Mortal Kombat 4

Mortal Kombat 4
Cover artwork for the home versions
Developer(s)Midway Games (Arcade)
Eurocom (N64, PC, PS1)
Digital Eclipse (GBC)
Publisher(s)
Designer(s)
Programmer(s)Ed Boon
Artist(s)
  • John Tobias
  • David Lee Michicich
Composer(s)Dan Forden
SeriesMortal Kombat
Platform(s)Arcade, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Game Boy Color
Release
September 11, 1997
  • Arcade
    Nintendo 64, PlayStation
    • NA: June 23, 1998[4]
    • EU: September 15, 1998
    Windows
    • NA: June 30, 1998[5]
    • EU: September 15, 1998
    Game Boy Color
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemMidway Zeus

Mortal Kombat 4 is the fourth main installment in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games developed by Midway Games. Released to arcades in 1997, Mortal Kombat 4 is the first title from the series, and one of the first made by Midway overall, to use 3D computer graphics. It is also the last game of the series to have an arcade release. It was later ported to the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, PC, and Game Boy Color the following year, as well as an updated version titled Mortal Kombat Gold released exclusively for the Dreamcast.

The gameplay system in Mortal Kombat 4 is similar to that of the previous games; one of the most notable additions is the use of weapons and objects during fights. The storyline chronicles the attack from the corrupted Elder God Shinnok against his former comrades who trapped him in the Netherealm many years prior to the beginning of the series. The other 17 playable characters take part in the battle between good and evil, with the forces of light trying to stop Shinnok and the forces of darkness from conquering all the realms.

While developing the game, the Midway staff had problems rendering the graphics as it was one of the first 3D fighting games they developed. Co-creator Ed Boon stated that the staff wanted to make Mortal Kombat 4 more violent than its predecessors, removing the comical finishing moves featured in them. Since its release, the game received generally positive response from critics, with the exception of the Game Boy Color port.

  1. ^ Johnston, Chris (September 5, 1997). "MK4 Update". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 6, 1998.
  2. ^ Fielder, Joe (September 25, 1997). "Mortal Kombat Release Details". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998.
  3. ^ Fahs, Travis (May 5, 2011). "The History of Mortal Kombat". IGN. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  4. ^ "Midway Does Speed". IGN. February 21, 1998. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "News for June 30, 1998". Online Gaming Review. June 30, 1998. Archived from the original on December 4, 2000. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
    "June 30, 1998: "Midway has announced that...Mortal Kombat 4, has shipped for the PC..."
  6. ^ "Midway Ships Three GBC Games". Game Boy Station. December 10, 1998. Archived from the original on June 5, 2002. Retrieved June 26, 2024.