In just under a week fans everywhere will finally be able to sink their teeth into the next big update for Mortal Kombat 1. NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games are very close to launching Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns, a large expansion to the blockbuster fighting game that is set to add new story mode chapters, DLC characters, modes, and more to the already action packed title.
Just this morning, the Khaos Reigns launch trailer was released and featured a closer look at Animalities, the newest finisher type, for a handful of characters. With this trailer, the entirety of Noob Saibot’s Animality was showcased, and eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that this ferocious finisher appears to be a near identical recreation of a fan-favorite Fatality from Mortal Kombat 9.
For the uninitiated, the new Animalities in Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns see the return of the vicious finisher type from back in the Mortal Kombat 3 days. Differing from standard Fatalities, these match ending sequences see the user transform into a wild animal and use whatever traits said animal has to destroy their victim.
In MK1, Noob Saibot’s Animality takes advantage of his trademark shadow clone and sees the menacing ninja and his double transform into two crocodiles that grab either leg of the opponent and essentially rip them in half. Noob Saibot ripping someone in half by the legs… doesn’t that sound a little familiar?
Well, if it does that’s because we’ve seen Noob do this exact thing back in 2011’s Mortal Kombat 9. As it turns out, one of the more celebrated Fatalities from MK9 is Noob Saibot’s “Make A Wish” finisher that sees him, well, team up with his shadow clone to rip his opponent in half by the legs.
The shadowy ninja’s Animality in Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns doesn’t just seem to be inspired by Make A Wish, but as TheThiny points out on Twitter, looks to be a near identical recreation of it.
In the tweet, we see both finishers played side-by-side, which shows exactly how close they really are.
The very start is a bit different (considering in one the crocodile transformation has to happen), but once they grab each of the opponent’s legs things play out exactly the same. Even the speed at which everything plays out is nearly identical, with MK1’s finisher having some fresh camera angles to really show its intensity.
Noob Saibot’s Animality is 1:1 his MK9 Fatality and I LOVE it!
The animations are the same frame by frame, with only the speed being altered.Here’s the side-by-side sync’d video!#MK1 #MortalKombat1 pic.twitter.com/gtRjr1Qrja
— thethiny (@thethiny) September 18, 2024
NetherRealm Studios Combat Designer Joe Epstein recently shared new details on the upcoming DLC character Noob Saibot and revealed that the returning fighter will have one of the largest move sets in all of Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns. He will also come equipped with a unique special move that can only be used once per match.
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns is set for launch on September 24. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.