If there’s a company out there that knows how to craft a solid – and enjoyable – fighting game, it’s NetherRealm Studios. Previously, the team worked its magic on the DC Comics brawler Injustice 2. And later this month, we’ll return to Mortal Kombat territory for an 11th go-around. That said, Ed Boon and his team wouldn’t mind expanding its reach into other genres.
Speaking with Game Informer, the Mortal Kombat co-creator noted that NetherRealm is totally down for something new.
“While we love making Mortal Kombat games, we would love to expand into other genres, other IP, other things like that for sure.” he explained. “One of the challenges of having your last game sell the most of any other game is, you know, it’s hard to just stop from there and say, ‘you know, well, we’re done.’ But, certainly, we can take a break from it, and build up anticipation for a future title.”
That doesn’t mean he get his wish, however. Mortal Kombat continues to be a hot seller and MK11, given its name recognition and the hype surrounding it, has a chance to be a commercial hit too. However, there is room for NetherRealm Studios to possibly expand and branch out while staying within Mortal Kombat.
For instance, back in 2006, the company developed Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, which had a kart racer, Motor Kombat, packed in. Despite the fact it was a mini-game, it showed what the team could do with a racing game. A bloody, carnage-filled racing game but a racing game nonetheless. You can check out footage from the game below.
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is also worth mentioning. It released just a year before for Xbox and PlayStation 2 and was a well-received beat-em-up featuring Liu Kang and Kung Lao. And not only did it pay tribute to a long-standing genre, it did so in the Mortal Kombat fashion, meaning it had a ton of bloodshed. Check out the video below to see it in action.
Hopefully, we’ll see the team be able to try a new genre again down the road. But for now, its latest work, Mortal Kombat 11, is gearing up for release. You can pick it up starting April 23 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
