Mortal Kombat

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
  • Sega Mega-CD
  • Sega Master System
  • Sega Game Gear

MortalKombat title.png

MortalKombat MCD JP SSTitle.png

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MK GG Title.png

Mortal Kombat
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Arena Entertainment (US/EU)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega-CD
Sega Game Gear
Acclaim Japan (JP)
Developer:
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Krisalis sound driver
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega-CD
Six Button Control Pad
Sega Game Gear
Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥8,800 (9,064)8,800e[8] T-81013
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-81186
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-81186-50
Sega Mega Drive
DE
DM 140140[15] T-81186-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT
14.200$14.200[16] MD81186
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£49.9949.99[10][14] T-81186-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
FMOR00SMC
Sega Mega Drive
BR
047030
Sega Master System
EU
MK-29021-50
Sega Master System
DE
DM 120120[18] MK-29021-50
Sega Master System
PT
11.900$11.900[16] MS29021
Sega Master System
UK
£34.9934.99[19] MK-29021-50
Sega Master System
AU
FMOR00SEC
OFLC: MA15
Sega Master System
BR
028240
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥4,8004,800 T-81017
Sega Game Gear
US
T-81198
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-81198-50
Sega Game Gear
PT
Sega Game Gear
UK
T-81198-50
Sega Mega-CD
JP
¥6,800 (7,004)6,800e[8] T-81014
Sega Mega-CD
US
T-81025
Videogame Rating Council: MA-17
Sega Mega-CD
EU
T-81025-50
Sega Mega-CD
PT
CDJ300
Sega Mega-CD
UK
£49.9949.99[22][23] T-81025-50
Sega Mega-CD
AU
FMOR00SMR
OFLC: MA15
Sega Mega-CD
BR
063240
Non-Sega versions

Mortal Kombat (モータルコンバット), also known as Mortal Kombat Kanzen-ban (モータルコンバット完全版) on the Mega-CD in Japan, is a 1992 arcade fighting game by Midway Manufacturing. At the time, it was considered revolutionary for its use of digitized graphics, though it was also met with controversy thanks to its high levels of violence.

Following its release in the arcades, home versions were created and released in September 1993 on a date which became known as "Mortal Monday". This date saw Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, and Sega Game Gear versions of the game (among versions for other systems), published by Arena Entertainment simultaneously in North America and Europe, although Japan and Brazil were forced to wait some months later. A Sega Mega-CD version did not arrive until 1994.

Story

Mortal Kombat CD, Introduction.png

Goro

The game takes place in Earthrealm, where a tournament is being held on Shang Tsung's Island. Shang Tsung was banished to Earthrealm 500 years previously and, with the help of the monstrous Goro, is able to seize control of the Mortal Kombat tournament in an attempt to doom the realm. For 500 years straight, Goro has been undefeated in the tournament and won nine consecutive tournaments. If Goro wins again, Shao Kahn, Emperor of Outworld, will be allowed to take Earthrealm. In order to prevent this, a new generation of warriors must challenge Goro.

Gameplay

Mega Drive and Mega-CD versions

MortalKombat1GenCharSelect.png

Choose Your Fighter

Mortal Kombat MD, Test Your Might.png

Test Your Might

Mortal Kombat is a fighting game in which players battle opponents in one-on-one matches. The fighter that drains the opponent's health bar first wins the round, and the first to win two rounds wins the match. Each round is timed; if both fighters still have health remaining when time runs out, the one with more health wins the round. At the end of the final round, the losing character is dazed, and the winning fighter has a short amount of time to perform a Fatality, a finishing move performed against a defeated opponent to execute them in a gruesome fashion. Two players can start a game together, or a second player can join in during a single player's game by pressing  START  to fight against them. If a game was in progress at the time, the winner continues it alone; if not, the winner begins a new game.

In the single-player game, the player faces each of the seven playable characters in a series of one-on-one matches against computer-controlled opponents, ending in a "Mirror Match" against a duplicate of the player's chosen character and then three endurance matches against two opponents. As soon as the player defeats the first opponent, the second one enters the arena and the timer resets, but the player's health meter does not regenerate. After the third endurance match, the player fights the sub-boss Goro, followed by a final match against Shang Tsung.

