Mortal Kombat 3

From Sega Retro

For the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear game, see Mortal Kombat 3 (8-bit). For the unreleased Sega Saturn version, see Mortal Kombat 3 (Saturn).

n/a

MK3 Title.png

Mortal Kombat 3
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Williams Entertainment (US)

Acclaim Entertainment (EU)

Developer:
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Roadshow New Media (AU), Tec Toy (BR), Consumer Electronics (ZA)
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing
Developer(s) of original games: Midway Manufacturing
Sound driver: GEMS
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad, Mega Net 2
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-97116
ESRB: Mature
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Sega Channel)
SUBsub
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-81536-50
ELSPA: 15+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
PT
MDJ20944
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£59.9959.99[3] T-81536-50
ELSPA: 15+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
AU
OFLC: M15
Sega Mega Drive
BR
050010
Tectoy: 18+
Sega Mega Drive
ZA
Non-Sega versions

Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game and is the sequel to Mortal Kombat II. It was initially released in arcades in 1995, then it was brought to various consoles, including the Sega Mega Drive.

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

MortalKombat3 MD SelectFighter.png

Select Your Fighter

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Versus.png

Kombat Kodes

Mortal Kombat 3 builds further on the gameplay of the previous games. Characters are also now able to run towards each other with the use of a dedicated button, although use of this move is limited by a Run meter displayed under the character's health bar. A combo system is also introduced in this game, with the game displaying the number of hits and damage inflicted. All characters have their own specific chain combos performed by hitting a certain sequence of buttons while close to the opponent. These button sequences are sometimes called "dial-a-combos" since they follow a pre-programmed order and cannot be interrupted once one hit connects (as long as they are entered quickly enough). Some chain combos end with an uppercut or another move that knocks the opponent into the air so that more damage can be dealt via a traditional juggle combo.

Certain stages allow characters to uppercut each other through the ceiling, where both characters continue the battle in a different stage. This can alter the game's stage cycle. Both normal uppercuts and uppercuts that are part of a ground combo can result in a stage change (Kung Lao's Whirlwind Spin move can also have the same effect). However, there is no stage change if the character is defeated by an uppercut.

Another concept introduced in this game is the "Kombat Kode," a six-symbol code entered at the "Vs" screen in a two-player game to modify gameplay, fight hidden characters, or display certain messages.

Characters move with Left and Right and crouch with Down. They jump with Up and flip back and forth with Up-left and Up-right. All characters have punches and kicks that can either be aimed high or low. Characters perform a low punch with A, a high punch with X, a low kick with C, and a high kick with Z. Characters can run by holding Y; they can only run forwards. The Run meter is drained both by running and by performing combos, but the meter replenishes quickly if not used for a second. Characters block by holding B. Blocking can be done while standing or crouching. Some attacks cannot be blocked while standing (such as sweeps). All attacks do a small amount of damage even when blocked.

When using a standard three-button control pad, characters perform a low punch with A, a high punch with A+B, a low kick with C, and a high kick with B+C. They run by holding  START  and block by holding B.

Each character has two Fatalities, a Friendship, and a Babality, with a new kind of finishing move known as an Animality introduced, where the character transforms into an animal before killing off the defeated opponent. To perform an Animality, the player must first perform a Mercy, another new feature where the character can restore a tiny amount of their opponent's health bar after winning two rounds. If the opponent is defeated again, an Animality can be performed. Finally, three new stage-specific Fatalities are also present.

Modes

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Choose Your Destiny.png

Choose Your Destiny

In single-player games, after selecting a character, players choose a "tower" (Novice, Warrior, or Master), which determines the order and number of opponents fought before reaching the final bosses, Motaro and Shao Kahn. A second player can challenge the first by pressing  START  during gameplay, with the winner continuing in the tournament. Before each fight, if two players enter a certain sequence of codes before the fight begins, one of several different effects can be enabled, such as the disabling of certain moves, having the winner of the match skip directly to one of the final opponents, or starting a mini-game.

There are five difficulty settings for computer-controlled opponents (Easiest, Easy, Medium, Hard, and Hardest).

Characters

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

P Any punch button
 LP  Low punch
 HP  High punch
K Any kick button
 LK  Low kick
 HK  High kick
 BL  Block
 RN  Run

All characters can perform roundhouse kicks with Left+ HK  (which knock the opponent across the screen), leg sweeps with Left+ LK  (which cause the opponent to fall down), and uppercuts with Down+ HP  (which knock the opponent high into the air). Throws are performed by pressing  LP  when next to the opponent.

