- For the Sega Mega Drive, Sega 32X, and Sega Saturn game, see Mortal Kombat II.
Mortal Kombat II, called Mortal Kombat II: Kyuukyoku Shinken (モータルコンバットII 究極神拳) in Japan, is a fighting game for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear, based on the arcade game of the same name by Midway Manufacturing. The 8-bit ports were released worldwide in 1994.
Story
Following his failure to defeat Liu Kang in the previous Mortal Kombat tournament, the evil Shang Tsung begs his master Shao Kahn, supreme ruler of Outworld and the surrounding kingdoms, to spare his life. He tells Shao Kahn that if they hold the next Mortal Kombat Tournament in Outworld, the Earthrealm warriors must travel away from home to attend.
Kahn agrees to this plan and restores Shang Tsung's youth and martial arts prowess. He then extends the invitation to the thunder god and Earthrealm's protector, Rayden, who gathers his warriors and takes them into Outworld.
Gameplay
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 can choose from eight characters and fight a series of matches against every other character in the game, always ending with fights against the bosses Shang Tsung, Kintaro, and Shao Kahn. There are three difficulty settings (Easy, Medium, and Hard) and no other options. 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 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. Every character also has a unique Fatality that can be performed when the opponent has been defeated in the final round, plus there is a stage-specific Fatality that can be performed by any character on the Kombat Tomb stage.
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.
Characters
Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.
Fatalities often require being a certain distance from the opponent in order to execute.
Playable
All of the playable characters from the original arcade game are present except Kung Lao, Johnny Cage, Baraka, and Rayden.
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Liu Kang
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A Shaolin monk. He is canonically the victor of the Shaolin Tournament in the first Mortal Kombat game. He returns to his temples to find them in ruins and his Shaolin brothers slain by Shang Tsung's Outworld invaders. He travels to Outworld to seek vengeance.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
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| High Fireball
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P
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Liu Kang shoots a fireball while standing. This move can be done in midair.
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| Low Fireball
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P
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Liu Kang shoots a fireball while crouching.
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| Flying Kick
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K
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Liu Kang launches himself across the screen in a kicking pose.
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| Bicycle Kick
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Hold K for 5 seconds and release
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Liu Kang flies across the screen while kicking multiple times, resembling pedaling a bicycle.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
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K (close)
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Liu Kang transforms into a dragon and incinerates his opponent with fire breath.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Sub-Zero
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A male ninja who possesses cryokinesis, thought to be a member of the secretive Lin Kuei clan. Though apparently killed in the first tournament, he mysteriously returns, traveling into Outworld to again attempt to assassinate Shang Tsung.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Deep Freeze
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P
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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.
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| Ground Freeze
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K
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Sub-Zero shoots ice at the ground in front of him, which causes his opponent to slip uncontrollably if walked on.
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| Slide
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K
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Sub-Zero slides forward with a leg sweep.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
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Description
|
| Fatality
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K (sweep distance), then P (close)
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Sub-Zero shoots a flurry of ice, deep freezing his opponent, then uppercuts the resulting ice statue, shattering the opponent into many pieces.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Kitana
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A female ninja who works as a personal assassin in the service of Shao Kahn. She has been suspected of secretly aiding the Earthrealm warriors. She is armed with a pair of steel fans.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
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| Fan Throw
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P
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Kitana throws a spinning fan like a sawblade. This move can be done in midair.
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| Fan Swipe
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+P
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Kitana swipes a fan in front of her.
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| Fan Lift
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P
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Kitana spins her fan at the air, generating waves that can catch and lift opponents.
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| Square Wave Punch
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P
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Kitana jumps into the air and shoots across the screen with her fist extended.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
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BL BL BL K (close)
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Kitana gives her opponent a "kiss of death," causing the opponent to explode into many pieces.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Reptile
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Shang Tsung's personal bodyguard. He appears in the form of a human ninja, but he is believed to be a horrific reptilian creature in disguise.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Acid Spit
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P
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Reptile takes his mask off and spits a gob of acid.
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| Slide
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K
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Reptile slides forward with a leg sweep.
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| Force Ball
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P
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Reptile conjures a force ball that moves across the screen and knocks the opponent down.
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| Invisibility
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HOLD BL P
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Reptile makes himself invisible until he is attacked.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
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P (half screen away)
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Reptile removes his mask, revealing his reptilian head, and uses his tongue to grab and swallow his opponent whole.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Shang Tsung
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A shapeshifting sorcerer. After his defeat in the first game, he convinced Shao Kahn to spare his life. He has a new plan to appease his master, who, in turn, restores Tsung's youth. Although playable in this installment, he also serves as a sub-boss of the game, always appearing before Kintaro in the single-player mode. As in the first game, Shang Tsung is able to morph into any of the playable characters, retaining their moves.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Flaming Skull
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P
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Shang Tsung shoots a flaming skull from his hands.
