The recent addition of a new Tanya skin to the Mortal Kombat 1 in-game store, intended as a homage to Mortal Kombat 2, has sparked controversy among fans familiar with the 1993 arcade classic. While Mortal Kombat 2 holds a special place in the hearts of many, having graced platforms like PlayStation, SNES, and Sega Genesis, this new skin seems to have missed the mark.
The crux of the issue lies in the skin’s design, which attempts to blend elements of a hypothetical Mortal Kombat 2 Tanya with her actual appearance in Mortal Kombat 4. Since Tanya didn’t debut until MK4, there’s no existing MK2 design to draw upon. NetherRealm Studios, the developers behind the modern Mortal Kombat games, clearly aimed to capture the essence of MK2’s aesthetic. However, the result feels disjointed, leaving many fans unsatisfied.
Numerous fans have voiced their disappointment online, pointing out the skin’s awkward combination of imagined MK2 elements and Tanya’s distinct MK4 hairstyle. The general consensus seems to be that a faithful MK4 skin or a more cohesive interpretation of a potential MK2 Tanya would have been preferable. The current design feels neither here nor there, failing to resonate with fans of either game.
Despite the mixed reception, the Tanya skin is currently available in the Mortal Kombat 1 in-game shop. This isn’t the first time NetherRealm Studios has released classic skins, and given their apparent popularity, it’s unlikely to be the last. The ongoing release of these skins suggests a demand for nostalgic content, even if this particular instance hasn’t quite landed with the fanbase.
In conclusion, while the intention behind the new Tanya skin was undoubtedly noble, its execution has left many Mortal Kombat fans wanting. The attempt to bridge the gap between MK2 and MK4 ultimately resulted in a design that doesn’t fully satisfy fans of either game. It remains to be seen how NetherRealm Studios will respond to this feedback and whether future classic skins will adopt a more purist approach.
