Reviews by Kyle Ellis

The controversial but popular 'Mortal Kombat' was Midway's biggest seller in 1992, meaning a sequel was perfectly viable. The following year, 'Mortal Kombat II' was unleashed onto the public. It was every bit as good as it's predecessor, though naturally a few improvements were made. An opponent could now perform a choice of two fatalities as opposed to one, as well being able to perform new finishing moves such as Friendship ( in which the player performs a kindly gesture towards the opponent ) and Babality ( in which the defeated opponent is transformed back into a whimpering baby ). The gore of fatalities was not toned down either. If anything, it was pepped up.

From the first game, Sub Zero, Scorpion, Reptile ( now a playable character ), Rayden, Johnny Cage and Liu Kang all return to battle in the tournament. Shang Tsung faced execution by emperor Shao Kahn ( who is the protagonist in this game ) for his failure in the previous battle but somehow persuaded his master to give him a second chance. Now reincarnated in a younger body, Shang Tsung is brought in here as a playable character. Four new characters were introduced - Jax ( a special forces agent and friend of Sonya Blade who enters the combat to rescue her after Kahn captures her ) Kitana ( a female ninja and alleged daughter of Shao Kahn ), Mileena ( a hideous clone of Kitana ) and Baraka ( a hideous beast who belongs to a race known as Tarakatan ).

Sonya and Kano make uncredited appearances here as prisoners in Kahn's fighting arena. Appearing as unlockable characters are Jade ( a green pallete swap of Kitana ), Smoke ( a grey pallete swap of Scorpion who has smoke rings billowing from his body ) and Noob Saibot ( a shadow silhouette of the other ninjas ). In place of Goro is Kintaro, a four armed beast who is half human, half tiger.

Three stage fatalities were brought in here. In one zone, an opponent can be uppercutted into the air onto a row of spikes protuding from a ceiling, in another an opponent could be dissolved in a bath of acid. My favourite however would see an opponent knocked off of a bridge and thrown fatally onto a bed of concrete.

Daniel Pesina, who portrayed all the male ninja characters, was later fired from Midway along with Elizabeth Malecki ( who played Sonya in the first game ) and Katalin Zamilar ( who portrayed Kitana, Mileena and Jade ) over disagreements about royalty fees.

'Mortal Kombat II' was released on all Sega and Nintendo consoles and later was released ( in Japan only ) on the PS1. It is vintage fun that any true 'Mortal Kombat' will enjoy throughly with each play. Two years later, 'Mortal Kombat 3' appeared, and despite some unfavorable changes was nevertheless a successful release.

It doesn't seem as long ago as 1992 since Midway's classic beat-em up 'Mortal Kombat' first flooded the games market. Ed Boon and John Tobias' creation provoked major outrage when it first appeared due to its graphic content. However, despite the high number of complaints it stirred up, 'Mortal Kombat' was a rip roaring success.

This is how it all starts - Earthrealm is in danger of losing its tenth and final battle against Outworld. Aged sorcerer Shang Tsung and his hideous four armed bodyguard Goro ( who defeated Kung Lao in the previous battle ) both strive to gain power of Earthrealm. All seven playable characters have their own reasons for entering the tournament. Martial arts warrior Liu Kang is entering to avenge the defeat of Kung Lao, secret agent Sonya Blade is there to capture Black Dragon thug Kano who is planning to rob Shang Tsung's palace, ninja Sub Zero is there because he is given a generous cash sum to assassinate Shang Tsung, ninja Scorpion, who has risen from the dead, is entering the battle to avenge his own death, God of Thunder Rayden is taking part because he has been invited personally by Shang Tsung to take part in the tournament meanwhile film star Johnny Cage is entering the tournament merely to gain publicity.

For the first time in a fighting game, 'Mortal Kombat' features what became known as 'fatality' in which if the correct procedure is followed you are able to kill your opponent in a gory fashion. Sub Zero's fatality move which sees him rip the head and spine from his opponent provoked controversy, as did Kano's fatality feature which saw him rip his opponent's heart clean out of their chest.

Despite the high number of complaints it received, it was clear that the game had made an impression as a sequel, 'Mortal Kombat II' was made the following year, as well as a jump to the big screen in 1995. Richard Divizo ( who played Kano ), Ho Sung Pak ( who played Liu Kang and Shang Tsung ) and Carlos Pesina ( who played Rayden ) all managed to stick around for the spin off games that would follow however Daniel Pesina ( who played Sub Zero, Scorpion and Johnny Cage ) and Elizabeth Malecki ( who played Sonya ) were later fired from Midway due to a dispute over royalty fees.

Reptile appeared here as a secret character, who could be unlocked if the correct guidelines were followed. He would later appear as a playable character in 'Mortal Kombat II'.

By today's standards, 'Mortal Kombat' seems tame but it is fondly remember by gameplayers and continues to hold a place in many's hearts, particularly mine.

This has to be the best game i've played, since... I don't know since when? It's an awesome adaptation of the Star Wars saga, and before everyone complains "no clone wars, or rogue 1." they put in the characters, this is the SKywalker Saga, it doesn't need them. THis game is the perfect lenght, and it doesn't try to be the COmplete Saga, it's way better! 9.9/10, my only take away is the fact that they have a useless planet - Kijimi, it is unexplorable.