Between certain levels, players can compete in a mini-game called "Test Your Might" for bonus points, breaking blocks of various materials by filling a meter past a certain point through rapid button presses. The first material the player must break is wood, followed by stone, steel, ruby, and finally diamond, with each successive material requiring more of the meter to be filled up and thus awarding more points. Two players can compete in the mini-game at once; the last two materials are only accessible through two-player mode.

Characters move with Left and Right and crouch with Down. They jump with Up and jump back and forth with Up-left and Up-right. All characters have punches and kicks that can either be aimed high or low. Characters perform a low punch with A, a high punch with X, a low kick with C, and a high kick with Z. Characters block by holding B or Y. 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, a high punch with Left+A or Right+A, a low kick with B, and a high kick with C, and  START  blocks.

All characters have a shared set of attacks performed by holding the D-Pad in various directions, such as the roundhouse kick, leg sweep, and uppercut. Uppercuts knock the enemy high into the air and cause a large amount of damage. The game introduced the concept of "juggling," knocking an opponent into the air and following up with a combination of attacks while the enemy is still airborne and defenseless. Normal moves are mostly the same between characters, with variations in range and speed, but characters differ in their special moves. Most special moves are performed by moving the D-Pad in certain directions, usually ending with an attack button. Unlike most one-on-one fighting games, few moves involve semicircular directional motions. The game's blocking system also distinguished itself from other fighting games, as it uses a dedicated block button, and characters take a small amount of damage from regular moves while blocking. However, the dedicated block button allows characters to defend against attacks without retreating, so blocking characters lose very little ground when struck, making counterattacks much easier after a successful block.

There are five difficulty settings for computer-controlled opponents (Very Easy, Easy, Medium, Hard, and Very Hard) and allow the player to change the number of starting credits in the options. Violent finishing moves are censored and blood is disabled by default in the Mega Drive version (but not the Mega-CD version). By entering a special code, blood is enabled and some finishing moves are more graphic.

Characters

Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, Left and Right should be reversed.

P Any punch button
 LP  Low punch
 HP  High punch
K Any kick button
 LK  Low kick
 HK  High kick
 BL  Block

All characters can perform roundhouse kicks with Left+ HK  (which knock the opponent away), leg sweeps with Left+ LK  (which cause the opponent to fall down), and uppercuts with Down+ LP  or Down+ HP  (which knock the opponent high into the air). Throws are performed by pressing  HK  when next to the opponent.

When using a standard three-button control pad, the  LP  button can generally substitute for either  LP  or  HP  when performing special moves.

Fatalities often require being a certain distance from the opponent in order to execute. All finishing moves can be performed while holding the  BL  button, which is sometimes useful to avoid accidentally moving or hitting the opponent before the button combination is fully pressed. The Pit stage has a unique stage-specific Fatality, performed by simply finishing with an uppercut. The "blood code" must be entered to see the Fatalities as described.

