In 2011, Mortal Kombat will return in all it's gory glory, bringing with it the deadly finishing moves that were controversially scaled back for their 2008 crossover, Versus DC Universe.

In preparation for the elaborate bloodletting and general dismemberment, IGN has picked up the gauntlet to list their Unofficial Top Ten Best Fatalities! Featured in the list are favourites like Scorpion's Toasty Flame Breath, along with some more obscure fare you might not expect.

You can find the full article on IGN.com, or watch the video embedded above, for the office rundown with moving pictures. Mortal Kombat is currently in production under NetherRealm Studios, with a pending release date expected for the first half of 2011.

Thanks to forum member Reiko- for word on this story.

UK magazine PocketGamer has released word that Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 will be released for Java-enabled mobile phones. it's apparent that a scoring system – not used since the original Mortal Kombat I – will be making its return. Check out the screenshots: The developer is listed as Electronic Arts Mobile and not Warner Bros. The article mentions that the release date is (approximately) December 1, 2010 and that they will be posting their review of the game shortly. No word as of yet whether this confirms a release in North America, or whether this port will include Puzzle Kombat (as the Nintendo DS port did) or any other extras. To read the article in its entirety, click here.

Long-running UK Playstation magazine Play recently took a tour of the MK team's new home at Netherrealm and have revealed some images from inside the developmental studios.

Among the highlights of the tour include a section of wall that houses a copy of every Mortal Kombat game ever created, as well as few novelty items such as a statue of Goro and the "Mortal Kombat Bible". Lining other sections of the walls are everything you could imagine from Mortal Kombat's memorabilia history, such as comics, figurines and even some of the original costumes from the early 2D games. In addition, there are cabinets featuring each game released in arcades. This includes the mock cabinet set-up for the upcoming game that was first seen at E3, on which a clear shot of the main select screen is shown.

Play has a feature on the upcoming game in issue #199 including a hands-on impression and words with Ed Boon. UK residents will find it on sale today! Click here to see the remainder of Play's studio tour.

Thanks to forum member queve for this update.

Netherrealm Studios has added two new screenshots taken from the Electronic Games Show in Mexico to the official Facebook page for Mortal Kombat.

These images features Kung Lao and Mileena locked in combat on the Dead Pool stage as well as Scorpion and Reptile fighting in this arena. G4TV under the guise of X-Play attended this event as well and posted a preview of the game. While nothing new is added, Hector Sanchez speaks on the game's first trip south of the border.

Thanks to forum member samus_aran3900 for the lead on this story.

Last month the MKCommunityManager on Youtube released a video entitled "What Would You Do With Scorpion's Spear?" and for Mortal Monday this week that video was followed up on with another featuring Mortal Kombat's other resident ninja mascot, Sub-Zero.

• What Would You Do With Sub-Zeros Freeze?

Similarly, various members of the team discuss comically what sort of things they would do with Sub-Zero's iconic powers. Answers ranged from creating castles of ice to creating blended margaritas. Over a dozen team members were interviewed for this video, which was likely put together several months ago given the team's comments about the heat, and include senior member Jon Vogel. Please click here to watch the video on Youtube.

Thanks to forum member queve for word on this story.

Premiere Russian gaming magazine, IgroMania, has revealed an alternate cover for their latest issue, and in doing so, confirmed another favourite for Mortal Kombat in 2011!

MK's first lady of fighting, Sonya Blade, appears in fully rendered glory alongside series mascot, Scorpion, in a mock character select screen that references the first two games, and characters from other articles as well. This is the first time Sonya has appeared officially, sporting a decidedly different look from her traditional outfits. The render(s) replace cover artwork designed around NetherRealm Studios' Mortal Kombat dragon symbol and title text [pictured below].

The image confirms months of speculation regarding Sonya's impending status; leaked by IgroMania's Editor-in-Chief via their website message board. The issue, No. 12 (159), officially goes on sale November 23, with a five-page feature on the new game.

Thanks to forum member NickAMK for the word on this story!

On the heels of his character vignette, a gameplay trailer has surfaced on IGN featuring the ice warrior Sub-Zero! Much like Scorpion's gameplay trailer, this video showcases Sub-Zero fighting style and special abilities.

• Sub-Zero Gameplay Trailer

The video opens with what is possibly a story mode scene where Sub-Zero confronts Scorpion about his brother's murder. Scorpion is taken aback, saying he can not be Sub-Zero before a fight begins. Throughout the video we see his trademark ice blast along with the ground freeze, slide and several unique attacks featuring his conjured kori blade. In addition, Sub-Zero taking part in tag-team mode is also shown. The video ends with his liver-crushing X-ray special.

