Mortal Kombat, a renowned media franchise, has been a dominant force in the world of gaming and entertainment since its inception by Midway Games in 1992. This iconic series has extended its reach beyond video games, encompassing action-adventure games, comic books, a card game, films, animated TV series, and even a live-action tour. Its enduring popularity has made Mortal Kombat one of the top-selling fighting game franchises globally and one of the highest-grossing media franchises in history. Graphic Violence and Controversy Mortal Kombat is infamous for its graphic violence, notably showcased through its signature finishing moves known as "fatalities." Instead of merely defeating opponents, fatalities result in their gruesome demise. The controversy surrounding this level of violence played a significant role in the establishment of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the video game rating system. Early Mortal Kombat games stood out for their realistic digitiz...