Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Mega Drive)

For the Sega Saturn game, see Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Saturn).

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Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Mega Drive)
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Williams Entertainment (US) Acclaim Entertainment (EU)
Developer: Avalanche Software
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Sound driver: GEMS
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad
Genre: Fighting
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code US 1996-10-11 T-97146 EU 1996-11-28 T-81616-50 PT 1996 MDJAK0402 UK 1996-12 £44.9944.99 T-81616-50 GR 199x BR 1996-10 R$79.9979.99 047240
Non-Sega versions Game Boy Advance Super NES

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game and update to Mortal Kombat 3, originally released in arcades by Midway Manufacturing. A 16-bit port of the game was developed for the Sega Mega Drive by Avalanche Software and published by Williams Entertainment in the United States and by Acclaim Entertainment in Europe.

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

Select Your Fighter

Kombat Kodes

The game is an enhanced version of Mortal Kombat 3. It features new characters, new moves, and several balance changes. The Mega Drive and Super NES ports of the game vary significantly from the arcade version and include new characters and a new kind of finishing move, Brutalities, that would also appear in the Saturn and PlayStation game Mortal Kombat Trilogy. However, since this port used the same size cartridge as the Mega Drive port of Mortal Kombat 3, it also had significant cutbacks, with several stages, many announcer voice lines, and one character (Sheeva) removed.

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 .

Most characters have two Fatalities, a Friendship, a Babality, and a Brutality. Brutalities are 11-button combos that causes characters to rapidly beat on their opponents until they explode. Mercies and Animalities have been removed. Two stages have stage-specific Fatalities.

Modes

Choose Your Destiny

In the main arcade mode, the player can choose any character. Then the player chooses a "tower" of opponents to face (Novice, Warrior, Master, or a new additional Master tier), with the more difficult towers having more opponents. Every tower ends with an endurance match (or two endurance matches in the second Master tier) and two final matches against the bosses Motaro and Shao Kahn. In the endurance matches, which return from the first Mortal Kombat, the player must defeat two opponents in each round rather than only one. At any point during gameplay, a second player can challenge the first by pressing  START  on a second control pad, with the winner continuing in the tournament.

Two new multiplayer modes have been introduced: a two-on-two mode and an eight-player tournament mode. In the two-on-two mode, two players choose two characters each and fight. After a character is eliminated, the player's second character jumps into the battle. A round is decided when both of a player's characters are defeated, and matches are played to the best of three rounds. The tournament mode is a bracketed tournament in which up to eight different players (with odd-numbered players using the first control pad and even-numbered players using the second control pad) can compete. Shao Kahn's Lost Treasures, which are ten selectable prizes, are introduced after either the main game or the eight-player tournament are completed.

The game has five difficulty settings for computer-controlled opponents (Easiest, Easy, Medium, Hard, and Hardest).

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, 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 .

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 and Pit 3 stages. Friendships and Babalities can only be performed if the player does not block during the final round.

Playable

The entire cast of Mortal Kombat 3 returns, with the exception of Sheeva. The game adds back the palette-swapped male and female ninjas from Mortal Kombat II: Classic Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Reptile, Kitana, Mileena, and Jade. Noob Saibot is also re-introduced as a Lin Kuei ninja (rather than a blackened Kano, as in Mortal Kombat 3) with new special moves, and Human Smoke is added as a hidden character (with the same moves as Scorpion).

The new characters Rain and Ermac, both palette-swapped male ninjas, have been added. Rain was a fake secret character in the arcade version, teased in the attract sequence, but he was added to the 16-bit ports as a real character with new special moves. Ermac is named after a contraction for "error macro" found in a diagnostic menu in the original Mortal Kombat. The name was speculated to be a hidden character, and he was eventually made a fully fledged fighter in this game.

Classic Sub-Zero, Ermac, and Mileena were hidden in the arcade version but are immediately playable in the 16-bit ports. Noob Saibot and Rain are both exclusive to the 16-bit ports and have Brutalities but no other finishing moves. Sheeva was present in the arcade version but removed from the 16-bit ports.