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| Two Flaming Skulls
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P
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Shang Tsung shoots two successive flaming skulls from his hands.
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| Three Flaming Skulls
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P
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Shang Tsung shoots three successive flaming skulls from his hands.
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Move list (Morphs)
| Name
|
Command
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Description
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| Jax
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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| Kitana
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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| Liu Kang
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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| Mileena
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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| Reptile
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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| Scorpion
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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| Sub-Zero
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Hold K for 2 seconds, then release and press
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
|
HOLD BL K (close)
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Shang Tsung steals his opponent's soul.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Mileena
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Twin sister to Kitana who also serves as an assassin for Kahn. Her mission during the tournament is to ensure the loyalty of her sister, but she also has plans of her own. She is armed with a pair of sai.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Sai Throw
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Hold P for 2 seconds and release
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Mileena throws a pair of sai across the screen. This move can be done in midair.
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| Teleport Kick
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K
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Mileena disappears, then drops from the air in front of her opponent while kicking.
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| Roll Attack
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K
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Mileena rolls quickly along the ground, knocking over her opponent on impact.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
|
Hold K for 3 seconds and release (close)
|
Mileena swallows her opponent then spits out a pile of bones.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Scorpion
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A hellspawned spectre who returns to the tournament to once again assassinate Sub-Zero to avenge the death of his family at the hands of the Lin Kuei clan.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Spear
|
P
|
Scorpion throws a spear across the screen, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned.
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| Decoy Punch
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P
|
Scorpion teleports to the other side of the screen, flying in with a punch. This move can be done in midair.
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| Scissor Takedown
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K
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Scorpion grabs his opponent with his legs and takes them down to the ground.
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| Air Throw
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BL in midair (close)
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Scorpion grabs and throws his opponent in midair.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
|
HOLD BL P (half screen away)
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Scorpion removes his mask, revealing a demonic skull, and incinerates his opponent with his fire breath.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Jax
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A US Special Forces officer who enters the tournament to retrieve his partner Sonya Blade and the wanted criminal Kano from Outworld.
Move list
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Sonic Wave
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K
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Jax throws an energy wave across the screen.
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| Ground Pound
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Hold K for 3 seconds and release
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Jax punches the ground, causing an opponent on the ground to lose balance.
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| Gotcha Grab
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P (close)
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Jax grabs his opponent by the throat and punches twice. Keep tapping P for up to three more hits.
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| Back Breaker
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BL in midair (close)
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Jax grabs his opponent in midair, drops to the ground, and snaps the opponent's back on his shoulder.
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| Body Slam
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P during throw
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Jax slams his opponent against the ground. This move can be done multiple times by pressing P repeatedly.
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Move list (Finishing moves)
| Name
|
Command
|
Description
|
| Fatality
|
HOLD P
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Jax grabs his opponent and slams them back and forth until they explode.
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| Stage Fatality
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P (close)
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Bosses
Finishing moves cannot be performed by or against the boss or secret characters.
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Kintaro
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| Shao Kahn's four-armed bodyguard, sent by his race to avenge Goro's defeat. He is the game's penultimate boss.
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Shao Kahn
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| The evil Emperor of Outworld, who wishes to conquer Earthrealm by any means. He is the host of the tournament and the game's final boss.
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Hidden
- Main article: Mortal Kombat II (8-bit)/Hidden content.
The hidden character Noob Saibot is absent from this version of the game.
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Smoke
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| A male ninja clad in grey who constantly emits smoke. He moves very quickly and has Scorpion's spear. Smoke is fought by pressing +P+K when Dan Forden pops up in the bottom-right corner of the screen and shouts "Toasty!"
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Jade
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| A female ninja clad in green. She is immune to projectiles (which pass harmlessly through her) and uses Kitana's steel fans. Jade is fought by defeating the opponent before the "?" with only the K button.
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Stages
There are only two stages, which alternate until reaching Motaro and Shao Kahn (who are always fought in the Kombat Tomb). The Kombat Tomb stage has a stage-specific Fatality. The hidden characters Smoke and Jade are fought in a unique stage.
Versions
Like the other Sega console versions, the Master System and Game Gear versions were developed by Probe Entertainment. The Game Gear and Master System versions are identical aside from the screen size. Eight characters and Shao Kahn are present but several were removed such as Rayden, Baraka, Johnny Cage, Kung Lao, and Noob Saibot. Several levels are also missing and the only level with a stage fatality is the Kombat Tomb. Each character has only has one Fatality, and Friendships and Babalities have been removed. As expected, the graphics and sound take a hit and voice samples are nonexistent.