Playable
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Johnny Cage
A famous martial artist and movie star who entered the tournament for the publicity.
Move list
Name Command Description
Green Flame Left Right  LP  or Left Right  HP  Johnny Cage throws a fireball across the screen.
Shadow Kick Left Right  LK  Johnny Cage slides forward while kicking.
Split Punch Down+ HK  Johnny Cage does the splits and punches his opponent in the crotch.
Fatality Right Right Right  HP  (close) Johnny Cage does an uppercut that decapitates his opponent.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Kano
A mercenary and member of the notorious Black Dragon organized crime cartel. He enters the tournament with the hopes of looting Shang Tsung's palace.
Move list
Name Command Description
Knife HOLD  BL Left Right Kano throws a knife across the screen.
Cannonball HOLD  BL D-Pad in a 360° rotation Kano hurls himself toward his opponent like a flying cannonball.
Fatality Left Left  LP  (close) Kano rips his opponent's still-beating heart from their chest.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Liu Kang
A Shaolin monk, once a member of the secretive White Lotus Society. He has entered the tournament to represent the Shaolin temples and defeat the despised Shang Tsung.
Move list
Name Command Description
Fireball Right Right  LP  or Right Right  HP  Liu Kang shoots a fireball across the screen.
Flying Kick Right Right  HK  Liu Kang launches himself across the screen in a kicking pose.
Fatality HOLD  BL D-Pad in a 360° rotation (half screen away or closer) Liu Kang does a cartwheel and then uppercuts his opponent.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Rayden
A mystical thunder god believed to have been personally invited to the tournament by Shang Tsung.
Move list
Name Command Description
Lightning Down Right  LP  or Down Right  HP  Rayden shoots a bolt of lightning across the screen.
Flying Thunderbolt Left Left Right Rayden flies across the screen, grabbing and slamming his opponent against the wall.
Teleport Down Up Rayden teleports in front of his opponent.
Fatality Right Left Left Left  HP  (close) Rayden sends a lightning bolt that causes his opponent's head to explode.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Scorpion
A mysterious ninja believed to have been defeated by members of the Lin Kuei clan and seeking revenge.
Move list
Name Command Description
Harpoon Left Left  LP  or Left Left  HP  Scorpion throws a harpoon across the screen, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned.
Decoy Punch Right Down-right Down Down-left Left  HP  Scorpion teleports to the other side of the screen, flying in with a punch.
Fatality HOLD  BL Up Up (half screen away) Scorpion removes his mask, revealing a demonic skull, and incinerates his opponent with his fire breath.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Sonya Blade
A member of a top-secret special forces unit. She was pursuing the criminal Kano when she was ambushed by the forces of Shang Tsung, who has taken her compatriots hostage, and forced into the tournament.
Move list
Name Command Description
Sonic Rings  HP  Left  HP  Sonya Blade throws sonic rings across the screen.
Leg Grab Down+ LP + LK  (sweep distance) Sonya Blade does a handstand and uses her legs to grab and slam her opponent against the ground.
Square Wave Punch Right Left  HP  Sonya Blade jumps into the air and shoots across the screen with her fist extended.
Fatality Right Right Left Left  BL  Sonya Blade blows a kiss that incinerates her opponent.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Sub-Zero
A male ninja who possesses cryokinesis. His identity is unknown, but he is believed to be a member of the Lin Kuei clan, a legendary clan of ninja assassins.
Move list
Name Command Description
Deep Freeze Down Right  LP  or Down Right  HP  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.
Slide Left+ LK + HK  Sub-Zero slides forward with a leg sweep.
Fatality Right Down Right  HP  (close) Sub-Zero tears off his opponent's head, ripping out the spine with it.
Bosses
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Goro
A 2,000-year-old half-human, half-dragon with four arms and a massive stature. He has been the undefeated champion of the Mortal Kombat Tournament for 500 years. He is the game's penultimate boss.
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Characters.png
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png




Shang Tsung
An evil sorcerer who steals the souls of his opponents. He can shapeshift into the form of any other fighter. He has hosted the tournament for 500 years, and he is the game's final boss.
Hidden
Main article: Mortal Kombat/Hidden content.
Mortal Kombat MD, Sprites.png
Reptile
A green ninja who has the movesets of Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Reptile can be fought if the player gets double flawless victories, never blocks, and finishes with a Fatality against the computer when certain objects are seen in the Pit stage.

Stages

Main article: Mortal Kombat/Comparisons.

The stages are played in order (and loop around after the last one). The Goro's Lair stage is always used for the boss fights with Goro and Shang Tsung.

The Pit stage has a stage-specific Fatality where the opponent is uppercutted into a bed of spikes at the bottom of the pit. If found, Reptile is fought at the bottom of the Pit.

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The Courtyard
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Palace Gates
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Warrior Shrine
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MK MD ThePit.png

The Pit
MK MD ThePit.png

MK MD ThroneRoom.png

Throne Room
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MK MD GorosLair.png

Goro's Lair
MK MD GorosLair.png

Master System and Game Gear versions

MK GG ChooseFighter.png

Choose Your Fighter

The game is a one-on-one fighting game where matches are fought to the best of three rounds. The player can choose from six characters and fight a series of matches against every other character in the game, then a "Mirror Match" against the same character, three endurance matches against two opponents, and two final battles against the end bosses, Goro and Shang Tsung. In the Master System version, a second player can join at any time for a versus match by pressing 1. In the Game Gear version, a two-player game can be started by starting the two Game Gears simultaneously while connected by a Gear-to-Gear Cable.

