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 every Mortal Kombat 11 Joker Easter egg we noticed, ordered in their appearance during the gameplay trailer. Be warned: this article may contain MINOR SPOILERS for various Batman movies and, in one incident, the most recent Joker film.
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Arthur Fleck Easter Egg
As MK11’s Joker steps into view, he can be seen cutting himself and painting a smile on his face with blood. Given that Joker released 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 a Arthur Fleck Skin for Joker is a possibility in Mortal 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 to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe where the Joker also used an extend-o boxing glove in combat. Considering Mortal Kombat 11 is 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 the Mortal Kombat 11 trailer. This is not the first time Joker has had comical issues with a detonator, as this move is likely a callback to The Dark Knight when Heath Ledger’s Joker blows up the hospital but struggles to detonate.
Furthermore, MK11 director Ed Boon even more recently revealed a new Joker victory screen where he struggles, once again, with the detonator. It’s simple and straightforward, yet a solid Easter egg for Mortal Kombat 11.
Joker’s Fatal Blow Easter Eggs
Joker’s Fatal Blow in Mortal Kombat 11 is yet another allusion to the Dark Knight movie, 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 his Mortal Kombat 11 Fatal Blow was 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 this Mortal Kombat 11 gameplay trailer shows 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 to Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe once 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 11 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One.
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