's not the only one grateful for Johnny's movies…Johnny Cage: Thanks so much for taking this part.
Kenshi: Thank you for the points. - Kitana may be a devoted warrior, but even she is Not So Above It All regarding thinking about Johnny's demise.Johnny Cage: How is a dream of my death funny, Princess?
Kitana: (chuckles) I dreamt of you suffocating under a pile of women. - It seems Bi-Han's not the black hole of comedy in the New Era.
- Johnny has a job recommendation for Bi-Han:Sub-Zero: Why would I do well in your business note ?
Johnny Cage: With your big ass ego, you'd fit right in. - Keep dreaming, Johnny...Johnny Cage: One of these days, Kitana will totally fall for me!
Baraka: BRRRUHAHAHAHA! - No-one's keeping up with the Edenians.Johnny Cage: It's what's called a reality show, okay? We follow you and the girls…
Sindel: I will not allow Earthrealmers into my inner sanctum.- Also referenced in this intro! (Bonus points for Kung Lao's inflection sounding like a reality show narrator)
Kung Lao: Johnny is all bruised, and he will not say why.
Sindel: Ask him about the proposition he made me. - Indeed she is, Johnny.
- Recruiting for your cinematic universe, Johnny?Johnny Cage: And here I thought you were just a super soldier.
Reiko: You'll marvel at my skills, Earthrealmer! - Hopefully a zombie virus wasn't the reason…Baraka: You're late, Earthrealmer.
Johnny Cage: Not my fault. My Train to Busan got delayed. - Johnny knows a Cool Mask when he sees one!Smoke: You really like my mask, Johnny?
Johnny Cage: It's SSSSSSSMOKIN'! - Looks like there is a huge disconnect between Earthrealm and Outworld pop culture…Johnny Cage: You're about as stock as they come, villain.
General Shao: (genuinely sounds confused) What does that even mean?!? - Shao's not the only one with an F in media slang as Havik unwittingly demonstrates:Johnny Cage: Upon further review, I'm diggin' your grindhouse vibe.
Havik: (sounding genuinely confused) What is a grindhouse, Earthrealmer?! - Johnny doesn't even take Havik seriously.Havik: You don't take me seriously?
Johnny Cage: Have you looked in a mirror? - Johnny barks up the wrong tree.Johnny Cage: (in a goofy Scottish accent) What would you say to a little slap and tickle?
Mileena: (in an annoyed tone) Ugh, you're not my type, Cage. Pay attention. - Johnny roasts Havik's face.
- Johnny wants to make sure Nitara isn't playing around.Nitara: Of course I fly. I have wings!
Johnny Cage: Are you sure you don't just fall with style? - Johnny inviting Reptile to his fancy mansion for a movie night is already funny in itself. But the fact that the movie they watched scared Reptile? That's the cherry on top.note Reptile: Why did you show me that Predator film!?
Johnny Cage: (laughs) After all we've been through, that was scary? - Scorpion asks Johnny for help to track down Sub-Zero. He doesn't realize that Johnny is not at all qualified.Scorpion: I need help to find Bi-Han.
Johnny Cage: Y'know I was only a TV detective, right?- It even serves as a Brick Joke, because in MK11 there was an intro with Sonya Blade and Kuai Liang Sub-Zero where the latter mistakes the former of being an cryomancer, because Johnny called her "Ice Queen".
- Despite being the Keeper of Time, Liu Kang has a bit of a problem with Internet language:
- Looks like Shang Tsung isn't the only one able to shapeshift. Sorta...note Kung Lao 1: Amazing! You look just like me, Johnny!
Kung Lao 2: Gotta love those Hollywood makeup wizards.- Turns out Kung Lao isn't staying out of Hollywood by choice. The kicker is the utterly heartbroken expression on Lao's face during his line:Johnny Cage: Are you sure you don't wanna be an action star?
Kung Lao: The monks forbid it, Johnny. - What name did Kung Lao even expect?Kung Lao: So what's the name of your film about us?
Johnny Cage: Mortal. Kombat.
- Turns out Kung Lao isn't staying out of Hollywood by choice. The kicker is the utterly heartbroken expression on Lao's face during his line:
- Kitana regally roasts Kenshi's eagerness:Kenshi: I've been looking forward to this fight.
Kitana: You enjoy losing that much, Earthrealmer? - Both Kenshis compare how tolerable are their Johnny Cages:Kenshi 1: Is your Cage as bad as mine?
Kenshi 2: As bad? Ha! He's worse. - The real reason why Kung Lao wanted to be Earthrealm's Champion:Kenshi: You came so close to being Earthrealm's champion.
Kung Lao: It would have been awesome. That amulet paired with my hat! - Kung Lao gives thanks to Bi-Han:
- Others seem to share Bi-Han's opinion.Li Mei: That hat is something else.
Kung Lao: You have a problem with it, Constable?
