The "Lost" Quest: The Truth About Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks on GameCube If you’re scouring the internet for a copy of Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks
for your Nintendo GameCube, you’ve likely run into a frustrating wall of silence. There’s a good reason for that: Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was never released on the GameCube.
Despite being one of the most beloved spin-offs in the franchise, this co-op beat-'em-up was strictly a PlayStation 2 and original Xbox affair when it launched in September 2005. Why the Confusion?
Many fans misremember a GameCube version because Midway did support the platform with other titles around that time.
Mortal Kombat: Deception eventually made its way to the GameCube (with exclusive characters like Goro and Shao Kahn), leading many to believe Shaolin Monks followed the same path. mortal kombat shaolin monks gamecube
Konquest Mode in Deception featured adventure-style gameplay that felt similar to Shaolin Monks, often causing the two games to blur together in the memories of retro gamers. What You Missed (or Still Can Play)
Shaolin Monks is a retelling of Mortal Kombat II, following Liu Kang and Kung Lao as they battle through Outworld. It was a commercial hit, selling over a million copies, and was praised for its deep combat and hidden secrets. Highlights of the PS2 and Xbox versions include:
While it is a common topic of discussion among retro gaming fans, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks was never released on the Nintendo GameCube Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
. The game was developed and published by Midway in 2005 exclusively for the PlayStation 2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. and original Xbox. Why was it not on GameCube? The "Lost" Quest: The Truth About Mortal Kombat:
At the time, Midway chose to monitor the sales performance of other titles before committing to GameCube ports. For example, Mortal Kombat: Deception was released on the GameCube nearly five months after its initial debut on other platforms to test the waters. Ultimately, Shaolin Monks did not receive the same treatment, and no official plans were ever finalized to bring it to Nintendo's console. Mortal Kombat Games on GameCube
Although Shaolin Monks is missing, GameCube owners did have access to several major entries in the franchise: Mortal Kombat 4
For example, Mortal Kombat's first four games in the series are as follows: "Mortal Kombat", "Mortal Kombat II", "Mortal Kombat 3" Mortal Kombat 4 Mortal Kombat X
Released in September 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, Shaolin Monks was a radical departure. Developed by Midway (under the guidance of series co-creator Ed Boon), it was not a fighting game. Instead, it was a co-op action-adventure beat ‘em up in the vein of God of War or The Warriors. Full two-player local co-op with signature Fatalities and
The story retconned the events of Mortal Kombat II: Players controlled either Liu Kang or Kung Lao as they fought through the Living Forest, the Portal, and the Wu Shi Academy to defeat Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn. The game featured:
Critics praised it. Fans adored it. It remains one of the highest-rated Mortal Kombat spin-offs of all time. So why can’t you play it on a GameCube?
The GameCube controller is legendary for Super Smash Bros. Melee but infamous for fighting games (looking at you, CvS2). Shaolin Monks is an action-adventure, so it fares better.
The issue is the Z-Button (block and dodge). Because the Z-button is a digital trigger on the right shoulder, blocking feels stiff compared to the analog triggers of the PS2. Still, once you adjust, the layout is serviceable.
Shaolin Monks did not receive direct sequel, though Midway planned a Fire & Ice follow-up featuring Scorpion and Sub-Zero (ultimately cancelled after Midway’s 2009 bankruptcy). The game has since gained cult status, particularly among GameCube collectors, as it was one of the few M-rated co-op exclusives on the system.