It's a news-piece...on Mortal Kombat - what's not to love...?

I will let you in on a little secret - since taking over as videogame editor here at Shadowlocked, I have rarely found the time to play games myself, instead entrusting review opportunities to our fine selection of writers. With this, I could be a number of different things - bitter, annoyed, frustrated - but I'm not, simply because I know that everything that happens is for the greater good.

However, what has kept me going - and will continue to do so for the forthcoming future - is that, come April 21st, I will be taking a day off and indulging in the brutal and bloody delights that Mortal Kombat 9 has to offer. To call myself a fan of the series would be an understatement; it is my life. There have been days on end where I have simply sat and watched montage after montage of satisfying fatalities, admiring both the creativity and beauty that can only come from 46 variations of painful execution. Sure, this sounds a bit sadistic; but I think it's just dedication to a hobby. It takes a real fan to truly understand MK; an understanding that helps us to regard the franchise as a peculiar art form, instead of just another button-bashing monstrosity.

So, when an email fluttered in from Warner Bros. with new Mortal Kombat details, I felt obliged to share it with you, Shadowlocked's loyal readership. What's more, I have details for both PS3 and Xbox 360 gamers, so please be patient.

To start, Warner Bros. and NetherRealm Studios are giving fans an inside look at Mortal Kombat's 300 level Challenge Tower mode, which includes the return of old favourites like Test Your Might and Test Your Sight as well as several new additions. Whether refusing a teddy bear from Milena; or facing Scorpion...without a head, Challenge Tower mode is a pleasant surprise and, with the promise of a truly testing level 300, it's safe to say this game could constitute some serious gametime. I think what I'm trying to say is that I now have 300 new reasons to buy this game; as if the fact that it's Mortal Kombat wasn't enough. You can view the official teaser trailer below:

Now, dependent on whether you are a PS3 or an Xbox 360 devotee, this news will either cause ecstatic heights of joy or, as in my case, an uncontrollable level of jealousy. Following a poor and obviously inebriated decision (I'm not bitter) by both Warner Bros. and NetherRealms, the MK clan will be first seen on the PS3; or the PlayStation Network (PSN) to be specific. According to their latest press release, Mortal Kombat 9 will be released on the PS3's online network on the 8th March and will allow PS3 users to master iconic warriors such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Mileena and Johnny Cage before the game's Easter release date. As if this news wasn't bad enough for 360 gamers, it becomes a whole lot worse when you realise that the company has not yet set a date for a Xbox demo to go live. Who knows, this could mean PS3 exclusivity for a day, a week or, God forbid, a month!

So there we have it - blood, guts and a dash of nostalgic 90's humour will soon be making its way to a console near you (if you're a PS3 user). For the millions of Xbox 360 owners - including myself - the wait has become even more unbearable. To cope with this unknown waiting period I suggest we develop a false sense of superiority. What's that...the 360's version is delayed as the game's predominant technology is not yet ready to release? Ah, that makes sense...

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