Mortal Kombat 3

n/a

Mega Drive Master System Game Gear
Mortal Kombat 3
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Williams Entertainment (US) Acclaim Entertainment (EU) Tec Toy
Developer: Midway Manufacturing Sculptured Software Software Creations
Distributor: Roadshow New Media (AU) Arcadia Software (Spain)
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing
Developer(s) of original games: Midway Manufacturing
Sound driver: GEMS
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad, Mega Net 2 Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code US 1995-10-13 T-97116 EU 1995-10 T-81536-50 PT 1995 MDJ20944 UK 1995-10-20 £59.9959.99 T-81536-50 AU 1995 BR 1995 050010 ZA 199x BR 1996-12 R$39.9939.99 028730 EU 1996 T-81368-50 UK 1996 T-81368-50 AU 199x
Non-Sega versions Arcade IBM PC PlayStation Super NES Windows PC

Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game and is the sequel to Mortal Kombat II. It was initially released in arcades in 1995, though was brought to the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, and Sega Game Gear as well as to DOS and Windows PCs, the Game Boy, PlayStation, and the Super Nintendo in the following years. The Sega Master System version of the game was an exclusive Brazilian release by Tec Toy and is mostly identical to the Game Gear version, save the larger resolution.

Unlike Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 3 did not appear on the Sega Saturn. Bernie Stolar (in his pre-Sega days) secured a six-month exclusivity deal for the PlayStation, and while a Saturn version was eventually announced by GT Interactive Software for release in early 1996, it is thought to have been dropped in favour of the updated Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

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

Mega Drive version

Select Your Fighter

Kombat Kodes

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

BL	Block
RN	Run

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 Temple

This location would return as a Dreamcast-exclusive stage in Mortal Kombat Gold.

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.

Master System and Game Gear versions

Select Fighter

The game is a one-on-one fighting game where matches are fought to the best of three rounds. Compared to its predecessor, the game has new characters and new moves, including more finishing moves. The player chooses from eight characters, then chooses a "tower" (Novice, Warrior, or Master), which determines the number of opponents faced before fighting the final boss, Shao Kahn. In the Master System version, a second player can join at any time for a versus match by pressing . 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 and and crouch with . They run with (or if facing left), which drains the Run meter (but it replenishes when not used). They jump with and jump back and forth with and . Characters punch with and kick with . Blocking is done by holding  START  in the Game Gear version or by holding + 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 two different finishing moves that can be performed after defeating an opponent in the final round, a Fatality and a Babality. Kombat Kodes are entered before a match by one player using the four directions on the D-Pad, , and .

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

Characters

All of the characters from the original arcade game are present except Shang Tsung, Liu Kang, Stryker, Nightwolf, and the sub-boss Motaro. Shao Kahn remains as the unplayable final boss. Noob Saibot and Smoke are hidden characters. Noob Saibot can be fought, and Smoke can be played or fought.

• Sindel
• Sektor
• Kabal
• Sheeva
• Sub-Zero
• Kano
• Sonya Blade
• Cyrax
• Shao Kahn
• Smoke
• Noob Saibot

Stages

The stages are played in order (and loop around after the last one). Shao Kahn is always fought in the Pit 3.

The Street, the Bank, the Rooftop, and the Balcony were omitted from these versions. The ability to uppercut an opponent into another stage and the stage-specific Fatalities are absent.

The Subway

The Bridge

The Bell Tower

The Temple

The Pit 3

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.

The Master System and Game Gear versions, however, are severely stripped down, with fewer playable characters, far fewer frames of animation and fewer moves. In contrast to the 8-bit Sega ports of Mortal Kombat II, there are virtually no backgrounds in Mortal Kombat 3, no voice samples, and in the Game Gear version, no in-game music when fighting.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

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

Master System and Game Gear versions

Midway MK3 Design Team

• Ed Boon, John Tobias, Steve Beran, Dan Forden, Tony Goskie, Dave Michicich, John Vogel

Mortal Kombat 3 Team

• Programming: Mike Ager
• Graphics: Haydn Dalton
• Producing: Marc Dawson

Unbeatable Kombat Masters

• Chris Brooks, Paul Essue, Craig Dobson, Simon Hundleby

Many Thanks Go To

• For Game Info: John Tao
• Technical Assistance: Paul Lee

Source:

In-game credits

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 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #75: "October 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

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:

• Consoles + (FR) #51: "Février 1996" (1996-0x-xx)

Print advert in AS Magazin-Video Igrice (YU) #15: "Novembar 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #77: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in Hyper (AU) #25: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in Svet Kompjutera (YU) #136: "Januar 1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Print advert in Strana Igr (RU) #1 (1996-xx-xx)
also published in:

• Strana Igr (RU) #2: "Mart 1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source GamesMaster (UK) 92 №34, p40/41

	92
Based on 1 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 80 Alaab Alcomputtar (SA) 96 Consoles + (FR) 92 Cool Gamer (RU) 90 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU) 80 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10 (RU) 100 GameFan (US) NTSC-U 91 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 68 GamePro (UK) 88 Game Informer (US) NTSC-U 86 Hobby Consolas (ES) PAL 94 Joypad (FR) 92 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 93 Next Generation (US) NTSC-U 75 Player One (FR) 90 Players (BR) 63 Random Access (UK) 90 Secret Service (PL) 95 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 94 Sega Power (UK) PAL 95 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 96 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 93 Sega Mega Drive Review (RU) 86 Sega Megazone (AU) 92 Super Juegos (ES) 94 Todo Sega (ES) 95 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 97 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 60

	88
Based on 28 reviews

Mortal Kombat 3

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual PCB

Mega Drive, FR
Manual

Mega Drive, PT
Cover

Mega Drive, AU
Cover

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, ZA
Cover
Cart

Master System version

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score

	N/A
Based on 0 reviews

Mortal Kombat 3

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, AU

Technical information

Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Technical information.

External links

• Sega of America webpage: Mega Drive