Petition To Remaster Mortal Kombat 9 Passes 1k Signatures, But It's Not Looking Likely
A petition started earlier this week asking Warner Bros. and Netherrealm Studios to remaster Mortal Kombat 9 has now reached over 1,000 signatures. The 2011 title, also known as simply Mortal Kombat, is believed by many fans to be the best game in the franchise. As one of the older games, it also has a healthy dose of nostalgia that's kept fans thinking fondly about it, but unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to play the game today.
The petition, started by a user named Zach on Change.org, asks the creators of the iconic Mortal Kombat title to bring it back as a remaster. Zach points out that since the game isn't available for purchase on Steam anymore and is only playable on older consoles, many new and existing fans don't have the opportunity to play the game anymore. Many others have shown up to support the cause, and the petition has broken 1,000 signatures in just a week.
Despite Fan Support, A Mortal Kombat 9 Remaster Is Unlikely
Legal And Technical Issues Hold It Back
The petition clearly shows that many people would love to see the classic Mortal Kombat title remastered, with the signatures currently at 1,195 and counting. However, showing support might not be enough to get this project off the ground, no matter how much everyone involved wants it to exist.
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The biggest thing standing in the developers' way is the issue of licensing rights. In 2020, Warner Bros. quietly pulled the game from Steam without fanfare or explanation. However, fans speculate that the game had to be removed because of its inclusion of Freddy Krueger, which the company lost the rights to in 2019. To remake MK9, the company would have to overcome the hurdle of including Freddy or Kratos from the God of War franchise.
The other issue is on the more technical side of the project, as Ed Boon, long-time Netherrealm Studios Chief Creative Officer and franchise co-creator, has stated. According to Event Hubs, Boon would love to remake older titles from the company's history, but it would involve essentially rebuilding them from scratch using modern tech.
A Mortal Kombat 9 Remaster Isn't Completely Off The Cards
Unlikely Doesn't Mean Impossible
Fans might be disappointed to hear that showing support for the project won't be enough to make it happen. However, that doesn't mean they should completely give up hope. According to Boon, Netherrealm Studios is keeping an open mind regarding remakes. He states that it would be great to bring back an older title like "Mortal Kombat 2 or Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 using today's technology."
For now, it seems likely that Mortal Kombat 9 will remain elusive for anyone who wants to revisit the classic. But remakes and remasters are potentially in the cards for the future. As Boon puts it, fans should hold out hope, as "one day the stars are going to align and we're going to make that happen."
Source: Change.org, Event Hubs
- Created by
- Ed Boon, John Tobias
- First Film
- Mortal Kombat
- Cast
- Robin Shou, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Bridgette Wilson, Talisa Soto, Christopher Lambert, Linden Ashby, Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada
- TV Show(s)
- Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm, Mortal Kombat: Conquest, Mortal Kombat: Legacy
- Movie(s)
- Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge, Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms, Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind, Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match
- Character(s)
- Liu Kang, Thunder God Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Kung Lao, Sonya Blade, Jackson "Jax" Briggs, Kitana, Kano, Mileena, Noob Saibot, Elder God Shinnok, Goro, Kabal