Characters move with Left and Right and crouch with Down. They jump with Up and jump back and forth with Up-left and Up-right. Characters punch with 1 and kick with 2. Blocking is done by holding  START  in the Game Gear version or by holding 1+2 in the Master System version. Blocked attacks still inflict a small amount of damage. Each character has special techniques that are performed with particular button combinations and one finishing move called a "Fatality" that can be performed after defeating an opponent in the final round.

All characters can perform roundhouse kicks with Left+2 (or Right+2 if facing left), which knock the opponent away; leg sweeps with Down-left+2 (or Down-right+2 if facing left), which cause the opponent to fall down; and uppercuts with Down+1, which knock the opponent into the air. Throws are performed by pressing Right+1 when next to an opponent (or Left+1 if facing left).

There are three difficulty settings (Easy, Medium, and Hard) and no other options. The violence is toned down by default but can be enabled via a cheat code.

Characters

All of the characters from the original arcade game are present except Kano and the hidden character Reptile. Goro and Shang Tsung remain as unplayable bosses.

  • Sonya Blade
  • Johnny Cage
  • Liu Kang
  • Scorpion
  • Rayden
  • Sub-Zero
  • Goro
  • Shang Tsung

Stages

There are only two stages, which alternate until reaching Goro and Shang Tsung (who are always fought in Goro's Lair). The stage-specific Fatality for the Pit is absent.

Mortal Kombat GG, Stages, Goro's Lair.png

Goro's Lair
Mortal Kombat GG, Stages, Goro's Lair.png

Mortal Kombat GG, Stages, The Pit.png

The Pit
Mortal Kombat GG, Stages, The Pit.png

History

Release

Sega's success with the Mega Drive version of the game prompted Nintendo to change their somewhat strict policies put forward in the late 1980s, and the Super NES version of the sequel, Mortal Kombat II, features red blood. Sega's Videogame Rating Council was also criticised for rating the Mega Drive version of the game a MA-13, implying that the game's content in its non-censored state was suitable for 13-year-olds. Mortal Kombat and other games such as Night Trap would inspire the creation of the ESRB, which would cover all game consoles in North America and remains in place to this day.

The release of the game caused big controversy in Germany. Initially, all versions of the game went on sale in Germany due to the fact that they were censored. USK detected that the Sega version of the game have a code to unlock the blood so it was decided to withdraw all copies of the game from Germany and banning the game. In 2005, the game disappeared from the list of banned games.

Legacy

Mortal Kombat was followed by Mortal Kombat II in the following year, and continues to see sequels to this day.

Versions

Mega Drive version

The Mega Drive version was a mini-success story for Sega. This is because the Super Nintendo version, at the time in direct competition with Sega's console, opted for strict censorship, removing blood, toning down fatalities and creating a far less "violent" product. The Mega Drive version was considerably more faithful to the arcade original, and was the preferred choice at the time by consumers.

The music was also rearranged by Matt Furniss, this arrangement being unique to this port.

Mega-CD version

The Mega-CD version was rated MA-17 in North America and was therefore subject to less criticism. It has the violence enabled by default (and in fact has a cheat code to turn it down, the inverse of the Mega Drive version).

As well as a CD audio soundtrack (which is essentially a recording of the arcade version), the game contains a grainy version of the famous "Mortal Monday" TV commercial. Some tracks play in the wrong stages, though there are some bonus remixes that can be heard if the game is played on a regular CD player.

The Mega-CD version is otherwise identical to the Mega Drive version, though load times can mean that Shang Tsung is open to attack while transforming. Curiously, this version uses fighting music track from Amiga port when fighting Shang Tsung.

