Mortal Kombat: Deception was officially announced by Midway Games as the sixth main installment in the Mortal Kombat series.
Mortal Kombat: Deception was released for PlayStation 2 and Xbox platforms, marking a significant evolution in the series with new gameplay modes and graphics.
The GameCube version of Mortal Kombat: Deception was released after the initial launch on other consoles.
Mortal Kombat: Deception received generally positive reviews, praised for its fighting mechanics and new features such as Chess Kombat and Puzzle Kombat modes.
The game won Best Fighting Game award at the Spike TV Video Game Awards.
After the events of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Shang Tsung is defeated by Earthrealm kombatants, leading to a power vacuum in Outworld and starting the quest for the Dragon King's Kamidogu.
Onaga, the Dragon King, returns from the dead and takes control of Outworld by killing Shao Kahn's wife, Queen Sindel, setting in motion a new era of turmoil.
Shujinko, an apprentice trained by the spirit Damashi, is sent on a mission to collect the mystical Kamidogu artifacts to stop Onaga's rise.
Ancient artifacts known as Kamidogu play a central role in Onaga's plan to control the realms; their gathering is critical to the balance of power.
The combined forces of Earthrealm and Netherrealm warriors defeat Onaga after a fierce battle, restoring some balance to Outworld and the realms.
Blaze, the elemental Infernal guardian, awakens deep below the realms, heralding a new threat that requires the realm warriors' attention.
