I picked up MK11 Ultimate and started changing all the character costumes to their classic looks that I like and it dawned on me that I've been playing this series for 30 years now.
Figured it would be fun to go through the years.
We all know that Mortal Kombat started as an arcade game and was later ported to basically everything. I will post a little blurb about each from personal experience and what I have owned and still own.
Please post any MK games you've owned and what your favorites have been over the years as well. Heck, post your favorite character(s) too. Might end up being a fun conversation.My first experience with the series was when a bud of mine rented the Sega Genesis version. There was all this hype in the news about how ultra violent the game was but after an hour or so of playing rounds with my friend, we were underwhelmed. Punches and kicks didn't seem like anything new but we also didn't understand the Finish Him screen. As with many things back then, we were hoping that it was button combo oriented and we were right. Eventually, I managed to get Sub-Zero's fatality to work and our jaws dropped as he ripped Scorpion's head off with the spine still attached. Shortly after, large grins appeared on our faces and we were set on finding the fatalities for each character.
Mortal Kombat was immediately on my Christmas list but as I didn't have a Genesis and only a Game Gear at the time, that's what I had asked for it on. I almost had it too. My mom had apparently bought the Game Gear version for me but heard the politics on the news about the violence and returned it in favor of Ecco the Dolphin. Still a great game but I'd have preferred MK. I eventually went on to own the Sega CD version once I was an adult, which was the worst due to the last boss transformations having to load from the disc which would literally pause the game for a moment.
Mortal Kombat Owned Versions -- Sega CD, Game Gear (Komplete), PS2, PSP
Still Own -- Game Gear (Komplete), PS2
With the second game, a different friend of mine managed to get it on Genesis and it... was... glorious. Everything that made the first game incredible but amplified to near perfection. Each character now had multiple fatalities and friendships and even the ridiculous babalities that would turn your opponent into a crying baby. It was hilarious. They added quite a few characters as well that would become fan favorites like Kitana and Mileena. Even the once hidden Reptile became a main character and a favorite of mine.
I recall getting a GamePro magazine specifically because it had all of the finisher moves listed in it. My friend and I would test each move to get the gory details. It was fantastic. I have owned many versions of MKII but it was the 32X version that I felt was the best home console port due to being most like the arcade version. I even had it on Game Gear (pictured below) which didn't look too bad at all.
Mortal Kombat IIOwned Versions -- Game Gear, Genesis, 32X, PSP, PS3
Still Own -- Game Gear, Genesis
Now, my experience with the next couple MK games were limited as I didn't find them enjoyable. I wasn't one for juggling combos as was prevalent in the third and the first attempt at 3D in MK IV was a bit wonky.
Mortal Kombat 3Owned Versions -- PSP
Still Own -- N/A
Mortal Kombat IVOwned Versions -- PS1
Still Own -- N/A
It wasn't until Deadly Alliance on PS2 that I got back into the series and even then it was still more casual. Still they added in a favorite character of mine, Frost. Very happy to see her return in MK11. Still, I was poor during the PS2 days being in the midst of college so when I picked this one up, I had little time to get good at it. I believe this is where they started the Krypt with unlockable items but it may have been the next game. Sadly they started to take Reptile literally and changed him from a ninja to a literal reptilian lizard man. *sigh
Mortal Kombat Deadly AllianceOwned Versions -- PS2
Still Own -- N/A
The next installment, Deception, is where the series really shined for me in the 3D realm. Not only was it a solid fighting game, but they had added more characters. It was like MK2 back on Genesis, but for PS2. It had an enhanced storyline where you traveled the realms in a story mode that was fun. They even had a silly side game with MK Chess that was fun to play and a ton of unlockables i the Krypt. Deception gave MK2 a run for its money as my favorite in the series. Just a fantastic game all around.
More characters were added, with one becoming a favorite, Kira. I would eventually get her confused with Skarlett as they look similar depending on the outfit worn. Apparently in MK11 you can even make Skarlett look like Kira so that's a win. My only complaint with Deception is that Sub-Zero looked like Shredder from Ninja Turtles. What's up with that?
Mortal Kombat DeceptionOwned Versions -- PS2 Collector's Edition
Still Own -- PS2 Collector's Edition
While I bought MK Armageddon on PS2, I never really got into it. The game didn't feel as fun but the roster was insane. I think it had every character imaginable with the exception of just a couple. Can't remember who they were. They also added in a Mario Kart type game that was stupid fun. Sadly, this one felt a bit stale to me.
Mortal Kombat ArmageddonOwned Versions -- PS2
Still Own -- N/A
That's when they decided to reboot with Mortal Kombat on PS3 and 360. They emphasized story more and went back to the stories of the original two games fleshing them out in an alternate timeline fashion. The best addition here were the x-ray moves that literally showed you bones shattering with specific hits. It was fantastic and a great new beginning for the series.
Mortal KombatOwned Versions -- PS3
Still Own -- N/A
I had taken a break from fighting games for a long time but ended up getting MK X on PS4. It was fun and had a lot of the same great moves as the previous game, but still felt a bit flat. I didn't like any of the newly added characters but still shelled out $5 for both Alien and Predator. I thought they were fun and good additions for nostalgia. I learned my lesson here though to just wait for a Komplete version of a Mortal Kombat game as they charged so much for DLC characters anymore.
Mortal Kombat XOwned Versions -- PS4
Still Own -- PS4
I'm glad I did hold off on buying MK11 with everything they've thrown into MK11 Ultimate. I believe I read somewhere that the cost for buying the game and all DLCs when they first became available was something around $140 without buying any extra koins. I got MK11 Ultimate on PS5 for $30 with all of it so pretty happy. I'm hoping to have another great revival to the series as I've heard really good things about this one. Time will tell though. And with MK12 apparently just around the corner, this will give me time to wait for a similar amount of time for a Komplete version of that should one become available.
Mortal Kombat 11 UltimateOwned Versions -- PS5
Still Own -- PS5
So what are some of your favorite characters from the series? What were your favorite games listed above? Did you like the spin off games like Shaolin Monks (I enjoyed this one personally), or are you just not that into Mortal Kombat? Please add to the discussion.
Show Posts
