This game will make you feel all "Toasty!" inside by Philip Hanan

March 1, 2007 - Nintendo fans will finally be receiving a port of Armageddon, and like Deception, the Nintendo version will be vastly improved. Midway has been working hard to make certain this port is tweaked for the Wii and gives Wii gamers something truly exclusive. They felt if they didn't utilize such features as the Wii-mote, that making a Wii port would be pointless.

Midway's main focus of the game is to make certain that every player can enjoy the control scheme that they like. For example, PS2 fans who own a Wii may want to enjoy playing MK with a traditional PS2 style controller, who one of the control options in the game is the Classic Controller. GameCube gamers who are use to playing Deadly Alliance and Deception will enjoy the fact that they can use the original GameCube controller to play. If you haven't played or aren't used to the GCN MK games' controls, I recommend using Classic, as the buttons are arranged better for the MK control scheme.

For gamers looking for a new type of control system in Armageddon, Midway delivers. Armageddon will feature a control scheme for both the Wii-mote and the Wii-mote with Nunchuk. The Wii-mote by itself will probably play similar to the GB game, King Of Fighters 95, which features pressure sensitive buttons. Pressing down longer on a button will deliver attacks of harder strengths. The Wii-mote combined with the Nunchuk will allow gamers to perform special moves with their own bodies. For example, pulling the Wii-mote back and then pushing it forward will send Scorpion's spear out. It isn't known if there will be a pulling action with the spear, but it appears that the Wii-mote actions will mimic the traditional button presses of the game.

It is not known if up to four players can play, but in an interview with Midway, they suggest that you could be playing with each person using different controls. Online Play definitely won't be feature in this port as Nintendo has yet to set up online play for their console. Miis also won't be supported because according to Midway, Miis just don't fit into Mortal Kombat. Hmm…Yet chibi MK kart racers do…

To make up for the lack of online play, Midway is adding an Wii-exclusive Endurance Mode, which allows gamers to fight up to 20 opponents as long as they can without receiving health regeneration. Most likely, Midway will add a new unlockable secret to the game if one completes the Endurance Mode as they challenge the public in their interview.

Everything else in the game appears to be a combination of the PS2 version and the Xbox version. The controls will be similar to the PS2 version, if desired, and the graphics will be closer to Xbox quality. Unlike the GCN Deception, it is unlikely to see new characters added to the game, but Khamleon, a female copy of Chameleon would be the only character from the MK series not to be in the game. Except for online play, all the modes in the PS2/Xbox versions will be intact. All 50+ characters will be in the game now that Nintendo uses full sized DVDs. Sound Effects should be no better or worse than any other version of Armageddon.

For MK fans that own the PS2 or Xbox version, there is little reason to own it unless you're a hardcore fan who needs to have the ultimate version of the game. If you don't own the game or a Wii, then just pay $20 now and get a great version for the PS2 or Xbox. If you only have a Wii, definitely pick up this title, for out of all of the MK games made, this is the one that should not be missed. The game will be released April 23, 2007 and you should stay tuned for our full review. Soon we'll be able to inform you on whether or not Midway has added any new features to the Wii port and how well the Wii-mote controls work.

By Philip Hanan
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Select from more than 50 characters from the Entire Mortal Kombat Fighting Universe: From Liu Kang to Shang Tsung to Shao Kahn, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon will feature more playable fighters than any other Mortal Kombat game to date.

All-New Customized Kreate-A-Fighter Mode: For the first time ever in a Mortal Kombat game players will be able to use a Kreate-A-Fighter feature to create and define their fighter's look, abilities and personality with a deep level of customization.

Unique Kreate-A-Fatality System: Fans now have the ability to create their own custom fatalities by stringing together a series of attacks via a series of button combos.

Entirely Revamped & Improved Konquest Mode: What formally served as a training mission has evolved into a full-blown adventure.

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