Master System and Game Gear versions

Predictably, the Master System version is toned down for the weaker hardware, and is censored until a cheat code is inputted. Kano and Reptile have been omitted from this version, presumably to save space. It includes only Goro's Lair and The Pit stages, the latter having stage fatality removed. The music is based on Allister Brimble's arrangement, the arrangement shared with PC floppy and Game Boy ports. Like all Master System games after 1991, this version was not released in North America.

The Game Gear version is almost identical to the Master System port, except for the smaller screen size.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

Mortal Kombat Cast of Characters
  • Daniel Pesina as Johnny Cage
  • Richard Divizio as Kano
  • Carlos Pesina as Rayden
  • Ho Sung Pak as Liu Kang
  • Daniel Pesina as Scorpion
  • Daniel Pesina as Sub-Zero
  • Elizabeth Malecki as Sonya
  • Goro Character Design: John Tobias
  • Stop Motion Miniature: Curt Chiarelli
  • Ho Sung Pak as Shang Tsung
Mortal Kombat Design Team
  • Software: Paul Carruthers
  • Additional Software: Richard Costello
  • Graphics: Lee Ames
  • Producer: Gary Liddon
  • Music and Sound: Matt Furniss, Shaun Hollingworth
  • Testing: James, Simon, Barg and Tim
  • Special Thanks to: Dave Spangle
Acclaim Development by the Grey Team
  • Producer: Rob Leingang
  • Associate Producer: Stacy Hendrickson
  • Analysts: Tyrone Miller, Joe Libertella, Tom Rademacher, Jim MK Fink
  • Special Thanks to: Eric, Alex and Tony, Ed and John at Williams
Source:
In-game credits
Mortal Kombat MD credits.pdf
[24]

Mega-CD version

Mortal Kombat Cast of Characters
  • Daniel Pesina as Johnny Cage
  • Richard Divizio as Kano
  • Carlos Pesina as Rayden
  • Ho Sung Pak as Liu Kang
  • Daniel Pesina as Scorpion
  • Daniel Pesina as Sub-Zero
  • Elizabeth Malecki as Sonya
  • Goro Character Design: John Tobias
  • Stop Motion Miniature: Curt Chiarelli
  • Ho Sung Pak as Shang Tsung
Mortal Kombat Design Team
  • Design and Software: Ed Boon
  • Design and Graphics: John Tobias
  • Music and Sounds: Dan Forden
  • Background Graphics: John Vogel
  • Software: Paul Carruthers
  • Graphics: Lee Ames
  • Producer: Adrian Curry
  • Sound Effects: Andy Brock
  • QA Technicians: Tim Bradstock, Simon Bland, James Stewart, Ashley Fawkes
  • QA Manager: Barg
  • Special Thanks to: Greg Michael, Bob Armour, Richard Costello, Gary Liddon, Dave Dootson, Dave Spangle, Rusty Chestnut, Dr Helmutt Moss, Mr Fish
Acclaim Development by the Grey Team
  • Producer: Rob Leingang
  • Associate Producer: Stacy Hendrickson
  • Analysts: Alex DeLucia, Joe Libertella, James Johnson
  • Special Thanks to: Eric Samulski, Wang Lee, -
Source:
In-game credits
MortalKombat MCD JP SSEnding.pdf
[25]

Master System and Game Gear versions

Mortal Kombat Cast of Characters
  • Daniel Pesina as Johnny Cage
  • Carlos Pesina as Rayden
  • Ho Sung Pak as Liu Kang
  • Daniel Pesina as Scorpion
  • Daniel Pesina as Sub Zero
  • Elizabeth Malecki as Sonya
  • Goro Character Design by: John Tobias
  • Stop Motion Miniature by: Curt Chiarelli
  • Ho Sung Pak as Shang Tsung
  • Programming by: Keith Burkhill
  • Backgrounds by: Lee Ames
  • Other Graphics by: Keith Burkhill
  • Music by: Allister Brimble
  • Produced by: Gary Liddon
  • Quality Assurance by the Probe Quality Assurance Department Who Are: Simon Bland, Barg, James Stewart, Tim Bradstock
Acclaim Development by the Grey Team
  • Producer: Rob Leingang
  • Associate Producer: Stacy Hendrickson
  • Analysts: Tyrone Miller, Joe Libertella, Tom Rademacher, Jim MK Fink
  • Special Thanks to: Eric
Source:
In-game credits
Mortal Kombat SMS credits.pdf
[26]