	Rain
	A ninja who was born in Kitana's former world of Edenia and smuggled away as a small child. He resurfaced thousands of years later in the service of his captor Shao Kahn. Move list Name Command Description Control Orb  HP  Rain shoots a projectile that stuns his opponent, then the player can move the opponent around using the D-Pad. Lightning Lift  HP  Rain calls a strike of lightning at his opponent. Super Roundhouse Kick + HK  Rain's roundhouse kick knocks opponents farther away. The opponent falls through the opposite side of the screen if knocked through one side. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP   LP   HP  22% damage Combo 2  HK   HK   LK   HK  + HK  29% damage Combo 3  HK   HK   LP   HP  21% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Brutality  HP   HP   BL   LK   HK   BL   LK   HK   BL   HP   LP  (close)
	Reptile
	A reptilian creature who takes the form of a human ninja. As one of Shao Kahn's most trusted servants, Reptile assists Jade in the hunt for Kitana, but he has secret orders to kill her if necessary. Move list Name Command Description Acid Spit  HP  Reptile takes his mask off and spits a gob of acid. Slide + BL + LP + LK  Reptile slides forward with a leg sweep. Slow Force Ball  LP + HP  Reptile conjures a slow-moving force ball that moves across the screen and knocks the opponent down. Fast Force Ball  LP + HP  Reptile conjures a fast-moving force ball that moves across the screen and knocks the opponent down. Invisibility HOLD  BL   HK  Reptile makes himself invisible until he is attacked. Reverse Elbow  LK  Reptile runs through his opponent, then turns around and hits his opponent with an elbow strike. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP  + LP  18% damage Combo 2  HK   HK  + HK  21% damage Combo 3  HP   HP   HK  + HK  24% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality 1  BL  (half screen away) Reptile removes his mask, revealing his reptilian head, and uses his tongue to eat his opponent in segments. Fatality 2 HOLD  BL   HK  (sweep distance) Reptile removes his mask, revealing his reptilian head, and vomits acid that dissolves his opponent into a pile of bones. Stage Fatality  BL   RN   BL   BL  (close) Friendship  HK  (close) Reptile unwinds a lizard jack-in-the-box. Babality  LK  Brutality  HP   BL   HK   HK   BL   HP   LP   LK   LK   BL   LP  (close)
	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. Rapid Fire Gun  HP  Stryker kneels and fires his gun, which hits nearby opponents. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP   LP  18% damage Combo 2  HK   HP   HP   LP  23% damage Combo 3  HK   LK  + LP  + HK  23% damage Combo 4  HK   LK  + HK  19% 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) Friendship  LP   RN   RN   LP  Stryker acts as a crossing guard as dogs run across the screen. Babality  HP  Brutality  HP   LP   HK   LK   HP   LP   LK   HK   HP   LK   LK  (close)
	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  27% 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) Friendship  LK   RN   RN   LK  (outside sweep distance) Jax uses a jump rope. Babality  LK  Brutality  HP   HP   HP   BL   LP   HP   HP   HP   BL   LP   HP  (close)
	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 while ramming his shoulder. Red Shoulder Charge  HK  Nightwolf charges while ramming his shoulder. This move is faster and travels farther than the normal Shoulder Charge. 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  + HP  28% damage Combo 5  HK   HP   HP   LP   HK  27% 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) Friendship  RN   RN   RN  (half screen away) Nightwolf transforms into Rayden as a Mortal Kombat II arcade machine falls behind him. Babality  LP  Brutality  HP   HP   HK   LK   LK   BL   BL   LP   LP   HP   HK  (close)
	Jade
