Mortal Kombat 3

For other uses, see Mortal Kombat 3 (disambiguation).
Mortal Kombat 3
Cover artwork for the home versions
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)Ed Boon
John Tobias
Programmer(s)Ed Boon
Artist(s)John Tobias
Steve Beran
Tony Goskie
Composer(s)Dan Forden
SeriesMortal Kombat
Platform(s)
Release
April 1995
  • Arcade
    • NA: April 1995
    Mega Drive/Genesis
    PC
    PlayStation
    Super NES
    Game Boy
    Game Gear
    Master System
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemMidway Wolf Unit hardware

Mortal Kombat 3 is a 1995 arcade fighting game developed by Midway Games. It is the third main installment in the Mortal Kombat franchise and a sequel to 1993's Mortal Kombat II. As in the previous games, it has a cast of characters that players choose from and guide through a series of battles against other opponents. The game avoids the tournament storyline of its predecessors, as various warriors instead fight against the returning Shao Kahn, who has resurrected his bride Sindel and started an invasion of Earthrealm.

The third installment of Mortal Kombat retains the blood and gory attacks that defined the series. It introduces new types of Fatality finishing moves, including Animalities. Other features new to the series are combos, predefined sequences used to perform a series of consecutive attacks. The new "Run" button allows players to briefly dash toward the opponent, and the new "Kombat Kodes" system allows players to enter various symbols before two-player matches to unlock certain additional features of the game.

Mortal Kombat 3 was a commercial success and received generally positive reviews, but drew criticism for omitting several popular characters from previous games. It is the only main installment to not feature franchise mascot Scorpion. Characters omitted from this game were included in the two titles produced to update it, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996).

  1. ^ a b "CTW Games Guide". Computer Trade Weekly. No. 559. United Kingdom. 16 October 1995. p. 32.
  2. ^ a b c d Gelmis, Joseph (September 23, 1995). "The Wired Wired West and Other Fall Games". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 67. Retrieved May 15, 2023. Among the main events in the season's lineup for martial arts aficionados are Mortal Kombat 3 (Oct. 13, PlayStation, PC/DOS, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis)
  3. ^ "Top of the Tree". The Daily Telegraph. December 8, 1995. p. 17. Retrieved January 30, 2024. Just Arrived//Mortal Kombat 3
  4. ^ "Bag Yourself a PlayStation for Christmas at HMV". Daily Mirror. December 8, 1995. p. 65. Retrieved January 30, 2024. Mortal Kombat 3//Available from today
  5. ^ "Mortal Kombat 3". GamePro. No. 84. p. 43.