One of the most recognizable voices in fighting game history just went silent. Dan Forden, the audio director who’s been yelling Toasty in that unforgettable falsetto since 1993, announced he’s leaving NetherRealm Studios after 36 years with the Mortal Kombat franchise.
The Man Behind the Meme
Forden posted a farewell message on Instagram confirming Wednesday was his last day at the studio. His tenure stretches back to 1989 when he joined Midway Games, working on everything from arcade basketball games to becoming an integral part of the team that created the original Mortal Kombat in 1992. When Midway collapsed and NetherRealm rose from its ashes in 2010, Forden made the transition and kept the audio legacy alive.
The Toasty catchphrase started as an inside joke between Forden and series co-creator Ed Boon during development of Mortal Kombat II. Boon suggested they throw in a random image of Forden’s face popping up in the corner after uppercuts, shouting the phrase in an operatic falsetto. The taunt originally came from trash talk during work sessions on Midway’s football game Super High Impact. Nobody expected it to become one of gaming’s most enduring easter eggs.
Evolution of an Easter Egg
After debuting in 1993’s Mortal Kombat II, the Toasty moment showed up in nearly every subsequent entry with creative variations. Mortal Kombat 4 gave us Toasty 3D. The 2011 reboot featured Forden wearing a T-shirt with toast printed on it. Modern games kept the tradition going, cementing his face and voice as permanent fixtures in the franchise’s identity.
Beyond the meme, Forden shaped the entire audio landscape of Mortal Kombat. The squishy sound effects that make fatalities so visceral, the iconic music themes that pump adrenaline into every match, and countless other audio touches across more than three decades of development all carry his fingerprints. His most recent work on Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023 drew praise for its strong sound design and music composition.
A Graceful Exit
Forden’s Instagram post was characteristically humble and appreciative. He mentioned feeling proud of what the team accomplished and how much fun they had creating together. He shared a photo of a bathroom mirror inside the NetherRealm offices where someone had left a sticker of his classic Toasty face, calling it one of the little touches around the studio he loved.
The farewell message acknowledged the fans who kept him motivated for 37 years in the gaming industry. He thanked players for supporting their work and closed with a final signature line – Live long and Toasty.
What This Means for the Franchise
NetherRealm hasn’t announced who will take over audio direction duties or whether the Toasty easter egg will continue in future games. Forden expressed confidence in the talented team remaining at the studio, predicting great things will emerge over the next several years. Still, his departure marks the end of an era for a franchise that’s been through multiple console generations and fighting game evolutions.
The audio identity Forden built became inseparable from what makes Mortal Kombat feel like Mortal Kombat. From the 2D sprite days through awkward 3D experiments and back to polished modern fighters, his work tied everything together. Whether the studio decides to honor his legacy by keeping Toasty alive or retires it alongside him remains to be seen.
Legacy Beyond a Catchphrase
While casual fans know Forden exclusively for Toasty, his contributions run much deeper. He composed memorable tracks like the Sea of Blood theme in Mortal Kombat 11 and crafted sound effects that became synonymous with the series brutal combat system. His work on the original trilogy established audio design standards that influenced an entire generation of fighting games.
The gaming community has been pouring out appreciation since the announcement. Fans who grew up hearing that falsetto shriek during countless uppercuts are sharing memories and expressing gratitude for the joy his work brought them. Some are already speculating about whether NetherRealm will include a tribute to Forden in their next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dan Forden?
Dan Forden is the audio director who worked on every Mortal Kombat game since the 1992 original. He’s best known as the voice and face behind the Toasty easter egg that appears after landing uppercuts in the games.
Why is Dan Forden leaving NetherRealm Studios?
Forden hasn’t publicly stated specific reasons for his departure. After 36 years working on the franchise, many assume he’s retiring or moving on to new opportunities after an incredibly long career.
How did the Toasty catchphrase originate?
The phrase started as trash talk between Forden and Mortal Kombat co-creator Ed Boon during work on the football game Super High Impact. Boon suggested adding it as an easter egg in Mortal Kombat II, and it became gaming history.
Will Toasty continue appearing in future Mortal Kombat games?
NetherRealm hasn’t announced whether they’ll retire the easter egg or keep it as a tribute to Forden. The studio will likely decide based on how they want to honor his legacy going forward.
What other games did Dan Forden work on besides Mortal Kombat?
Forden’s first game credit was for sound on the 1989 arcade basketball game Arch Rivals. He also worked on Midway’s Super High Impact football game before becoming synonymous with Mortal Kombat.
How long has Dan Forden been in the gaming industry?
Forden worked in game development for 37 years total, starting at Midway Games in 1989 and continuing through NetherRealm Studios until his departure in October 2025.
What was Dan Forden’s role beyond the Toasty easter egg?
He served as sound programmer, music composer, and audio director across the entire Mortal Kombat franchise. He created the series iconic sound effects, composed music themes, and shaped the overall audio identity of the games.
Conclusion
After 36 years of uppercuts, fatalities, and one very memorable catchphrase, Dan Forden has officially moved on from Mortal Kombat. His influence on the franchise goes way beyond a silly voice clip – he built the audio foundation that helped make these games cultural icons. Whether NetherRealm keeps Toasty alive or lets it rest with its creator, Forden’s legacy is already cemented in gaming history. For millions of players who heard that falsetto shriek during their best moments, the goodbye hits differently. Live long and Toasty indeed.