Mortal Kombat is a series known for its Easter eggs, but this latest nod to pop culture may be its best yet.
Mortal Kombat 1 is out now and so players are getting to see all the Fatalities at their disposal (check out IGN’s list of Fatalities for more). Kameo fighter Shujinko has one unexpected Fatality that mimics perhaps one of Quentin Tarantino's most famous action heroes: The Bride from Kill Bill.
As showcased by IGN’s social team, Shujinko can perform Kill Bill's 'Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique', which involves hitting a number of pressure points on the body before a fatal blow.
Mortal Kombat 1 vs. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 pic.twitter.com/JRouNYfxlH
— IGN (@IGN) September 14, 2023
In Kill Bill: Vol. 2, The Bride, played by Uma Thurman, finally gains her revenge by performing the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique on her ex-boss, Bill, played by David Carradine. The Bride learnt the technique from legendary Kung Fu master Pai Mei. Who in Mortal Kombat looks like Pai Mei? Shujinko!
Mortal Kombat development chief Ed Boon had fun with the Fatality, too.
What are you talking about? We don’t draw any inspiration from movies. #MortalKombat1 pic.twitter.com/kOcJWsSo9n
— Ed Boon (@noobde) September 15, 2023
The developers at NetherRealm have done a fantastic job recreating the Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique as it was shown in Kill Bill, although, as you’d expect, Mortal Kombat’s version ends in a more gruesome fashion than the original does.
Now, players are now calling on the studio to secure The Bride as a DLC character. Beatrix Kiddo would be a great fit for the gory fighting game, but whether director Quentin Tarantino would give his blessing to such a move remains to be seen.
Pai Mei would be proud pic.twitter.com/49P2uyyCLu
— Barcode (@BarcodeOC) September 15, 2023
MAKE HER A GUEST ED, I BEG YOU ??? pic.twitter.com/BAdICZVZS1
— ?| Gui (@UMGADl) September 15, 2023
I mean, Beatrix Kiddo COULD just be in the game... just sayin ?
— Aramis ? rhetoricc (@aramisx) September 15, 2023
the Bride for MK1 ?️?️ pic.twitter.com/SjPHKpdWPV
— daily mileena (@dailymileena) September 15, 2023
If you’re interested in the weird and wonderful Mortal Kombat 1 Fatalities, check out IGN’s compilation video, below. Once you’re done with that, give IGN’s Mortal Kombat 1 review in progress a read.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.