Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe

Giant Bomb

Feels like the refreshing start of a new era for Midway's fighting series. It probably won't change your mind if you're not into the genre, or even if you're into the genre but have already made up your mind about the MK series. But if you're open to the idea of more Mortal Kombat, you'll find a terrific game here.

Gamer's Hell

To those who doubted the concept of MKvsDC, doubt no more because Mortal Kombat is back with a vengeance.

Deeko

Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe is a strange combination that works; like fried chicken and waffles.

GameFocus

For what it offers, the game deserves a good look but its lack of MK flavour might turn off some people, especially the die hard MK fans. Still this game is awesome and deserves attention. Shedding some dollars will not be a waste for the entertainment gained in return.

Game Over Online

The good news is that it's very playable on a level that the Mortal Kombat series rarely manages to reach, and has solid enough net code that you can play online with virtually no lag.

Official Xbox Magazine

Online play over Live will enhance this game's replayability, but a little more content would've made it an epic crossover. [Holiday 2008, p.80]

Game Informer

The game offers two different story modes that each last a couple hours, but aside from a thin combo challenge there isn’t much to do here other than test your might online. Still, fans of both universes are sure to squeeze hours of entertainment out of this package.

ZTGameDomain

The combat is solid, the story mode is substantial and if you are a fan of either universe there is something here to enjoy. The lackluster finishing moves and lack of extras really hurt the overall experience, but if you are indeed looking for a game that pits two franchises full of beloved characters there is a lot to love here.

Gaming Target

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe is a solid fighter with good mechanics and a great story mode.

Planet Xbox 360

The unfortunate truth is that while it’s a decent game, it doesn’t rise above that initial excitement.

Game Chronicles

While not an epiphany of brilliance the game revives MK and makes the series at least relevant again. And if you’re a DC fan there’s no excuse not to get this game. This is the best game to use the DC license in years.

Gamervision

Fans of modern fighting games may find the action (aktion?) a bit shallow, but for MK aficionados, this is the game we’ve been waiting for since the mid 1990’s.

GamePro

MK vs. DC isn't the best Mortal Kombat game, not by a country mile, but for the first time in years this series feels relevant and energized.

GameDaily

It's a huge improvement on a tired fighting engine.

Team Xbox

It may not be a “Flawless Victory” with its here-and-there hiccups and T-rated combat, but Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is the best pure MK fighter that the series has produced in years.

3DJuegos

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe has failures and highlights. Its short value is a very serious problem, and you will surely ask for more. But the attractiveness of its proposal, the new gameplay add-ons, and the strong -although conventional- multiplayer are reasons enough to pay attention to this game.

WonderwallWeb

For the short time this game lasted it was fun and hard to put down, but once complete there is little left to offer. Thankfully comic fans will not be disappointed.

GameZone

So close in many ways but way off in others, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe doesn't move the series forward so much as it tries to redefine what Mortal Kombat should be about. We could "if this" or "if that" all day long, but ultimately, Midway has created a game that MK fans will enjoy while being greatly disappointed.

Gamers' Temple

Dark energy has begun to merge the DC world with the MK world and a new foe has emerged that spreads his rage and takes pleasure in watching characters battle it out to the death.

Computer Games Online RO

And although I hate to admit that the replay value is reduced because of a precarious balance between characters and also due to the multiplayer options, which aren’t too varied, I can recommend this game to any fan of the series and also to those who only wish to relax with a title worthy of being called Mortal Kombat.

Cheat Code Central

The game is not a failure by any means, but you will find yourself asking for more or wanting to play other more fleshed out fighting games. The visuals were also a big letdown, especially the backgrounds, mainly because we've been spoiled by other visually appealing fighting games.

IGN

Casual players will punch through the storyline before burning out after getting stumped by one or two Kombo Challenges, while Mortal Kombat fans will have trouble accepting the toned down Fatalities and somewhat slower gameplay. In short, this game's fun, but its legs probably can't carry it beyond the whole "Wow, Batman's fighting Superman" first impression.

