Downloadable Mortal Kombat trilogy Kollection announced

In the wake of the surprisingly good new Mortal Kombat, publisher Warner Bros. announced today that the original three Mortal Kombat games are getting a downloadable re-release in "late summer" on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

The Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection will offer "arcade-perfect" ports of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3--a revamped version of the third game--for $10 (800 Microsoft Points). They're being tarted up with online play, leaderboards, achievements and trophies.

Previous re-releases of Mortal Kombat 2 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

"We are very excited to finally have the first three Mortal Kombat games available in one download package for long-time and new fans to play," said Mortal Kombat co-creator and NetherRealm creative director Ed Boon. "With the release of our 2011 Mortal Kombat, and its return to 2D game play, players have been asking for these classic titles and we are happy to deliver them."

If you're not happy spending only $10, though, you can cough up $129.99 for a special retro joystick bundled with a code to download the Kollection. Available in Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions exclusively from GameStop, the Mortal Kombat Klassic Fight Sticks are made by PDP, the company responsible for the celebrated Mortal Kombat Tournament Edition Fight Sticks which accompanied the new game.

Mortal Kombat 2 was previously released on the PlayStation Network and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 hit Xbox Live Arcade, but both were pulled from sale following the collapse of publisher Midway in 2009. That was when Warner Bros. stepped in to snap up the franchise and its developers.

Rumours of an original trilogy compilation were sparked back in November 2010 after a UK retailer listed, then promptly pulled, a "Mortal Kombat Arcade Compilation" for PlayStation 3.

The old games are a bit rubbish when not seen through the Vaseline-smeared lens of nostalgia, mind.