Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Few game prompts are as widely known as these two words: they turned a fight into a gleeful moment of choice, and the player at the arcade cabinet became the executioner. The deep, echoing delivery is endlessly imitated, and it has spread to any context where someone is beaten and the crowd wants one more blow, from sports blowouts to the final slice of cake.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Mortal KombatShow the scene
In the original Mortal Kombat arcade game (1992), the announcer's cry comes at the end of the final round, once the loser has dropped to his knees, the background has darkened and the winner is standing over him. It is the player's cue to input a Fatality, a secret killing blow, or to let the match end normally. Co-creators Ed Boon and John Tobias have said Fatalities began as a free hit on a dazed opponent, and as a planned finisher for the final boss Shang Tsung. Watching players react made them add one for every fighter.
Sources (1)
- Mortal Kombat Wiki: FatalityDescription and Development paragraphsReference checked
Context reviewed