Meristation

The Mortal Kombat universe fights the DC Universe in the most unexpected crossover yet. A great cast of characters, many incredible combos, and a good storyline don't stand for a slick gameplay and some technical issues, but overall, it's a great fighting game for these last months of the year.

Variety

Forget depth, sophistication or anything remotely resembling logic: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe takes gamers back to the days of cheesy arcade fighting with bravado, style and an unironic sense of fun.

GameSpot

The MK and DC crowds are a surprisingly good combo, but questionable roster balancing keeps this enjoyable fighter from achieving greatness.

Xbox360Achievements

The game was definitely odd, but it wasn't a pathetic fail as some may have expected. It was different for sure, but it was still fun and still brought me back to the days I played Mortal Kombat on my Sega for hours on end.

MS Xbox World

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is an admirable beat 'em up, although it's not the over-the-top, and excessively satisfying Mortal Kombat experience that you may be familiar with, though beat 'em ups seem to be few and far between these days.

NZGamer

Unbalanced characters and a very steep difficulty curve can cause an unnecessary amount of frustration. The Story Mode (playable from either the DC or MK point of view) was interesting to progress though and had some well thought-out storylines. But eventually you’ll come up against a near unbeatable foe like Scorpion who will put a dampener on your enjoyment levels.

ActionTrip

As ridiculous as the plot sounds, it actually works fine if you're interested in checking out the game's Story Mode.

InsideGamer.nl

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a decent arcade fighting game, but has its flaws. The limited content and fighter line-up adds up to the absence of gore and violence, which is really a shame. The game still retains the Mortal Kombat-feel though, and the cast of DC-heroes is a nice bonus. The one-on-one multiplayer-rounds are fun enough for fans to consider purchasing Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

Enjoyable and silly, but if you want a fighter to go the distance, wait for SFIV. [Jan 2009, p.86]

Armchair Empire

The game graphics are alright, certainly not as polished as other fighting games this generation and definitely not a challenger against the Soul Calibur series.

Eurogamer Portugal

Despite of not showing one of the bests Fighting Systems, the game is still compared to any of the Ed Boon’s franchise, surfacing other games in terms of graphics or sounds. Still, the game can’t offer a solid experience like the ones that have inspired MK vs DC. Any fan of each (or both) Universes will certainly enjoy this game because Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe is made for the fans.

Hardcore Gamer Magazine

It’s good to see that new life, by means of bizarre franchise combination, can be breathed into a nearly dead game series.

Gamestyle

By merging two franchises Midway is being quite clever. Mortal Kombat and DC fans will lap this up and for the uninitiated it’ll still provide ample enjoyment.

Thunderbolt

It seems that with the aid of their superhero counterparts, Mortal Kombat is back, and in better skull cracking shape than before.

Totally360

Overall this is a competent fighting game.

VideoGamer

We had a blast playing the game here in the office, with almost everyone gathering to watch. But it is an inferior fighting game, no matter how oddly compelling it is to see two sets of fictional characters clash in such improbable circumstances.

X360 Magazine UK

Entertaining, amusing, enjoyable but ultimately shallow, MK Vs DC is brilliant in short bursts but won’t ever take up more than an hour of your time. We bet you find yourself coming back in the long run, though.

GameSpy

It starts off fun, but once you've played enough rounds of Sub-Zero versus The Joker, there's not enough substance in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe to give it the longevity of better fighting games.

Gamer.nl

Against all odds, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe turns out to be a very entertaining game. The characters that actually made it into the game are more than welcome and the chosen super hero's (and villians) are a perfect fit. The difficulty of the game is kept simple. Just the way it should be in a Mortal Kombat game. But, make sure that you have some friends over when you start playing the game, because it offers little fun for just one player.

Worth Playing

An enjoyable story mode and pleasing visuals are overshadowed by the mediocrity of everything else.

