Mortal Kombat banned in Australia

The impending Mortal Kombat reboot has been denied release in Australia, the game's publisher has announced.

An anonymous IGN source first broke the news before Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment confirmed the ban.

"The highly anticipated videogame Mortal Kombat, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) in Australia, has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board and will not release in Australia," read a statement from the publisher.

"We are extremely disappointed that Mortal Kombat, one of the world's oldest and most successful video games franchises, will not be available to mature Australian gamers.

"WBIE would not market mature content where it is not appropriate for the audience. We understand that not all content is for every audience, but there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia.

"As a member of the iGEA, WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time."

For a better idea of what the ACB might have taken offence at, take a look at the Mortal Kombat launch trailer below.

This isn't the first time the notoriously gore-shy Australian authorities have refused to release a game. Back in 2009, Alien vs Predator got turned back, while Valve was forced to censor zombie shooter Left 4 Dead 2.

Unlike with films, the country's ratings board is not permitted to give a game an 18+ rating, so if a title fails to meet the criteria for an MA15+ stamp, it cannot see release.

The game is due for release on these more forgiving shores on 21st April for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.