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Arnold’s Mortal Kombat Terminator Is Even Cheesier Than You Expect

Last Updated September 23, 2020 1:04 PM
Thomas Bardwell
Last Updated September 23, 2020 1:04 PM

We all love a good crossover; they inject a fresh lease of life into stale games and usually result in some nifty cosmetic items to commemorate the occasion. With Mortal Kombat 11 announcing  a Kombat Pack featuring none other than the T-800 Terminator sporting the bearded likeness of Dark Fate -era Arnold Schwarzenegger, we fear things may have gone a bit too far, not to say taken a hard veer towards the cheesy.

But then again, maybe that’s entirely in keeping with the source material.

The Real Arnold Schwarzenegger Isn’t Involved

In a brand new gameplay trailer, NetherRealm Studios showcases everything we can expect from the latest incarnation of Arny. Despite a cringe-inducing dialogue that offers oddly bastardized versions of quotes from the movie and a jab at Mortal Kombat mainstay Johnny Cage, it’s a polished affair, it must be said.

Sadly, NetherRealm failed to secure the services of Schwarzenegger himself, entrusting voice acting duties to an impersonator who lacks that ever so gormless tone unique to Schwarzenegger. Had the man himself shown up then it might have made the whole thing a tad more palatable.

Mortal Kombat and Terminator Crossover Is As Cheesy As It Sounds
Mortal Kombat’s Terminator crossover suffers from Schwarzenegger’s absence. | Source: Mortal Kombat 11/NetherRealm Studios

Mortal Kombat’s Signature Brutality

Nevertheless, T-800 has an impressive set of moves that waver between insane and almost-balletic in their choreographed hyper-violence.

As with any Mortal Kombat fight, there’s an inherent suspension of belief as Arnold pummels his opponent with a barrage of melee attacks. He also employs a couple of guns, including what appears to be an M16 that looks minuscule in the Terminator’s bulging paws. At least he’s the one dishing out the hits this time.

Then, he teleports, and it all gets pretty silly form thereon out, channeling the excesses of 1980s action movies and then some. Flames scorch T-800’s flesh to a crisp to reveal his shiny metallic skeleton, which makes him more or less invincible. There’s an uncomfortable-looking groin crunching move and then liberal use of a handy shotgun that should realistically incapacitate his sparring partner, Scorpion.

And so on.

If it tickles your fancy, the Kombat Pack featuring Arnold hits  Mortal Kombat 11 in early access on Oct. 8. You can pick it up for the princely sum of $39.99.