Magazine articles

Main article: Mortal Kombat/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Mortal Kombat/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90
92 №8, p34-36
95 №13, p28-31
92
Sega Mega Drive
92
Based on
4 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[27]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE) NTSC-U
76
[28]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
60
[29]
Consoles + (FR)
92
[30]
Cool Gamer (RU)
80
[31]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[10]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
92
[32]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
83
[33]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[34]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10 (RU)
100
[35]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
90
[36]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
73
[37]
GameFan (US) NTSC-U
87
[38]
Game Power (IT) PAL
91
[39]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
88
[40]
Gamers (DE)
60
[41]
GamesMaster (UK)
81
[42]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
50
[43]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
93
[44]
Hyper (AU)
88
[45]
Joker (SI)
93
[46]
Joypad (FR)
93
[47]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
74
[15]
Mega (UK) PAL
82
[48]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
90
[49]
Megablast (DE)
73
[50]
Mega Force (FR)
94
[51]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
85
[52]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
80
[53]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
90
[54]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[55]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
79
[56]
Player One (FR)
93
[57]
Power Up! (UK)
85
[58]
Power Play (DE)
73
[59]
Sega Magazin (DE)
85
[60]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
83
[61]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[62]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
81
[63]
Sega Force Mega (UK) PAL
94
[64]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
86
[65]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
66
[66]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
89
[67]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
87
[68]
Video Games (DE) PAL
80
[69]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[70]
Sega Mega Drive
83
Based on
46 reviews

Mortal Kombat

Mega Drive, JP
MK MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat MD JP CartTop.jpg
MortalKombat MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
MK MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
MK MD US Box.jpg
Cover
MK MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortalkombat md us manual.pdf
Manual
MK MD US pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, EU
MK MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
MK MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortal Kombat MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, FR

Mortal Kombat MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT orange)
Mortal Kombat MD SE Rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, PT
MK MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
MK MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
MK MD AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortal Kombat Megadrive AUS Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
MK MD BR Box.jpg
Cover

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
67 [71]
Sega Mega-CD
67
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
73
[72]
Consoles + (FR)
92
[73]
Digitiser (UK)
78
[74]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
25
[75]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
63
[76]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
73
[77]
FLUX (US)
80
[78]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
72
[79]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
35
[80]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
91
[81]
Joypad (FR) PAL
86
[82]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
78
[83]
Mega (UK) PAL
78
[84]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
69
[85]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
80
[21]
Player One (FR)
89
[86]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
58
[87]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
85
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[88]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
65
[89]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
80
[90]
Todo Sega (ES)
90
[91]
Video Games (DE) PAL
81
[92]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
60
[93]
Sega Mega-CD
74
Based on
24 reviews

Mortal Kombat

Mega-CD, JP
MK MCD JP Box Back.jpgMK MCD JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
MortalKombatCD MCD JP Spinecard.JPG
Spinecard
MortalKombatCD MCD JP Disc.jpg
Disc
MortalKombat MCD JP manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, US
MK MCD US Box Back.JPGMK MCD US Box Front.JPG
Cover
MK MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Mortalkombat mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
MK MCD EU Box Back.jpgMK MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Mortal Kombat MCD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega-CD, UK
MK MCD UK case front.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Mortal Kombat MCD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega-CD, PT

Mega-CD, AU
MK MCD AU back.jpgNospine-small.pngMK MCD AU front.jpg
Cover
Mega-CD, BR
MK MCD BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMK MCD BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Mortal Kombat MCD BR Manual.pdf
Manual

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60
52
Sega Master System
56
Based on
2 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[94]
Digitiser (UK)
91
[95]
Joypad (FR)
82
[96]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[18]
Mega Force (FR)
71
[97]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[98]
Player One (FR)
94
[99]
Sega Magazin (DE)
80
[60]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[100]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
92
[101]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
91
[102]
Video Games (DE) PAL
55
[69]
Sega Master System
80
Based on
12 reviews

