Lover with the nickname ScorpiGAN (Audio_Vortex) explored what a fresh take on the original Mortal Kombat could look like by leveraging artificial intelligence. Using a neural network, this creator also reimagined portraits of iconic characters from the early games, presenting new visual interpretations while honoring the familiar silhouettes fans remember.
Sub-Zero vs. Reptilian battle
The imagined clash between Sub-Zero and Reptilian unfolds with modern fidelity and bold stylistic choices. The remaster envisions sharper textures, richer lighting, and expressive facial details that bring these two legendary fighters into sharper relief. Sub-Zero’s icy aura and Reptilian’s serpentine menace are rendered with a balance of classic homage and contemporary polish, highlighting their contrasting aesthetics and combat styles.
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage is reinterpreted with a slightly more cinematic sheen, capturing his confident swagger and signature flair. The AI-driven redesign emphasizes dynamic poses, sharper costume textures, and improved shadow work, all while preserving Cage’s iconic personality and memorable one-liners that fans associate with the character’s first appearance.
Ermak
The inclusion of Ermak introduces a distinct visual thread, blending futuristic influences with the martial arts heritage that defines Mortal Kombat. The remastering process refines his silhouette, enhances armor details, and enriches his overall presence, ensuring that this lesser-known figure stands out within the roster while remaining faithful to the series’ spirit.
Sub-Zero from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Sub-Zero as depicted in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is given a modern upgrade that respects the original’s blocky, arcade-era charm while adding texture depth and more nuanced lighting. The result is a cooler, more tactile design that still feels like a natural progression from the game’s legacy visuals.
Reptile from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Reptile’s appearance is refreshed with heightened scaly detail and a more menacing presence. The remaster emphasizes his amphibian texture, green tones, and stealthy silhouette, offering a revitalized look that remains true to the reptilian menace fans expect from the character.
Smoke from Mortal Kombat 1
Smoke from the original Mortal Kombat entry is reimagined with enhanced particle effects and a more dynamic shadow footprint. The update preserves his enigmatic identity while giving the character a sharper, more modern silhouette suitable for a contemporary visual era.
Smoke from Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
For Smoke as he appears in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, the redesign emphasizes smoky translucence and fluid motion. The AI-driven tweaks aim to maintain his spectral quality while delivering cleaner lines and richer contrast against the background stages.
Liu Kang’s victory pose
Liu Kang’s victory pose is refreshed with refined animation timing and more expressive muscle definition. The pose remains a testament to his status as a central hero, balancing a heroic stance with the vibrant energy that characterizes the franchise’s most memorable moments.
Liu Kang from Mortal Kombat 2
The Mortal Kombat 2 version of Liu Kang benefits from subtle upgrades in costume texture, skin shading, and lighting. The redesign captures the character’s enduring courage and martial prowess, while ensuring the look aligns with the overall refreshed visual language of the remaster.
In parallel to these explorations, a broader remake project is moving forward, with a Mortal Kombat trilogy perched on an Unreal Engine 5 foundation. The ambition is to deliver a cohesive, era-spanning experience that honors the franchise’s roots while embracing modern graphics technology and responsive gameplay enhancements.
Additional notes indicate that classic versions of Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Reptile, and Smoke were introduced ahead of the latest installment, expanding players’ opportunities to revisit beloved character designs within a contemporary frame.