	A close friend of the renegade princess Kitana. After Kitana killed her evil twin Mileena and escaped from Outworld to Earth, Jade was appointed by the emperor Shao Kahn to find and bring her back alive. Move list Name Command Description Razor-Rang (Straight)  LP  Jade throws a Razor-Rang straight across the screen. Razor-Rang (Upward)  HP  Jade throws a Razor-Rang that arcs upward. Razor-Rang (Downward)  LK  Jade throws a Razor-Rang that arcs downward. Projectile Shield  HK  Jade flashes and projectiles pass harmlessly through her (recalling her immunity to projectiles in Mortal Kombat II). Shadow Kick  LK  Jade dashes forward while kicking. Return Razor-Rang  LP  Jade throws a Razor-Rang straight across the screen. It returns to Jade like a boomerang if the opponent ducks or dodges it (but only if the opponent is human). Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP  + LP  + HP  22% damage Combo 2  HK   HK   LK  + HK  23% damage Combo 3  HP   HP  + LP   LK   HK  + LK  + HK  25% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality 1 HOLD  BL   HP  (close) Jade stabs her opponent with her staff and flays them by aggressively shaking them. Fatality 2  RN   RN   RN   BL   RN  (close) Jade uppercuts her opponent into the air, then catches them by impaling them on her staff. Stage Fatality  RN  (close) Friendship  HK  Jade hops on her staff like a pogo stick. Babality  HK  Brutality  HP   LK   HP   LP   HK   HK   LK   BL   BL   HP   HK  (close)
	Noob Saibot
	A mysterious figure that emerged from the Netherrealm to spy on the battle between realms and report back to his leaders. Move list Name Command Description Disabler  LP  Noob Saibot shoots a cloud that disables his opponent's ability to block. Teleport Slam Noob Saibot flies into the air, then reappears and slams his opponent into the ground. Shadow Throw  HP  A shadow splits from Noob Saibot that runs to and throws his opponent. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  LK   LK   LK   LK  23% damage Combo 2  HP   HP   LP   HK  22% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Brutality  HP   LK   LP   BL   LK   HK   HP   LP   BL   LK   HK  (close)
	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  HP   HP   LP  + HP  22% damage Combo 2  HK   HK   HP   HP   LP  + HP  31% damage Combo 3  HK   HP   HP   LP  + HP  27% damage Combo 4  HK   HP   HP  + LP  23% damage Combo 5  HP   HP  + LP  18% damage Combo 6  HK   HP   HP  + HP  23% damage Combo 7  HK   HK   HP   HP  + LP  27% damage Combo 8  HK   HK  + HK  19% 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  (full screen away) Sonya blows a kiss that incinerates her opponent. Stage Fatality  HP  (close) Friendship + RN  Sonya swings her arms playfully. Babality  LK  Brutality  HP   LK   BL   HP   LK   BL   HP   LP   BL   HK   LK  (close)
	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. Upwards Cannonball  HK  Kano hurls himself diagonally upwards 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  HK   LP  15% damage Combo 2  HK  + LP  + HP  19% damage Combo 3  HK   HK   LK  + HK  23% damage Combo 4  HP   HP  + LP  18% damage Combo 5  HP   HP  + LP  + HP  22% damage Combo 6  HP   HP   HK   LK  + HK  26% 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) Friendship  LK   RN   RN   HK  Kano blows a bubble with bubblegum. Babality  LK  Brutality  HP   LP   BL   LP   HP   BL   HK   LK   BL   HK   LK  (close)
	Mileena
	A grotesque clone of Kitana. After she was killed by Kitana, Mileena was brought back to life by Shao Kahn to help him defeat Earth's warriors with her combat skills and a mind-reading connection to her sister. Move list Name Command Description Sai Throw Hold  HP  for 2 seconds and release Mileena throws a pair of sai across the screen. This move can be done in midair. Teleport Kick  LK  Mileena disappears, then drops from the air in front of her opponent while kicking. Ground Roll  HK  Mileena rolls quickly along the ground, knocking over her opponent on impact. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP  + LP  + LP  22% damage Combo 2  HK   HK  + LK  + HK  23% damage Combo 3  HP   HP   HK   HK  + LK  + HK  30% damage Combo 4  HP   HP   HK   HK  + LK  24% damage Combo 5  HK   HK  + LK  16% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality 1  LK  (full screen away) Mileena swallows a cup full of nails, then spits them at her opponent like a machine gun. Fatality 2  LP  (close) Mileena swallows her opponent, then spits out a pile of bones. Stage Fatality  LP  (close) Friendship  HP  Mileena removes her mask and looks at her face in a mirror, which shatters it. Babality  HP  Brutality  HP   LP   LP   HP   BL   HK   LK   LK   HK   BL   HP   LP  (close)