Rain: I command water. You command a hat?
Kung Lao: A lethal, razor-brimmed hat.
Kenshi: Sento's souls aren't impressed with your hat.
Kung Lao: How quickly that will change.
Kung Lao: It is clear you are in awe of my hat.
Reptile: Is it, Kung Lao?
Kung Lao: If Raiden can beat you, so can I.
General Shao: Ha! Lose to a fool in a silly hat?
Quan Chi: Is that a razor-brimmed hat?
Kung Lao: There is nothing it cannot cut through. - On the other hand, the Shirai Ryu are more welcoming of Kung Lao's idea.Scorpion: I must compliment your ingenuity.
Kung Lao: Finally! Someone appreciates my chakram hat.
Kung Lao: Shall we make this interesting? Name the stakes.
Smoke: (chuckles) That's easy. I want the hat.
- Others seem to share Bi-Han's opinion.
- Nothing looney about this.Nitara: Of course you realise, this means war.
Reiko: I cannot wait, Nitara! - Johnny tricks Raiden into Waxing Lyrical.Johnny Cage: You are the champion, my friend.
Raiden: I'll keep on fighting until the end.- Two General Shaos decide there can be only one.General Shao 1: Here we are, born to be kings!
General Shao 2: We are princes of the universe! - Another time, Outworlder!
- Two General Shaos decide there can be only one.
- Shang Tsung lies all the time, but not all the time.Baraka: Give me one good reason to spare your life.
Shang Tsung: I won't insult you by pretending there are any. - Liu Kang; master invoker of Author's Saving Throw:
- Sindel's most genuine laugh ever:Smoke: The Queen of Outworld faces the King of Smoke.
Sindel: King of Smoke? (laughs)- Poor Smoke can't seem to catch a break:Kenshi: Your smoke against Sento's steel? (laughs)
Smoke: Care to put your money where that mouth is?
- Poor Smoke can't seem to catch a break:
- Even Shang Tsung isn't above a cheap pun here and there.Shang Tsung: Today, your life goes up in smoke.
Smoke: Ugh… and people think you're clever? - This timeline's Kung Lao seems to have quite a playful side, as shown in two intros involving himself, Reptile and Kenshi.Kung Lao: Please, Syzoth? Raiden's sister will jump out of her skin!
Reptile: My shapeshifting's not for practical jokes!
Kenshi: Kung Lao wanted you to scare Raiden's sister?
Reptile: He can be so immature. - Baraka is mostly pretty serious, but every so often he manages some pretty good snark.Nitara: Vaeternians have no appetite for Tarkatans.
Baraka: Finally, a benefit to my disease! - Nitara tries, and fails, to intimidate Kung Lao.
- Mileena lets Tanya know where her priorities should lie.Tanya: I am doing this for the greater good!
Mileena: I am the greatest good you'll ever have! - Bi-Han's attempt at genuine joking is just as bad as his attitude.Sub-Zero: Your blood may be cold, but mine is iced!
Reptile: …Not something to be proud of, Sub-Zero. - Seems Kabal isn't the only one bothered by Rain's name. This time though, Rain gets some pointers.Rain: What is wrong with others calling me Rain?
Johnny Cage: It doesn't pop, brother. Now "Storm?" Tempest? Those pop!- And Johnny still hasn't had enough.Johnny Cage: Come rain, come shine, your ass is mine.
Rain: Your dry wit parches me, Earthrealmer.
Johnny Cage: Here comes that rain again.
Rain: I'll fall on your head like the Nuem Ocean!
- And Johnny still hasn't had enough.
- No one ever said humble pie was an appetizing meal…Mileena: Your friend Raiden is infuriatingly humble!
Kung Lao: It is annoying, isn't it? - Seems somebody in Earthrealm didn't get the memo from Johnny.Tanya: Is there a point to this fight, Cage?
Johnny Cage: (genuine surprise) What!? It's an audition! (frustrated) Oh my god, I'm gonna kill my assistant! - Acid isn't the only thing Reptile can burn people with.Reiko: Ready to face Outworld's finest soldier?
Reptile: I will be, if he ever gets here.
Rain: Do you know of the ancient Zikandurian floods?
Reptile: I know of the recent one that drowned Seido's capital. - Li Mei is no slouch in that department either.Reiko: The General wants you dead!
Li Mei: Then why did he send you? - Some timelines involve leaders who are very quirky indeed.
- Johnny Cage continues to be the poster boy for Skewed Priorities.Geras: I cannot reveal more details of prior timelines.
Johnny Cage: C'mon! At least tell me if she was hot? - But in a sequel intro, Geras promptly underestimates Professor John Carlton, Ph.D.Geras: The Hourglass is beyond your understanding.
Johnny Cage: Please. I've got a Ph.D in quantum mechanics, bitch. - Are we sure Kenshi's the only blind one in this game?Nitara: I will be the last person you see.
