Since its inception in 1992, the Mortal Kombat series quickly caught the attention of many arcade-goers for its, at the time, excessive levels of violence. Mortal Kombat’s Fatalities set it apart from other fighting game series such as Street Fighter and gave the series an identity that would continue onward nearly thirty years later. The excessive violence, however, also drew the ire of concerned parents and politicians. Mortal Kombat was ultimately one of the influences behind the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) who has since assigned ratings to each game released in North America.
As a tongue-in-cheek response to the outcry over the violence in the original game, the series introduced Friendships. Friendships are executed in similar timing and fashion as a Fatality, but instead of killing the opponent, the player character will take part in a light-hearted recreational activity. Friendships would appear in Mortal Kombat II and Mortal Kombat 3 before going dormant. Friendships would make their return in Mortal Kombat 11 as a free update in conjunction with the Aftermath expansion. While most of these Friendships are hilarious, there are others that fell flat.
10 Funny: Raiden Bings Back Kidd Thunder Once Again (MK11)
Each of Raiden’s Friendships throughout the series are similar in nature. Raiden summons a smaller child-like version of himself named Kidd Thunder. Kidd Thunder is dressed similarly to Raiden, and both make the same pose with arms raised high. It’s a very unexpected Friendship as one might Raiden to instead charge and light up a toy, for example.
Kidd Thunder makes his return to MK11, but this time accompanied by a techno dance and light show. To cap it all off, when both are doing their pose at the end, Kidd Thunder will occasionally glance up toward Raiden as if he’s looking for approval.
9 Fell Flat: Sindel’s Is A Little Too Simplistic (MK11)
Sindel’s original Friendship in the MK3 series has her kicking a football before exclaiming, “That was fun!” It’s a very random Friendship and one that can catch many off guard. Unlike her MK3 Friendship, her MK11 Friendship centers around her powerful screaming ability. Sindel brings out a wine glass and screams but cracks the camera screen instead of a wine glass.
While this Friendship is more true to Sindel and is enough to warrant a smirk, it’s more simplistic compared to others in MK11. It doesn’t reach the potential a Sindel Friendship should have. A more fun alternative could’ve been, for example, her, Shao Khan, and Kitana trying to take a family picture.
8 Funny: Stryker Shows A Different Side Of His Occupation (MK3)
Stryker was introduced in MK3 as an everyday police officer who got caught up in the impending Shao Khan invasion of Earthrealm. While his moveset centers around tools and weaponry based on his occupation, his Friendships shows a more lighthearted side by depicting him directing traffic.
Stryker blows a whistle and allows a crowd of characters (even including his own sprite) to run past the screen. Stryker holds up a stop sign and has a big smile on his face. It’s one of the more complex Friendships in MK3 as it involves numerous characters and the result is sure to bring a chuckle to first-time viewers.
7 Fell Flat: Baraka’s Doesn’t Cut It (MK11)
Baraka doesn’t have the best history with Friendships. His MK11 one is no different. Baraka presents a birthday cake before tossing it in the air. He uses his blades to cut up the cake creating a mess. After his very simplistic Friendships in MK2 and MK3, it’s a big disappointment MK11 didn’t do more with Baraka and his blades.
Netherrealm Studios could’ve had Baraka attempt some arts and crafts, but struggle with cutting thanks to his blades. While it wouldn’t be extravagant, it would’ve been a big step up from his previous Friendships.
6 Funny: Kung Lao’s Is Very Innocent And Wholesome (MK11)
Unlike Baraka, Kung Lao does have a good history with Friendships. His first Friendship depicts pulling a rabbit out of his hat. His MK3 one has him tossing his hat like a frisbee. A dog chases it and catches it offscreen for the worst. His MK11 Friendship is one of the best in the series.
Kung Lao uses his classic warping move through the floor before emerging with a toy train track surrounding his iconic hat. Kung Lao plays with the trains, even making train noises in the process. It’s such an innocent and funny Friendship that can players chuckle every time they see it.
5 Fell Flat: Sheeva’s Doesn’t Take Full Potential Of Her Four Arms (MK11)
There’s a lot that can be done with Sheeva in terms of Friendships. Her four arms create endless possibilities. Her original Friendship has her spinning plates on sticks on each of her hands. In MK11, Sheeva utilizes her four arms and plays a glass harp with multiple wine glasses on a table.
Like Sindel, this Friendship isn’t inherently bad. It’s just a little too simplistic and doesn’t fully realize her potential. An alternative example could be using her arms to quickly build something, such as a tower, with building blocks. She could admire her work before it tumbles over on top of her. Not enough hands in the world could save a tumbling tower of blocks.
4 Funny: Like Most Of Us, Sub Zero Really Likes Ice Cream (MK11)
Originally, Sub Zero’s Friendships mimicked Scorpions. In MK2 he presents a Sub Zero doll asking players to go out and buy one. In MK3, he plays a Jack-in-a-box with a snowman inside. In MK11, Sub Zero finally gets a Friendship all his own and the wait was worth it.
His Friendship begins with him gleefully expressing his excitement in a child-like fashion before running off-screen. He returns riding an ice cream bike. He reaches in the freezer and grabs a popsicle stick, and uses his ice powers to create a popsicle. The amount of joy Sub Zero has toward ice cream is both hilarious and relatable.
3 Fell Flat: Sonya’s Updated Friendship Fails To Be A Major Step Up (UMK3)
Sonya Blade’s Friendships starting off in an incredibly underwhelming fashion. In MK3, Sonya swung her arms back and forth with a smile on her face. That was it. In Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Sonya would receive an updated Friendship.
In UMK3, Sonya will pose before flowers grow around her. While it was a step up from her previous one, it was still underwhelming and disappointing in itself. Thankfully, Sonya’s MK11 Friendship made up for this by having her play fetch with one of her robots. The robot would bring back a dead Tarkatan to her approval.
2 Funny: Epic Jax Guy (MK11)
Jax’s Friendships started out very simple. In MK2, Jax would cut some paper origami dolls with a smile on his face. In MK3, Jax would jump rope. Both were very simple, but they were delightful nonetheless. Jax’s MK11 Friendship, however, would be radically different for the better.
In MK11, Jax pulls out a saxophone and starts playing the iconic Mortal Kombat movie theme. The background changes, which act as a music video. This Friendship is almost certainly meant to be a parody of Epic Sax Guy, and it’s every bit as hilarious.
1 Fell Flat: Baraka’s Second Verse Is Same As The First (MK3)
Prior to his underwhelming MK11 Friendship, Baraka had two other disappointing Friendships. In MK2, Baraka would present a birthday gift to the opponent, and that was it. In MK3, Baraka would present a birthday gift to the opponent, and that was it.
Yes, Baraka would have the exact same Friendship across both games, which makes it all the more disappointing given his potential for Friendships. His MK11 Friendship would’ve actually worked really well in MK3. Hopefully, when Friendships make their return in a future Mortal Kombat, Baraka can finally get the Friendship he deserves and one that’s different from his previous ones.
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