- For the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear game, see Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit). For the unreleased Sega Saturn version, see Mortal Kombat 3 (Saturn).
Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game and is the sequel to Mortal Kombat II. It was initially released in arcades in 1995, then it was brought to various consoles, including the Sega Mega Drive.
Story
Weary of continuous losses in tournament battle, Shao Kahn, who lost to Liu Kang in the Outworld tournament in the previous game, enacts a 10,000-year-old plan. He would have his Shadow Priests, led by Shang Tsung, revive his former Queen Sindel, who unexpectedly died at a young age. However, she would not be revived in the Outworld, but in Earthrealm. This would allow Shao Kahn to cross the boundary lines and reclaim his queen. When Sindel is reincarnated in Earthrealm, Shao Kahn reaches across the dimensions to reclaim her, and as a result, Earthrealm gradually becomes a part of Outworld, stripping billions of their souls. Only a few are spared, protected by Rayden. He tells them that Shao Kahn must be stopped, but he cannot interfere; due to his status, he has no power in Outworld, and Earthrealm is partially merged with Outworld. Shao Kahn has unleashed extermination squads to kill any Earthrealm survivors. Rayden's protection only extends to the soul, not to the body, so his chosen warriors have to fight the extermination squads and repel Shao Kahn.
Gameplay
Mortal Kombat 3 builds further on the gameplay of the previous games. Characters are also now able to run towards each other with the use of a dedicated button, although use of this move is limited by a Run meter displayed under the character's health bar. A combo system is also introduced in this game, with the game displaying the number of hits and damage inflicted. All characters have their own specific chain combos performed by hitting a certain sequence of buttons while close to the opponent. These button sequences are sometimes called "dial-a-combos" since they follow a pre-programmed order and cannot be interrupted once one hit connects (as long as they are entered quickly enough). Some chain combos end with an uppercut or another move that knocks the opponent into the air so that more damage can be dealt via a traditional juggle combo.
Certain stages allow characters to uppercut each other through the ceiling, where both characters continue the battle in a different stage. This can alter the game's stage cycle. Both normal uppercuts and uppercuts that are part of a ground combo can result in a stage change (Kung Lao's Whirlwind Spin move can also have the same effect). However, there is no stage change if the character is defeated by an uppercut.
Another concept introduced in this game is the "Kombat Kode," a six-symbol code entered at the "Vs" screen in a two-player game to modify gameplay, fight hidden characters, or display certain messages.
In single-player games, after selecting a character, players choose a "tower" (Novice, Warrior, or Master), which determines the order and number of opponents fought before reaching the final bosses, Motaro and Shao Kahn. A second player can challenge the first by pressing START during gameplay, with the winner continuing in the tournament. There are five difficulty settings for computer-controlled opponents (Easiest, Easy, Medium, Hard, and Hardest). Before each fight, if two players enter a certain sequence of codes before the fight begins, one of several different effects can be enabled, such as the disabling of certain moves, having the winner of the match skip directly to one of the final opponents, or starting a mini-game.
Characters move with and and crouch with . They jump with and flip back and forth with and . All characters have punches and kicks that can either be aimed high or low. Characters perform a low punch with , a high punch with , a low kick with , and a high kick with . Characters can run by holding ; they can only run forwards. The Run meter is drained both by running and by performing combos, but the meter replenishes quickly if not used for a second. Characters block by holding . Blocking can be done while standing or crouching. Some attacks cannot be blocked while standing (such as sweeps). All attacks do a small amount of damage even when blocked.
When using a standard three-button control pad, characters perform a low punch with , a high punch with +, a low kick with , and a high kick with +. They run by holding START and block by holding .
Each character has two Fatalities, a Friendship, and a Babality, with a new kind of finishing move known as an Animality introduced, where the character transforms into an animal before killing off the defeated opponent. To perform an Animality, the player must first perform a Mercy, another new feature where the character can restore a tiny amount of their opponent's health bar after winning two rounds. If the opponent is defeated again, an Animality can be performed. Finally, three new stage-specific Fatalities are also present.
Characters
Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.
P |
Any punch button
|
LP |
Low punch
|
HP |
High punch
|
K |
Any kick button
|
LK |
Low kick
|
HK |
High kick
|
All characters can perform roundhouse kicks with + HK (which knock the opponent across the screen), leg sweeps with + LK (which cause the opponent to fall down), and uppercuts with + HP (which knock the opponent high into the air). Throws are performed by pressing LP when next to the opponent.