Kenshi: (laughs derisively) I'm blind, remember? - Kung Lao misunderstands a question.Kung Lao 1: Are you the Great Kung Lao?
Kung Lao 2: Are you kidding? I am the greatest. - Madam Bo apparently serves a "special tea" that is more than just tea leaves and hot water.Raiden 1: I'm not real. This is all in your head.
Raiden 2: I have to stop drinking Madam Bo's special tea.
Kung Lao 1: Admit it. You never had a greater hallucination.
Kung Lao 2: Raiden wasn't kidding about Madam Bo's special tea.
Kung Lao: One day, I will be more famous than you.
Johnny Cage: You been sipping Madam Bo's special tea? - Remember all those times the fighters teased Liu Kang and Kitana in Mortal Kombat 11? Now imagine those interactions, but with Raiden in Liu Kang's place.Johnny Cage: I saw you eyeing Kitana at the tournament.Raiden: Was I that obvious, Johnny?
- And words spreads like wildfire.Kung Lao: I think Raiden has a crush on you.Kitana: While sweet, it is unwelcome.
- As it should be, some could already see it.Li Mei: Tell Raiden he'll get nowhere with Kitana.Kung Lao: How did you know about that?
- And before you ask:Kitana: Your friend says that you're interested in me.Raiden: Me?! (stutters) I-I don't know what he's talking about.
- And words spreads like wildfire.
- Scorpion hasn't learned to do Animalities just yet, it seems…Kung Lao: Wait until you fight Scorpion. He's a beast.
Reptile: What kind of beast?
Reptile: I'm confused. Kung Lao said you were a beast.
Scorpion: A mere figure of speech, Syzoth. - Well, that's one way to use your godly powers…Liu Kang 1: What is your role in your timeline?
Liu Kang 2: I'm a global martial arts star! Aren't you? - Nobody's in the mood for some good old-fashioned Evil Gloating in this universe.Nitara: Earthrealm is doomed Cage! Vaeternus will—
Johnny Cage: Can we just shitcan the monologuing and do this!?
Nitara: Earthrealm is finished Kung Lao! My people will—
Kung Lao: Johnny was right. You do monologue! - Kung Lao just can't keep himself away from Hollywood. Raiden, on the other hand…Kung Lao: It's not too late to be in Johnny's movie.
Raiden: We have other priorities, Kung Lao… - Raiden's sister seems to be on the path to becoming a Shaolin and Kung Lao wants to be part of that.Raiden: My sister's upset you haven't been writing.
Kung Lao: (sighs) I will write her as soon as we're done.
Kung Lao: Can I play a part, when Raiden's sister is tested?
Liu Kang: The exam scenario is up to Madam Bo.
Smoke: Madam Bo says you're out, Kung Lao.
Kung Lao: No way! I want to help test Raiden's sister! - What happens when a Bomb Throwing Anarchist meets The High Queen? ...Rhymes on a Dime, apparently:Sindel: I won't abide rabble who screech revolution.
Havik: Then chaos and carnage will be my solution! - Havik's philosophy has also given him some... interesting views regarding states of matter:Sub-Zero: You have a problem with ice?
Havik: Water must flow freely, Sub-Zero. - A meme makes its way to a pre-fight intro:Omni-Man: Think! What good would your death accomplish?
Raiden: Inspiring future generations to oppose you. - Seems Kung Lao gets his fashion advice from Edna Mode.Omni-Man: The cocky one. You're about to be humbled.
Kung Lao: Ha! By a man in a cape? I do not think so! - No cinematic universes for Omni-Man, it would appear.Omni-Man: They don't make movies about heroes like me.
Johnny Cage: Because DUH! You're the villain, bro! - Omni-Man's sheer lack of respect for Rain is shown in the most hilarious way possible.Omni-Man: (bored) Stop. Please. Don't hit me with [eye roll] water.
Rain: Has no one told you I've drowned an entire city? - Omni-Man is haunted by his past sins.Omni-Man 1: Martian Man, is that you?
Omni-Man 2: No. This is more fucked up than that. - Kuai Liang has no desire for Viltrum to get over here!Omni-Man: You seem reasonable. Stand down, or die.
Scorpion: GET OUT OF HERE! - Omni-Man channels his inner J. Jonah Jameson.Raiden: You should know, with great power comes great-
Omni-Man: Stop right there! You can't platitude me to death! - Omni-Man isn't impressed by Smoke's moveset:Omni-Man: Let me guess, you "vape" people to death?
Smoke: Try mocking me with your lungs full of soot. - Not quite one of J.K. Simmons's signature characters, but a welcome reference nonetheless.Liu Kang: By the Elder Gods, what are you?
Omni-Man: I'm something of a god myself. - A bestseller in the making, to be sure.Omni-Man: Wanna be remembered? Write a book.
