Mortal Kombat

[nobody]

Here’s my dilema. My 14 yr old son asked my husband for Mortal Kombat, and my husband said okay. I found out, before he actually bought the game, and said no-way, and he hasn’t bought it - yet. Now my son is mad at my husband for going back on a “promise”, and my husband is mad at me for being too up-tight or whatever, and trying to “overrule” him. Do I put my foot down for this, or not?

 

[Flopfoot]

Are you talking about the film, or the computer game (and which version), or in some other medium?

The original (16-color EGA, or arcade) version of Mortal Kombat was pretty harmless - the ‘graphic’ level of violence is more like silly cartoons level, very unrealistic… however, modern games (later versions maybe) are a bit more realistic looking.
What’s more, ‘violent’ computer games (or even normal fast paced computer games like racing games) help people to let out their stress and/or anger in a safe way rather than taking it out on other people.

Besides, your son is 14 - it’s not like a bit of violence is going to give him nightmares.

 

[nobody]

He wants the newest version for his Xbox. It’s not nightmares I’m worried about, but the de-senstization to violence.

Interesting point about the games being a way to vent anger. I hadn’t thought of that.

 

[Thursday1]

I often use violent video games to vent stress. The best one for that is Probably call of Duty, but I could see mortal kombat working. Yes, the graphics are pretty realistic in the latest. I think it’s up to you and your husband to decide if your son is mature enough to play the game. If he can remember it is only a game, I say go for it.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday

P.S.
Return to Castle Wolfenstein is also a good game for stress relief. Hmm, all the games I use to burn of steam involve shooting nazis.

 

[Steven87]

ebgames.com/ebx/product/images/ESRBLogos/icon-M.gif 17+ Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language

I used to play this video game… I tried the newer versions, and I gotta say this game get’s more brutal each time a new one comes out. And the first Mortal Kombat game was still pretty brutal, I remember the finishing move where you could kick them off a platform where they would fall 50 feet on a bed of spikes and go right through you.

And I was looking at the new games website and the new finishing moves (“Fatalities”) are incredibly brutal, for example this guy takes off a metal blade that is his hat and cuts off the opposing characters head, arms and legs while blood spills out.

here’s the link if you are interested in seeing the rest of these, or seeing more abou the game .

mortalkombatshaolinmonks.com/main.php

 

[Fidelis]

ebgames.com/ebx/product/images/ESRBLogos/icon-M.gif 17+ Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language

If this is the rating on the game you are considering for your 14 year old, I’sd say forget it. The rule in our home is no games allowed that are rated above the age level of our kids’ and even then, we reserve the right to send it back after seeing it.

To expose a 14 year old to “blood and gore, intense violence, [and] language” is irresponsible, to put it lightly.

 

[coyote]

Fidelis:

The rule in our home is no games allowed that are rated above the age level of our kids’ and even then, we reserve the right to send it back after seeing it.

This is the operating rule in my home also. I do not give in to the arguments about whether the depiction of violence is too realistic or not. Until my son is 18 he hasn’t earned the privilage of indulging in adult rated content. Period.

I don’t avoid opportunities to restablish my point of view and reasoning for this rule either.

 

[Andy_K]

There is another popular fighting game called Soul Calibur that doesn’t have the same amount of blood and gore (or language) that Mortal Kombat does; if he doesn’t already have it, I would suggest giving it a look instead. It is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

Personally, I think Soul Calibur is a far better game overall than Mortal Kombat anyway,

 

[Fidelis]

Andy K.:

There is another popular fighting game called Soul Calibur that doesn’t have the same amount of blood and gore (or language) that Mortal Kombat does; if he doesn’t already have it, I would suggest giving it a look instead. It is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

Personally, I think Soul Calibur is a far better game overall than Mortal Kombat anyway,

I agree with this advice-- and so does my 16 year old gaming son. He considers the violence in MK gratuitous and extreme.