When using a standard three-button control pad on the Mega Drive version, for moves requiring LP , hold the direction and LP simultaneously. For moves requiring HP , release the direction before pressing LP . Special moves requiring LP + HP can be done with just LP . Uppercuts are performed with + LP .
If the match goes to three rounds, players can offer defeated opponents Mercy as an alternative to a finishing move by pressing HOLD RN . This allows the other player to recover a sliver of health and continue fighting.
Fatalities often require being a certain distance from the opponent in order to execute. Each character has a special button combination for performing the stage-specific Fatalities on the Subway, Bridge, and Pit 3 stages. Friendships and Babalities can only be performed if the player does not block during the final round. Animalities can only be performed if the player grants the opponent Mercy first.
Playable
Mortal Kombat 3 makes significant changes to the game's cast, with even returning characters such as Sub-Zero sporting a very different look. The game has reduced the number of palette-swapped characters from the previous game; only the "cybernetic ninja" robots share sprites.
Jax, Kano, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Shang Tsung, Sonya Blade, and Sub-Zero return from the previous games (with Kano and Sonya returning after being absent from Mortal Kombat II). Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Reptile, and Rayden are notably absent after appearing in both previous entries.
Cyrax, Kabal, Nightwolf, Sektor, Sheeva, Sindel, and Stryker make their debuts.
|
Shang Tsung
|
Shao Kahn's lead sorcerer. Despite his multiple failures trying to deliver Earth to his master Shao Kahn, the scheming sorcerer has convinced Kahn to grant him more power than ever before.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Single Flaming Skull
|
HP
|
Shang Tsung shoots a flaming skull from his hands.
|
Double Flaming Skulls
|
HP
|
Shang Tsung shoots two successive flaming skulls from his hands.
|
Triple Flaming Skulls
|
HP
|
Shang Tsung shoots three successive flaming skulls from his hands.
|
Volcanic Skulls
|
LK
|
Shang Tsung summons three fireballs, one a time, from the ground underneath his opponent.
|
Move list (Morphs)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Cyrax
|
BL BL BL
|
|
Jax
|
LP
|
|
Kabal
|
LP BL HK
|
|
Kano
|
BL
|
|
Kung Lao
|
RN RN BL RN
|
|
Liu Kang
|
HOLD BL D-Pad in a 360° rotation clockwise
|
|
Nightwolf
|
HOLD BL
|
|
Sektor
|
RN
|
|
Sheeva
|
LK
|
|
Sindel
|
LK
|
|
Smoke
|
LP
|
This morph only works if the cheat code to play as Smoke has been entered.
|
Sonya
|
+ RN + BL + LP BL
|
|
Stryker
|
HK
|
|
Sub-Zero
|
HP
|
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
LK HP HP LP + HK
|
28% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP LP + HK
|
22% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD LP RN BL RN BL (close)
|
Shang Tsung steals his opponent's soul.
|
Fatality 2
|
HOLD LP (close)
|
Shang Tsung raises a bed of spikes and slams his opponent into it.
|
Stage Fatality
|
HOLD BL LP (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD HP RN RN RN (sweep distance)
|
Shang Tsung transforms into cobra and devours his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
LK RN RN
|
Shang Tsung morphs into the main character of the 1982 Williams arcade game Joust, a knight riding an ostrich, and rides away.
|
Babality
|
RN RN RN LK
|
|
|
|
Sindel
|
Shao Kahn's wife and the Queen of Outworld before her death 10,000 years ago. She has been reborn on Earth.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fireball
|
LP
|
Sindel disgorges a fireball from her mouth.
|
Air Fireball
|
LK in midair
|
Sindel belches a fireball downward in midair.
|
Banshee Scream
|
HP
|
Sindel screams, causing waves to appear that stun opponents and pull them toward her.
|
Levitate
|
HK
|
Sindel hovers in the air. She can move in any direction using the D-Pad or land with BL . She cannot use her normal attacks but can cast her Air Fireball while hovering.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP + HP
|
19% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HK HP HP + HP
|
27% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HK HP HP LP HK
|
33% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HP HP LP HK
|
25% damage
|
Combo 5
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
RN RN BL RN BL (sweep distance)
|
Sindel entangles her opponent with her hair, then spins the opponent around like a tornado.