Kung Lao: Good idea! I will tell all how I defeated you! - She's stepped out with Erron Black before, after all...Omni-Man: What are you, Damien Darkblood's girlfriend?
Nitara: I've had stranger bedfellows. - Omni-Man has little patience for Johnny's smack talk.Johnny Cage: You know, you could use some anger management training.
Omni-Man: Get out of my sight before I demolish you. - One of the worst lines ever uttered in cinema... becomes a much better comeback.Omni-Man: Perhaps I'll keep you and your daughters as pets.
Sindel: Pets?! For that, you... will die! - Omni-Man knows how successful Jean-Claude Van Damme will be fighting him.JCVD!Johnny Cage: I'll kick your ass so hard your kids will feel it.
Omni-Man: You'd have more luck kicking a tree. - Cue the title card!Johnny Cage: You look like the dad I never had.
Omni-Man: You're fragile. My son... is Invincible.note - In this mirror match dialogue, Quan Chi channels the Mauler Twins.Quan Chi 1: As doppelgangers go, you are adequate.
Quan Chi 2: Doppelganger?! I am the original! - The hills are alive with the sound of treason.General Shao: How do we solve a problem like Mileena?
Quan Chi: I'll strike her with a moonbeam from my hand. - A lot of threats towards Johnny Cage tend to backfire.Quan Chi: Your future audiences will only be demons.
Johnny Cage: Are they Ashrah-hot? 'Cause, UMM, I could live with that. - Yer a wally, Johnneh.Johnny Cage: Ooh! Ooh! Can we wand-duel? I'd love to try that!
Quan Chi: I am a sorcerer, not a wizard, Cage. - Quan Chi hits below the belt.Quan Chi: Small mind, little-
Johnny Cage: (all too quickly) Finish that sentence carefully, sorcerer. - Abra kadabra!Quan Chi: Your might cannot match my magic.
Omni-Man: Yeah? Watch me make your head disappear. - I understood those references.Sindel: For your deception, you will face annihilation!
Quan Chi: With you as the means of my Armageddon? - Peacemaker does not mince words!Quan Chi: You wish to fight me?!
Peacemaker: Not "fight", beat senseless. - These new realms offer new oppertunities for Smith.Liu Kang: This is no time to smile.
Peacemaker: Hell yeah, it is! "Fight a Fire God" is coming off my bucket list. - He may also be channelling his inner Audience Surrogate.
- And his trash talking could rival even Johnny Cage.Peacemaker: I've had shits take more effort than beating you will.
Quan Chi: I will so enjoy killing you. - Speaking of Johnny Cage, Smith seems rather excited about the rising director approaching him.Johnny Cage: The things I could do with your life story...
Peacemaker: How about we make it a streaming series? - It seems the Global Defense Agency isn't the only agency out for Nolan!Omni-Man: Aw, shit. Did Cecil send you after me?
Peacemaker: Only if "Cecil" is code for Amanda Waller. - Don't diss the helmet!Omni-Man: I will cram that stupid helmet so far up your ass-
Peacemaker: One: this helmet rocks! Two: it won't fit! - What do you want, Smith? A medal?Tanya: Being an ally is not what you think.
Peacemaker: It's not enough I love girl on girl? - Seems it's not just Johnny's BS Outworlders are getting tired of.Peacemaker: A vow of chastity? No way. I'd explode.
Tanya: Or you could just grow up. - Good question, Tanya. Ask James, he practically redefined the character.Peacemaker: After this, we could go back to my place...
Tanya: How is it you're worse than Cage? - Sure, Smith. Sure.Tanya: You have a man's body, but a boy's mind.
Peacemaker: Think of me as youthfully exuberant. - Hey, as far as comic book costumes go, it's not the silliest one out there.Rain: Your 'uniform' is ridiculous.
Peacemaker: This is what freedom looks like, asshole! - Though his screws may be loose, Peacemaker should be no stranger to seeing acts of villainy.Peacemaker: You flooded a city?! That is some serious supervillain shit.
Rain: I will not be labeled by some helmeted halfwit! - If he's impressed with Shao, imagine how he'd react to Batman's nine pack.General Shao: You look at me strangely.
Peacemaker: 'Cause I clocked that epic six pack you're rocking. - Obviously, Booster Gold has yet to make a guest appearance in the Mortal Kombat Universe.Peacemaker: You're nuts if you think you scare me.
General Shao: Haha! Are all from your realm so self-deluded? - Sometimes, simplicity is best.General Shao: I am Outworld's Savior.
Peacemaker: Nah, dude. You're just a dick. - We should have Season 2's budget covered?Sindel: Your manners are reprehensible.
Peacemaker: If I got a buck every time I heard that... - Li Mei probably wouldn't be a fan of Regime!Superman's ideals.Peacemaker: You want peace? Kill all the criminals.