Gameplayer

A surprisingly charming game – more charming than initially expected. It features a reasonable cast of characters that represent both franchises and is choc-a-block with impressive moves and exhausting combos. It might not have the depth and content to win the respect of fans of other franchises, but unfussy brawlers will get a kick out of taking it for a rumble.

Official Xbox Magazine UK

This game is at definitely its larger-than-life best with two players, but doesn't have the longevity to make it an essential purchase.

Destructoid

It contains its fair share of flaws, not the least of which are some gameplay unbalances and curious lack of interesting unlockable content. But if you’re looking for silly, lighthearted fun to kill a few hours with friends over a few laughs, you could certainly do a lot worse than Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

Extreme Gamer

Technical glitches aside, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is a fun diversion in this dream-match crossover.

1UP

I just wish the game's signature (and somewhat watered-down -- go Teen rating!) Fatalities ("Heroic Brutalities" for the politically correct DC heroes) appeared in each character's move lists, as I'd rather not look up a button combination every time I want to shoot my opponent in the face or drop a Mortal Kombat arcade cabinet on his head. You know, the important stuff.

Game Positive

The game has some refreshing ideas, and if you can look past these issues, you may find some fun in Midway's latest romp.

BigPond GameArena

One of the biggest early appeals of Mortal Kombat was the forbidden factor, personified by that curtain that appeared around some of the earlier arcade cabinets to shield kiddies from the evisceration. In its quest for broader appeal, that element of MK is now dead and gone.

Console Monster

As a fan of fighting games in general, with fond memories of the Mortal Kombat series, I find it a shame that the new direction that the developers have taken one of the most renowned series in gaming as one of shallowness, filled with generic design flaws.

D+PAD Magazine

There really is no denying that MK vs. DCU is a simple game at heart, which makes it ideal for playing with a few mates who don't really specialise in fighting games. But its simplicity ultimately proves to be its downfall as, after a week or so of playing, your fighting skills will have outgrown everything that the game has to offer. Competent but unessential.

Boomtown

I would certainly recommend MK vs DC, perhaps not at full price but at a sub-£20 price point I can’t see it disappointing many, and it actually does enough to deserve a seven.

Eurogamer

A solid fighter for dabblers.

G4 TV

The groundwork is laid here for something truly interesting and special if a follow-up is made, but this initial outing is merely average.

AceGamez

Unfortunately, the whole experience just feels a bit pointless.

LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Fun reminder of the good old times when fighting games were the most popular ones. DC heroes freshen up the world but the singleplayer campaign is dull and the dubbing is truly punishable. [Feb 2009]

Gaming Age

Unless you are a MK fanboy (and I mean so die hard that you don't care if the game is the same old song and dance) or a DC fanboy who wants to see where the writers take their beloved superheroes, then this game is a rental at best. Hell I'm a fan of both, although not die hard for either brand, and I still couldn't find myself very interested in the final result.

Game Revolution

The biggest problem for Mortal Kombat vs. the DC Universe is that it’s just meh (Yes, it's now a word, so I get to use it). You will neither love it nor hate it. Instead you will find yourself in a fighting game limbo where you feel kompelled to keep playing because you love one of the respective franchises, or you’ll just play for a while until a sense of disappointment and betrayal sets in.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

This Kombat would have been more appealing in arcades 15 years ago than on consoles today.

GameCritics

Comic books are excessively violent. Mortal Kombat is excessively violent. Yet somehow the combination of the two has been watered-down to the point of irrelevance, all in the hopes of increasing the number of people who would play it.

Level7.nu

Once and for all the iconic figures in the Mortal Kombat franchise squares off against the heroes and villains of the DC Comics. It's a novel idea and done right it could have been an interesting reboot of the Mortal Kombat franchise, but alas it isn't so. The violence has been toned down and gameplay wise it's just not that much fun or varied. It can entertain for a short while, but at the end of the day the only redeeming thing about this game is the ability to play as (or beat the crap out of) your favourite character in either Mortal Kombat or DC Comics.