Mortal Kombat
WantedFans keep asking for it. No machine has been announced.
#124on the Hype Index, our daily ranking of themes fans want as machines
Peak #30, Feb 2026 · Rank updated Oct 29.
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Mortal Kombat has 3 ratings so far; its reader hype score shows at 5.
Brutal fatalities and iconic characters would translate perfectly into aggressive, combat-focused pinball action.
About This Theme
Mortal Kombat is a legendary fighting game franchise that debuted in 1992 as an arcade game created by Ed Boon and John Tobias for Midway Games. The series became a cultural phenomenon known for its digitized graphics, over-the-top violence, and signature "Fatality" finishing moves that allow players to brutally defeat their opponents. The franchise's graphic content was so controversial that it directly led to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) video game rating system in 1994. Beyond its original arcade roots, Mortal Kombat has expanded into one of the highest-grossing media franchises in the world, spawning numerous sequels, console games, films including a 1995 movie adaptation, comic books, and extensive merchandising. The property remains culturally relevant today with recent game releases and film reboots, cementing its status as an icon of 1990s gaming culture that continues to attract multiple generations of fans.
Pinball enthusiasts have increasingly discussed Mortal Kombat as a desired theme for a future machine, with the franchise frequently coming up in community discussions as one of the most requested intellectual properties that have not yet received a pinball adaptation. Fans frequently cite the franchise's place among the highest-grossing media properties worldwide as evidence of its commercial viability for pinball. Some community members express particular enthusiasm for a machine themed around the first two games in the series, while others note that the franchise's visual style and gameplay structure would translate naturally to pinball mechanics. Discussion has also touched on the potential involvement of notable pinball designers who have connections to the Mortal Kombat brand, with fans speculating about ideal creative team combinations.
A Mortal Kombat pinball machine would offer exceptional opportunities for engaging gameplay mechanics and audiovisual design. The franchise's tournament-based fighting structure could translate into progressive gameplay where players battle through different characters, with each defeated opponent unlocking new modes or bonuses. The iconic Fatality system could be adapted into spectacular multiball or jackpot sequences with dramatic animations and sound effects. The series features an extensive roster of visually distinctive characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, and Liu Kang, each with unique special moves and color schemes that would provide diverse artistic elements for playfield design and backglass artwork. The franchise's memorable music, including the famous techno theme song, combined with character voice samples and sound effects from the games, would create an immersive audio experience. The mystic tournament settings spanning multiple realms would allow for varied visual themes incorporating elements like the Pit, Goro's Lair, and the Outworld, while mechanical features could represent signature elements such as ice attacks, fire breath, or the classic "Test Your Might" mini-games.
