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Cover art of Mortal Kombat 3

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Platform
Game Gear
Genres
Fighting
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Software Creations
Publishers
Acclaim Entertainment
Release date
December 31, 1995

Summary

The Game Gear version of Mortal Kombat 3 is a rare European‑only port that squeezes the arcade’s brutal fighting action into a tiny, handheld screen. Unlike its Game Boy counterpart, this edition runs in full color and even hides the mysterious Noob Saibot as a secret opponent, giving fans a little extra incentive to hunt down the code.

Because the handheld’s hardware couldn’t handle the series’ trademark blood, the Game Gear MK3 is the only portable Mortal Kombat that strips out gore entirely, turning the fights into pure button‑mashing without the graphic finishers. The move set mirrors the arcade’s new “Run” button and combo system, but everything feels tighter and more compact to fit the 48‑pixel display.

For collectors, the Game Gear release stands out as a curious footnote: a scaled‑down, color‑rich slice of MK3 that never saw a U.S. launch, making it a sought‑after piece of retro gaming history.

Storyline

In Mortal Kombat 3 for the Game Gear, Shao Kahn finally enacts his ten‑thousand‑year plan. He forces his Shadow Priests, led by Shang Tsung, to resurrect Queen Sindel—not in Outworld but in Earthrealm, allowing Kahn to breach the dimensional barrier. As Sindel returns, Earthrealm slowly fuses with Outworld, draining billions of souls while Raiden can only shield the souls, not the bodies, of the few survivors.

The surviving warriors rally under Liu Kang and Kung Lao, who now lead a rebellion against Kahn’s extermination squads. The Lin Kuei’s attempt to automate their ninjas turns Sub‑Zero and Smoke into targets of their own clan, while Jax frees Sonya and inadvertently releases Kano, who defects to Kahn. Kabal, driven by revenge against the Black Dragon, and Stryker, guided by a vision from Raiden, also join the human resistance.

Meanwhile, internal strife threatens Kahn’s army: Sheeva doubts Motaro’s appointment as general, fearing betrayal from the Shokan, and the rumored deaths of Kintaro and Goro fuel her suspicions. Nightwolf, haunted by ignored visions, casts a protective spell over his North‑American homeland, turning it into a bulwark against the invasion. Johnny Cage is slain by an extermination squad, reportedly at the hands of Motaro, underscoring the dire stakes for Earthrealm.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Mortal Kombat 3
  • Screenshot 2 of Mortal Kombat 3
  • Screenshot 3 of Mortal Kombat 3
  • Screenshot 4 of Mortal Kombat 3

Multiplayer

Game modes
Single