In the realm of video games, numerous DC characters remain unexplored, presenting a golden opportunity for a specific gaming franchise. The vast array of DC characters often surpasses the capacity of major games, leaving many lesser-known heroes and villains without a spotlight. However, these characters possess dedicated fan bases and untapped potential that could be harnessed by integrating them into alternative gaming platforms.
Following the lukewarm reception of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, the landscape of DC games finds itself in a period of uncertainty. While the upcoming Monolith release of Wonder Woman offers a glimmer of hope, the brand faces challenges amidst Marvel's current gaming successes like Marvel SNAP and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The future trajectory of DC video games remains uncertain, possibly resulting in a dearth of new releases and leaving many characters devoid of video game representation.
A Potential Haven for DC Characters: Mortal Kombat
Embracing DC Characters' Combat Prowess
A defining trait shared by many deserving DC characters is their combat proficiency. The superhero genre revolves around battling adversaries with extraordinary abilities, making fighting games an ideal genre for their digital portrayals. Even non-superpowered heroes like Batman excel in hand-to-hand combat. This alignment of skills renders fighting games, alongside action-adventure titles, a natural fit for superhero narratives. Notably, one gaming franchise stands out as a potential host for guest appearances by DC characters: the Warner Bros. property, Mortal Kombat.
Welcoming Lethal DC Characters to Mortal Kombat
While certain DC characters like Superman or The Flash may not align with the brutal combat style of Mortal Kombat, others such as Reverse Flash, Lobo, and Sinestro exhibit a lethal demeanor that could seamlessly integrate into the game's universe. Even heroes like Red Hood and Jean-Paul Valley, known for their willingness to use lethal force, could find a place among the roster. The inclusion of these characters could inject fresh excitement into future iterations of Mortal Kombat.
Building on a Legacy of Collaboration
The longstanding partnership between DC and the Mortal Kombat franchise lays a solid foundation for further collaborations. Characters like Peacemaker and the Joker have already made appearances in Mortal Kombat titles, underlining the established relationship between the two entities. The past success of crossovers like Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe in 2008 underscores the potential for future collaborations. With DC's extensive character catalog, NetherRealm Studios has a vast reservoir of characters to tap into for potential inclusion in Mortal Kombat.
Leveraging this rich history of collaboration, Mortal Kombat serves as a promising platform for underutilized DC characters to shine. Given the tradition of incorporating guest characters in Mortal Kombat, the prospect of additional DC representatives entering the fray appears highly plausible. As such, Mortal Kombat emerges as a fertile ground for DC characters lacking standalone games to make a compelling impact.