When using a standard three-button control pad on the Mega Drive version, for moves requiring  LP , hold the direction and  LP  simultaneously. For moves requiring  HP , release the direction before pressing  LP . Special moves requiring  LP + HP  can be done with just  LP . Uppercuts are performed with Down+ LP .

If the match goes to three rounds, players can offer defeated opponents Mercy as an alternative to a finishing move by pressing HOLD  RN Down Down Down. This allows the other player to recover a sliver of health and continue fighting.

Fatalities often require being a certain distance from the opponent in order to execute. Each character has a special button combination for performing the stage-specific Fatalities on the Subway, Bridge, and Pit 3 stages. Friendships and Babalities can only be performed if the player does not block during the final round. Animalities can only be performed if the player grants the opponent Mercy first.

Playable

Mortal Kombat 3 makes significant changes to the game's cast, with even returning characters such as Sub-Zero sporting a very different look. The game has reduced the number of palette-swapped characters from the previous game; only the "cybernetic ninja" robots share sprites.

Jax, Kano, Kung Lao, Liu Kang, Shang Tsung, Sonya Blade, and Sub-Zero return from the previous games (with Kano and Sonya returning after being absent from Mortal Kombat II). Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Reptile, and Rayden are notably absent after appearing in both previous entries.

Cyrax, Kabal, Nightwolf, Sektor, Sheeva, Sindel, and Stryker make their debuts.

