Mortal Kombat is finally going “next gen,” and it’s evolving drastically as part of the process. Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe will obviously include characters from the “DC Universe” in addition to the usual cast of characters. As if that combo weren’t odd enough, this will also be the first Mortal Kombat game not to receive an ‘M’ rating.

The Mortal Kombat series has always been incredibly violent, and losing the gore that goes along with the Mature rating could alienate the series’ hardcore audience. We’ll have to wait and see whether the move will backfire or successfully introduce the series to a younger mass audience.

Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe comes out this fall for the 360 and PS3.

Tomorrow the demo for Iron Man will land on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, with a version appearing on the PSN sometime soon. Iron Man is a 3^rd person action game, based on the Marvel comic superhero. The full game will be out on May 2, the same day as the movie.

Maybe putting the demo up early is a sign that this game might actually be better than most licensed titles.

US $21.00 End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 12:25:33 PST Buy It Now for only: US $21.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $11.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 13:03:49 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $34.99 End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 13:47:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $34.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Anyone with a PlayStation 3 knows their online service needs some work, even after the recent update and store redesigns. But whatever, that’s par for the course. Too bad the online beta for metal Gear Solid 4 adds several steps to the process that turn an annoyance into a nightmare.

Here’s the breakdown:

1. 1. Get your MGS 4 beta code by reserving the game and picking up your Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2 DVD.
2. Follow the directions inside the case to download the 700+ MB beta on your PS3. Takes over an hour.
3. Install beta. Takes awhile, but not too long.
4. Try to start beta – get prompted to download update.
5. Start download – wait many many hours. Die on the inside.
6. Regain consciousness. Try to get Konami ID … and fail.
7. Play something on Xbox LIVE.

You can’t download the update in the background and do something else on the PS3, and since I was going to bed I just canceled the whole thing at that point. I heard that once the update’s done you also have to get a unique Konami ID (yes, that’s in addition to the PSN ID). Too bad Konami’s ID site is down and you can’t get an ID at the moment.

Five plus hours and a lot of headache is an inexcusable barrier to entry. Hopefully the official online unveiling in June will go more smoothly.

As if there weren’t enough reasons to pick up Grand Theft Auto IV, Next Generation is now reporting that Ricky Gervais will have a recurring cameo in the game. Most of his role will involve three minutes of original standup material, plus some gags from his recent Fame tour.

For those of you who don’t know, Gervais is best known as the creator and star of the The Office (the original, BBC one). He also wrote and starred in a recent Simpsons episode, completed his celebrity-heavy series Extras, and was the only reason to watch Night At The Museum.