Image: NetherRealm Studios

Life has a funny way of surprising us when we least expect it. One moment, you’re developing a game inspired by a famous martial artist, and the next, you’re creating one of the most successful fighting games in history. And then, these two worlds collide, resulting in an internet explosion. Today, we’ll show you how to unlock the Jean-Claude Van Damme skin in Mortal Kombat 1.

Playing as Jean-Claude Van Damme in Mortal Kombat 1

Image: NetherRealm Studios

To unlock the Jean-Claude Van Damme skin in Mortal Kombat 1, you’ll need to purchase the Premium Edition of MK1. Without it, you won’t be able to access his skin and miss out on his voice-acting talents. However, if you buy the MK1 Kombat Pack 1, you’ll receive the skin along with additional characters such as Homelander, Omni-Man, Peacemaker, Takeda, Ermac, and Quan-Chi. Quite a nice bundle indeed.

It’s important to remember that Jean-Claude Van Damme played a crucial role in the early stages of the beloved and gore-filled Mortal Kombat franchise we know today. Initially, the game was intended to be centered around Van Damme; however, plans changed, leading to the creation of iconic characters like Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and even the Van Damme-inspired Johnny Cage. Now, things have come full circle as Jean-Claude Van Damme’s likeness and voice are incorporated into his skin in the game.

Related: How to unlock all characters in Mortal Kombat 1

If you want to play as the ultimate embodiment of Mortal Kombat inspiration, be prepared to spend some extra cash. Whether you acquire him through the Premium Edition or as downloadable content (DLC), make sure you utilize him to his fullest potential. And by that, we mean channeling the master martial artist who won’t hesitate to use his strength and flashy cars to annihilate his enemies.