|
Fatality 2
|
RN BL BL RN + BL (close)
|
Sindel emits a horrific scream that flays her opponent.
|
Stage Fatality
|
LP (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HP (close)
|
Sindel transforms into a giant hornet and repeatedly stings her opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN RN RN RN RN RN
|
Sindel kicks a field goal with a ball.
|
Babality
|
RN RN RN
|
|
|
|
Jax (Major Jackson Briggs)
|
A special forces soldier. He fitted both of his arms with bionic implants in preparation for the impending Outworld invasion.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Dash Punch
|
HK
|
Jax dashes forward at high speed with his fist extended.
|
Single Shot
|
HP
|
Jax shoots a fireball across the screen.
|
Double Shot
|
HP
|
Jax shoots two successive fireballs across the screen, one low and one high.
|
Ground Pound
|
Hold LK for 3 seconds and release
|
Jax punches the ground, causing an opponent on the ground to lose balance.
|
Gotcha Grab
|
LP (close)
|
Jax grabs his opponent by the throat and punches twice.
|
Back Breaker
|
BL in midair (close)
|
Jax grabs his opponent in midair, drops to the ground, and snaps the opponent's back on his shoulder.
|
Body Slam
|
HP during throw
|
Jax slams his opponent against the ground. This move can be done multiple times by pressing HP repeatedly.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP BL LP + HP
|
24% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HK HK + HP HP BL LP + HP
|
33% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD BL (close)
|
Jax changes his arms into blades and dices his opponent with them.
|
Fatality 2
|
RN BL RN RN LK (full screen away)
|
Jax grows to humongous size and stomps his opponent.
|
Stage Fatality
|
LP (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD LP
|
Jax transforms into a lion and mauls his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
LK RN RN LK (outside sweep distance)
|
Jax uses a jump rope.
|
Babality
|
LK
|
|
|
|
Kano
|
A criminal thought to have been killed in the first tournament. He convinces Shao Kahn to spare his soul before the Outworld invasion, proposing to teach Kahn's warriors how to use Earth's weapons.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Knife Throw
|
HP
|
Kano throws a knife across the screen.
|
Knife Uppercut
|
HP
|
Kano slices upward in front of him with a knife.
|
Cannonball
|
Hold LK for 3 seconds and release
|
Kano hurls himself toward his opponent like a flying cannonball.
|
Strangle Grab
|
LP (close)
|
Kano grabs and strangles his opponent.
|
Air Kick
|
BL in midair (close)
|
Kano grabs and kicks away his opponent in midair.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP + LP + HP
|
22% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP + LP
|
18% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP HK LK + HK
|
26% damage
|
Combo 4
|
LK LP
|
15% damage
|
Combo 5
|
LK + LP + HP
|
19% damage
|
Combo 6
|
HK HK LK + HK
|
23% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD LP (close)
|
Kano rips his opponent's skeleton out from their mouth.
|
Fatality 2
|
LP BL BL HK (sweep distance)
|
Kano uses his eye laser to cause his opponent to explode.
|
Stage Fatality
|
HOLD BL LK (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD HP BL BL BL (close)
|
Kano transforms into a giant tarantula and constricts his opponent with his legs.
|
Friendship
|
LK RN RN HK
|
Kano blows a bubble with bubblegum.
|
Babality
|
LK
|
|
|
|
Liu Kang
|
A Shaolin monk. As the Shaolin Champion, he finds himself the prime target of Shao Kahn's extermination squads.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
High Fireball
|
HP
|
Liu Kang shoots a fireball while standing. This move can be done in midair.
|
Low Fireball
|
LP
|
Liu Kang shoots a fireball while crouching.
|
Flying Kick
|
HK
|
Liu Kang launches himself across the screen in a kicking pose.
|
Bicycle Kick
|
Hold LK for 3 seconds and release
|
Liu Kang flies across the screen while kicking multiple times, resembling pedaling a bicycle.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
LK LK HK LK
|
25% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP LK LK HK + HK
|
28% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP BL LK LK HK + LK
|
36% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
LK
|
Liu Kang disappears and his opponent bursts into flames.
|
Fatality 2
|
HOLD BL RN + BL
|
Liu Kang disappears and a Mortal Kombat II arcade machine falls on his opponent.
