Nintendo Mortal Kombat 1993

 A while back we discussed the rating system instituted by Sega Limited for games designed and sold to run on Sega systems.

Since then we've heard from Nintendo of Canada on how it addresses the problem of questionable content in video games. This is an important issue for both parents and children, so here's a look at Nintendo's position.

First of all, Nintendo doesn't believe in a rating system. "Nintendo believes high internal standards and extensive game evaluation is more effective than an unenforceable ratings system," Brian Hemming, executive vice-president of Nintendo of Canada, said in a recent letter.

"As an example of the company's internal game standards, you may be aware that Nintendo recently rejected the arcade hit Mortal Combat (sic) because it violated the company's policy on excessive violence. The game, which includes graphically violent `fatality moves,' is now being reprogrammed by Nintendo's licensee, Acclaim Entertainment, to meet the company's guidelines."

Mortal Kombat did pose a bit of a dilemma for Nintendo. Hand-to-hand fighting games are extremely popular with kids (witness the success of Street Fighter ). To set itself apart, Mortal Kombat features special moves that result in some particularly gory violence involving dismemberment and plenty of blood.

This goes against Nintendo's standards and yet was the feature that made Mortal Kombat such a big hit in the arcades.

The matter resurfaced in the July issue of the company's magazine, Nintendo Power . The magazine's Pak Watch column dealt with fears that the game would be weakened by the changes ordered by Nintendo.

"The loudest of these myths," the magazine said, "is that Mortal Kombat will be made into some wimpy shadow of its arcade self."

Not so, says the magazine. "Not only are the arcade graphics preserved, but the dramatic and rather graphic nature of the game play is virtually unchanged. Our sources report that only three moves were replaced."

Our guess is that those playing Mortal Kombat on a Nintendo machine won't be able to rip off their opponent's head (with spine attached), won't be able to rip out their opponent's heart (while it's still beating), and won't be able to blow up an opponent's head.

We'll have to wait until September, when Mortal Kombat hits the stores, but it'll be interesting to see how Acclaim's version of Mortal Kombat for Nintendo's Super Nintendo and Game Boy systems compares to the version released for the Sega systems.

Meanwhile, according to its guidelines, Nintendo will not approve any games that:

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include sexually suggestive or explicit content including rape and/or nudity. For instance, Nintendo does not allow bare-breasted women in its games.

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contain language or depictions that specifically denigrate members of either sex.

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depict random, gratuitous and/or excessive violence. For example, Nintendo does not allow dramatic portrayal of body dismemberment or blood.

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depict domestic violence and/or abuse.

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depict excessive force in a sports game beyond what is inherent in actual contact sports.

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reflect ethnic, racial, religious, nationalistic or sexual stereotypes of language. This includes symbols that are related to any racial, religious, nationalistic or ethnic group such as crosses, pentagrams, God, Gods (Roman mythological gods are accepted), Satan, hell, Buddha.

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use profanity or obscenity or incorporate language or gestures that could be offensive by prevailing public standard and tastes.

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incorporate or encourage the use of illegal drugs, smoking materials and/or alcohol.

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include subliminal political messages or overt political statements.

Whether a video game company relies on a ratings system or self-imposed standards, it is still up to parents and children to use common sense in monitoring the content of video games. Social standards are not only subjective, they continue to evolve. If you find something offensive in a video game, don't hesitate to let the company in question know about your feelings.