The fighting game genre is still finding its bearings when it comes to effective DLC practices as it seems figuring exactly what to lock behind paywalls and for how much is a tricky science. NetherRealm Studios recently released a special Halloween-themed Fatality for the new Mortal Kombat 1, and while it’s both creative and fun, many fans didn’t deem it to be worth a whopping $10.
It seems NetherRealm Studios has noted the distaste in this move as they’re rolling out a few more DLC kill moves for MK1, but are sweetening the deal by bundling them together.
To access the Halloween Fatality players must use Dragon Krystals, the game’s unique currency that can be attained via forking over real cash (you get a few Krystals for completing Story Mode, but not enough for this particular purchase).
Players need 1,200 Krystals to nab the Halloween ender, translating to about $10 of real world money as you’ll need to purchase the 1,250 Krystal pack for $9.99.
After the less than stellar reception of this exchange, NRS has decided to bundle the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter-themed DLC Fatalities with the Halloween one, meaning those who have already purchased the first holiday ender will get the next two as well.
Next week, you can access the Seasonal Fatalities bundle, which includes the Halloween, Thanksgiving, and upcoming Winter fatality.
Those who purchased the Halloween fatality will have access to the bundle at no extra cost.
We appreciate your feedback on all everything #MK1.— Mortal Kombat 1 (@MortalKombat) November 9, 2023
We have yet to see any footage of the upcoming Thanksgiving sequence, but X account Mortal Kombat Warehouse has uploaded what appears to be a sneak peak freeze frame of part of it:
start saving krystals for this thanksgiving fatality pic.twitter.com/oQmm39MvN7
— Mortal Kombat Warehouse (@MKWarehouse) November 9, 2023
It looks as though that the gory animation will have to do with stuffing and/or over eating (a particular scene from the film “Se7en” comes to mind).
Obviously $10 is a bit steep for just one Fatality, but are three worth it? Let us know in the comments if this feels like an appropriate move by NetherRealm Studios and if you’ll be buying them for yourself.
Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t the only AAA fighting game having a bit of a rough time with DLC financial practices at the moment. Check out this video from one of our recent Talk and Block discussions as we pick apart some of Capcom’s questionable Street Fighter 6 decisions from the same arena: