Klassic Mortal Kombat actors join fan campaign to re-release Mortal Kombat 4
In the realm of Mortal Kombat's original arcade games, most of the attention is placed on the first 3 titles, but that doesn't mean people don't also care about the final one too.
The #FreeMK4 fan campaign recently gained some momentum with ConsoleFanboy getting multiple klassic MK actors on board with re-releasing Mortal Kombat 4 in a message aimed at Arcade1UP.
ConsoleFanboy was able to bring together Kerri Hoskins Branson (Sonya Blade in MK3/MK4), John Turk (Sub-Zero, Shang Tsung, more in MK3/MK4), Richard Divizio (Kano in multiple titles plus Baraka in MK2 and Kabal, Noob Saibot in MK3), original Johnny Cage and ninja actor Daniel Pesina to share their support.
"You released all of the MK arcade games 1–3 on your machines, but you're forgetting the last arcade game," said Turk in his message to Arcade1UP's John D. "Mortal Kombat 4 was the last MK game in the arcades, and it needs to come home. MK fans need you to show them some love #FreeMK4."
The push to revive Mortal Kombat's first foray into 3D graphics dates back to at least September of last year with a multitude of fans sharing their wishes to play MK4 again.
They've also gotten the attention of series co-creator Ed Boon, who has shared the campaign on his Twitter account on at least 2 occasions in apparent support of the idea.
So this is a thing? 🤔 #FreeMK4 pic.twitter.com/kZNbaV1EUJ
— Ed Boon (@noobde) September 28, 2022
Despite being from such a monumental franchise, Mortal Kombat 4 hasn't seen an official release since Mortal Kombat Gold on the Sega Dreamcast in 1999.
Except, that it can be easily purchased on GOG for only $6 USD.
The first 3 MK titles plus Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 are featured in Arcade1UP's Midway and Mortal Kombat 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition cabinets, but MK4 obviously runs on a very different engine than the original titles.
It is interesting to see that the focus is on Arcade1UP and not a wider console re-release, but that could be from the #FreeMVC2 campaign leading to a cabinet release for Marvel vs. Capcom 2 last year.
https://t.co/RjCQXICMQE. Wow. This movement is gettin loud! @ConsoleFanboy76
— John D (@diamonon) January 15, 2023
John D is certainly aware of the campaign, so there is certainly a chance fans will get their wish at some point in the future.