|
Stage Fatality
|
RN BL BL LK (close)
|
|
Animality
|
(sweep distance)
|
Liu Kang transforms into a dragon and bites his opponent in half, similar to his Mortal Kombat II Fatality.
|
Friendship
|
RN RN RN + RN
|
Liu Kang recreates the Mortal Kombat dragon on a projector screen using hand puppetry.
|
Babality
|
HK
|
|
|
|
Sonya Blade
|
A special forces soldier who disappeared after the first tournament. She was rescued by Jax, and the two prepare for Shao Kahn's invasion after failing to convince the government of the threat.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Sonic Rings
|
LP
|
Sonya throws sonic rings across the screen.
|
Leg Grab
|
+ BL + LP (sweep distance)
|
Sonya does a handstand and uses her legs to grab and slam her opponent against the ground.
|
Square Wave Punch
|
HP
|
Sonya jumps into the air and shoots across the screen with her fist extended.
|
Rising Bicycle Kick
|
HK
|
Sonya flies diagonally upward while kicking multiple times, resembling pedaling a bicycle.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP LP + HP
|
22% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HK HP HP LP + HP
|
27% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HK HK HP HP LP + HP
|
31% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD RN + BL (half screen away)
|
Sonya blows a kiss that crushes her opponent.
|
Fatality 2
|
RN
|
Sonya blows a kiss that incinerates her opponent.
|
Stage Fatality
|
HP (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD LP (close)
|
Sonya transforms into a hawk and flies away with her opponent.
|
Friendship
|
+ RN
|
Sonya swings her arms playfully.
|
Babality
|
LK
|
|
|
|
Kurtis Stryker
|
A riot control police officer and the lone survivor of a major city after Shao Kahn's invasion.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Low Grenade
|
LP
|
Stryker throws a grenade in a low arc across the screen.
|
High Grenade
|
HP
|
Stryker throws a grenade in a high arc across the screen.
|
Baton Trip
|
LP
|
Stryker dashes across the screen and uses his baton to sweep his opponent.
|
Baton Toss
|
HK
|
Stryker leaps across the screen and uses his baton to toss his opponent.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP LP
|
18% damage
|
Combo 2
|
LK LK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Combo 3
|
LK HP HP LP
|
23% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HK LK + LP + HK
|
23% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
BL (close)
|
Stryker straps explosives to his opponent's chest, which explode.
|
Fatality 2
|
LK (full screen away)
|
Stryker uses his taser to cause his opponent to explode.
|
Stage Fatality
|
HOLD BL HK (close)
|
|
Animality
|
RN RN RN BL (sweep distance)
|
Stryker transforms into a Tyrannosaurus rex and eats his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
LP RN RN LP
|
Stryker acts as a crossing guard as dogs run across the screen.
|
Babality
|
HP
|
|
|
|
Sub-Zero
|
A ninja, once a member of the Liu Kuei clan. He is now hunted by cybernetic assassins from his former clan after escaping their betrayal.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Ice Blast
|
LP
|
Sub-Zero shoots a burst of ice across the screen, freezing his opponent on contact. Hitting an already frozen opponent "backfires" and freezes Sub-Zero while unfreezing his opponent.
|
Ice Clone
|
LP
|
Sub-Zero spawns an ice clone that freezes his opponent on contact. This move can be done in midair.
|
Ice Shower (close)
|
HP
|
Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls in front of him.
|
Ice Shower (far)
|
HP
|
Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls at the far end of the screen.
|
Ice Shower (behind)
|
HP
|
Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls behind him.
|
Slide
|
+ BL + LP or + BL + LK
|
Sub-Zero slides forward with a leg sweep.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP LP LK HK + HK
|
23% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP LK HK + HK
|
26% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP LP + HK
|
22% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Combo 5
|
HP HP + HK
|
18% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
RN (sweep distance)
|
Sub-Zero blows ice breath, turning his opponent into an ice statue that falls over and shatters into many pieces.
|
Fatality 2
|
BL BL RN BL RN (close)
|
Sub-Zero holds his opponent over his head, freezing them and then pulling them apart.
|
Stage Fatality
|
HK (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD BL
|
Sub-Zero transforms into a polar bear and pounces his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
LK RN RN
|
Sub-Zero unwinds a snowman jack-in-the-box.
