According to reliable retail sources, the much-anticipated fighting game reboot, Mortal Kombat , has been refused classification (RC) by the Australian Classification Board.

Our source, who requested to remain anonymous, received an email stating the game "will not be released in Australia."It also requested the retail outlet remove all references to the game - signage and display cases - as well as cancel all preorders in Australia.The email added that the decision might be overturned in the future, but these steps were currently necessary.Here's the official statement from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment:The highly anticipated video game 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. 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.