Will we finally get a Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks sequel?

Over the last three decades, the Mortal Kombat franchise has established a roster of beloved characters. Favorites like Liu Kang, Sonya Blade, and Johnny Cage have become household names, but it can be argued that Scorpion and Sub-Zero might be the two most important in the series. The rivalry between the two ninjas has been a key part of the Mortal Kombat narrative since 1992, and if series creator Ed Boon has his way, the two characters will take the spotlight in their own spin-off game. In a recent social media post, Boon addressed the possibility of a Shaolin Monks style spin-off, and which characters would star.

'Without a doubt, if (when?) we do one, it will be Scorpion and Sub-zero,' Boon wrote on X/Twitter. Unfortunately, that doesn't make it sound like a spin-off is in the immediate plans for the future, but hopefully it's something that does end up getting made. The rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero played a pivotal role in the 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot movie, and that story will continue in the upcoming sequel. Boon did not go into detail about whether a potential spin-off game would explore the past between these characters, or if it would take place in the present day of the MK continuity. The original Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was released in 2005 on PlayStation 2 and the original Xbox.

Unlike the main series games, Shaolin Monks was a beat 'em up that featured Liu Kang and Kung Lao. Over the years, the game has built a passionate following, and fans have long been hoping to see a sequel or remaster. Boon has been tossing fuel on those flames for several years now, so fans shouldn't take this latest post about Scorpion and Sub-Zero as direct evidence that a new game is in the works. Would you like a Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks sequel? Do Scorpion and Sub-Zero deserve their own game? Share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming. Sign up here and never miss a scoop.

By signing up, you confirm that you have read and agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Be the first to know about your favorite movies, shows, comics, anime, video games, and more. A fresh take on gameplay is just what the Mortal Kombat franchise needs at the moment. Mortal Kombat 1 has been one of this generation's biggest successes in the fighting games genre. While players continue to praise the game for what it brings to the table, they also wonder what's next in store for this long-running franchise.

Fortunately, we may have gotten an answer already as Ed Boon, the co-creator of Mortal Kombat, recently teased fans with a potential spinoff featuring an iconic duo from the series. While NetherRealm is busy winning the competition for the most insane cross-overs of all time with Mortal Kombat 1, series creator Ed Boon seems to be preparing for the future already. In a recent tweet that asked players which duo they would like to see receiving a Shaolin Monks-style spinoff game, Boon jumped in on the conversation, sharing the following: 'Without a doubt, if (when?) we do one, it will be Scorpion and Sub-zero.' As one would expect, reactions to the reply were overwhelmingly positive, with many fans of the series wanting to see a sequel of sorts to the old PS2 spinoff. All in all, this is excellent news for the Mortal Kombat community. The idea for a new game in a fresh format featuring beloved characters may just be what the series needs to attract longtime FGC players, newcomers, and casual folks.

Even though Mortal Kombat 1 remains this generation's best-selling fighting game, some recent events have shown that something may be seriously wrong with NetherRealm's approach to the game. For instance, at EVO 2024, the game's presence was surprisingly underwhelming. It ranked near the bottom of the top 10 games played and had a meager 645 sign-ups out of 10,240 individual players. Whether it is due to NetherRealm's lack of focus on Esports or the fact that the game remains banned in some of the biggest participating countries of EVO, this is a sign that some change is required within the franchise to maintain its relevancy. While a spinoff could certainly draw in a broader audience and even spread more awareness about MK1's competitive scene, only time will tell what the developers, along with WB, will cook up for the game's future.

With that out of the way, what are your thoughts on a Mortal Kombat spinoff? Is there any other duo you want to see featured in the game? Let us know your thoughts below.