	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   LK   HK  + HK  26% damage Combo 2  HP   HP  + HK  18% damage Combo 3  HK   HK  + HK  19% damage Combo 4  HP   HP   LP  + LK  + HK  + HK  23% damage Combo 5  HP   HP   LP  + HK  22% 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) Friendship  LK   RN   RN  (close) Sub-Zero unwinds a snowman jack-in-the-box. Babality  HK  Brutality  HP   LK   HK   LP   HP   HK   HK   HP   HP   LP   HP  (close)
	Sub-Zero (Classic)
	A Lin Kuei ninja with cryogenic powers. Having been seemingly killed in the first game, Sub-Zero mysteriously returns to again attempt the assassination of Shang Tsung. Move list Name Command Description Deep Freeze  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. Ground Freeze  LK  Sub-Zero shoots ice at the ground in front of him, which causes his opponent to slip uncontrollably if walked on. 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   LK  + HK  + LK  26% damage Combo 2  LK  + HK  + LK  19% damage Combo 3  HP   HP  + LP  + HP  22% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality  HP  (close) Sub-Zero grabs his opponent's head, and the screen turns black. Stage Fatality  HP  (close) Brutality  HP   LP   HP   BL   LK   LK   HK   HK   LP   HP   LP  (close)
	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   LP   HP   LP   LK   LK  + HK  34% damage Combo 3  HP   LK  + HK  18% 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) Friendship  RN   LP   RN   LK  (outside sweep distance) Kung Lao throws his hat and a dog runs to fetch it. Babality  HP  Brutality  HP   LP   LK   HK   BL   HP   LP   LK   HK   BL   HP  (close)
	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   HK  + HK  22% damage Combo 3  HP   HP   HK   HK  + HK  26% damage Combo 4  HP   HP  + LP  18% 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) Friendship  RN   RN   RN   RN  Sektor hits a carnival high striker with a hammer. Babality  HK  Brutality  HP   HP   BL   BL   HK   HK   LK   LK   LP   LP   HP  (close)
	Kitana
	A princess of the realm of Edenia. After killing Mileena, Kitana is accused of treason. She now attempts to reach Queen Sindel to warn her of their true past. Move list Name Command Description Fan Throw  LP + HP  Kitana throws a spinning fan like a sawblade. This move can be done in midair. Fan Lift  HP  Kitana spins her fan at the air, generating waves that can catch and lift opponents. Square Wave Punch  HP  Kitana jumps into the air and shoots across the screen with her fist extended. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HK   HK   LK  + HK  23% damage Combo 2  HP   HP  + LP  + HP  25% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality 1 + HK  (close) Kitana decapitates her opponent with a fan. Fatality 2  RN   RN   BL   BL   LK  (close) Kitana gives her opponent a "kiss of death," which causes their head to inflate and carry them away. The opponent explodes into a pile of bones off-screen. Stage Fatality  LK  (close) Friendship  LP  Kitana removes her mask and blows bubbles at her opponent through a wand. Due to a bug, this move can only be performed in this version when the "Quick End" cheat code is enabled. Babality  HK  Brutality  HP   HP   BL   HK   BL   BL   LK   BL   LP   BL   HP   BL  (close)
	Ermac
	A mysterious warrior that exists as a life force of the souls of dead Outworld warriors in Shao Kahn's possession. Move list Name Command Description Fireball  LP  Ermac shoots an explosive fireball across the screen. Teleport Punch  HP  Ermac teleports to the other side of the screen, flying in with a punch. This move can be done in midair. Telekinetic Slam  HK  Ermac telekinetically lifts his opponent, then slams them into the ground. This move only works if the opponent is closer than half the screen away but farther than sweep distance. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HK   LP  15% damage Combo 2  HK   HK   LK  + HK  23% damage Combo 3  HP   HP  + LP   LP  19% damage Combo 4  HP   HP  + LP   HK  + LK  24% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality  RN   BL   RN   RN   HK  (close) Ermac does an uppercut that decapitates his opponent. Stage Fatality  RN   RN   RN   RN   LK  (close) Brutality  HP   HP   LP   BL   HK   LK   BL   HP   LP   LK   HK  (close)
	Scorpion