Check out the video embedded above or on IGN!

Fatality Friday is upon us once again, and this time we are treated to the second Environment Bio from the upcoming Mortal Kombat game. Featured today is the iconic Living Forest which debuted in Mortal Kombat II.

• Living Forest Bio

The video showcases the origins of the stage, from its roots in MK2 through MK: Deception and MK: Shaolin Monks. As with The Pit's biography, we learn a few interesting lore details regarding the environment. Most interestingly is the statement that those who are consumed by the forest become the forest itself. The memorable living trees in the forest are actually the trapped souls of those who have perished in this deadly wood. Shao Kahn himself respected the power of the forest and frequently routed his troops around the haunted thicket.

Please click above to enjoy the streaming video. You may also download the video as well. Our thanks to Netherrealm Studios for the release!

Gamespot has released a video bio featuring the iconic Sub-Zero as he appears in the upcoming Mortal Kombat. The legendary cyromancer's canon storyline seems to remain the same, though new information in the way of the old and the younger Sub-Zero being abducted as children by the Lin Kuei aswell as their original names before taking on their known alias. Thus being Bi-Han and Kuai Liang.

• Sub-Zero Vignette

The video pieces together gameplay, renders and comic-themed artwork to make around a one minute, high-quality presentation. It begins by telling the story of Sub-Zero through his life, death and then his younger brother taking on the codename of Sub-Zero and entering the tournament to avenge his brothers unjustly murder at the hands of Scorpion.

Find the video embedded above, or view it on Gamespot.com.

Spanish gaming blog Fase Xtra has released a preview of the upcoming Mortal Kombat. Whilst providing nothing new in terms of information, The post comes with some new screenshots and concept art:

The screenshots depict Scorpion, Johnny Cage, Cyrax, Nightwolf, Kung Lao and Sektor battling it out with one another in various arenas.

More interestingly however is the concept art revealed showing Kitana, Cyrax and Jade's Desert. The arena art seems to suggest that it is indeed a fallen statue of the Edenian Queen Sindel.

To view the article for yourself please click here.

Thanks to forum member for the heads up on this story!

This week's Mortal Monday might have come one day late, but it will be well worth the wait for Sub-Zero fans. The icy assassin is the featured combatant this week as a brand new, high quality render was revealed via the official Facebook account for the game.

Sub-Zero attacks a victim with his kori blade after freezing them solid, slicing them in half. This image follows up the other released media in Sub-Zero's selection screen featuring what was a frozen victim. In addition to this, a small render of Sub-Zero can be seen on the main select screen. This render featuring him creating his trademark ice blast.

Thanks to forum member for the word on this story!

Netherrealm Studios has released part two of the second episode of the MKast. Hector Sanchez and Hans Lo continue to talk with team members John Edwards, Paulo Garcia, and Brian LeBaron about various functions within the game. The team reveals they do infact visit several of the major Mortal Kombat fansites and read the feedback within during their spare time. They then proceed to answer a few questions asked via Twitter.

Among the subjects discussed are the dynamics of the super meter, revealing that what we've seen in gameplay demos is not a final representation of how fast or slow the meter will build. Several characters we have seen thus far use weaponry in their fighting styles, such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Kitana and Nightwolf, but the weapon styles familiar in last generations Mortal Kombat games will not be present. Characters will only use weapons if it fits their personality and to give them an unique feel. Control consistency was also stressed as important, for example all characters will share the same button combinations for iconic Mortal Kombat moves such as the uppercut and the sweep. During the conversation we see a few cuts of gameplay from the game itself, including a portion of Kitana's X-ray attack.

Five new screenshots featuring everyone's favorite box office star Johnny Cage have hit the official Mortal Kombat site! These images feature Johnny (or his stunt double perhaps) taking abuse at the hands of Mileena, Scorpion and Sub-Zero, the three revealed characters that are also featured on the site. Johnny doesn't only take the abuse, he also dishes it out to himself as well!

Johnny Cage shows off his Shadow Kick and Green Energy Ball while Mileena performs her trademark Teleport Kick. Sub-Zero performs a Ground Freeze to plant Cage in place while Scorpion drags Cage towards him with his patented Hellfire Spear.

These images can be viewed on the official site by clicking the character portraits of the corresponding character (Raiden and Shao Kahn feature the Cage vs. Cage screens) and then clicking "Brutal things come to those who wait". Alternatively, use the thumbnails above to download hi-res images.