Li Mei: How are you such a simpleton? - Remember, Peacemaker comes from a universe where the ineffectiveness of law enforcement is downright memeable.Li Mei: Vigilante only breeds lawlessness.
Peacemaker: You cops would be lost without us. - Asking for a friend?Ashrah: (Exasperated sigh) You have a question, Peacemaker?
Peacemaker: Yeah, I gotta know. Do demons bump uglies? - Just as well Peacemaker was never a part of the Legion of Doom, Injustice League or Secret Society of Supervillains.Peacemaker: I hate it when hot girls are evil.
Nitara: I am not evil. - Admit it, you thought the same the first time you saw it.Johnny Cage: That helmet makes you look like a silver-tipped—
Peacemaker: Superhero? Thank you. - Now that's a fight scene I'd pay good money to see.Scorpion: With what weapons are you proficient.
Peacemaker: Guns, knives, fuzzy dice. Pretty much anything. - At least he's honest.Baraka: I deserve respect, not scorn!
Peacemaker: I respect you, I just can't look at you. - Never insult a Tarkatan's mother.Peacemaker: Now that's a face only a mother can love.
Baraka: (snarls) Are you trying to get yourself killed? - What in the Netherrealm has he been smoking?!Peacemaker 1: Face it, this is happening.
Peacemaker 2: Or maybe you're a bong-induced hallucination... - No, Tomas, don't do it!Smoke: So, if I say "Activate human torp-"
Peacemaker: SHUT UP, SMOKE! - To quote another wrestling legend: "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK!"Peacemaker: Full disclosure: I don't believe in magic.
Shang Tsung: Magic doesn't care what you believe! - Don't piss off the powerful sorcerer...Peacemaker: You can't take me, pip-squeak.
Shang Tsung: Pipsqueak? (baffled) Pip... squeak?! - The fact that he made an attempt in the first place is already worth a laugh.Raiden: The Shaolin won't consider your application.
Peacemaker: Screw 'em then. It's their loss. - Peacemaker doesn't need a flamethrower to burn Havik.Havik: Do you know who I am?
Peacemaker: The bastard child of Joker and Two-Face? - Right he may be, Tomas really shouldn't be talking.Peacemaker: What's wrong with the name "Eagly"?
Smoke: For a pet eagle? Are you serious? - Talk about long distance relationships.Ermac: One of our souls was a suitor for Madam Bo.
Kung Lao: How many secrets does that woman have? - Man steals and mangles Ermac's catchphrase. Man gets mocked by Ermac.Kung Lao: You might be many, but I am "The One".
Ermac: You are not even Earthrealm's champion. - Everyone's a critic.Ermac: The performer souls within us are unimpressed.
Johnny Cage: Only I can get bad reviews from the dead.- Funnier when you picture Ermac going to the movies to watch a Johnny Cage film.
- Like he hasn't been playing the same tune for the last 13 years.Ermac: We are many. You are one—
Johnny Cage: (Yawn!) Yeah, yeah, you'll destroy me. Whatever. - At least Johnny's considerate enough to ask.Johnny Cage: He/Him? They/Them? What're your pronouns?
Ermac: We do not understand. - Legions of souls and none of them can laugh at themselves.Johnny Cage: (In a deep tone) I am Johnny. You're no fun.
Ermac: You mock us, Earthrealmer? - Word of advice to creators. Don't begin advertising your project until you've got everything set in stone.Ermac: We will not appear in "Army of Souls".
Johnny Cage: You can't say no! I've got posters already!- It's funnier when you take into context that Ermac has enough knowledge of what Johnny is even asking of him, meaning that up until this point, Ermac likely sat through an entire pitch for the film before declining.
- Mileena doesn't even let Ermac finish his catchphrase.Ermac: We are many. You are-
Mileena: Outworld's Empress. Kneel before me. - Kenshi and the player are likely thinking the same thing.Ermac: You are one. We are many-
Kenshi: Wait. Doesn't that go the other way around? - Soon to join the cybernetic arms club?Smoke: Promise you won't rip my arms off?
Ermac: We cannot. - Smith realizes he may have met his match.Peacemaker: You are many? I am fucked.
Ermac: If that means "beaten", yes. - Would something a bit more monosyllabic be preferable?Ermac: You are a buffoon, not a warrior!
Peacemaker: You wanna insult me, fine! Just use words I understand! - The Viltrumites always believed themselves to be the universe's reckoning.Omni-Man: I'll rip you apart. One soul at a time.
Ermac: That would be very painful... for you.
Story Mode
- From the prologue, seeing what a loser Shang Tsung has become in his new life is pretty cathartic. The sorcerer who once almost bent time and reality to his will is now a young man in a fake beard, peddling phony elixirs to whatever rural Outworld backwaters he can swindle; after his con is discovered, he's left beaten and bruised by a mob of villagers, his wares are destroyed and he's been forced out of town. It's like Liu Kang deliberately gave him the most humiliating existence imaginable as payback.