	Scorpion escapes from Earth's hell after Shao Kahn's failed attempt at stealing the souls of Earthrealm. He eventually joins the struggle against Outworld. Move list Name Command Description Spear  LP  Scorpion throws a spear across the screen, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned. Teleport Punch  HP  Scorpion teleports to the other side of the screen, flying in with a punch. This move can be done in midair. Air Throw  BL  in midair (close) Scorpion grabs and throws his opponent in midair. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP   HK  + HK  24% damage Combo 2  HK   HK   LK   LK  23% damage Combo 3  HP   HP  + LP  18% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality 1 HOLD  BL   HK  (half screen away) Scorpion removes his mask, revealing a demonic skull, and incinerates his opponent with his fire breath. Fatality 2  RN  (close) Scorpion teleports his opponent to his infernal lair, where the opponent bathes in hellfire. Stage Fatality HOLD  BL   LP  (close) Friendship  LK  (close) Scorpion unwinds a demonic jack-in-the-box. Babality  HP  Brutality  HP   HP   BL   HK   HK   LK   HK   HP   HP   LP   HP  (close)
	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. Teleport  BL  Cyrax explodes, then reconstitutes on the other side of his opponent. 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   LP  18% damage Combo 2  HK   HK  + HK  19% damage Combo 3  HP   HP   HK   HP   HK  + HK  30% 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) Friendship  RN   RN   RN  Cyrax dances the Charleston. Babality  HP  Brutality  HP   HK   HP   HK   HK   HP   HK   HP   HK   LK   LP  (close)
	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  13% damage Combo 2  LK   LK   HP   HP  + HP  15% damage Combo 3  HP   HP   HK  + HK  25% damage Combo 4  HP   HP  + LP  + HP  17% damage Combo 5  LK   LK   HP   HP  + LP  + HP  17% damage Combo 6  LK   LK   HP   HP   HK  + HK  18% damage Combo 7  HK   LK  + HK  18% damage Combo 8  HK   LK   HK  + HK  24% 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) Friendship  RN   LK   RN   RN  Kabal roasts a marshmallow on a hook sword. Babality  RN   RN   LK  Brutality  HP   BL   LK   LK   LK   HK   LP   LP   LP   HP   LP  (close)
	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  HP   HP   LP   HK  25% damage Combo 3  HK   HP   HP  + HP  27% damage Combo 4  HK   HP   HP   LP   HK  33% 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) Friendship  RN   RN   RN   RN   RN   RN  Sindel kicks a field goal with a ball. Babality  RN   RN   RN  Brutality  HP   BL   LK   BL   LK   HK   BL   HK   LK   BL   LP  (close)
	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. 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  HK   HK   LP  19% damage Combo 3  HP   HP   HK  18% damage Combo 4  HP   HP  + LP  18% 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  (close) Friendship  RN   RN   RN   HK  (full screen away) Smoke blasts an air horn that comes out of his chest. Babality  HK  Brutality  HP   LK   LK   HK   BL   BL   LP   LP   HP   HP   BL   BL  (close)
	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  HP   HP  + LP  13% damage Combo 2  HK   LK   HK   LK  22% damage Combo 3  HP   LK   LK   HK   LK  25% damage Combo 4  HP   HP   BL   LK   LK   HK   LK  28% 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) Friendship  RN   RN   RN  + RN  Liu Kang recreates the Mortal Kombat dragon on a projector screen using hand puppetry. Babality  HK  Brutality  HP   LP   HP   BL   LK   HK   LK   HK   LP   LP   HP  (close)
	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  Ermac Jade + BL  Jax  LP  Kabal  LP   BL   HK  Kano  BL  Kitana  RN  Kung Lao  RN   RN   BL   RN  Liu Kang HOLD  BL D-Pad in a 360° rotation clockwise Mileena  RN   BL   HK  Nightwolf HOLD  BL  Noob Saibot  HK  Rain  RN   BL   LK  Reptile  RN   BL   BL   HK  Scorpion  LP  Sektor  RN  Sindel  LK  Smoke  LP  Sonya + RN + BL + LP   BL  Stryker  HK  Sub-Zero  HP  Sub-Zero (Classic)  BL   BL   RN   RN  Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HP   HP   LP  + HK  22% damage Combo 2  HK   HK  + HK  19% damage Combo 3  LK   HP   HP   LP  + HK  27% 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) 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  Brutality  HP   BL   BL   BL   LK   HP   LP   LP   BL   HK   LK  (close)

