Long Live Mortal Kombat, Round 1

The Fatalities and Fandom of the Arcade Era

By: David L. Craddock, John Tobias - foreword, James Rolfe - foreword

Narrated by: Andy Ingalls

To politicians and parents, Mortal Kombat was a menace to society. To gamers, it was a way of life. From dedicated hustlers who put thousands of miles on their odometers driving coast to coast to challenge the top players in arcades, to fans who devote their free time to collecting action figures, setting world records, and plumbing the depths of its lore, the Mortal Kombat franchise has topped sales charts for thirty years, and its popularity shows no signs of waning.

But before Mortal Kombat offended politicians and sold over 12 million units (and counting), executives at Midway saw it as filler—a stopgap between more promising games like NBA Jam.

Cocreators Ed Boon and John Tobias felt differently. But not even they could have imagined the phenomenon Mortal Kombat would become when it hit arcades in October 1992, or the controversy that would follow in its wake.

Based on extensive interviews, Long Live Mortal Kombat: Round 1 chronicles the arcade era of the video game industry's most infamous fighting series, the creative and technical hurdles its team had to clear, and the personal stories of the fans whose passion has made Mortal Kombat a pillar of popular culture.

©2022 David L. Craddock (P)2022 Tantor

We’ll written, interesting book

I’m not all that big of an MK fan, but I did play the first one a lot on the Genesis, even if I wasn’t that good at it. But I enjoy hearing about the history of video games and I bought this book in a whim, and was really impressed. This book is very well written, and the reader does a great job as well. There’s a few parts here and there that are obnoxious- where he is taking himself way to seriously and doing the ‘games are art’ routine, and he’ll use some woke talking points, but thankfully those parts are spread out and fairly brief - so i won’t knock any stars for that. But overall it’s just a very interesting, well written book, and I highly recommend it.

Amazing book

Such a good time. History of the games and their life cycles was fascinating. The book covers Mk1-MK4 so well. The tech talks could get a bit boring, for me anyways, but the information was fascinating. Would recommend this to any Mortal Kombat fan.

An unbiased work

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has had a somewhat negative vision of the franchise. I appreciate the fact that the writer went out of his way to gather perspectives from every angle rather than just seeking a particular view or set of views. Well done!
Feels great to know quite a few people that were quoted throughout the book.

Amazing resource of information

It paints the picture of the MK scene so perfectly, you can feel like you were there.

Long but smooth

Once I heard it was part 1, I thought it might be too much for me; nonetheless, it was effortless to keep wanting to hear more. It covers many details that, as a player, I might have never thought of, but still very interesting.

As comprehensive as it is enthralling

"Long Live Mortal Kombat" by David L. Craddock is a masterful exploration into the rich history and enduring legacy of the Mortal Kombat video game franchise. From its inception in the early '90s to its position as a cornerstone in the fighting game community today, Craddock's book offers a meticulously researched and captivating account that is both comprehensive and enthralling.

The author's depth of investigation shines through each page, combining interviews, firsthand accounts, and detailed analysis to bring the story of Mortal Kombat to life. What sets this book apart is not just the wealth of information it provides but also the engaging way in which Craddock presents it. The narrative is accessible to both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise, offering insights into the game's creation, evolution, and the impact it has had on gaming and popular culture.

One of the most commendable aspects of "Long Live Mortal Kombat" is its balanced approach to storytelling. Craddock celebrates the franchise's achievements, such as its groundbreaking mechanics, iconic characters, and cultural significance, while also not shying away from discussing the controversies and challenges it faced. This includes the debates over video game violence and the legal battles that helped shape the video game rating system in the United States.

The book is peppered with anecdotes and trivia that will delight fans, adding a layer of richness to the narrative that makes it more than just a historical account. It's a tribute to the creativity, innovation, and resilience of the developers, artists, and fans who have contributed to the franchise's legacy.

Furthermore, Craddock's analysis of Mortal Kombat's influence on the fighting game genre and its role in the broader video game industry provides readers with a deeper understanding of its significance. The franchise's ability to adapt and grow over the years, embracing new technologies and trends while staying true to its core elements, is a testament to its enduring appeal.

"Long Live Mortal Kombat" also benefits from Craddock's clear passion for the subject matter. His enthusiasm is infectious, making the book not just an informative read but also an entertaining one. The narrative flows seamlessly from chapter to chapter, ensuring that readers are always engaged and eager to learn more.

"Long Live Mortal Kombat" by David L. Craddock is an exceptional book that offers everything a fan or scholar of video games could hope for. It's a comprehensive, insightful, and thoroughly enjoyable journey through the history of a franchise that has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. Whether you're a die-hard Mortal Kombat fan or simply interested in the evolution of video games, this book is an essential read that will deepen your appreciation for the art and business of video game development.

Great Book Great Job

This book is a must have. The gentleman doing the audible did a great job!

Great book, narration is a bit weird

I really love the story and I’m so glad to hear it. The narrator is actually very good except one thing. He does accents for people who are being quoted and at times they are pretty weird and over the top. Ketchup (who has an English accent in RL) gets quoted many times and the accent isn’t even consistent. At times he sounds like a surfer dude and other times a pretty average American. I find this one tendency of the narrator’s annoying at times but if you are an MK fan, don’t let that dissuade you from buying this. Overall it’s a great book and very well written. I’ll definitely get the next installment when it comes out.

as an Arcade kid, it was a walk down memory lane.

I was already an arcade kid when MK came out. it was a part of the usual rotation, and that's what made this book so fascinating. This book captures the history that is MK not just from a lore perspective it from the perspectives of people who helped influence it from design to arcade dominance. it was an epic uphill battle that the team had to climb to get MK where it is and remains but this book captures the very spirit of that journey. I learned so much from it and as a fan it took me down memory lane more than once. I learned a lot about how this franchise capitalized on the cultural zeitgeist of the time and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves learning about how something as small as a single game can change lives on a global scale. 5 🌟!

Tremendously Detailed and Interesting

I played the first two MK games and dropped off after that but this book primarily covers those two games (plus the third) so I figured it’d be worth a listen. It delves so deep into the history of the game in such detail yet never gets boring or too in the weeds. Not only do you get the history of the games themselves but the culture of the arcades at that time. Absolutely beautifully done!