- Chapter 1: The New Era:
- Kung Lao is restless over the fact that his ancestors fought in great wars and died with honor and glory while he's been stuck in a village working the fields ever since he was a child and complains as much to Raiden, which leads to a few amusing interactions.
- The fact that the first fight of the chapter is to settle an argument between Kung Lao and Raiden over who's paying for their food. As Raiden playfully wagered dinner over who could fill their cart with the day's harvest first, only to change the bet to who delivered their cart first afterwards without mentioning, something which Kung Lao calls him out on.
- Scorpion wrapping his kunai/rope around Kung Lao's ankle, starting a tug-of-war match, Kung Lao giving an irritated groan on one foot and Scorpion giving his trademark "Get over here!" before pulling Kung Lao over and dragging him to him.
- Raiden's struggle against Sub-Zero takes place next to a guy who is completely nonchalant about the fight going on right next to him. First, Sub-Zero knocks Raiden into the guy, followed by Raiden taking a butcher's knife and missing Sub-Zero a few times before unintentionally cutting the lid off a bottle the man proceeds to pour into a cup, Raiden then accidentally plants the knife into the table, which Sub-Zero uses as an opportunity to freeze Raiden's hands. The absurdity immediately skyrockets as the man proceeds to pick off a piece of the ice constricting Raiden's hands and drops it into his drink.
- Kung Lao throws his hat at Sub-Zero… His straw hat. This puts a dent in the hat and doesn't even harm Sub-Zero. The annoyed groan the latter makes after getting hit adds on to this.Subtitles: *bonk*
- When Sub-Zero turns to look at Kung Lao, he gives off a shrug as if to say "Oh well, I tried."Sub-Zero: [disgusted] Incompetent.
- This is followed by Kung Lao using a chakram, which cuts Sub-Zero's arm. Unsurprisingly, he's inspired.Kung Lao: Ho! That works.
- When Sub-Zero turns to look at Kung Lao, he gives off a shrug as if to say "Oh well, I tried."
- The end of the chapter has Raiden and Kung Lao rushing to Madam Bo's side after she has been seemingly knocked unconscious by Smoke's attack. They both look extremely concerned and are unsure if she's dead... right up until after a dramatic beat, she snaps her eyes open and chirps "Dead? Not yet!" She proceeds to immediately rise to her feet, pull out a cigarette and lighter, and light up as if nothing had happened, baffling the two.
- Chapter 2: Mr. A-Lister:
- The chapter opens with Johnny doing one of his movies, a blatant Indiana Jones Expy (called "Illinois", according to the in-game shop), and even has a couple of playable fights where the player can beat up what are essentially other actors. Better yet after the take Johnny talks to the movie's director, which is basically an Expy of Steven Spielberg.
- Liu Kang, Sub-Zero and Scorpion meet Johnny at his mansion. You think that a god and two ninjas would have more elaborate or dramatic ways of entrance such as teleporting or breaking in, but no; they arrive in the most normal way possible by ringing the doorbell and politely waiting until Johnny opens the door.Johnny Cage: What in the actual fu-
Liu Kang: Good evening, Johnny Cage. - From the same chapter, Liu Kang accidentally setting off a smoke alarm with his fire powers after Johnny's confrontation with Scorpion and Sub-Zero.
- There is also Johnny demanding another explanation as well after the whole smoke alarm bit.Johnny Cage: OK, let's go back to one here. Who are you again?
- Chapter 3: The Chosen One:
- Kung Lao shows off to Raiden his Weaponized Headgear, leading to this exchange. Johnny can also be seen in the background recording the hat toss too.Raiden: That is not a good idea.
Kung Lao: It is genius, Raiden. The next time we see Sub-Zero, (circles his fingers around the brim of the hat) I will have to thank him for inspiring it. [Promptly cuts himself] Ow!
Raiden: See? It won't be effective.
Kung Lao shrugs briefly before tossing his hat, decapitating a training dummy and then catching it on his index finger, twirling it around.
Raiden: Maybe it's too effective. - When Raiden and Johnny face off for the right to represent Earthrealm, Johnny as expected boasts about how Raiden can't "handle this much boom". Liu Kang noticeably rolls his eyes, as if to say he really did not miss having to deal with pre-Character Development Johnny Cage.
- When the Kombatants are seen arriving in Outworld, Johnny Cage is seen filming the whole thing with his smartphone like a tourist getting to know a new place. Upon arriving in Outworld, he proclaims "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
- Johnny lampshading General Shao's Obviously Evil appearance.Johnny: Red. Alert. Incoming stock villain.
- The parade scene has a brief scene of a Shokan happily drumming during a parade, along with two more double-fisting pints in the crowd. Nice to see that dismemberment isn't the only thing the four-armed race is good at.