|
Babality
|
HK
|
|
|
|
Cyrax
|
Unit LK-4D4, the second of three prototype cybernetic ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. Like the other cyborgs, he has been programmed to find and terminate the rogue ninja Sub-Zero.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Near Bomb Toss
|
HOLD LK HK
|
Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that hits the ground near him and explodes after a moment.
|
Far Bomb Toss
|
HOLD LK HK
|
Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that hits the ground far from him and explodes after a moment.
|
Green Net
|
LK
|
Cyrax shoots a net from his chest that grabs and pulls his opponent closer to him.
|
Air Throw
|
BL in midair (close) to grab, LP to throw
|
Cyrax grabs and throws his opponent in midair.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP HK HP HK + HK
|
30% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP LP
|
18% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD BL HP (close)
|
Cyrax flies using a helicopter blade on his head and dives onto his opponent.
|
Fatality 2
|
HOLD BL RN (close)
|
Cyrax self-destructs, killing himself as well as his opponent.
|
Stage Fatality
|
RN BL RN (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD BL (close)
|
Cyrax transforms into a shark and devours his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN RN RN
|
Cyrax dances the Charleston.
|
Babality
|
HP
|
|
|
|
Sektor
|
Unit LK-9T9, the first of three prototype cybernetic ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. He was once a human assassin but volunteered to be turned into a cyborg because of his loyalty to the clan.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Missile
|
LP
|
Sektor shoots a missile across the screen.
|
Heat-Seeking Missile
|
HP
|
Sektor shoots a missile that seeks his opponent.
|
Teleport Uppercut
|
LK
|
Sektor teleports to the other side of his opponent, reappearing with an uppercut.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HK HK
|
15% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP + LP
|
18% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP HK + HK
|
22% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HP HP HK HK + HK
|
26% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
LP RN RN BL (sweep distance)
|
Sektor crushes his opponent in a press that comes out from his chest.
|
Fatality 2
|
BL (half screen away or farther)
|
Sektor incinerates his opponent with a wrist-mounted flamethrower.
|
Stage Fatality
|
RN RN RN (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD BL (close)
|
Sektor transforms into a giant bat that decapitates his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN RN RN RN
|
Sektor hits a carnival high striker with a hammer.
|
Babality
|
HK
|
|
|
|
Nightwolf
|
A Native American historian who uses his shaman magic to protect his tribe's land against the Outworld invasion.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Spirit Arrow
|
LP
|
Nightwolf shoots an arrow across the screen at his opponent.
|
Tomahawk Swipe
|
HP
|
Nightwolf swipes his hatchet in front of him.
|
Shoulder Charge
|
LK
|
Nightwolf charges forward while ramming his shoulder.
|
Spirit Shield
|
HK
|
Nightwolf glows, reflecting projectiles that hit him back toward their caster.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HK HK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP LP HP
|
23% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP LP HK
|
22% damage
|
Combo 4
|
LK HP HP LP HK
|
27% damage
|
Combo 5
|
LK HP HP LP HP
|
28% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD BL BL (close)
|
Nightwolf calls down a column of light that disintegrates his opponent.
|
Fatality 2
|
HP (half screen away)
|
Nightwolf uses his hatchet to call a strike of lightning on his opponent.
|
Stage Fatality
|
RN RN BL (close)
|
|
Animality
|
(close)
|
Nightwolf transforms into a wolf and mauls his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN RN RN
|
Nightwolf transforms into Rayden as a Mortal Kombat II arcade machine falls behind him.
|
Babality
|
LP
|
|
|
|
Sheeva
|
Sindel's personal protector, chosen by Shao Kahn. She is a Shokan, like Goro and Kintaro.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fireball
|
HP
|
Sheeva throws a fireball across the screen with her arms.
|
Ground Stomp
|
HK
|
Sheeva jumps and stomps down with great force, damaging opponents standing on the ground.
|
Teleport Stomp
|
|
Sheeva jumps off the screen, reappearing above her opponent's head and falling with a stomp.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP LP + HP
|
25% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HK HK LK + HK
|
27% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP LP HK HK LK + HK
|
42% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
LP (close)
|
Sheeva pounds her opponent into the ground with her four arms.
|
Fatality 2
|
HOLD HK (close)
|
Sheeva pulls her opponent down to the ground.
|
Stage Fatality
|
LP (close)
|
|
Animality
|
RN BL BL BL BL (close)
|
Sheeva transforms into a giant scorpion and stings her opponent.