MK3 MD Portraits.png
Shang Tsung
Shao Kahn's lead sorcerer. Despite his multiple failures trying to deliver Earth to his master Shao Kahn, the scheming sorcerer has convinced Kahn to grant him more power than ever before.
Move list
Name Command Description
Single Flaming Skull Left Left  HP  Shang Tsung shoots a flaming skull from his hands.
Double Flaming Skulls Left Left Right  HP  Shang Tsung shoots two successive flaming skulls from his hands.
Triple Flaming Skulls Left Left Right Right  HP  Shang Tsung shoots three successive flaming skulls from his hands.
Volcanic Skulls Right Left Left  LK  Shang Tsung summons three fireballs, one a time, from the ground underneath his opponent.
Move list (Morphs)
Name Command Description
Cyrax  BL   BL   BL 
Jax Right Right Down  LP 
Kabal  LP   BL   HK 
Kano Left Right  BL 
Kung Lao  RN   RN   BL   RN 
Liu Kang HOLD  BL D-Pad in a 360° rotation clockwise
Nightwolf HOLD  BL Up Up Up
Sektor Down Right Left  RN 
Sheeva Right Down Right  LK 
Sindel Left Down Left  LK 
Smoke Down Left Left  LP  This morph only works if the cheat code to play as Smoke has been entered.
Sonya Down+ RN + BL + LP   BL 
Stryker Right Right Right  HK 
Sub-Zero Right Down Right  HP 
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  LK   HP   HP   LP  Left+ HK  28% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   LP  Left+ HK  22% damage
Combo 3  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  LP  RN   BL   RN   BL  (close) Shang Tsung steals his opponent's soul.
Fatality 2 HOLD  LP Down Right Right Down (close) Shang Tsung raises a bed of spikes and slams his opponent into it.
Stage Fatality HOLD  BL Up Up Left  LP  (close)
Animality HOLD  HP  RN   RN   RN  (sweep distance) Shang Tsung transforms into cobra and devours his opponent.
Friendship  LK   RN   RN  Down Shang Tsung morphs into the main character of the 1982 Williams arcade game Joust, a knight riding an ostrich, and rides away.
Babality  RN   RN   RN   LK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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 Right Right  LP  Sindel disgorges a fireball from her mouth.
Air Fireball Down Right  LK  in midair Sindel belches a fireball downward in midair.
Banshee Scream Right Right Right  HP  Sindel screams, causing waves to appear that stun opponents and pull them toward her.
Levitate Left Left Right  HK  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 (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP  Down+ HP  19% damage
Combo 2  HK   HP   HP  Down+ HP  27% damage
Combo 3  HK   HP   HP   LP   HK  33% damage
Combo 4  HP   HP   LP   HK  25% damage
Combo 5  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1  RN   RN   BL   RN   BL  (sweep distance) Sindel entangles her opponent with her hair, then spins the opponent around like a tornado.
Fatality 2  RN   BL   BL   RN + BL  (close) Sindel emits a horrific scream that flays her opponent.
Stage Fatality Down Down Down  LP  (close)
Animality Right Right Up  HP  (close) Sindel transforms into a giant hornet and repeatedly stings her opponent.
Friendship  RN   RN   RN   RN   RN   RN  Up Sindel kicks a field goal with a ball.
Babality  RN   RN   RN  Up
MK3 MD Portraits.png
Jax (Major Jackson Briggs)
A special forces soldier. He fitted both of his arms with bionic implants in preparation for the impending Outworld invasion.
Move list
Name Command Description
Dash Punch Right Right  HK  Jax dashes forward at high speed with his fist extended.
Single Shot Left Right  HP  Jax shoots a fireball across the screen.
Double Shot Right Right Left Left  HP  Jax shoots two successive fireballs across the screen, one low and one high.
Ground Pound Hold  LK  for 3 seconds and release Jax punches the ground, causing an opponent on the ground to lose balance.
Gotcha Grab Right Right  LP  (close) Jax grabs his opponent by the throat and punches twice.
Back Breaker  BL  in midair (close) Jax grabs his opponent in midair, drops to the ground, and snaps the opponent's back on his shoulder.
Body Slam  HP  during throw Jax slams his opponent against the ground. This move can be done multiple times by pressing  HP  repeatedly.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   BL   LP  Left+ HP  24% damage
Combo 3  HK   HK  Down+ HP   HP   BL   LP  Left+ HP  33% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  BL Up Down Right Up (close) Jax changes his arms into blades and dices his opponent with them.
Fatality 2  RN   BL   RN   RN   LK  (full screen away) Jax grows to humongous size and stomps his opponent.
Stage Fatality Down Right Down  LP  (close)
Animality HOLD  LP Right Right Down Right Jax transforms into a lion and mauls his opponent.
Friendship  LK   RN   RN   LK  (outside sweep distance) Jax uses a jump rope.
Babality Down Down Down  LK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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 Down Left  HP  Kano throws a knife across the screen.
Knife Uppercut Down Right  HP  Kano slices upward in front of him with a knife.
Cannonball Hold  LK  for 3 seconds and release Kano hurls himself toward his opponent like a flying cannonball.
Strangle Grab Down Right  LP  (close) Kano grabs and strangles his opponent.
Air Kick  BL  in midair (close) Kano grabs and kicks away his opponent in midair.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP  Down+ LP  Down+ HP  22% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP  Left+ LP  18% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   HK   LK  Left+ HK  26% damage
Combo 4  LK   LP  15% damage
Combo 5  LK  Down+ LP  Down+ HP  19% damage
Combo 6  HK   HK   LK  Left+ HK  23% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  LP Right Down Down Right (close) Kano rips his opponent's skeleton out from their mouth.
Fatality 2  LP   BL   BL   HK  (sweep distance) Kano uses his eye laser to cause his opponent to explode.
Stage Fatality HOLD  BL Up Up Left  LK  (close)
Animality HOLD  HP  BL   BL   BL  (close) Kano transforms into a giant tarantula and constricts his opponent with his legs.
Friendship  LK   RN   RN   HK  Kano blows a bubble with bubblegum.
Babality Right Right Down Down  LK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
Liu Kang
A Shaolin monk. As the Shaolin Champion, he finds himself the prime target of Shao Kahn's extermination squads.
Move list
Name Command Description
High Fireball Right Right  HP  Liu Kang shoots a fireball while standing. This move can be done in midair.
Low Fireball Right Right  LP  Liu Kang shoots a fireball while crouching.
