Platform: GameBoy Advance

Genre: Fighting

Publisher: Midway

Developer: Midway

ETA: Fall 2003

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Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition

mortal kombat

There have been lots of fighters for the current generation of consoles but the GameBoy Advance has been mostly devoid of the genre. Mortal Kombat is perfectly suited for the GBA, especially with the GBA Link, but Midway promises to make Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition something more than just a port of an old game and a simple rehash.

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading software industry publisher and developer, announced today that Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition, the Game Boy Advance sequel to Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, is scheduled to ship in Fall 2003.

From Midway’s best-selling Mortal Kombat franchise comes Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition, an exclusive videogame for the Game Boy Advance, delivering multi-link play and “karnage” to the fighting game that offers its infamous brutality. New bloodthirsty partnership opportunities for the Game Boy Advance will allow up to four players to battle in tournaments and tag-team play.

Features:

New Linked Multi-player Capabilities/Dynamic modes:

4-Player Tournaments – Battle to win the tournament trophy

Tag Team Mode – Two characters can be selected to fight until both have lost in single or multi-player

“Race To Raiden” – Arcade style with a twist that enables gamers to change fighters after each battle to become the first to win as Raiden

Arcade Play – Make in-game wagers on connected battles

Co-op Mode – Players can use multi-player, which is two vs. two

New Reverse Compatibility – Link with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance favorites to fight head-to-head as Scorpion, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi to earn and wager gold “koins.” Combine with red “koins” to open even greater secrets and riches.

New Practice Mode – Wail on fighters while mastering fighting styles and special moves.

New Gambling – Players will be able to bet in-game on the outcome of linked battles, mini-games and other secret fighting challenges.

New Red “Koins” – Earn new red “koins” in order to unlock or purchase hidden characters, backgrounds and other features in the “krypt.” Red “koins” can only be earned by playing Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition.

New Battlegrounds – Fight in new dynamic environments such as the Lost Tomb, Wu Shi Academy, Sarna Ruins, Molochs Lair, as well as the most popular backgrounds from the original Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.

New Warriors – Test fighting skills as Cyrax, Drahmin, Hsu Hao, Johnny Cage, Mavado, Raiden and Reptile or newcomers Bo Rai Cho and Nitra.

Exclusive Characters for the Game Boy Advance – Sareena plus two secret fighters.

Improved Extended Player Statistics – Extended player statistics can be viewed for individual characters and player profile information can be saved in the game pack.

While the format is familiar it’s good to see new material being added, with a lot revolving around the linked Tournament features. And being able to bet on fights? Outstanding! Of course, the gambling feature could push Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition into the ESRB “M” range (but I doubt it). Gore and excessive violence is not mentioned, which seems strange since the series used to pride itself on it’s heart-pulling and spine-snapping Fatalities, so maybe it’ll just land in the Teen rating. This might disappoint fighting purists, but there’s more to a fighting game than ripping off your opponent’s head.

Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition will hit the GameBoy Advance this Fall.

- Omni

(June 8, 2003)

* Credit when it's due -- the screens are courtesy gbacentral.com