Mortal Kombat

Master System, EU
MK SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
MK SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortal Kombat SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, PT
MortalKombat SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
MortalKombat SMS AU Box.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU (Hotline sticker)
MortalKombat SMS AU hotline cover.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
MK SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortalkombat sms br manual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
60
82
73
Sega Game Gear
72
Based on
3 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
67
[94]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[103]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
80
[104]
Game Power (IT) PAL
90
[105]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
83
[106]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[107]
Joypad (FR) PAL
93
[108]
Mega Force (FR)
92
[109]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[98]
Player One (FR)
94
[99]
Power Unlimited (NL)
90
[110]
Score (CZ)
75
[111]
Sega Magazin (DE)
80
[60]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
89
[112]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
91
[113]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
89
[114]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
72
[115]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
92
[102]
Video Games (DE) PAL
75
[69]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[116]
Sega Game Gear
81
Based on
20 reviews

Mortal Kombat

Game Gear, JP
MK GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
MK GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMK GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
MK GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortalkombat gg us manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
MK GG EU Box Back.jpgMortal Kombat GG EU BoxSpine.jpgMK GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
MortalKombat GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortal Kombat GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, FR (Blister pack)
MK GG FR blister back.jpgMK GG FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, PT

Technical information

Main article: Mortal Kombat/Technical information.