Flying Kick Right Right  HK  Liu Kang launches himself across the screen in a kicking pose.
Bicycle Kick Hold  LK  for 3 seconds and release Liu Kang flies across the screen while kicking multiple times, resembling pedaling a bicycle.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  LK   LK   HK   LK  25% damage
Combo 2  HP   LK   LK   HK  Left+ HK  28% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   BL   LK   LK   HK  Left+ LK  36% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 Right Right Down Down  LK  Liu Kang disappears and his opponent bursts into flames.
Fatality 2 HOLD  BL Up Down Up Up  RN + BL  Liu Kang disappears and a Mortal Kombat II arcade machine falls on his opponent.
Stage Fatality  RN   BL   BL   LK  (close)
Animality Down Down Up (sweep distance) Liu Kang transforms into a dragon and bites his opponent in half, similar to his Mortal Kombat II Fatality.
Friendship  RN   RN   RN  Down+ RN  Liu Kang recreates the Mortal Kombat dragon on a projector screen using hand puppetry.
Babality Down Down Down  HK 
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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 Down Right  LP  Sonya throws sonic rings across the screen.
Leg Grab Down+ BL + LP  (sweep distance) Sonya does a handstand and uses her legs to grab and slam her opponent against the ground.
Square Wave Punch Right Left  HP  Sonya jumps into the air and shoots across the screen with her fist extended.
Rising Bicycle Kick Left Left Down  HK  Sonya flies diagonally upward while kicking multiple times, resembling pedaling a bicycle.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   LP  Left+ HP  22% damage
Combo 3  HK   HP   HP   LP  Left+ HP  27% damage
Combo 4  HK   HK   HP   HP   LP  Left+ HP  31% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  RN + BL Up Up Left Down (half screen away) Sonya blows a kiss that crushes her opponent.
Fatality 2 Left Right Down Down  RN  Sonya blows a kiss that incinerates her opponent.
Stage Fatality Right Right Down  HP  (close)
Animality HOLD  LP Left Right Down Right (close) Sonya transforms into a hawk and flies away with her opponent.
Friendship Left Right Left Down+ RN  Sonya swings her arms playfully.
Babality Down Down Right  LK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
Kurtis Stryker
A riot control police officer and the lone survivor of a major city after Shao Kahn's invasion.
Move list
Name Command Description
Low Grenade Down Left  LP  Stryker throws a grenade in a low arc across the screen.
High Grenade Down Left  HP  Stryker throws a grenade in a high arc across the screen.
Baton Trip Right Left  LP  Stryker dashes across the screen and uses his baton to sweep his opponent.
Baton Toss Right Right  HK  Stryker leaps across the screen and uses his baton to toss his opponent.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP   LP  18% damage
Combo 2  LK   LK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Combo 3  LK   HP   HP   LP  23% damage
Combo 4  HK   LK  Left+ LP  Left+ HK  23% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 Down Right Down Right  BL  (close) Stryker straps explosives to his opponent's chest, which explode.
Fatality 2 Right Right Right  LK  (full screen away) Stryker uses his taser to cause his opponent to explode.
Stage Fatality HOLD  BL Right Up Up  HK  (close)
Animality  RN   RN   RN   BL  (sweep distance) Stryker transforms into a Tyrannosaurus rex and eats his opponent.
Friendship  LP   RN   RN   LP  Stryker acts as a crossing guard as dogs run across the screen.
Babality Down Right Right Left  HP 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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 Down Right  LP  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 Clone Down Left  LP  Sub-Zero spawns an ice clone that freezes his opponent on contact. This move can be done in midair.
Ice Shower (close) Down Right Left  HP  Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls in front of him.
Ice Shower (far) Down Right  HP  Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls at the far end of the screen.
Ice Shower (behind) Down Left Right  HP  Sub-Zero shoots ice into the air, which falls behind him.
Slide Left+ BL + LP  or Left+ BL + LK  Sub-Zero slides forward with a leg sweep.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP   LP   LK   HK  Left+ HK  23% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   LK   HK  Left+ HK  26% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   LP  Left+ HK  22% damage
Combo 4  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Combo 5  HP   HP  Left+ HK  18% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 Left Left Down Left  RN  (sweep distance) Sub-Zero blows ice breath, turning his opponent into an ice statue that falls over and shatters into many pieces.
Fatality 2  BL   BL   RN   BL   RN  (close) Sub-Zero holds his opponent over his head, freezing them and then pulling them apart.
Stage Fatality Left Down Right Right  HK  (close)
Animality HOLD  BL Right Right Up Up Sub-Zero transforms into a polar bear and pounces his opponent.
Friendship  LK   RN   RN  Up Sub-Zero unwinds a snowman jack-in-the-box.
Babality Down Left Left  HK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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 HOLD  LK Left Left  HK  Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that hits the ground near him and explodes after a moment.
Far Bomb Toss HOLD  LK Right Right  HK  Cyrax drops a bomb from his chest that hits the ground far from him and explodes after a moment.
Green Net Left Left  LK  Cyrax shoots a net from his chest that grabs and pulls his opponent closer to him.
Air Throw Down Right  BL  in midair (close) to grab,  LP  to throw Cyrax grabs and throws his opponent in midair.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP   HK   HP   HK  Left+ HK  30% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   LP  18% damage
Combo 3  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  BL Down Down Up Down  HP  (close) Cyrax flies using a helicopter blade on his head and dives onto his opponent.
Fatality 2 HOLD  BL Down Down Right Up  RN  (close) Cyrax self-destructs, killing himself as well as his opponent.
Stage Fatality  RN   BL   RN  (close)
Animality HOLD  BL Up Up Down Down (close) Cyrax transforms into a shark and devours his opponent.
Friendship  RN   RN   RN  Up Cyrax dances the Charleston.