|
Friendship
|
HP
|
Sheeva spins plates on each of her four arms.
|
Babality
|
HK
|
|
|
|
Kung Lao
|
A Shaolin monk. His plans to reform the White Lotus Society are disrupted by Shao Kahn's invasion. Alongside Liu Kang, he embarks on a journey to end Shao Kahn's treachery.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Hat Throw
|
LP
|
Kung Lao throws his hat like a discus.
|
Bullet Kick
|
+ HK before the apex of a jump
|
Kung Lao drops diagonally in a kick.
|
Whirlwind Spin
|
RN RN RN RN RN
|
Kung Lao spins in place, doing damage at his sides. He spins longer if RN is pressed repeatedly.
|
Teleport
|
|
Kung Lao disappears into the air and reappears behind his opponent.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
LK LK + HK
|
19% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP LK + HK
|
18% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP LP HP LP LK LK + HK
|
34% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
RN BL RN BL
|
Kung Lao spins in place, pulling his opponent in like a vortex.
|
Fatality 2
|
HP (close)
|
Kung Lao throws his hat, which slices his opponent into multiple pieces.
|
Stage Fatality
|
LK (close)
|
|
Animality
|
RN RN RN RN BL
|
Kung Lao transforms into a cheetah and pounces his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN LP RN LK (sweep distance or farther)
|
Kung Lao throws his hat and a dog runs to fetch it.
|
Babality
|
HP
|
|
|
|
Kabal
|
An unknown warrior who is kept alive by respirators. He is thought to be a survivor of an attack by Shao Kahn's extermination squads. He fights with two hook swords.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Plasma Blast
|
HP
|
Kabal throws a fireball across the screen. This move can be done in midair.
|
Tornado Spin
|
LK
|
Kabal dashes through his opponent, causing the opponent to spin in place like a tornado.
|
Ground Saw
|
RN
|
Kabal summons a sawblade that appears under his opponent.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP + HP
|
19% damage
|
Combo 2
|
LK LK HP HP HP + HP
|
25% damage
|
Combo 3
|
LK LK HP HP HK + HK
|
28% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HP HP + LP + HP
|
25% damage
|
Combo 5
|
LK LK HP HP + LP + HP
|
28% damage
|
Combo 6
|
HP HP HK + HK
|
25% damage
|
Combo 7
|
LK LK HK + HK
|
27% damage
|
Combo 8
|
LK LK + HK
|
21% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
BL (sweep distance)
|
Kabal inflates his opponent's head until it explodes.
|
Fatality 2
|
RN BL BL BL HK (close)
|
Kabal removes his mask and terrifies his opponent with his frightful visage.
|
Stage Fatality
|
BL BL HK (close)
|
|
Animality
|
HOLD HP
|
Kabal transforms into a skeletal rhinoceros and rams his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN LK RN RN
|
Kabal roasts a marshmallow on a hook sword.
|
Babality
|
RN RN LK
|
|
|
Bosses
The boss characters can be played in two-player games by enabling the Killer Codes menu with a cheat code. They cannot crouch, run, or use finishing moves (and finishing moves cannot be used against them).
|
Motaro
|
A Centaurian chosen by Shao Kahn to lead his extermination squads. He is the game's penultimate boss.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fireball
|
HP
|
Motaro shoots a fireball from his tail.
|
Grab and Smack
|
LP (close)
|
Motaro grabs and hits his opponent.
|
Teleport
|
|
Motaro teleports in front of his opponent.
|
|
|
Shao Kahn
|
The evil Emperor of Outworld, who wishes to conquer Earthrealm by any means. He is the game's ultimate antagonist and final boss.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fireball
|
LP
|
Shao Kahn shoots a fireball across the screen.
|
Hammer Smash
|
HP
|
Shao Kahn swings a hammer in front of him.
|
Shoulder Ram
|
LP
|
Shao Kahn charges ahead while ramming his shoulder.
|
Rising Shoulder Ram
|
HP
|
Shao Kahn charges upward while ramming his shoulder.
|
Insult
|
LK
|
Shao Kahn taunts his opponent.
|
Laugh
|
HK
|
Shao Kahn laughs.
|
|
Hidden
- Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Hidden content.
|
Smoke
|
Unit LK-7T2, the last of three prototype cybernetic ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. Smoke was captured and turned into a cyborg while his friend Sub-Zero escaped. He is an hidden character who can be unlocked to play or to fight by using cheat codes. As in his previous appearance, he constantly emits smoke. His special moves are taken from Scorpion, Sektor, and Reptile. While Smoke was kept a secret in the arcade version, he is openly mentioned in the manual for the Mega Drive port.
