NetherRealm: Xbox 360 Mortal Kombat to Feature WWE’s Undertaker

With the PS3′s version of Mortal Kombat receiving a tremendous buzz about the inclusion of God Of War‘s Kratos as a playable character, Ed Boon wants Xbox 360 fans to know they aren’t being left out in the cold. Earlier today, NetherRealm confirmed WWE’s Undertaker would be a playable character for the Xbox 360 version of Mortal Kombat.

“I felt like, it was a long time coming. It just made the most sense,” said Boon. “In college I watched the WWE and the Undertaker. The idea behind Shang Tsung really came out of the Undertaker’s character. Essentially, both are dead men.”

World Wrestling Entertainment’s Undertaker broke out in the professional wrestling scene in 1990, two years before the release of the original Mortal Kombat in 1992.

“We’ve been trying to get the WWE to agree to the inclusion of the Undertaker in Mortal Kombat for quite some time.” said Boon. “We created all these moves over the years that reflected the Undertaker. Kung Lao’s hat throw, that’s the ‘Taker man.”

Throughout the years, a variety of legal wrangling and THQ’s license of WWE for video game products halted significant strides in bringing the Undertaker to the Mortal Kombat Universe in previous installments. Recently, the WWE’s switch to a PG format also hindered the inclusion of the character. NetherRealm Studios pressed forward, deciding to make concessions to some series traditions to accommodate the WWE’s demands.

“He won’t have a fatality in the regular sense,” Boon said. “But, the Tombstone Piledriver is a highly feared finishing move within the WWE Universe.” Asked if the Undertaker’s Choke Slam will be a featured move Boon said, “Hell, yes.”

NetherRealm also confirmed the Undertaker will have access to several of his familiar WWE arsenals like Paul Bearer’s Urn as weapons. He will also have his own stage with a special stage finisher. In the Undertaker’s “Wrestlemania” level, players will be able to pin opponents with the 1-2-3 count and receive a special boost to health.

“He’s 18-0 in ‘Wrestlemania,’ who does that? No one but the Undertaker,” Boon concluded. “Street Fighter has Zangeif, we have the Undertaker. Who’s better now?”

What do you think about our April Fools gag about Mortal Kombat featuring the Undertaker as the playable character for the Xbox 360 version of the game?