Babality Right Right Left  HP 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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 Right Right  LP  Sektor shoots a missile across the screen.
Heat-Seeking Missile Down Left  HP  Sektor shoots a missile that seeks his opponent.
Teleport Uppercut Right Right  LK  Sektor teleports to the other side of his opponent, reappearing with an uppercut.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HK   HK  15% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP  Down+ LP  18% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   HK  Left+ HK  22% damage
Combo 4  HP   HP   HK   HK  Left+ HK  26% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1  LP   RN   RN   BL  (sweep distance) Sektor crushes his opponent in a press that comes out from his chest.
Fatality 2 Right Right Right Left  BL  (half screen away or farther) Sektor incinerates his opponent with a wrist-mounted flamethrower.
Stage Fatality  RN   RN   RN  Down (close)
Animality HOLD  BL Right Right Down Up (close) Sektor transforms into a giant bat that decapitates his opponent.
Friendship  RN   RN   RN   RN  Down Sektor hits a carnival high striker with a hammer.
Babality Left Down Down Down  HK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
Nightwolf
A Native American historian who uses his shaman magic to protect his tribe's land against the Outworld invasion.
Move list
Name Command Description
Spirit Arrow Down Left  LP  Nightwolf shoots an arrow across the screen at his opponent.
Tomahawk Swipe Down Right  HP  Nightwolf swipes his hatchet in front of him.
Shoulder Charge Right Right  LK  Nightwolf charges forward while ramming his shoulder.
Spirit Shield Left Left Left  HK  Nightwolf glows, reflecting projectiles that hit him back toward their caster.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HK   HK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   LP  Down Right  HP  23% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   LP   HK  22% damage
Combo 4  LK   HP   HP   LP   HK  27% damage
Combo 5  LK   HP   HP   LP  Down Right  HP  28% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  BL Up Up Left Right  BL  (close) Nightwolf calls down a column of light that disintegrates his opponent.
Fatality 2 Left Left Down  HP  (half screen away) Nightwolf uses his hatchet to call a strike of lightning on his opponent.
Stage Fatality  RN   RN   BL  (close)
Animality Right Right Down Down (close) Nightwolf transforms into a wolf and mauls his opponent.
Friendship  RN   RN   RN  Down Nightwolf transforms into Rayden as a Mortal Kombat II arcade machine falls behind him.
Babality Right Left Right Left  LP 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
Sheeva
Sindel's personal protector, chosen by Shao Kahn. She is a Shokan, like Goro and Kintaro.
Move list
Name Command Description
Fireball Down Right  HP  Sheeva throws a fireball across the screen with her arms.
Ground Stomp Left Down Left  HK  Sheeva jumps and stomps down with great force, damaging opponents standing on the ground.
Teleport Stomp Down Up Sheeva jumps off the screen, reappearing above her opponent's head and falling with a stomp.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP   LP  Right+ HP  25% damage
Combo 2  HK   HK   LK  Left+ HK  27% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   LP   HK   HK   LK  Left+ HK  42% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 Right Down Down Right  LP  (close) Sheeva pounds her opponent into the ground with her four arms.
Fatality 2 HOLD  HK Left Right Right (close) Sheeva pulls her opponent down to the ground.
Stage Fatality Down Right Down Right  LP  (close)
Animality  RN   BL   BL   BL   BL  (close) Sheeva transforms into a giant scorpion and stings her opponent.
Friendship Right Right Down Right  HP  Sheeva spins plates on each of her four arms.
Babality Down Down Left  HK 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
Kung Lao
A Shaolin monk. His plans to reform the White Lotus Society are disrupted by Shao Kahn's invasion. Alongside Liu Kang, he embarks on a journey to end Shao Kahn's treachery.
Move list
Name Command Description
Hat Throw Left Right  LP  Kung Lao throws his hat like a discus.
Bullet Kick Down+ HK  before the apex of a jump Kung Lao drops diagonally in a kick.
Whirlwind Spin Right Down Right  RN  RN  RN  RN  RN  Kung Lao spins in place, doing damage at his sides. He spins longer if  RN  is pressed repeatedly.
Teleport Down Up Kung Lao disappears into the air and reappears behind his opponent.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  LK   LK  Left+ HK  19% damage
Combo 2  HP   LK  Left+ HK  18% damage
Combo 3  HP   LP   HP   LP   LK   LK  Left+ HK  34% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1  RN   BL   RN   BL  Down Kung Lao spins in place, pulling his opponent in like a vortex.
Fatality 2 Right Right Left Down  HP  (close) Kung Lao throws his hat, which slices his opponent into multiple pieces.
Stage Fatality Down Down Right Right  LK  (close)
Animality  RN   RN   RN   RN   BL  Kung Lao transforms into a cheetah and pounces his opponent.
Friendship  RN   LP   RN   LK  (sweep distance or farther) Kung Lao throws his hat and a dog runs to fetch it.
Babality Down Right Right  HP 
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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 Left Left  HP  Kabal throws a fireball across the screen. This move can be done in midair.
Tornado Spin Left Right  LK  Kabal dashes through his opponent, causing the opponent to spin in place like a tornado.
Ground Saw Left Left Left  RN  Kabal summons a sawblade that appears under his opponent.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP  Down+ HP  19% damage
Combo 2  LK   LK   HP   HP   HP  Down+ HP  25% damage
Combo 3  LK   LK   HP   HP   HK  Left+ HK  28% damage
Combo 4  HP   HP  Down+ LP  Down+ HP  25% damage
Combo 5  LK   LK   HP   HP  Down+ LP  Down+ HP  28% damage
Combo 6  HP   HP   HK  Left+ HK  25% damage
Combo 7  LK   LK   HK  Left+ HK  27% damage
Combo 8  LK   LK  Left+ HK  21% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 Down Down Left Right  BL  (sweep distance) Kabal inflates his opponent's head until it explodes.
Fatality 2  RN   BL   BL   BL   HK  (close) Kabal removes his mask and terrifies his opponent with his frightful visage.
Stage Fatality  BL   BL   HK  (close)
Animality HOLD  HP Right Right Down Right Kabal transforms into a skeletal rhinoceros and rams his opponent.
Friendship  RN   LK   RN   RN  Up Kabal roasts a marshmallow on a hook sword.
Babality  RN   RN   LK 

