Mortal Kombat deceives GameCubes early

Midway today pushed up the release date for the GameCube version of Mortal Kombat: Deception. Deception will now hack its way onto Nintendo's console February 28, one week earlier than its previous release date of March 7.

The GameCube version will feature exclusive content not featured in the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions, which were released in October to good reviews. Much of the hoopla over Deception praised its online mode, something GameCube owners won't get a chance to experience. To make up for that deficiency, Nintendophiles will be able to play as four-armed fan-favorite Goro, the boss from the original MK, MK4, and MK: Trilogy, and Shao Kahn, the skull-crushing final boss from MKII, and MK3.

Mortal Kombat: Deception brings several of the franchise's characters back for some pugnacious pit-fighting. The franchise is well known for its gruesome "fatality" moves, in which heads are lopped off and spinal cords are extracted from losing fighters. In addition to the familiar one-on-one fighting mode, Deception also features konquest mode and puzzle mode.

Mortal Kombat: Deception is rated M for Mature and will retail for $49.99. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.