Mechanisms
X-Ray and Breakers like how MKx and MK9 worked. I think meter management is one of the strongest aspects of the NRS games.
I would like the RUN BUTTON from MKx to be removed, I hated that. Though I thought the "stamina" idea was cool how it effected gameplay when depleted. Some other application of that idea that dose not have a run system would be cool. In a way the "trait" system in injustice is kind of like Stamina.. not saying it should be like that but just an example how the "stamina idea" can be developed in different ways without a "run mechanism".
Also I would like to see a return of Brutalities, but somehow make them more dynamic so you do not see the same ones all the time.
I would also like the return of Stage Fatalities (I know we had 1 in DLC with the pit in MKx) and I would also like to see "TROLL / PROPS" fatalities as well, like Babalities and Friendships and the like... not necessarily them but basically have a Fatalites for "You Suck", "Your Awesome" and "Classic Finish Them" style, as well as Stage Fatalities and Brutalities.
I think some kind of VISUAL ONLY version of the gear system would be awesome. MK has always suffered from lack of cosmetic costumes. Either make a ton of Skins or have some kind of gear system like IJ2 but only for the look.
Also some version of the MKx Variation System. My personal preference would be a cross between the variation system and the Gear System. Like say in Street Fighter vs SNK, on character select you can select a few options that change your characters moves or normals or something. This is what I thought the gear system in IJ2 was going to be and I still think it would be awesome in MKx and in competitive play. So basically a more dynamic and custom style variation system. I still think if done right it can be a simple selection at character select and not slow down events at all.
Some consideration for tournament organisers. Simply putting into the options a way to set thing in the setting as permanently would solve many problems. Need lowered health bars, or have tournament mode on with random costumes and maybe a gamma setting.. have someway to set that so it will automatically recall those settings even after reset or powering down of the console.
Also I would love to see a tournament system in the vs menu, like a King of the Hill but the game has actual brackets and stuff.
Finally I think ranked HAS to be BO5.
Roster
I have zero interest in story mode, I mean I play it and it is fun but I do not want story mode to affect the roster at all. I would rather a confusing and crazy story mode and still have "dead" characters back and playable than not have them.. So this list is just characters based and has nothing to do with how the story is going.
The Auto Includes : Sub, Scorpion, Radian, Liu Kang
The Regulars : Cage, Sonya, Kitana, Mileena, Jax, Kano
Return of the New Blood : Cassie, Kotal Khan, DeVorh, Scarlet
The "Missing" : Noob, Baraka, Sindel, Fujin, Jade, Shang Tsung, Kabal
The Obscure : Ashrah, Nitara, Motaro (I do not care, make it work somehow!)
New : 5 new characters never seen before.
That is 29 I think.. MKx had 29 by end of the games life.
NOTE: I think there should be ZERO GUESTS. MK is deep enough that you can add new characters and choose old ones and never EVER need non-cannon characters. Still if you have to have guests, these are my choices.
Acceptable Guests : Archer, Ash Williams, Snake Plissken, Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde, The Wolfman.
