Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit)

For the Sega Mega Drive game, see Mortal Kombat 3.

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Master System Game Gear
Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit)
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment (EU) Tec Toy
Developer: Midway Manufacturing Software Creations
Distributor: Roadshow New Media (AU) Arcadia Software (Spain)
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing
Developer(s) of original games: Midway Manufacturing
Peripherals supported: Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code BR 1996-12 R$39.9939.99 028730 EU 1996 T-81368-50 UK 1996 T-81368-50 AU 199x
Non-Sega versions <img alt="Game Boy" src="https://retrocdn.net/images/thumb/4/40/Logo-gb.png/16px-Logo-gb.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" srcset="https://retrocdn.net/images/thumb/4/40/Logo-gb.png/24px-Logo-gb.png 1.5x, https://retrocdn.net/images/4/40/Logo-gb.png 2x" />

Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear, based on the arcade game of the same name by Midway Manufacturing. The Master System version was released exclusively in Brazil, while the Game Gear version was only released in Europe and Australia (though it was advertised in North America).

Story

Weary of continuous losses in tournament battle, Shao Kahn, who lost to Liu Kang in the Outworld tournament in the previous game, enacts a 10,000-year-old plan. He would have his Shadow Priests, led by Shang Tsung, revive his former Queen Sindel, who unexpectedly died at a young age. However, she would not be revived in the Outworld, but in Earthrealm. This would allow Shao Kahn to cross the boundary lines and reclaim his queen. When Sindel is reincarnated in Earthrealm, Shao Kahn reaches across the dimensions to reclaim her, and as a result, Earthrealm gradually becomes a part of Outworld, stripping billions of their souls. Only a few are spared, protected by Rayden. He tells them that Shao Kahn must be stopped, but he cannot interfere; due to his status, he has no power in Outworld, and Earthrealm is partially merged with Outworld. Shao Kahn has unleashed extermination squads to kill any Earthrealm survivors. Rayden's protection only extends to the soul, not to the body, so his chosen warriors have to fight the extermination squads and repel Shao Kahn.

Gameplay

Select Fighter

The game is a one-on-one fighting game where matches are fought to the best of three rounds. Compared to its predecessor, the game has new characters and new moves, including more finishing moves. The player chooses from eight characters, then chooses a "tower" (Novice, Warrior, or Master), which determines the number of opponents faced before fighting the final boss, Shao Kahn. In the Master System version, a second player can join at any time for a versus match by pressing . In the Game Gear version, a two-player game can be started by starting the two Game Gears simultaneously while connected by a Gear-to-Gear Cable.

Characters move with and and crouch with . They run with (or if facing left), which drains the Run meter (but it replenishes when not used). They jump with and jump back and forth with and . Characters punch with and kick with . Blocking is done by holding  START  in the Game Gear version or by holding + in the Master System version. Blocked attacks still inflict a small amount of damage. Each character has special techniques that are performed with particular button combinations and two different finishing moves that can be performed after defeating an opponent in the final round, a Fatality and a Babality. Kombat Kodes are entered before a match by one player using the four directions on the D-Pad, , and .

All characters can perform roundhouse kicks with + (or + if facing left), which knock the opponent away; leg sweeps with + (or + if facing left), which cause the opponent to fall down; and uppercuts with +, which knock the opponent into the air. Throws are performed by pressing + when next to an opponent (or + if facing left).

Characters

Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.

P	Punch
K	Kick

BL

Block

Fatalities often require being a certain distance from the opponent in order to execute.

Playable

All of the playable characters from the original arcade game are present except Shang Tsung, Liu Kang, Jax, Stryker, Nightwolf, and Kung Lao.

