The Method to the Madness: Why Mortal Kombat 11 Added the Iconic DC Villain Joker
As a long-time gamer and Mortal Kombat enthusiast, I was initially skeptical when I heard that the Clown Prince of Crime himself, Batman‘s nemesis Joker, would be coming to MK11 as a playable DLC fighter. While Netherealm Studios has included their fair share of surprising guest characters over the years, this seemed like a particularly odd choice.
However, upon the Joker‘s release in January 2020, along with some thoughtful reflection, I came to realize there were some smart reasons for bringing this agent of chaos into the world of Mortal Kombat.
Capitalizing on Massive Popularity and Upcoming Movie Hype
The Joker needs no introduction as one of the most iconic comic book villains ever created. As of 2022, Batman‘s nemesis has appeared in over 4,400 issues across DC’s comics, trailing only regulars like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Various incarnations of the character across TV shows, films, and video games have left an enduring impact on popular culture for decades.
The character saw a massive resurgence in 2019 with the release of the R-rated film Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix. The gritty, violent, psychological thriller grossed over $1 billion USD globally and even secured Phoenix an Academy Award for his chilling performance. The timing lined up perfectly – with all the buzz surrounding the new movie, Mortal Kombat developers NetherRealm Studios jumped on the opportunity to bring the Joker into their equally violent, dark fantasy world. His inclusion was announced at The Game Awards in December 2019, just a month before his DLC release and on the heels of Joker‘s box office domination, generating plenty of hype with fans across both franchises.
Riding the immense mainstream popularity of the character thanks to the film was undoubtedly a major motivation for NetherRealm. Given MK11‘s nature as a violent, M-rated franchise, the new R-rated interpretation of the Joker was a perfect fit to bring into their world.
Chaotic, Violent Nature – A Seamless Fit for Mortal Kombat
Part of what makes Mortal Kombat so instantly recognizable is its shocking violence – gruesome fatalities, brutal fight choreography, and gallons of blood shed by kombatants. As a gamer, seeing spines ripped out and bodies decapitated is just another Tuesday evening.
The Joker, similarly, is the embodiment of chaos – an unpredictable, dangerous mass murderer who has killed over 2,000 people in the comics alone. His brutal fatality where he slits the opponent‘s throat with a playing card before shooting them with a Bang! flag gun fits right in with MK‘s visceral style. His maniacal personality and fighting style blending ranged and close combat make him a natural pick for the MK universe. Seeing Shao Khan rip the spine out of Gotham‘s Clown Prince of Crime feels like a match made in Hell.
Fan Service Crossover Appealing to Both MK and DC Fans
Witnessing icons from different franchises clash on screen awakens the inner child for any gamer. Ever since MK vs DC Universe in 2008, fans have been eager to see DC heroes and villains grace NetherRealm‘s fighting stages. The Joker‘s inclusion builds on that crossover appeal and allows for him to exchange entertaining dialogue with MK mainstays:
Joker versus Scorpion:
Joker: "We have SO much in common!" // Scorpion: "We are NOTHING alike!"
Including a popular guest character like Joker creates so many possibilities for these satisfying inter-franchise confrontations that fans love to watch play out. It undoubtedly helps drive engagement and enjoyment with the game.
Established Partnership Between WB and NetherRealm Studios
Another major factor that facilitated the Joker‘s inclusion in MK11 was the solid business relationship between the studios involved. NetherRealm is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. which also owns DC Comics and the rights to all its characters. We‘ve seen this corporate synergy pay off before in allowing DC heroes and villains to appear across NetherRealm fighting games. For example, Scorpion was included as DLC in Injustice 2 in 2017. Featuring iconic guest characters is a clear strategy executed by both teams and shows the power of vertical integration between Warner‘s gaming and comic divisions. It was only a matter of time before the Joker brought his signature mayhem to the MK arena!
The Pros and Cons of Guest DLC Characters in Fighting Games
While undoubtedly a thrill for fans in the moment, adding guest stars from other franchises does carry some downsides as well. As a seasoned gamer, I believe guest characters should meaningfully enhance the gameplay experience and fit the tone of a fighting game if included. In the case of MK11, the Joker meets these criteria nicely. His moves feel authentic to his character and serve a unique role compared to the native roster. However, guest characters handled poorly can feel like quick cash-grabs that detract from a cohesive vision or get completely overshadowed by original fighters once the initial novelty fades. Still, whether attempting to maintain hype years after launch or provide alternative combat styles, guest DLC can expand a fighting game’s appeal when done thoughtfully.
In closing, the Joker‘s laugh echoing over the screams of fallen kombatants might strike some as an odd combination initially – but looking closer reveals some savvy motivations behind his DC villain‘s appearance in Mortal Kombat 11. Riding the popularity wave of the 2019 film while also organically fitting his sadistic personality into MK’s brutal gameplay and tone, NetherRealm nailed this piece of DLC and fan service. Now, the possibilities are wide open for what maniacal guest stars get to leave their mark on the iconic fighting franchise next! Who would I like to see? Well, that’s a topic for another day!
