"Mortal Kombat 1 T-1000 Gameplay Echoes Terminator 2, Surprise Kameo DLC Revealed"

Mortal Kombat 1 developer NetherRealm Studios has unveiled the first official gameplay footage of the T-1000 as a downloadable content (DLC) guest character, alongside confirming Madam Bo as a new DLC Kameo fighter. The T-1000’s moveset is a nostalgic nod to *Terminator 2*, showcasing his signature blade and hook arms, along with fluid shapeshifting abilities that echo classic moments from the film. Some of his attacks bear visual similarities to Mortal Kombat veterans Baraka and Kabal, while one move sees him transform into a liquid metal blob before launching a Glacius-style uppercut from beneath the ground.

The T-1000 in Mortal Kombat 1 features the voice and likeness of Robert Patrick, who portrayed the iconic cyborg assassin in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. This reveal marks the first time fans hear Patrick’s performance in-game, showcased during a battle against Johnny Cage. The teaser concludes with one of the T-1000’s brutal Fatalities—recreating the film’s famous truck chase scene. In the Fatality, the T-1000 emerges from the driver’s seat in liquid form to unleash a barrage of bullets on an unsuspecting Johnny Cage.

In a surprising twist, NetherRealm also announced Madam Bo as a DLC Kameo fighter joining the roster alongside the T-1000. Originally introduced as a memorable non-playable character in the base game's story mode, Madam Bo is an elderly restaurateur who famously defends her establishment from Smoke and his henchmen. She makes a brief appearance in the T-1000 gameplay trailer, both as a background cameo and as an assist fighter called in during combat.

Availability and DLC Schedule

The T-1000 becomes available in Mortal Kombat 1 starting March 18 for Khaos Reigns expansion owners, with general release set for March 25. Madam Bo will be accessible to Khaos Reigns owners as a free update on March 18 or available for individual purchase. As the final DLC character in the Khaos Reigns wave, the T-1000 follows previously released fighters Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian.

Fans are eagerly speculating whether NetherRealm will continue expanding Mortal Kombat 1 with a third wave of DLC or a potential Kombat Pack 3. While no official announcement has been made, parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has reaffirmed its commitment to the franchise. CEO David Zaslav stated in November that the company plans to focus development resources on just four key titles—one of which is Mortal Kombat.

Future of NetherRealm and the Injustice Franchise

Mortal Kombat series co-creator Ed Boon revealed in September that NetherRealm had mapped out its next project three years prior, while also pledging long-term support for Mortal Kombat 1. Although unconfirmed, many fans expect the studio to eventually return to its popular DC-based fighting series, Injustice. The first installment, Injustice: Gods Among Us, launched in 2013, followed by Injustice 2 in 2017. With NetherRealm releasing Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019, it initially appeared the studio would alternate between the two franchises. However, Mortal Kombat 1—a soft reboot—arrived in 2023 instead.

In a June 2023 interview with IGN, Boon hinted at several behind-the-scenes factors influencing this decision. “There were a number of factors, some of which I can talk about, some of which I probably shouldn't,” he noted. Two reasons he did share included the impact of the global pandemic and the team’s transition to Unreal Engine 4 for Mortal Kombat 1, moving away from the older Unreal Engine 3 used in Mortal Kombat 11.

“But we did go to a new graphics engine, Unreal,” Boon explained. “We really wanted to be careful with COVID and all that stuff and everybody staying safe. So there were a bunch of variables involved that eventually we realized, 'Okay, let's do another Mortal Kombat game and hopefully we'll get back to the Injustice games.'”

When asked directly if the Injustice franchise remains viable, Boon was clear: “Not at all.” This reassurance leaves the door open for future developments in the beloved superhero crossover series.