Move list
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Harpoon
|
LP
|
Smoke launches a harpoon from his chest, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned.
|
Teleport Uppercut
|
LK
|
Smoke teleports to the other side of his opponent, reappearing with an uppercut.
|
Invisibility
|
HOLD BL RN
|
Smoke makes himself invisible until he is attacked.
|
Air Throw
|
BL in midair (close)
|
Smoke grabs and throws his opponent in midair.
|
Move list (Chain combos)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Combo 1
|
HP HP LK HK LP
|
26% damage
|
Combo 2
|
HP HP LP
|
18% damage
|
Combo 3
|
HP HP HK
|
18% damage
|
Combo 4
|
HK HK LP
|
19% damage
|
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
Fatality 1
|
HOLD BL (full screen away)
|
Smoke drops a pile of bombs from his chest, which explode and destroy the entire planet.
|
Fatality 2
|
HOLD RN + BL (sweep distance)
|
Smoke drops a bomb into his opponent's mouth.
|
Stage Fatality
|
LK
|
|
Animality
|
BL (full screen away)
|
Smoke transforms into a bull and gores his opponent.
|
Friendship
|
RN RN RN HK (full screen away)
|
Smoke blasts an air horn that comes out of his chest.
|
Babality
|
HK
|
|
|
|
Noob Saibot
|
A dark, silhouetted warrior. He uses a blackened version of Kano's sprite (since there are no traditional Lin Kuei ninjas in this game). He has no special moves but uses some of Kano's combos. He can be fought using a code.
|
Stages
The stages are played in order (and loop around after the last one). Motaro is fought in the Balcony and Shao Kahn is fought in the Pit 3. The Subway, Bell Tower, and Pit 3 stages have stage-specific Fatalities.
Three stages are accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling of another stage: the Street is above the Subway, the Rooftop is above the Bank, and the Balcony is above the Soul Chamber.
The Subway
Uppercutting an opponent changes the stage to the Street. There is a stage-specific Fatality where a player can uppercut the other into the path of a subway train.
The Street
Shao Kahn's fortress appears in the background. This stage can be accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling in the Subway.
The Bank
Shao Kahn's fortress appears in the background. Uppercutting an opponent changes the stage to the Rooftop.
The Rooftop
Shao Kahn's fortress appears in the background. This stage can be accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling in the Bank. It has a similar floor.
The Balcony
This stage can be accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling in the Soul Chamber. Motaro is fought here.
The Bridge
This stage takes place on a road, similar to the Street.
The Soul Chamber
Uppercutting an opponent changes the stage to the Balcony.
The Bell Tower
There is a stage-specific Fatality where a player can uppercut the other down the tower into a bed of spikes.
The Pit 3
Shao Kahn is fought here. There is a stage-specific Fatality where a player can uppercut the other off the bridge into the giant spinning blades at the bottom.
History
Release
Like the previous games, the third game was banned and the only available version was the one on the Game Boy. The game was unbanned in 2005.
Versions
Despite being the more technically advanced game, the Mega Drive Mortal Kombat 3 is a closer match to its arcade counterpart than its two immediate predecessors, Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II were to theirs. The port is again limited by the lack of on-screen colours, and much lower sound quality than the arcade version, however the latter also applies to the Super NES port, whose sound is noticeably more muffled than other versions of the game.
Some of the finer details in the Mega Drive version, such as the HUD and menus (not to mention the larger resolution), are more accurate than on the Super NES, however while the Mega Drive version retains more of the arcade game's character animation, the larger colour palette of the Super NES generally leads to a better looking game. Content-wise the two are identical. Both versions are missing the Graveyard stage from the arcade version.