	Sindel
	Shao Kahn's wife and the Queen of Outworld before her death 10,000 years ago. She has been reborn on Earth. Move list Name Command Description Fireball P Sindel disgorges a fireball from her mouth. Air Fireball K while levitating Sindel belches a fireball downward in midair. Banshee Scream K Sindel screams, causing waves to appear that stun opponents and pull them toward her. Levitate K Sindel hovers in the air. She can move in any direction using the D-Pad or land with  BL . She cannot use her normal attacks but can cast her Air Fireball while hovering. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality P P  BL  P  BL  Sindel emits a horrific scream that sets her opponent ablaze. Babality P P P
	Sektor
	Unit LK-9T9, the first of three prototype cybernetic ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. He was once a human assassin but volunteered to be turned into a cyborg because of his loyalty to the clan. Move list Name Command Description Missile P Sektor shoots a missile across the screen. Heat-Seeking Missile P Sektor shoots a missile that seeks his opponent. Teleport Uppercut K Sektor teleports to the other side of his opponent, reappearing with an uppercut. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality  BL  Sektor shoots a missile that sets his opponent on fire. Babality K
	Kabal
	An unknown warrior who is kept alive by respirators. He is thought to be a survivor of an attack by Shao Kahn's extermination squads. He fights with two hook swords. Move list Name Command Description Plasma Blast P Kabal throws a fireball across the screen. This move can be done in midair. Tornado Spin K Kabal dashes through his opponent, causing the opponent to spin in place like a tornado. Ground Saw K Kabal summons a sawblade that appears under his opponent. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality  BL   BL   BL  K Kabal removes his mask and terrifies his opponent with his frightful visage. Babality P P K
	Sheeva
	Sindel's personal protector, chosen by Shao Kahn. She is a Shokan, like Goro and Kintaro. Move list Name Command Description Fireball P Sheeva throws a fireball across the screen with her arms. Ground Stomp K Sheeva jumps and stomps down with great force, damaging opponents standing on the ground. Teleport Stomp Sheeva jumps off the screen, reappearing above her opponent's head and falling with a stomp. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality P Sheeva jumps off the screen, reappearing above her opponent's head and falling with a stomp that smashes the opponent into bits. Babality K
	Sub-Zero
	A ninja, once a member of the Liu Kuei clan. He is now hunted by cybernetic assassins from his former clan after escaping their betrayal. Move list Name Command Description Ice Blast P Sub-Zero shoots a burst of ice across the screen, freezing his opponent on contact. Hitting an already frozen opponent "backfires" and freezes Sub-Zero while unfreezing his opponent. Ice Shower (behind) P Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls at behind the opponent. Ice Shower (front) P Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls in front of the opponent. Slide +P+K Sub-Zero slides forward with a leg sweep. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality P Sub-Zero shoots a burst of ice across the screen, which causes his opponent to freeze and then explode. Babality K
	Kano
	A criminal thought to have been killed in the first tournament. He convinces Shao Kahn to spare his soul before the Outworld invasion, proposing to teach Kahn's warriors how to use Earth's weapons. Move list Name Command Description Knife Throw P Kano throws a knife across the screen. Knife Uppercut P Kano slices upward in front of him with a knife. Cannonball Hold K for 3 seconds and release Kano hurls himself toward his opponent like a flying cannonball. Air Kick  BL  in midair (close) Kano grabs and kicks away his opponent in midair. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality P  BL   BL  K Kano shoots a laser from his eye that causes his opponent to explode. Babality K
	Sonya Blade
	A special forces soldier who disappeared after the first tournament. She was rescued by Jax, and the two prepare for Shao Kahn's invasion after failing to convince the government of the threat. Move list Name Command Description Sonic Rings P Sonya throws sonic rings across the screen. Leg Grab +P+K (sweep distance) Sonya does a handstand and uses her legs to grab and slam her opponent against the ground. Square Wave Punch P Sonya jumps into the air and shoots across the screen with her fist extended. Rising Bicycle Kick K Sonya flies diagonally upward while kicking multiple times, resembling pedaling a bicycle. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality  BL  Sonya blows a kiss that incinerates her opponent. Babality K
	Cyrax
	Unit LK-4D4, the second of three prototype cybernetic ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. Like the other cyborgs, he has been programmed to find and terminate the rogue ninja Sub-Zero. Move list Name Command Description Near Bomb Toss K Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that hits the ground near him and explodes after a moment. Far Bomb Toss K Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that hits the ground far from him and explodes after a moment. Green Net K Cyrax shoots a net from his chest that grabs and pulls his opponent closer to him. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality P Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that blows his opponent to bits. Babality P

Bosses

The sub-boss Motaro is absent from this version of the game.