- During the feast, we see Kung Lao chugging his wine and ripping off whole turkey legs. The camera pans over to Reiko and Shao, who are dining in a far more refined manner by comparison. There's just something hilarious in seeing the powerful, heavily armoured war dogs having better table manners than the Shaolin monk. Even funnier is the off-screen belch from Lao, causing both Shao and Reiko to stare in disbelief.
- When asking Kitana if she's really ten thousand years old, she shrugs and smirks at him.Johnny: Talk about aging gracefully.
- Kung Lao shows off to Raiden his Weaponized Headgear, leading to this exchange. Johnny can also be seen in the background recording the hat toss too.
- Chapter 4: Secrets and Lies:
- When Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Johnny come across Shang Tsung administering his treatment to Mileena, Kenshi yells "Get away from her!" and Johnny follows up with "You bitch!" This results in an epic What the Hell, Hero? from Kung Lao and all the dramatic tension evaporates as Johnny tries to explain Aliens to everyone else.Johnny: [imitating Newt] Ripley!
- Despite the three having their guard down as Johnny tries to explain the reference, none of the Outworlders present attempt to interrupt or attack them until Johnny is done speaking.
- When Kenshi, Kung Lao, and Johnny come across Shang Tsung administering his treatment to Mileena, Kenshi yells "Get away from her!" and Johnny follows up with "You bitch!" This results in an epic What the Hell, Hero? from Kung Lao and all the dramatic tension evaporates as Johnny tries to explain Aliens to everyone else.
- Chapter 5: Weird Science:
- After being held prisoner, Baraka refuses to be a silent captive as he shakes the bars on his cell in defiance. Kenshi in an annoyed tone tells him he's been doing that for hours.
- When the released Tarkatans are set upon the heroes, they attack...except for one, who gets distracted by a tied down prisoner and begins to chow down.
- Chapter 6: Upward Climb:
- As Ashrah is leading the heroes through the Living Forest, a large bug starts buzzing near Syzoth's face. While still in his human form, the Zaterran suddenly opens his mouth and uses his large reptilian tongue to catch the bug and messily eat it. The look of shock/disgust on Johnny Cage's face as he walks past him is what truly sells the scene.
- When Quan Chi and his forces are conducting a ritual to use the souls of the Living Forest, Johnny naturally is the one who dramatically refers to it as a "soulnado". Better yet later on he takes this idea and other things he has seen throughout his adventures as ideas for movies.
- When Ermac is created, Kenshi, who recently just got blinded and his sword hasn't awakened yet, tries to charge Ermac. The camera doesn't even follow his charge as he is immediately blasted back by Ermac.Subtitles: [confident charging]
Subtitles: [defeated cry]
- Chapter 7: Narrow Escape:
- When Syzoth is warned that the Outworlders are also hunting him, he proclaims that they need to see him before catching him and promptly goes invisible. Johnny Cage's response is to just say "damn" like the former pulled off one of the sickest disappearing acts ever seen. note
- When Kitana reminds Mileena that entanglements with Umgadi are forbidden, Mileena demands who told her. Kitana responds that no one did, she has eyes.
- Quan Chi, who had been knocked out cold in the prior chapter, finally begins to come to, wondering how the hell he ended up at the Sun Do festival. The kharacters' first reaction to this happening? Promptly beat the everloving hell out of him in front of a crowd. Johnny and Kung Lao's shrugs beforehand only makes it even better.
- As the Earthrealm heroes flee, Johnny sucker-punches Goro and mugs for the camera—revenge for Goro sucker punching him back at the end of Chapter 4, but still, proof positive that he's still a hilariously petty individual.
- Johnny drops another of his movie references during the group's debrief with Liu Kang, responding to the Fire God's suggestion to rest and eat by asking for "a martini - shaken, not stirred." The best part? Liu Kang smirks, implying he got the reference!
- Chapter 12: Queen's Gambit:
- There is some humorous irony at the thought that Shang Tsung and Quan Chi, two of the biggest backstabbers in all of Mortal Kombat, being made pawns and being betrayed themselves. By Titan Shang Tsung of all people. The two even have the audacity to voice their displeasure for being deceived.
- Even more humorous in hindsight when you remember that in MK11: Aftermath, Kronika disgustedly remarked how Shang Tsung had no one left to betray after backstabbing Shao Kahn and Sindel. Turns out there was one last person left for him to betray: himself.
- Chapter 13: Deadly Alliance:
- Johnny uses his thirty thousand dollar drone to spy on the enemy forces. Mileena ends up completely enamoured with it.Johnny:(chuckles) My ex was so wrong. The 30K I spent on this seems like a steal right now.
Mileena: This...(reaches out for the controller) magic is incredible.
Johnny: (pulls the controller away from Mileena) Not magic, your loveliness. Technology.
- Johnny uses his thirty thousand dollar drone to spy on the enemy forces. Mileena ends up completely enamoured with it.