Bosses

The boss characters can be played in two-player games by enabling the Killer Codes menu with a cheat code. They cannot crouch, run, or use finishing moves (and finishing moves cannot be used against them).

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Bosses.png
Motaro
A Centaurian chosen by Shao Kahn to lead his extermination squads. He is the game's penultimate boss.
Move list
Name Command Description
Fireball Down Left  HP  Motaro shoots a fireball from his tail.
Grab and Smack Right Right  LP  (close) Motaro grabs and hits his opponent.
Teleport Down Up Motaro teleports in front of his opponent.
Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Bosses.png
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
Fireball Left Left Right  LP  Shao Kahn shoots a fireball across the screen.
Hammer Smash Left Right  HP  Shao Kahn swings a hammer in front of him.
Shoulder Ram Right Right  LP  Shao Kahn charges ahead while ramming his shoulder.
Rising Shoulder Ram Right Right  HP  Shao Kahn charges upward while ramming his shoulder.
Insult Down Down  LK  Shao Kahn taunts his opponent.
Laugh Down Down  HK  Shao Kahn laughs.

Hidden

Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Hidden content.
MK3 MD Portraits.png
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. As in his previous appearance, he constantly emits smoke. His special moves are taken from Scorpion, Sektor, and Reptile. While Smoke was kept a secret in the arcade version, he is openly mentioned in the manual for the Mega Drive port.
Move list
Name Command Description
Harpoon Left Left  LP  Smoke launches a harpoon from his chest, then uses it to pull his opponent toward him. The opponent is momentarily stunned.
Teleport Uppercut Right Right  LK  Smoke teleports to the other side of his opponent, reappearing with an uppercut.
Invisibility HOLD  BL Up Up  RN  Smoke makes himself invisible until he is attacked.
Air Throw  BL  in midair (close) Smoke grabs and throws his opponent in midair.
Move list (Chain combos)
Name Command Description
Combo 1  HP   HP   LK   HK   LP  26% damage
Combo 2  HP   HP   LP  18% damage
Combo 3  HP   HP   HK  18% damage
Combo 4  HK   HK   LP  19% damage
Move list (Finishing moves)
Name Command Description
Fatality 1 HOLD  BL Up Up Right Down (full screen away) Smoke drops a pile of bombs from his chest, which explode and destroy the entire planet.
Fatality 2 HOLD  RN + BL Down Down Right Up (sweep distance) Smoke drops a bomb into his opponent's mouth.
Stage Fatality Right Right Down  LK 
Animality Down Right Right  BL  (full screen away) Smoke transforms into a bull and gores his opponent.
Friendship  RN   RN   RN   HK  (full screen away) Smoke blasts an air horn that comes out of his chest.
Babality Down Down Left Left  HK 
Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Noob Saibot.png
Noob Saibot
A dark, silhouetted warrior. He uses a blackened version of Kano's sprite (since there are no traditional Lin Kuei ninjas in this game). He has no special moves but uses some of Kano's combos. He can be fought using a code.