References

  1. File:MK MD JP Box.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. File:MK GG EU Box Back.jpg
  4. File:MK GG JP Box Front.jpg
  5. 5.0 5.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
  6. File:MK MCD JP Box Back.jpg
  7. 7.0 7.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/mcd/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-06-10 17:56)
  8. 8.0 8.1 Beep! MegaDrive, "June 1994" (JP; 1994-05-07), page 11
  9. 9.0 9.1 GamePro, "September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 7
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Computer & Video Games, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-15), page 48
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 File:DailyExpress UK 1993-09-09 11.jpg
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 File:DailyMirror UK 1993-09-13 16.jpg
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 File:DailyMirror UK 1993-09-10 13.jpg
  14. Mega, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-16), page 47
  15. 15.0 15.1 MAN!AC, "11/93" (DE; 1993-xx-xx), page 58
  16. 16.0 16.1 Jogos Vídeo, "Dezembro de 1993; Ano 1, Nº 2" (PT; 1993-12-xx), page 27
  17. Sega Pro, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-09), page 34
  18. 18.0 18.1 MAN!AC, "11/93" (DE; 1993-xx-xx), page 79
  19. Sega Force Mega, "January 1994" (UK; 1993-12-16), page 59
  20. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 177
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 Mean Machines Sega, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 74
  22. 22.0 22.1 Sega Power, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-05-05), page 44
  23. Sega Pro, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-16), page 47
  24. File:Mortal Kombat MD credits.pdf
  25. File:MortalKombat MCD JP SSEnding.pdf
  26. File:Mortal Kombat SMS credits.pdf
  27. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 134
  28. Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1993" (DE; 1993-10-11), page 38
  29. Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1994" (JP; 1994-06-08), page 16
  30. Consoles +, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 18
  31. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 128
  32. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "September 1993" (US; 1993-08-24), page 59
  33. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 34
  34. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 333
  35. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10, "" (RU; 2003-10-08), page 83
  36. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 73
  37. Famitsu, "1994-06-03" (JP; 1994-05-20), page 1
  38. GameFan, "Volume 1, Issue 10: September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 14
  39. Game Power, "Ottobre 1993" (IT; 1993-xx-xx), page 56
  40. GamePro, "September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 58
  41. Gamers, "August/September 1993" (DE; 1993-07-23), page 46
  42. GamesMaster (UK) "Series 3, episode 1" (1993-09-09, 24:00) (+9:15)
  43. Hippon Super, "June 1994" (JP; 1994-04-30), page 62
  44. Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 36
  45. Hyper, "December 1993" (AU; 1993-xx-xx), page 32
  46. Joker, "Januar 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 19
  47. Joypad, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 38
  48. Mega, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-16), page 46
  49. Mega Action, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-09), page 18
  50. Megablast, "4/93" (DE; 1993-09-29), page 38
  51. Mega Force, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 82
  52. Mega Fun, "10/93" (DE; 1993-09-22), page 30
  53. Mega Power, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-19), page 60
  54. MegaTech, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-20), page 76
  55. Micromanía (segunda época), "Septiembre 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  56. Mean Machines Sega, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-07-30), page 70
  57. Player One, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-08-xx), page 75
  58. Power Up!, "Friday, September 17, 1993" (UK; 1993-09-17), page 1
  59. Power Play, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-13), page 136
  60. 60.0 60.1 60.2 Sega Magazin, "November/Dezember 1993" (DE; 1993-11-03), page 24
  61. Sega Power, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-07), page 66
  62. Sega Pro, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-12), page 36
  63. Sega Zone, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-xx), page 20
  64. Sega Force Mega, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-07-22), page 10
  65. Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 99
  66. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  67. Todo Sega, "Octubre 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 32
  68. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 116
  69. 69.0 69.1 69.2 Video Games, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-27), page 110
  70. VideoGames, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 40
  71. GamesMaster, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-28), page 66
  72. Beep! MegaDrive, "July 1994" (JP; 1994-06-08), page 19
  73. Consoles +, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 148
  74. Digitiser (UK) (1994-06-15)
  75. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 110
  76. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 34
  77. Famitsu, "1994-06-03" (JP; 1994-05-20), page 39
  78. FLUX, "Issue #1" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 78
  79. Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 5 May 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 36
  80. GamePro, "July 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 64
  81. Hobby Consolas, "Junio 1994" (ES; 1994-xx-xx), page 74
  82. Joypad, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 114
  83. MAN!AC, "07/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 64
  84. Mega, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-16), page 46
  85. MegaTech, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-16), page 60
  86. Player One, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 96
  87. Sega Magazine, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-16), page 92
  88. Sega Pro, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-16), page 46
  89. Sega Zone, "July 1994" (UK; 1994-06-xx), page 28
  90. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  91. Todo Sega, "Julio 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 42
  92. Video Games, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-29), page 80
  93. VideoGames, "June 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  94. 94.0 94.1 Aktueller Software Markt, "Dezember 1993" (DE; 1993-11-08), page 156
  95. Digitiser (UK) (1993-09-24)
  96. Joypad, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 40
  97. Mega Force, "Septembre 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 116
  98. 98.0 98.1 Mega Fun, "11/93" (DE; 1993-10-20), page 92
  99. 99.0 99.1 Player One, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 152
  100. Sega Pro, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-08-12), page 40
  101. Sega Master Force, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-08-19), page 58
  102. 102.0 102.1 Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1993" (ES; 1993-1x-xx), page 44
  103. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1994" (JP; 1993-12-08), page 29
  104. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 36
  105. Game Power, "Novembre 1993" (IT; 1993-1x-xx), page 76
  106. GamePro, "September 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 64
  107. Hippon Super, "February 1994" (JP; 1994-01-06), page 42
  108. Joypad, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-xx-xx), page 92
  109. Mega Force, "Octobre 1993" (FR; 1993-10-08), page 122
  110. Power Unlimited, "Nummer 5, December 1993" (NL; 1993-12-01), page 51
  111. Score, "Březen 1994" (CZ; 1994-03-14), page 46
  112. Sega Power, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-11-xx), page 100
  113. Sega Pro, "October 1993" (UK; 1993-09-09), page 49
  114. Sega Zone, "November 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 62
  115. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  116. VideoGames, "October 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 61


Mortal Kombat

MortalKombat title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Game Gear
Prototypes: Prototype

Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: Prototype B



Mortal Kombat II, Dragon.png
Mortal Kombat games for Sega systems
Mortal Kombat (1993) | Mortal Kombat II (1994) | Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) | Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1996) | Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1997) | Mortal Kombat Gold (1999)
Mortal Kombat & Mortal Kombat II (unreleased)
Unlicensed Mortal Kombat games for Sega systems
Mortal Kombat 5 (1999?)