- Chapter 14: Time of Death:
- Right before their fight with Dark Li Mei and Tanya, Titan!Kitana wonders if Tanya is completely evil in every timeline considering the one in her own is apparently just as bad. Liu Kang responds she should meet his in a tone that implies he takes some pride that he actually managed to redeem Tanya of all people.
- Chapter 15: Armageddon:
- The final battle has a lot of alternate fighters, with a large amount of them being fusions of existing characters with hilarious names such as the combination of Geras and Reptile called Klockodile.
- And of course, the Johnny Cage and Shao Kahn hybrid known as John Kahner. One wonders what happened in that timeline...
- Most alternates that use Johnny Cage as a basis in some form tend to be hilarious due to the sheer disparity between their outward appearance and carrying that same Hollywood upstart personality regardless of where they would've grown up. One such combination has him taking the form of Liu Kang. And as if to comment on Johnny's irresponsibility regarding god-like power, he ends up on Titan Shang Tsung's side.
- There are two random fighters that are a fusion between Kung Lao and Scorpion, while the one has the simple portmanteu of "Scorp Lao", another is named Stung Lao.
- Liu Kano/Red Dragon, a fusion of Liu Kang and Kano, has Matthew Yang King doing his best over-the-top Australian impression - and it's great.Red Dragon: You're about to go down, you drongo.
Red Dragon: I can't wait for you to rack off and die!
- When the trio of Johnny Cages team up, they let out a battle cry, except for Ninja Mime, who yells without any voice coming out from his mouth.
- Goro Kahn turning things around on Ninja Mime with a Groin Attack before throwing him off the platform.
- A Johnny Cage and his Distaff Counterpart drive Goro Kahn over a ledge, run up to him, and cheekily tip him over. They turn around to give your chosen fighter a thumbs up, only for Goro Kahn to drag them both down with him.
- Another group of more familiar faces shows up midway through the chapter: the Kombat Kids from MKX! Sadly, Titan Kitana almost instantly wipes them all out, slicing through Takeda, Jacqui, Kung Jin, and finally Cassie with casual ease.
- If you pick Shang Tsung in the final fight, you get to watch Heroic!Shang Tsung sacrificing himself to allow New Era!Shang Tsung to reach Titan!Shang Tsung. In other words, Shang Tsung sacrifices Shang Tsung to stop Shang Tsung from reaching Shang Tsung.
- Picking Shang Tsung for the final battle also leads to the surreal hilarity of Liu Kang and New Era Shang Tsung being buddy-buddy with each other, since Liu Kang's affable compliments to the chosen fighter isn't specialized.
- The final battle has a lot of alternate fighters, with a large amount of them being fusions of existing characters with hilarious names such as the combination of Geras and Reptile called Klockodile.
- In the epilogue, after Liu Kang leaves his champions, Madam Bo reveals one last problem for them, that being who's paying for dinner. Cue all champions arguing on who should be the one to pay, while Liu Kang just casually walks off.
Arcade Tower Endings
- Johnny Cage's ending has him reveal that Liu Kang has tasked him with sharing the existence of the realms with Earthrealm, but he understands breaking the truth to them all at once would be too much to handle. Johnny's solution? Pitch a franchise that will give them cliffnotes of major battles and concepts as it develops. A very familiar franchise called Mortal Kombat that spans movies, TV shows, and yes, even games.
- Kitana can be seen reading her script with the biggest "what the hell am I doing here" expression imaginable. Kenshi and Tanya, by contrast, seem to be thrilled to be working on the movie, and Mileena seems to be intrigued by the proceedings.
- Mileena gets a set chair labeled "Empress".
- Li Mei's ending, while played seriously, has her displaying a massive FML expression on her face upon discovering that being part of the Imperial Police involves a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork. No wonder she quit and went back to being First Constable!
- In a similar vein as Li Mei's ending, Smoke's ending has him, Scorpion and Harumi looking rather... unimpressed by the potential initiate to the newly-formed Shirai Ryu clan. From their faces alone (the "We are so screwed" faces), you get the feeling they probably would've been doomed if Tomas hadn't stumbled across their timeline's Hanzo Hasashi.
- Peacemaker's ending explains how he ended up in the Mortal Kombat Universe. After getting the upper hand on Eclipso in a fight, the Spirit of Wrath opened a portal to the Mortal Kombat Universe in hopes it would finish him. Instead, Peacemaker feels like he's come home. Seeing how badly the realms need peace, he dares Shao, Reiko and "those dickhead sorcerers" to come at him, as he'll drop them all. The last panel shows Peacemaker surrounded by the aforementioned villains with a pistol in each hand and a goofy grin on his face akin to an overgrown kid in a candy store.
- In a meta sense, it could also be viewed as an In-Universe explanation as to how John Cena's Peacemaker will be in James Gunn's DCU.