Stages

The stages are played in order (and loop around after the last one). Motaro is fought in the Balcony and Shao Kahn is fought in the Pit 3. The Subway, Bell Tower, and Pit 3 stages have stage-specific Fatalities.

Three stages are accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling of another stage: the Street is above the Subway, the Rooftop is above the Bank, and the Balcony is above the Soul Chamber.

MK3 MD TheSubway.png

The Subway
Uppercutting an opponent changes the stage to the Street. There is a stage-specific Fatality where a player can uppercut the other into the path of a subway train.

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Stages, The Street.png

The Street
Shao Kahn's fortress appears in the background. This stage can be accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling in the Subway.

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Stages, The Bank.png

The Bank
Shao Kahn's fortress appears in the background. Uppercutting an opponent changes the stage to the Rooftop.

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Stages, The Rooftop.png

The Rooftop
Shao Kahn's fortress appears in the background. This stage can be accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling in the Bank. It has a similar floor.

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Stages, The Balcony.png

The Balcony
This stage can be accessed by uppercutting an opponent through the ceiling in the Soul Chamber. Motaro is fought here.

MK3 MD TheBridge.png

The Bridge
This stage takes place on a road, similar to the Street.

Mortal Kombat 3 MD, Stages, The Soul Chamber.png

The Soul Chamber
Uppercutting an opponent changes the stage to the Balcony.

MK3 MD TheBellTower.png

The Bell Tower
There is a stage-specific Fatality where a player can uppercut the other down the tower into a bed of spikes.

MK3 MD TheTemple.png

The Temple
This location would return as a Dreamcast-exclusive stage in Mortal Kombat Gold.

MK3 MD ThePit3.png

The Pit 3
Shao Kahn is fought here. There is a stage-specific Fatality where a player can uppercut the other off the bridge into the giant spinning blades at the bottom.

History

Release

Like the previous games, the third game was banned and the only available version was the one on the Game Boy. The game was unbanned in 2005.

Versions

Despite being the more technically advanced game, the Mega Drive Mortal Kombat 3 is a closer match to its arcade counterpart than its two immediate predecessors, Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II were to theirs. The port is again limited by the lack of on-screen colours, and much lower sound quality than the arcade version, however the latter also applies to the Super NES port, whose sound is noticeably more muffled than other versions of the game.

Some of the finer details in the Mega Drive version, such as the HUD and menus (not to mention the larger resolution), are more accurate than on the Super NES, however while the Mega Drive version retains more of the arcade game's character animation, the larger colour palette of the Super NES generally leads to a better looking game. Content-wise the two are identical. Both versions are missing the Graveyard stage from the arcade version.

Production credits

MK3 Cast of Characters
  • Kano and Kabal: Rich Divizio
  • Sonya: Kerri Hoskins
  • Jax: John Parrish
  • Kung Lao: Tony Marquez
  • Stryker: Michael O'Brien
  • Sub-Zero and Shang Tsung: John Turk
  • Sindel: Lia Montelongo
  • Liu Kang: Eddie Wong
  • Nightwolf and Sektor: Sal DiVita
  • Cyrax and Smoke: Sal DiVita
  • Shao Kahn: Brian Glynn
Midway MK3 Design Team
  • Ed Boon, John Tobias, Steve Beran, Dan Forden, Tony Goskie, Dave Michicich, John Vogel
Sculptured Software Development Team
  • Lead Programmer: Jim Henn
  • Programmers: Patrick Alphonso, Mike Crandall, Paul Blagay
  • Art Manager: Gary Penacho
  • Sound and Drivers: Chris Braymen, Roy Wilkins
  • Artists: Neil Melville, Jeff Knight, Mary Scriven, Mike Lott, Kent Barney
  • Art Conversion: Jim 'Crash' Jung
  • Director: Jeff Peters
  • Development Tools: Ned Martin, Adam Clayton, Jim Henn, Rob Nelson, Mike Callahan, Patrick Alphonso
  • Testing Manager: Gary Rowberry
  • Night Shift Manager: Garon Galloway
  • Graveyard Shift Manager: Chandler Holbrook
  • Game Testers: John Howa, Scott Hanks, Chris Olsen, Ben Nielson, Greg Murphy, Ryan McBride, David Hanks, Ryan Milligan, Jason Humphrey, Tristan Bracken
  • Special Thanks to: John Blackburn, Todd Blackburn, Scott Perras, Altair Lane, Kevin Alphonso, Leanne Hornbuckle, Bill Trail, Chad Korb, Amy the Dither Monkey
Williams Entertainment Team
  • Manual Design and Production: Debbie Austin, Steve High, Shawn Murphy
  • Quality Control: Brian Johnson, Williams Entertainment Testing
Source:
In-game credits
Mortal Kombat 3 MD credits.pdf
[5]

