Mortal Kombat (USA)

What Defines Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is a breakthrough 2D fighting game for the SNES that shook the gaming world. It's famous for its ground-breaking use of realistic, digitized character graphics alongside its unprecedented and visceral depiction of high-stakes combat that redefined the genre's boundaries.

Master brutal fighting action in Mortal Kombat for Super Nintendo. Experience the classic arcade fighter with digitized graphics and groundbreaking, graphic combat violence.

Memorable Details

This was the console version that brought the shock and controversy of the arcade phenomenon home. It delivers a raw, visceral fighting experience complete with bloody clashes and its signature brand of finisher-induced excitement that feels utterly unique.

• Digitized Characters: Characters aren't hand-drawn, but played by real actors whose footage was digitized, creating a uniquely realistic and gritty pixel-art style.
• Infamous Fatalities: A franchise-defining feature found in this classic. By pressing secret button combinations upon victory, you can execute horrifying and brutally satisfying finishing moves.
• Unique Fighting System:
• Legendary Game-Changer: Be part of gaming history by playing the title that popularized extreme content, shaped cultural conversations about video games, and pioneered a legendary fighting franchise.
• Addicting Social Multiplayer: Offers endlessly replayable competitive matches with friends. Discovering hidden Fatalities and honing your kombos against a rival is an intense and iconic shared gaming experience.

Play Flow Notes

Take control of your favorite kombatant and fight for honor (or survival) in this ruthless tournament. Master your unique moves and the dark art of Fatalities to crush your enemies.

• 1. Movement & Basics: Use ARROW KEYS to walk forward, backward, crouch (Down), and jump (Up). Press Z for high punch/heavy attack, X for high kick/normal special attack function, while A and S can serve as dedicated action keys depending on configuration.
• 2. Land Devastating Hits: Combine quick taps of Z and X with movement commands for fast punches and kicks. Execute stronger hits by holding the DOWN ARROW and pressing a punch or kick button while close to your opponent.
• 3. Unleash Fatal Finesse: Defeat and hear "Finish Him/Her!" then jump to a specific distance. Enter the correct secret button combination (often involving joystick motions and attack buttons) to perform a character-specific Fatality and claim a brutal victory.

Catalog Details

Mortal Kombat is cataloged as an SNES entry. Title markers such as USA help separate this SNES entry from nearby regional or build variants. The current tags are Mortal Kombat, Fighting, Martial Arts, SNES, USA Release, which help group the page with similar games without relying on a single generic label.

Before Playing FAQ

What should I know before playing Mortal Kombat?

Characters like Liu Kang and Scorpion are great for starters, as their spear and bicycle kick moves are relatively intuitive and powerful for learning the game's flow.

Can you perform Fatalities in the SNES version?

Yes! While altered from the arcade, this version includes Mortal Kombat's famous Fatalities. Each fighter has at least one to discover and perform mid-match.

How many rounds do you play in a match?

A standard match in the original Mortal Kombat SNES port is a best-of-three-rounds sequence. You need to win two rounds to defeat your opponent and progress to the next challenge.