	Shao Kahn
	The evil Emperor of Outworld, who wishes to conquer Earthrealm by any means. He is the game's ultimate antagonist and final boss. Move list Name Command Description Hammer Smash P Shao Kahn swings a hammer in front of him. Shadow Dash K Shao Kahn charges ahead while striking with his knee. Shadow Uppercut P Shao Kahn charges upward while ramming his shoulder.

Hidden

Main article: Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit)/Hidden content.

Smoke and Noob Saibot can be fought using Kombat Kodes. Smoke is also playable.

	Smoke
	Unit LK-7T2, the last of three prototype cybernetic ninjas built by the Lin Kuei. Smoke was captured and turned into a cyborg while his friend Sub-Zero escaped. He is an hidden character who can be unlocked to play or to fight by using cheat codes. Move list Name Command Description Harpoon P Smoke launches a harpoon from his chest, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned. Teleport Uppercut K Smoke teleports to the other side of his opponent, reappearing with an uppercut. Invisibility HOLD  BL  P Smoke makes himself invisible until he is attacked. Move list (Finishing moves) Name Command Description Fatality Smoke drops two bombs that explode and cause the opponent and the stage to disappear. Babality K
	Noob Saibot
	A dark, silhouetted warrior. He uses a blackened version of Kano's sprite and has no special moves.

Stages

The stages are played in order (and loop around after the last one). Shao Kahn is always fought in the Pit 3.

The Street, the Bank, the Rooftop, and the Balcony were omitted from these versions. The ability to uppercut an opponent into another stage and the stage-specific Fatalities are absent.

The Subway

The Bridge

The Bell Tower

The Temple

The Pit 3

Versions

The Master System and Game Gear versions are severely stripped down, with fewer playable characters, far fewer frames of animation and fewer moves. In contrast to the 8-bit Sega ports of Mortal Kombat II, there are virtually no backgrounds in Mortal Kombat 3, no voice samples, and in the Game Gear version, no in-game music when fighting.

Production credits

Midway MK3 Design Team

• Ed Boon, John Tobias, Steve Beran, Dan Forden, Tony Goskie, Dave Michicich, John Vogel

Mortal Kombat 3 Team

• Programming: Mike Ager
• Graphics: Haydn Dalton
• Producing: Marc Dawson

Unbeatable Kombat Masters

• Chris Brooks, Paul Essue, Craig Dobson, Simon Hundleby

Many Thanks Go To

• For Game Info: John Tao
• Technical Assistance: Paul Lee

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advert in (US) #15: "September 1995" (1995-0x-xx)

Print advert in (US) #75: "October 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in (US) #0811: "Vol. 8 No. 11 November 1995" (1995-1x-xx)

Print advert in (FR) #48: "Novembre 1995" (1995-1x-xx)
also published in:

• (FR) #51: "Février 1996" (1996-0x-xx)

Print advert in (US) #77: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in (AU) #25: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in (RU) #1 (1996-xx-xx)
also published in:

• (RU) #2: "Mart 1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Physical scans

Master System version

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score (FR) 62

	62
Based on 1 review

Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit)

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, AU

Technical information

ROM dump status

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments
✔	CRC32 395ae757 MD5 3ba73c09f35ea91bf36cd0b01bc1c044 SHA-1 f1f43f57982dd22caa8869a85b1a05fa61c349dd	512kB		Cartridge (BR)
?	CRC32 c2be62bb MD5 034cc8983558b3e42a4b9c2217d1bb68 SHA-1 034ecd615609efb4d96669dda7f32f546d5782f8	512kB		Cartridge (EU)