STUDIO: Midway Games
RELEASE DATE: November 16, 2008
CONSOLE: PS3
ALSO AVAILABLE ON: XBox 360
DEVELOPER: Midway Amusement Games
GENRE: Fighting
PLAYERS: 2
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)

Now this is a surprise. To be honest, you can usually tell what's going to work in the world of gaming and what's not before you even open the game. Call of Duty 5? Safe bet that it's not going to suck. Space Chimps: The Game? Probably not a candidate for Game of the Year. I'll admit that with all the previews, screen shots, and trailers out there, I often find myself pre-judging games more than movies or DVDs, which I'll often go into completely blind. And I'll admit that my advance reaction to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe was along the lines of "yeah, that will probably be fun for a few minutes but wear out its welcome pretty quickly." Much to my surprise, MK vs. DC isn't just fun, it's a LOT of fun. It's a refreshing boost of adrenalin to a franchise that I grew up with and that I honestly thought was about as dead as the movie sequels. It's goofy and predictable but also incredibly easy to pick up and play and addictive as hell... just like Mortal Kombat used to be back in its prime. Over the last week, I found myself intending to pick up the game for a few minutes and instead found myself losing 45 to 60 minutes of my life in the blink of an eye. Surprisingly deep with multiple game types, clever fighting moves, and incredible playability, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe may not change the landscape of gaming, but it's perhaps the one game that most exceeded my expectations in this crowded release season.

The concept sounds ridiculous, but that's part of the charm of MK vs. DC. Why should Batman fight Scorpion? A better question is - why not? In fact, I'd love to see more ridiculous gaming mash-ups. Why not send Buffy and her friends into the MK ring? Or the cast of Heroes? I'd sure love to unleash some Sub-Zero justice on Mohinder. For an entire generation, the MK characters are as iconic and have been around as long as Superman and Wonder Woman. Why not let them kick each other's ass? If you can get past the ridiculousness of the concept, then the playability of the game will almost certainly entertain anyone who's ever enjoyed a fighting game. This may sound hard to believe, but Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is one of the most enjoyable fighting game experiences of the year. I know most critics would probably disagree with me, but I had as much fun with this title as I had with Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Soul Calibur IV.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe gives you 22 fighters in several modes including a basic, kick-your-roommate's-ass freeplay, Arcade mode, Story mode, Kombo Challenge, and Practice. Characters are split evenly between the MK and DC universe and include favorites such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman next to Scorpion, Rayden, and Liu Kang. Yes, in theory, Superman should kick everyone's ass, but, keep in mind, this is just a game. Maybe it's just because I was so familiar with the Kombat character's moves and styles, but the DC heroes totally steal the show. From The Joker throwing cards at his enemies to Wonder Woman using her lasso - every time I unlocked a special move from a DC character that I hadn't seen before (and, as with every MK game, it's ALL about the special moves), I smiled. And if your kid brother figures out how to use Flash's speed to his advantage, your reign of domination could be over. There are also new fighting styles, including a freefall one that feels both new and completely compatible with the MK universe.

It's not just sibling rivalry that makes Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe a fun pick-up game. There are actually two complete story modes - one from each side - that are surprisingly deep and enjoyable. They both last a couple of hours, which is an unexpected length for single mission fun in a fighting game. Combine them with online play, arcade mode, and some kind of lame combo challenges (that feel designed mostly for trophy lovers) and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe provides hours of entertainment. That's probably the most surprising thing about the game. Most fighting games are the most fun in their first hour of play, but the developers of MK vs. DC found a way to make hours two, three, and four just as enjoyable. I know. You don't believe me. I wouldn't either. But when you're done with all the Game of the Year titles and you're looking for something fun and nostalgic, you can't do much better than Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.