The Science of Mortal Kombat

Watch The Science of Mortal Kombat

  • 1969
  • 1 Season
  • 6.5  (10)

The Science of Mortal Kombat is an educational and entertaining series presented by Nerdist, featuring Kyle Hill and CM Punk, exploring the science behind the famous fighting game franchise. The show premiered in 2019, and within it, famous personalities visualized complex scientific concepts and explored the magic behind the game.

The show starts with a short introduction about the game and how it came into being. The set on which the show is recorded looks like a Mortal Kombat battle arena, complete with weapons and armor, giving an excellent glimpse of what the audience can expect. Kyle Hill, a popular science communicator, and educator, act as the host for the show, along with retired professional wrestler and die-hard Mortal Kombat fan, CM Punk.

The science behind the game is explained expertly with sharp detailing of concepts such as physics, mathematics, biology, and others. Explaining the science behind Mortal Kombat’s exaggerated movements, Kyle Hill enlightens the audience about how video game designers use motion-capture technology to bring the characters to life. He further demonstrates how the game character’s movements are analyzed and then made into more dramatic moves not usually possible in real life.

The show continues to delve into various aspects of the game, explaining the characteristics and behavior of the real-life counterparts of the game’s characters, such as Scorpion, Sub-zero, and Kano. The ten-episode series then progresses to understand the combat and fighting techniques used in the game. CM Punk, being a former wrestler himself, gives his expert inputs and takes the audience through the techniques and maneuvers that are possible and impossible. The duo is then joined by experts in the field, such as a martial arts specialist, to share their viewpoint on Mortal Kombat’s techniques and combat style, further deep diving into how the science of these moves makes them believable.

One of the most interesting episodes of the series is the one that focuses on the psychological impact and reactions behind the game. The episode examines the cognitive and mental activities involved in playing video games and how these may vary across different age groups. Kyle Hill and CM Punk also provide an insight into the use of video games like Mortal Kombat in therapy sessions and how it may be a positive outlet for dealing with serious mental health issues.

The producers of the show have made every effort to make the series as visually appealing to the audience as possible. Incorporating exciting 3D animations, along with in-game clips, and comic-book-style illustrations, allow the complex scientific concepts to be explained dynamically.

Apart from the science, the show also includes a quiz segment, where each episode ends with a quick trivia question about the game. A perfect way to keep the audience engaged and check how much they have learned throughout the series, giving them an opportunity to test their knowledge.

In conclusion, The Science of Mortal Kombat is an excellent series that combines excitement, entertainment, and education into one show. It might attract die-hard fans of Mortal Kombat, but it also has a broader appeal of stimulating content for those interested in the science behind video games. The series is shot and edited, keeping the target audience in mind. However, the presentation and language are not overly complex, making it accessible to viewers of all ages.

In short, The Science of Mortal Kombat, from Nerdist, is an ideal combination of entertainment and education presented in a visually stunning and engaging manner. The show is a must-watch for Mortal Kombat fans and anyone interested in the science behind video games.

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Seasons
Can Scorpion Cut a Person in Half with Heat?
6. Can Scorpion Cut a Person in Half with Heat?
April 29, 2019
Scorpion heats things up with his new Chain Reaction finisher in Mortal Kombat 11, pulling a heated chain through his opponents, but could this be done in the real world? Kyle fires up the void on this episode of The Science of Mortal Kombat!
Can You Uppercut a Person Off the Ground?
5. Can You Uppercut a Person Off the Ground?
April 15, 2019
One move that all Mortal Kombat games have shared is the signature uppercut that launches opponents, but is this even possible in reality? Kyle goes for launch with the help of former WWE Champion CM Punk on this episode of The Science of Mortal Kombat!
Scorpion's
4. Scorpion's "Get Over Here"
April 1, 2019
Scorpion's signature "Get Over Here" spear move is one of the most recognizable moves in Mortal Kombat and all of gaming, but how much strength would you need to do it? Kyle tries to pull it off on this episode of The Science of Mortal Kombat!
Sub-Zero's Ice Axe
3. Sub-Zero's Ice Axe
March 18, 2019
Sub-Zero creates axes using his icy powers to cut down and decapitate his enemies in Mortal Kombat, but could ice actually hold up to all that punishment? Kyle sees if it makes the cut on this episode of The Science of Mortal Kombat!
Skarlet's Blood Spikes
2. Skarlet's Blood Spikes
March 4, 2019
Skarlet expertly controls other fighters' blood in Mortal Kombat to use as any weapon she needs, but are these sanguine methods actually viable? Kyle gets into the bloody details to find out on this episode of The Science of Mortal Kombat!
Sub-Zero's Head Shatter
1. Sub-Zero's Head Shatter
February 18, 2019
Sub-Zero is known for his ice-cold deadly fatalities in Mortal Kombat, but is the frozen feat actually possible in real life? Kyle gets help from MMA champion Daniel Cormier and Sufficiently Advanced's Allen Pan to find out in The Science of Mortal Kombat!
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    6.5  (10)
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