Play Mortal Kombat Online
Game Info
Not rated
- Platform
- Sega CD
- Player Perspective
- Side view
- Developer Companies
- Midway
- Publishers
- Tec Toy · Arena Entertainment
- Release date
- 1 April 1994
- Languages
- 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 English
Summary
Mortal Kombat pits two opponents against each other in fast‑paced, one‑on‑one combat where a handful of punches, kicks and signature special moves lead to a rapid drain of health. When the opponent falls, each fighter has a unique "Fatality"—a gruesome finishing move that became a hallmark of the series.
The game’s digitized sprites, captured on a personal Hi‑8 camcorder, gave it a disturbingly realistic edge that sparked heated debate in the early ’90s. Lawmakers cited its lifelike gore during congressional hearings, a key factor that ultimately drove the creation of the ESRB rating system.
The Sega CD version stayed truer to the arcade’s look, even carrying a video intro from the infamous "Mortal Monday" commercials and an uncensored MA‑17 rating. Though it suffered long loading times and a few misplaced arena tracks, the CD‑DA soundtrack matched the arcade exactly, and the title still topped the Sega CD sales chart in mid‑1994, proving its enduring punch in the home market.
Storyline
Mortal Kombat takes place in Earthrealm, where a deadly tournament is staged on Shang Tsung’s island across seven distinct locations. For five centuries Goro has remained unbeaten, winning nine straight tournaments and threatening to hand Earthrealm over to Shao Kahn if he claims a tenth victory.
Guided by Raiden, Liu Kang ultimately defeats Goro and Shang Tsung, freeing the souls the sorcerer had hoarded. Scorpion avenges his murder by killing Sub‑Zero, Sonya Blade rescues her captured Special Forces team, while Kano escapes on a boat and Reptile flees to Outworld. As the island crumbles, Raiden teleports the surviving Earthrealmers to safety.
Back in Hollywood, Johnny Cage leverages the win to revive his fading acting career and launch a wildly popular Mortal Kombat film franchise. Shao Kahn, outraged by the loss, refuses to accept the outcome, paving the way for the next game. Character biographies appear during the attract mode, providing extra backstory for each fighter.
Edited by Maya Carter