Virtually all the graphics are rendered through the use of background tiles rather than sprites, leading to a choppier (if less flickery) appearance than its rivals.
Production credits
Midway Mortal Kombat Design Team:
- Ed Boon, John Tobias, Tony Goskie, Dan Forden, John Vogel
- Programming by: Keith Burkhill
- Backgrounds by: Terry Ford
- Other Graphics by: Keith Burkhill
- Music by: Matt Furniss
- Produced by: Rob O'Farrell (Barg)
- Creative Director: Jo Bonar
- Quality Assurance Manager: Tim Bradstock
- Quality Assurance Engineers: James Stewart, Ben O'Reilly, Nick McGee
Acclaim Development by The Gray Team
- Producer: Rob Leingang
- Associate Producer: Stacy Hendrickson
- Analysts: Joe Libertella, John Cirabisi, Alex de Lucia, James Johnson
- Special Thanks to: Diane Cambria, Eric Weiner, Mark Mermelstein, Eric Samulski, Billy Pidgeon, Steffan Levine, Shawn Rosen
Source: In-game credits[12]
Magazine articles
- Main article: Mortal Kombat II (8-bit)/Magazine articles.
Promotional material
- Main article: Mortal Kombat II (8-bit)/Promotional material.
Physical scans
Master System version
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Division by zero.
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Based on
0 review
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| Master System, EU
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 Cover
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 Cart |
| Master System, PT
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 Cover
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| Master System, AU
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 Cover
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 Cart |
| Master System, AU (OFLC stickers)
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 Cover
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| Master System, BR
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 Cover
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Game Gear version
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Division by zero.
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Based on
0 review
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| Game Gear, JP
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 Cover
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 Cart |
| Game Gear, US
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 Cart  Manual |
| Game Gear, EU
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 Cart  Manual |
Technical information
ROM dump status
| System |
Hash |
Size |
Build Date |
Source |
Comments |
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| ✔
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| CRC32
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2663bf18
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| MD5
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c60f62f13a60bc585822bfd2d68ba75c
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| SHA-1
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12bd887efb87f410d3b65bf9e6dfe2745b345539
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512kB
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Cartridge (EU/BR)
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| ?
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| CRC32
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4b304e0f
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| MD5
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159256f5a372f2e409ecb343a3946001
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| SHA-1
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320d2b8b62ef0109621bbe609b02bd8b0769a0b9
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512kB
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Cartridge
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References
- ↑ File:MK2 GG EU Box Back.jpg
- ↑ File:MK2 GG JP Box Front.jpg
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sega Magazine, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-15), page 96
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:NewReleases 1994-11 AU Catalogue.pdf, page 16
- ↑ http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1994" (JP; 1994-11-08), page 7
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 9 September 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 102
- ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-09-05), page 71
- ↑ File:DailyExpress UK 1994-09-08 14.jpg
- ↑ File:DailyMirror UK 1994-09-09 11.jpg
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-15), page 101
- ↑ File:Mortal Kombat II SMS credits.pdf
- ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 156
- ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 56
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-09-30), page 98
- ↑ Sega Power, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-09-29), page 54
- ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1994" (JP; 1994-09-08), page 21
- ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1994" (UK; 1994-08-15), page 48
- ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 42
- ↑ Famitsu, "1994-09-16" (JP; 1994-09-02), page 38
- ↑ GamePro, "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 42
- ↑ Games World: The Magazine, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-08-25), page 19
- ↑ Joypad, "Octobre 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 73
- ↑ Joypad, "3/1994" (HU; 1994-xx-xx), page 24
- ↑ Mega Force, "Octobre 1994" (FR; 1994-xx-xx), page 107
- ↑ Megazin, "Letnik 2, Številka 14, Oktober 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 27
- ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "Mortal Kombat II Exclusive Review Guide" (UK; 1994-07-30), page 14
- ↑ Score, "Únor 1995" (CZ; 1995-02-01), page 26
- ↑ Sega Magazine, "September 1994" (UK; 1994-08-xx), page 76
- ↑ Sega Power, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-01), page 62
- ↑ Sega Pro, "September 1994" (UK; 1994-08-11), page 60
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
- ↑ Todo Sega, "Octubre 1994" (ES; 1994-xx-xx), page 30
- ↑ Video Games, "11/94" (DE; 1994-10-26), page 88
- ↑ VideoGames, "October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 66
. 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.
and 
and crouch with 
. They jump with 
and jump back and forth with 
and 
. Characters punch with 
. Blocking is done by holding START in the Game Gear version or by holding 
+
+