Production credits
MK3 Cast of Characters
- Kano and Kabal: Rich Divizio
- Sonya: Kerri Hoskins
- Jax: John Parrish
- Kung Lao: Tony Marquez
- Stryker: Michael O'Brien
- Sub-Zero and Shang Tsung: John Turk
- Sindel: Lia Montelongo
- Liu Kang: Eddie Wong
- Nightwolf and Sektor: Sal DiVita
- Cyrax and Smoke: Sal DiVita
- Shao Kahn: Brian Glynn
Midway MK3 Design Team
- Ed Boon, John Tobias, Steve Beran, Dan Forden, Tony Goskie, Dave Michicich, John Vogel
Sculptured Software Development Team
- Lead Programmer: Jim Henn
- Programmers: Patrick Alphonso, Mike Crandall, Paul Blagay
- Art Manager: Gary Penacho
- Sound and Drivers: Chris Braymen, Roy Wilkins
- Artists: Neil Melville, Jeff Knight, Mary Scriven, Mike Lott, Kent Barney
- Art Conversion: Jim 'Crash' Jung
- Director: Jeff Peters
- Development Tools: Ned Martin, Adam Clayton, Jim Henn, Rob Nelson, Mike Callahan, Patrick Alphonso
- Testing Manager: Gary Rowberry
- Night Shift Manager: Garon Galloway
- Graveyard Shift Manager: Chandler Holbrook
- Game Testers: John Howa, Scott Hanks, Chris Olsen, Ben Nielson, Greg Murphy, Ryan McBride, David Hanks, Ryan Milligan, Jason Humphrey, Tristan Bracken
- Special Thanks to: John Blackburn, Todd Blackburn, Scott Perras, Altair Lane, Kevin Alphonso, Leanne Hornbuckle, Bill Trail, Chad Korb, Amy the Dither Monkey
Williams Entertainment Team
- Manual Design and Production: Debbie Austin, Steve High, Shawn Murphy
- Quality Control: Brian Johnson, Williams Entertainment Testing
Source: In-game credits[5]
Magazine articles
- Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
Print advert in
EGM² (US) #15: "September 1995" (1995-0x-xx)
Print advert in Dendy:Novaya real'nost' (RU) #19 (1995-08-17)
Print advert in
Game Players (US) #0811: "Vol. 8 No. 11 November 1995" (1995-1x-xx)
Print advert in
Consoles + (FR) #48: "Novembre 1995" (1995-1x-xx)
also published in:
Print advert in
Hyper (AU) #25: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Print advert in
Strana Igr (RU) #1 (1996-xx-xx)
also published in:
Physical scans
Sega Retro Average
|
Publication
|
Score
|
Source
|
GamesMaster (UK)
|
92
|
№34, p40/41
|
|
Mega Drive, US
|
Cover
|
Cart Manual
|
Mega Drive, EU
|
Cover
|
|
Mega Drive, FR
|
|
Manual
|
Mega Drive, PT
|
Cover
|
|
Mega Drive, AU
|
Cover
|
|
Mega Drive, BR
|
Cover
|
Cart Manual
|
Mega Drive, ZA
|
Cover
|
Cart
|
Mega Drive, MN
|
|
Manual
|
Technical information
- Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Technical information.
External links
References
- ↑ EGM², "September 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 21
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sega Magazine, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-12), page 92
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Sega Power, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-21), page 32
- ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1995-10-16), page 32
- ↑ File:Mortal Kombat 3 MD credits.pdf
- ↑ Consoles +, "Février 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 129
- ↑ Strana Igr, "Mart 1996" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 87
- ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 137
- ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1996-xx-xx), page 18
- ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 94
- ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 132
- ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 336
- ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10, "" (RU; 2003-10-08), page 96
- ↑ GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 10: October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 17
- ↑ GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 78
- ↑ GamePro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-xx), page 61
- ↑ Game Informer, "October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 10
- ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 70
- ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-11-03), page 52
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-29), page 86
- ↑ Next Generation, "November 1995" (US; 1995-10-24), page 187
- ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 68
- ↑ Players, "Nov 95" (BR; 1995-xx-xx), page 38
- ↑ Random Access (UK) (+0:00)
- ↑ Secret Service, "Grudzień 1995" (PL; 1995-12-xx), page 24
- ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-05), page 36
- ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1996" (UK; 1996-05-xx), page 22
- ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "2" (RU; 1996-01-03), page 81
- ↑ Sega Megazone, "Summer '95/'96" (AU; 1995-xx-xx), page 34
- ↑ Super Juegos, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 50
- ↑ Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 38
- ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 120
- ↑ VideoGames, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 81