T-1000 Gameplay in Mortal Kombat 1 Echoes Terminator 2, Surprise Kameo DLC Revealed

NetherRealm Studios, the developer behind Mortal Kombat 1, has unveiled the first gameplay footage for the highly anticipated DLC guest character, the T-1000, and confirmed the addition of Madam Bo as a new DLC Kameo fighter. The T-1000's gameplay showcases a range of attacks that evoke nostalgic memories of Terminator 2, featuring the character's iconic blade and hook arms. The attacks bear a resemblance to those of Mortal Kombat characters Baraka and Kabal. Additionally, the T-1000 demonstrates its ability to transform into a liquid metal blob and execute an uppercut reminiscent of Killer Instinct's Glacius.

The T-1000 is brought to life with the voice and likeness of Robert Patrick, who portrayed the character in the 1991 film. The teaser provides a first listen to Patrick's voice work as the T-1000 engages in a battle with Johnny Cage, culminating in a dramatic Fatality that recreates the famous chase scene from Terminator 2. In this Fatality, the T-1000 emerges from a truck's driver seat in liquid form to unleash a barrage of gunfire on Cage.

Simultaneously, NetherRealm surprised fans by announcing Madam Bo's arrival as a DLC Kameo fighter alongside the T-1000. A beloved character from Mortal Kombat 1's storyline, Madam Bo is known for her fierce defense of her restaurant against Smoke and his thugs, later joined by Raiden and Kung Lao. The teaser offers a quick look at Madam Bo in action, first in a fleeting frame during the T-1000 and Johnny Cage clash, and then when she assists the T-1000 in combat.

The T-1000 will be available in Mortal Kombat 1 starting March 18 during the early access period for Khaos Reigns owners, with a wider release for purchase on March 25. Madam Bo will also be accessible on March 18 as a free update for Khaos Reigns owners or as a standalone purchase.

As the final DLC character in the Khaos Reigns expansion, the T-1000 follows other notable additions such as Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. Speculation about a potential Kombat Pack 3 and the game's sales performance continues among fans, though NetherRealm has yet to confirm any plans for additional character packs.

Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of NetherRealm, has expressed strong confidence in the Mortal Kombat franchise. In November, CEO David Zaslav announced that the company intends to focus heavily on four key titles, including Mortal Kombat.

Madam Bo joins Mortal Kombat 1 as a Kameo fighter.In September, Mortal Kombat development chief Ed Boon revealed that NetherRealm had chosen its next game three years earlier but committed to supporting Mortal Kombat 1 for the long term. Many fans anticipate that NetherRealm's next project might be a third installment in the Injustice series, although neither the studio nor Warner Bros. has confirmed this yet. The Injustice series began with Injustice: Gods Among Us in 2013, followed by Injustice 2 in 2017. Despite initial expectations of alternating between Mortal Kombat and Injustice, NetherRealm released Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019 and followed it with Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023.

In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Boon discussed the decision to prioritize Mortal Kombat 1 over Injustice 3, citing factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to Unreal Engine 4 from Unreal Engine 3, which was used for Mortal Kombat 11. Boon emphasized the studio's commitment to safety during the pandemic and their desire to utilize the new graphics engine. He also reassured fans that the door remains open for future Injustice games, saying, "Not at all," when asked if the franchise was closed off.