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: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Mega Drive)/Hidden content.

Smoke (Human)

An assassin working for the Lin Kuei who was captured and turned into a cyborg. His human form, similar to his original appearance in Mortal Kombat II, can be played with a cheat code. Move list Name Command Description Spear  LP  Smoke throws a spear across the screen, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned. Teleport Punch  HP  Smoke teleports to the other side of the screen, flying in with a punch. This move can be done in midair. Air Throw  BL  in midair (close) Smoke grabs and throws his opponent in midair. Move list (Chain combos) Name Command Description Combo 1  HK   LP  15% damage Combo 2  HK  + LP  + HP  18% damage Combo 3  HP   HP  + LP  19% damage Combo 4  HP   HP   HK  + HK  24% damage Combo 5  HK   HK   LK  + HK  23% damage Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality  RN   BL   RN   RN   HK  (close) Smoke does an uppercut that decapitates his opponent. Stage Fatality HOLD  BL   LP  (close) Babality  HP  Brutality  HP   HP   BL   LK   HK   HP   HK   HP   HK   LP   LK  (close)

Stages

The stages are played in order (and loop around after the last one). Motaro is fought in the Lost World and Shao Kahn is fought in the Pit 3. The Subway and Pit 3 stages have stage-specific Fatalities.

Two stages are accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling of another stage: the Rooftop is above the Bank and Kahn's Kave is above Scorpion's Lair.

The Subway

The Bank

The Rooftop

Soul Chamber

Kombat Temple

The Lost World

The Pit 3

Jade's Desert

Kahn's Kave

Scorpion's Lair

River Kombat

Versions

Using the prior port of Mortal Kombat 3 as a base, the Mega Drive version takes a hit in terms of graphical quality, but still provides extras not seen in the arcade original. Like the Super NES port, Rain and Noob Saibot are made playable characters along with bosses Motaro and Shao Kahn. Mileena, Ermac, and Classic Sub-Zero are playable without any need of codes. Shang Tsung can morph into Cyborg Smoke, Noob Saibot, and Rain, which is not possible in the arcades.

Brutalities are also included in this version. Nightwolf has his red shadow shoulder move from Mortal Kombat Trilogy and this version contained a rendition of Pong entitled MK4.

Animalities and Mercies were removed, reducing the number of finishing moves. However, Kabal still has his Animality combination coded, which, if executed, causes random glitches. Shao Kahn's treasure chest has only 10 boxes instead of 12, and the announcer no longer says the names of the characters. Most of the stages seen in Mortal Kombat 3 are missing, including the Balcony and the Street, so uppercutting in the Subway and Soul Chamber does not take the player to the stage above. Although the Bell Tower has been removed, the stage Fatality is still in the code and executable.

Another leftover from Mortal Kombat 3 that is still accessible through a Game Genie code is the Endurance Mode. Sheeva has been removed, although her sound clips are still available in the sound test. Sonya's Friendship from Mortal Kombat 3 is used, as opposed to her Friendship from the arcade version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

Scorpion's "Hellraiser" Fatality is different too: he takes the opponent back to the Scorpion's Lair stage, where they just catch on fire and explode. Kitana's "Kiss of Death" Fatality only inflates heads with the same effect as Kabal's "Air Pump" Fatality. Rain and Noob were given a Brutality, but no other finishing moves. Human Smoke shares Scorpion's combos, rather than having unique ones, and in Stryker's friendship, the running characters are replaced by dogs.

