Mortal Kombat 3
The end of the beginning
Mortal Kombat 3 was released to arcades on April 1, 1995, and home consoles on Oct. 13, 1995. It was the penultimate game of a trilogy focusing on Earthrealm's fight to save itself from the machinations of the tyrant Shao Kahn. This installment starts with Kahn crossing the dimensional barriers to reclaim his resurrected queen Sindel. This allows him to strip the Earth of all souls barring a few chosen warriors (Liu Kang, Kabal, Stryker, Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang), Sonya Blade, Kano, Kung Lao and Jax Briggs). The devastation of Earth and the fight to turn the tide and restore life is the focus of most of the warriors. This plot point was revisited in Mortal Kombat 9 (2011).
Mortal Kombat 3 was released to arcades on April 1, 1995, and home consoles on Oct. 13, 1995. It was the penultimate game of a trilogy focusing on Earthrealm's fight to save itself from the machinations of the tyrant Shao Kahn. This installment starts with Kahn crossing the dimensional barriers to reclaim his resurrected queen Sindel. This allows him to strip the Earth of all souls barring a few chosen warriors (Liu Kang, Kabal, Stryker, Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang), Sonya Blade, Kano, Kung Lao and Jax Briggs). The devastation of Earth and the fight to turn the tide and restore life is the focus of most of the warriors. This plot point was revisited in Mortal Kombat 9 (2011).
Kombat Kodes and you
Kombat Kodes were introduced in MK3 to give some variety to the gameplay. Seen on the versus screen only, the codes could alter gameplay mechanics such as granting unlimited Run meter or cause character to randomly morph into another character. These codes were released through a marketing campaign, in game and the then-newly released Mortal Kombat film.
Kombat Kodes were introduced in MK3 to give some variety to the gameplay. Seen on the versus screen only, the codes could alter gameplay mechanics such as granting unlimited Run meter or cause character to randomly morph into another character. These codes were released through a marketing campaign, in game and the then-newly released Mortal Kombat film.
Running up the mechanics
Mortal Kombat 3 adds two mechanics: Dial-a-Combos and the Run button. Dial-a-Combos, as they are colloquially known, are preset strings created for each character. They generally range between five and seven hits, up to 42 percent damage. Manual combos do still exist in MK3. The Run button sped up gameplay greatly and, if timed right, could help enhance combos. New in the land of finishing moves are Animalities. After meeting certain conditions, your character can morph into a specific animal and kill your opponent.
Mortal Kombat 3 adds two mechanics: Dial-a-Combos and the Run button. Dial-a-Combos, as they are colloquially known, are preset strings created for each character. They generally range between five and seven hits, up to 42 percent damage. Manual combos do still exist in MK3. The Run button sped up gameplay greatly and, if timed right, could help enhance combos. New in the land of finishing moves are Animalities. After meeting certain conditions, your character can morph into a specific animal and kill your opponent.
Secret being
The Ultimate Kombat Kode was a major code that unlocked hidden character Robot Smoke. Robot Smoke's in-game story stated that his appearance in Mortal Kombat II was indeed canon, and between MKII and MK3, he attempted to defect from the Lin Kuei with friend Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang). While Sub-Zero was successful, Smoke was not and was captured and converted into a soulless robotic assassin during the Cyber Initiative. Once Smoke is unlocked with the Ultimate Kombat Kode, he is permanently available for play until an operator's reset.
The Ultimate Kombat Kode was a major code that unlocked hidden character Robot Smoke. Robot Smoke's in-game story stated that his appearance in Mortal Kombat II was indeed canon, and between MKII and MK3, he attempted to defect from the Lin Kuei with friend Sub-Zero (Kuai Liang). While Sub-Zero was successful, Smoke was not and was captured and converted into a soulless robotic assassin during the Cyber Initiative. Once Smoke is unlocked with the Ultimate Kombat Kode, he is permanently available for play until an operator's reset.
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Lyndsey Beatty
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
The future is now
MK3 was updated twice: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy in 1996. These updates added missing characters from the original version such as Scorpion, Kitana, Jade and Reptile, new secret characters in Mileena, Classic Sub-Zero (Bi-Han), Chameleon/Khameleon and the long-rumored Ermac, and added mechanics such as Brutalities and High Punch or High Kick combo starters. UMK3 was released in arcades and for home consoles, while Trilogy was released for home consoles only.
MK3 was updated twice: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy in 1996. These updates added missing characters from the original version such as Scorpion, Kitana, Jade and Reptile, new secret characters in Mileena, Classic Sub-Zero (Bi-Han), Chameleon/Khameleon and the long-rumored Ermac, and added mechanics such as Brutalities and High Punch or High Kick combo starters. UMK3 was released in arcades and for home consoles, while Trilogy was released for home consoles only.
A change of pace
MK3 focuses on modern day Earthrealm, with most environments resembling city locales on Earth. In the original version of the game, the locales were modeled after Chicago, the home of creator then-Midway/NetherRealm Studios. The reboot of the series, Mortal Kombat 9 - which retells the events of the first three games - states that MK3's events happen in New York City.
MK3 focuses on modern day Earthrealm, with most environments resembling city locales on Earth. In the original version of the game, the locales were modeled after Chicago, the home of creator then-Midway/NetherRealm Studios. The reboot of the series, Mortal Kombat 9 - which retells the events of the first three games - states that MK3's events happen in New York City.