Mortal Kombat 11recently revealed a gameplay trailer for the iconic Joker villain, who is currently set to be released on January 28. This trailer did much to build hype for his upcoming release date, showcasing the character’s fighting style, fatal blow, and a fatality, but it also did much more than this: it pulled from the character’s iconic history. This sampling ofMortal Kombat 11’s Jokershows references from major films as well as older games, likely meaning that his full release will be absolutely jam-packed with Easter eggs.
Of course, Easter eggs are so named because they can be hard to find sometimes, even in a trailer that is just a few minutes long. Here’s everyMortal Kombat 11Joker Easter egg we noticed, ordered in their appearance during the gameplay trailer. Be warned: this article may containMINOR SPOILERSfor variousBatmanmovies and, in one incident, the most recentJokerfilm.
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Arthur Fleck Easter Egg
AsMK11’s Joker steps into view, he can be seen cutting himself and painting a smile on his face with blood. Given thatJokerreleased not too long ago on DVD, it doesn’t seem like a simple coincidence that this is how the film exactly ends, with Arthur Fleck using his own blood to spread a bloody smile across his face. This doesn’t confirm it, but hopefully, this nod means aArthur Fleck Skin for Jokeris a possibility inMortal Kombat 11.
Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe Easter Egg
Shortly after the Arthur Fleck Easter egg, the gameplay trailer showcases some of Joker’s moves, including his grab. This move pushes an opponent down and uses some exaggerated boxing gloves to hit them below the waist, with these gloves also appearing in some other moves later on. This seems to be a flashback toMortal Kombat vs. DC Universewhere the Joker also used an extend-o boxing glove in combat. ConsideringMortal Kombat 11is also getting DC costumes, it’s likely that this older game was at least considered.Mortal Kombat 11’s use of the boxing gloves seems to be more refined and tactical, but that’s to be expected.
The Dark Knight Easter Egg
Around the 1:20 mark, Joker uses a move where a hostage goes jumping pass that Joker intends to blow up. However, as he tries to work the detonator, it’s clear he’s having some trouble and can be seen shaking it around in theMortal Kombat 11trailer. This is not the first time Joker has had comical issues with a detonator, as this move is likely a callback toThe Dark Knightwhen Heath Ledger’s Joker blows up the hospital but struggles to detonate.
Furthermore,MK11director Ed Boon even more recently revealed a newJoker victory screenwhere he struggles, once again, with the detonator. It’s simple and straightforward, yet a solid Easter egg forMortal Kombat 11.
Joker’s Fatal Blow Easter Eggs
Joker’s Fatal Blow inMortal Kombat 11is yet another allusion to theDark Knightmovie, but it also ties this is nicely to the death of Jason Todd in the comics. The Fatal Blow begins with a couple of quick stabs before showing Joker standing behind Baraka, cutting a smile into his face and is clearly reminiscent of the “Why So Serious” scene where he elaborates upon his own scars before taking a life.
The Joker then pushes Baraka down and pulverizes him with a cane, with the camera becoming covered in blood while remaining focused on the Joker. In the comics, when Joker kills Jason Todd, it shows him beating him to a pulp but each panel remains focused on the madness of the Joker. It’s not a 1-to-1 recreation, though, as a crowbar is used in lieu of a cane, but it seems clear that inspiration for hisMortal Kombat 11Fatal Blowwas drawn from here. Considering how this one attack ties in two Easter eggs, the most appropriate description for it seems to be gorily poetic.
Joker’s Victory Pose Easter Egg
Finally, the victory screen for Joker shown in thisMortal Kombat 11gameplay trailershows him toying around with a gun that eventually emits a flag that says “bang.” It’s a classic moment, but one that may call back toMortal Kombat vs. DC Universeonce again, where at that time, it was a fatality. It remains to be seen if another version of this flag gun makes it into the game, but it wouldn’t be surprising considering the detonator Easter egg appears in separate moments.
Mortal Kombat 11is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One.