On the Mega Drive, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is generally seen as closer to the original arcade game than its Super NES counterpart when it comes to gameplay and content. The Super NES has the advantage of higher quality audio and more colourful (if lower resolution) graphics, though some stages lack parallax scrolling, or are omitted from the game due to cartridge space or time restraints.

Production credits

UMK3 Cast of Characters

• Kano and Kabal: Rich Divizio
• Sonya: Kerri Hoskins
• Jax: John Parrish
• Kitana: Becky Gable
• Jade and Mileena: Becky Gable
• Kung Lao: Tony Marquez
• Stryker: Michael O'Brien
• Sub-Zero and Shang Tsung: John Turk
• Scorpion and Reptile: John Turk
• Ermac and Rain: John Turk
• Noob Saibot and Sub-Zero: John Turk
• Sindel: Lia Montelongo
• Liu Kang: Eddie Wong
• Nightwolf and Sektor: Sal DiVita
• Cyrax and Smoke: Sal DiVita
• Shao Kahn: Brian Glynn

Midway Manufacturing MK3 Ultimate Design Team

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

Avalanche Software Development Team

• Programmers: Jim Henn, Gary Penacho, John Blackburn, Todd Blackburn
• Artists: Derek Newman, Alan Taylor
• Sound By: Chris Braymen
• Avalanche Software Testing: Jason Humphrey
• Special Thanks To: Patrick Alphonso, Mike Crandall, Paul Blagay, Jeff Knight, Neil Melville, Mike Lott, Kent Barney, Roy Wilkins, Jim 'Crash' Jung
• Thanks To: Ned Martin, Adam Clayton, Rob Nelson, Mike Callahan

Williams Entertainment Team

• Michael Rubinelli, Michael Gottlieb, Curtis R. Cherrington
• Williams Entertainment Testing: Mike Vinikour, Eddie Ferrier, J.R. Salazar, Richard Blair, Ross Deynata, Kevin Elrod, Andy Kaffka, Fred Pampo, Ben Larkin, Toan Ngo
• Special Thanks To: Dave Schwartz, Mark Guidarelli, Paul Dussault, Jim Flaharty, Justin Heber, Will Shen

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Mega Drive)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Mega Drive BR print advert

Print advert in Next Generation (US) #22: "October 1996" (1996-09-17)
also published in:

• Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #87: "October 1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #89: "December 1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Print advert in Ultra Game Players (US) #93: "January 1997" (1996-12-31)

Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #181: "December 1996" (1996-11-xx)

Print advert in Blue Jean (TR) #03/97: "Mart 1997" (1997-xx-xx)

Print advert in Gameshow (TR) #27: "Haziran 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
also published in:

• Gameshow (TR) #28: "Temmuz 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
• Level (TR) #6: "xxxx xxxx" (xxxx-xx-xx)
• Gameshow (TR) #29: "Ağustos 1997" (1997-xx-xx)

Print advert in Gameshow (TR) #30: "Eylül 1997" (1997-xx-xx)
also published in:

• Gameshow (TR) #31: "Ekim 1997" (1997-xx-xx)

Print advert in Igromania (BG) #2: "Maĭ 1998" (1998-xx-xx)

Print advert in Igromania (BG) #3: "Yuni 1998" (1998-xx-xx)

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 80 Cool Gamer (RU) 80 Computer & Video Games (UK) 75 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU) 80 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10 (RU) 100 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 70 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 86 Sega Power (GR) 80 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 98

	83
Based on 9 reviews

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Mega Drive)

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, GR (Zegetron)
Cart

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

Main article: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Mega Drive)/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments
✔	CRC32 7290770d MD5 5a129779699f8b388e97c9c0d703d503 SHA-1 bf2da4a7ae7aa428b0b316581f65b280dc3ba356	4MB	1996-08	Cartridge (US)
✔	CRC32 ecfb5cb4 MD5 3dcf09e58870a2cf850f9788078684be SHA-1 044bfdb3761df7c4d54a25898353fabcd3f604a3	4MB	1996-10	Cartridge (EU)