Unlike other fighting games at the time, Midway’sMortal Kombatmade a mark for its motion capture actors and rather liberal use of blood and gore in its gameplay. As a result,Mortal Kombatdiffered greatly from other fighting game hits such as flashyStreet Fighter.
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NetherRealm’s recentMortal Kombat 11proves that theMKfranchise has come a long way since its 2D graphics days. However, the nostalgic mocap wouldn’t have made its leap to today’s realistic combat if it weren’t forMortal Kombat’s “3D era.” Just what makes the 2000s such a memorable time for the series?
10MK4: End Of The Arcade Era
Fans of old school games would remember a time when entire rooms had arcade boxes dedicated to racing games and fighting games such asMortal Kombat. Sadly, the booming popularity of consoles meant there’s not much room for the arcades anymore. Thankfully, Midway still madeMortal Kombat 4to accommodate arcade boxes, but it was the last entry in the franchise to ever grace the medium.
Gamers who want to try how a semi-3D fighting game worked for arcades should enjoyMK4. Unlike the more realistic take on fighting games with recent titles,MK4still retained its fast-and-loose approach to combat – where each second counted,each of Scorpion’s “Get Over Here!“sounded more epic, and the speed made players want to spend each of their quarters in the arcade.
9MK4: Experimentation Is Key
Aside from being the last arcade title in the franchise,MK4also served as the formal “transition” towards a more 3DMortal Kombatfranchise. As a result, Ed Boon and the team at Midway experimented with a lot of concepts with its gameplay. For instance,MK4didn’t implement the slower and more realistic martial arts of its rival fighting game titles. Rather, Midway still appliedMK’s signature “arcade speed” to the new 3D graphics.
Additionally, it’sMK4that first introduced a limited weapon arsenal, sidestepping, and Maximum Damage combo cap to the franchise.
8MK Gold: Secret Characters Galore
The lack of internet and social media in the ’90s made video game “secrets” and “glitches” a popular past-time for hardcore gamers. The earlier games in theMKfranchise were no stranger to secret stages and even secret orspecial characters. This tradition ended withMortal Kombat Gold, an “updated” version ofMK4exclusively for the Sega Dreamcast.
While mostly identical toMK4,Goldboasted returning characters that had shared movesets with the existing cast. Furthermore, certain codes in the character select screen revealed hidden characters. These included Noob Saibot, Sektor, and even sub-boss Goro. Additionally, players could even have a bloody character (fan-named Meat) replace a selected character.
7Failed Attempts For Action Adventure, Platformer
Thanks to the popularity of 3D games at the time,MKtried to capitalize on its branding to branch out to other genres. For instance, 2000’sMortal Kombat: Special Forcestried a beat-‘em-up action-adventure approach instead of the traditional fighting game. In it, Jax Briggs attempts to track down Kano and the Black Dragon syndicate to bring them to justice. This game was a prequel to the entire franchise. Sadly,Special Forces’ lackluster gameplay and graphics did result in it bombing critically.
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Meanwhile,Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zerobecame Midway’s attempt at a platformer. This story follows Bi-Han, the first Sub-Zero, in his quest to prevent Quan Chi from possessing an amulet that would free Elder God Shinnok. In terms of aesthetic and gameplay,Mythologies: Sub-Zerohad a very faithful approach toMK’s themes. Unfortunately, its sluggish gameplay and rather confusing story made it one of the worstMKreleases of all time. However, this game does give players a new perspective on the game’s iconic ninjas outside Sub-Zero, such asthe vengeful Scorpion.
6MK Shaolin Monks: A Beat-‘Em-Up Worthy Of The Brand
WhereSpecial ForcesandMythologies: Sub-Zerofailed,Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monkswould succeed. This 2005 title for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox allowed players to explore events that happened betweenMKandMK2from the perspective of Liu Kang and Kung Lao. In turn, lore fans appreciatedShaolin Monksfor its adventure-based take on introducing other realms and natives such as the Tarkatans, as well as expanding on their relevance to the story’s overall plot.
Shaolin Monksoffered a unique take on a fully-3D exploration fighting game. Liu Kang and Kung Lao can fight multiple enemies at once and even perform Multalities, aka Fatalities on many targets.
5MK Deadly Alliance: The Full Gameplay Reboot
WhileMK4served as the franchise’s “transitory” stage towards a 3D game,Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliancefinally achieved Midway’s goalsin the form of a reboot.Deadly Allianceintroduced new features such as three unique fighting styles per character, weapon-based fighting, faster three-dimensional movement, and a basic form of environmental interaction.
This game also expanded the personalization of theMKexperience. For instance, the Krypt served as a place where players could unlock hidden characters and outfits. Meanwhile, Konquest Mode served as tutorial levels for each character that also expanded on their respective storylines.
4The Handheld Era
Prior to mobile versions of recentMKgames, the “3D era” also featured handheldMortal Kombattitles across different handheld platforms. For instance, the Game Boy Advance actually had two games under this era:MK: Deadly AllianceandMK: Tournament Edition. In fact, these two games served as two “halves” of the GBA’sDeadly Allianceport, where both boasted the same gameplay but each version had a different set of characters.
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Meanwhile, the PlayStation Portable also had oneMortal Kombatrelease in the form ofMK: Unchained, this time a port ofMortal Kombat:Deception. Unlike the originalDeception, the PSP port of the game had all characters and stages unlocked. However, characters would still need to unlock their alternate costumes.
3A Focus On Lore
Unlike the rather “messy” stories of priorMortal Kombatgames, games in the 3D era tried to put more focus on the lore involving the Mortal Kombat tournament. Beginning withMK: Deadly Alliance, players could now see more interactions between the franchise’s growing roster. For instance,Deadly Allianceinvolves sorcerers Quan Chi and Shang Tsung creating the Deadly Alliance where they conspired to resurrect an ancient army to conquer Outworld themselves.
Thisstory expands into later entries. With the two sorcerers teaming up together,MK: Deceptionbegins with the resurrection of the Dragon King Onaga – who Shao Kahn originally usurped. Moreover, the lore culminates inMK: Armageddon, where Kombatants have to fight to the death to receive power unending based on an ancient prophecy.
2MK Deception: Weapons, Stages, Gore
It’sMortal Kombat: Deceptionthat cementsMortal Kombat’s claim to fame in the 3D fighting game space. WhereasTekkenhas a free-flowing style compared to the more competitiveStreet Fighter,Mortal Kombatis all about the gore. For instance,Deceptionhas interactive stages with death traps, breakable walls, and even multiple levels. The game also has a Combo Breaker mechanic.
Additionally, the game boasts quirky modes and extra features. For instance, a Hara-Kiri finisher involves a match’s loser killing themselves with a unique method. Meanwhile, new modes include Chess Kombat,where pieces engage in Kombat when trying to “take” a piece, and Puzzle Kombat, whichadds a more tactical element to the franchise.
1MK Armageddon: Kreate Mechanic Is A Godsend
The final game in the “3D era” of canonicalMKtitles,MK: Armageddonboasted the largest roster of Kombatants in a single game. This entry also came with some unique game modes, specifically Kreate A Fighter and Kreate A Fatality.
Kreate A Fighter allows players to build their very own Kombatant, complete with fighting styles and even unique attacks. Players also needto unlock various costume pieces, weapons, and special moves while playing the game.
Meanwhile, Kreate A Fatality allows players to create a custom Fatality – from buttons to actions and even cinematic flair. Players can achieve as much as eleven levels to a Fatality.
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