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Cover art of Mortal Kombat

3 / 5

23 votes

Platform
SNES
Genres
Action · Fighting
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Midway
Publishers
Acclaim Entertainment · Acclaim Japan · Playtronic
Release date
September 9, 1993

Summary

The SNES version of Mortal Kombat feels like a compromise between arcade brutality and Nintendo’s family‑friendly policies. Blood was swapped for a blue‑tinted "sweat" effect, and the original red gore can only be restored with a Game Genie code (BDB4‑DD07). This palette tweak is the most obvious reminder that the console’s censorship left its mark.

Visually, the port leans closer to the arcade than the Genesis counterpart, boasting a cleaner definition and richer color palette, while the sound benefits from higher‑quality samples and the announcer’s voice. However, the five‑button control scheme feels a touch sluggish, and occasional input glitches make pulling off special moves frustrating for newcomers.

Critics praised the graphics, animation, and audio, calling it a solid representation of the arcade classic, yet they also noted that the censored finishing moves and the loss of Goro’s fluid animation hurt the experience. The controversy over the blood‑less presentation lingered for years, landing the game on several “worst conversion” lists despite its overall polish.

Storyline

Mortal Kombat takes place in Earthrealm, where a deadly tournament is staged on Shang Tsung’s island – the game’s seven locations become the fighting stages. 500 years ago Shang Tsung was banished to Earthrealm, but with the aid of the four‑armed beast Goro he seized control of the tournament, and Goro has won nine consecutive events. If Goro wins again, Emperor Shao Kahn of Outworld will be allowed to claim Earthrealm, so a new generation of Earthrealmers must step up.

Guided by the thunder god Raiden, Liu Kang – a former White Lotus monk – defeats Goro and Shang Tsung, freeing the souls the sorcerer had hoarded. Scorpion, an undead revenant, finally confronts Sub‑Zero and kills him in revenge, while Sonya Blade rescues her captured special‑forces squad but fails to catch Kano, who escapes by boat. Reptile, believing himself the last of his species, flees to Outworld as the island collapses, and Raiden teleports the surviving Earthrealmers to safety.

Back on Hollywood, Johnny Cage uses his tournament victory to revive his faltering acting career, launching a wildly popular Mortal Kombat film franchise. Shao Kahn, outraged by the outcome, refuses to accept defeat, setting the stage for the sequel. Each character’s biography – from Kano’s Black Dragon mercenary background to Sub‑Zero’s Lin Kuei assassin mission – is revealed in the game’s attract mode and ending screens.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Screenshots

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

Game Artworks

  • Artwork 1 of Mortal Kombat