This weekend I got hit by a good serving of nostalgia. Just like in the heyday of the fighting game genre. A challenge was issued and answered. Two opponents met in the field of battle armed with a game controller in one hand and a beer in the other. This weekend was the weekend of Mortal Kombat.

Well Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe really. The first MK to hit this generation of game systems managed to surpass what little expectation I had. (Come on you can't tell me you didn't hear about this game and think.. "what the hell were they thinking" Put your fears to rest. The game is pretty damn good. The first thing you might notice are the graphics.

Easily the best in the series are powered by the unreal engine 3 and are eye candy at its best. It's the details I can't get enough of. The intricacies of Scorpions armor, the design of Raiden's robes all amazing. You can even see the seams and padding in Batman's armor. Hell if your hdmi is connected I dare say you can count each individual tooth in the Jokers hideous grin.

The game plays allot like classic MK. The multiple styles and weapon based combat of the last couple MKs were ditched in favor of a more arcade feel. The controls were fast, tight and crisp. Regular attacks linked up smoothly with special moves with great ease. Each character has a plethora of special moves. Make no mistake, this is a game built around insane super moves and that my friend is what gives it its charm.

What little gripes I had about the game are small and only because of me being a comic geek. The story, was a little... you know... .weird. Which sucks, because the way the story is delivered in story mode is "freakin sweet". Before and after every bout there's a cut scene. And believe me they are well done... it's just a shame about the story. Another thing I couldn't get over was the voices that came out of Batman and Jokers mouths.

Not that they were bad, it's just that I can't see anyone other than Kevin Conroy or Mark Hamill playing those two. Any fan of the old animated series would agree. Lastly I just couldn't get into Superman. I know they give you some cockamamie excuse for him being depowered, but I can't get over me punching Kano in the face and the punk just gets up like it's all good. I don't think so. Superman punches you, you're a stain. The end. Nuff said. Let's move on.

Mortal Kombat vs DC is the perfect game to whip when a bunch of your buddies come over. Its f ast basic and a hell of a lot of fun. You don't need to be a hardcore gamer to rock it... hell you don't have to be even sober.

Another thing about the game is that of course there are different endings, playing as the MK bunch you will fight as raiden at the end and with DC you fight with Superman, but you still fight the same guy [Dark Khan] Tobias did a great job at merging both worlds together and it worked out perfectly.