SECRETS (Image: The Cutting Room Floor)

Is there anything more satisfying than a secret that’s stayed secret for an appropriately long time…only to be discovered at last? The first arcade version of Mortal Kombat was released in 1992, and only recently did anyone find the easter egg that’s being called the “EJB Menu,” after game creator Ed J. Boon. 

As Ars Technica notes, Boon has hinted that not all of his game’s secrets had been uncovered. Finally, the Cutting Room Floor, which searches for and through obscure video game content, found the code that unlocks this secret menu. 

There’s a very simple reason for why no one has found the code previously. “The timing on this code is extremely tight, and it’s almost impossible to actually put in on time,” the site warns. But once it’s used, a whole world of new options opens up to the player. 

Some of the items are less fun–you can run a diagnostic test from the menu. But you can also view character endings, add initials to the leader board, and see who Boon wanted to say hello to, in a list appropriately titled “Hello.” There’s an EJB menu in Mortal Kombat 1, II, 3, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. In the last game, there’s a hidden shoot-em-up style game, as well. 

The clear course of action here: limber up your fingers and head to the arcade. 

Bonus finds: Million-year-old species of lizard

Every day, we highlight one newly lost or found object, curiosity or wonder. Discover something unusual or amazing? Tell us about it! Send your finds to sarah.laskow@atlasobscura.com.