Magazine articles

Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #15: "September 1995" (1995-0x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
DNR 19 RU MK3 advert.png
Print advert in Dendy:Novaya real'nost' (RU) #19 (1995-08-17)
DNR 19 RU MK3 advert.png
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #75: "October 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #0811: "Vol. 8 No. 11 November 1995" (1995-1x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (FR) #48: "Novembre 1995" (1995-1x-xx)
also published in:
  • (FR) #51: "Février 1996" (1996-0x-xx)[6]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (YU) #15: "Novembar 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #77: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
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Print advert in (AU) #25: "December 1995" (1995-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (YU) #136: "Januar 1996" (1996-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (RU) #1 (1996-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (RU) #2: "Mart 1996" (1996-xx-xx)[7]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
92 №34, p40/41
Sega Mega Drive
92
Based on
1 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
80
[8]
(SA)
96
[9]
(FR)
92
[10]
(RU)
90
[11]
(RU)
80
[12]
(RU)
100
[13]
(US) NTSC-U
91
[14]
(US) NTSC-U
68
[15]
(UK)
88
[16]
(US) NTSC-U
86
[17]
(ES) PAL
94
[18]
(FR)
92
[19]
(UK) PAL
93
[20]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[21]
(FR)
90
[22]
(BR)
63
[23]
(UK)
90
[24]
(PL)
95
[25]
(UK) PAL
94
[2]
(UK) PAL
95
[3]
(UK) PAL
96
[26]
(UK) PAL
93
[27]
(RU)
86
[28]
(AU)
92
[29]
(ES)
94
[30]
(ES)
95
[31]
(RU)
97
[32]
(US) NTSC-U
60
[33]
Sega Mega Drive
88
Based on
28 reviews

Mortal Kombat 3

Mega Drive, US
MK3 MD US Box.jpg
Cover
MK3 MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortal Kombat 3 MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
MK3 MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
MK3 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
MortalKombat3 MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
MK3 MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, FR

Mortal Kombat 3 MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
MK3 MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
MK3 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
MortalKombat3 MD PT Manual.jpg
Manual
MortalKombat3 MD EU Manual.jpg
EU Manual
Mega Drive, AU
MK3 MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
MK3 MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
MK3 MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Mortalkombat3 md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, ZA
MK3 MD ZA Box.jpg
Cover
MK3 MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, MN

MK3 MD MN Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Mortal Kombat 3/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. EGM², "September 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 21
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sega Magazine, "October 1995" (UK; 1995-09-12), page 92
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Sega Power, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-21), page 32
  4. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1995-10-16), page 32
  5. File:Mortal Kombat 3 MD credits.pdf
  6. Consoles +, "Février 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 129
  7. Strana Igr, "Mart 1996" (RU; 1996-xx-xx), page 87
  8. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 137
  9. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1996-xx-xx), page 18
  10. Consoles +, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 94
  11. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 132
  12. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 336
  13. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10, "" (RU; 2003-10-08), page 96
  14. GameFan, "Volume 3, Issue 10: October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 17
  15. GamePro, "November 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 78
  16. GamePro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-xx), page 61
  17. Game Informer, "October 1995" (US; 1995-xx-xx), page 10
  18. Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 70
  19. Joypad, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-11-03), page 52
  20. Mean Machines Sega, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-09-29), page 86
  21. Next Generation, "November 1995" (US; 1995-10-24), page 187
  22. Player One, "Novembre 1995" (FR; 1995-1x-xx), page 68
  23. Players, "Nov 95" (BR; 1995-xx-xx), page 38
  24. (UK) (+0:00)
  25. Secret Service, "Grudzień 1995" (PL; 1995-12-xx), page 24
  26. Sega Pro, "November 1995" (UK; 1995-10-05), page 36
  27. Sega Pro, "July 1996" (UK; 1996-05-xx), page 22
  28. Sega Mega Drive Review, "2" (RU; 1996-01-03), page 81
  29. Sega Megazone, "Summer '95/'96" (AU; 1995-xx-xx), page 34
  30. Super Juegos, "Octubre 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 50
  31. Todo Sega, "Diciembre 1995" (ES; 1995-1x-xx), page 38
  32. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 120
  33. VideoGames, "October 1995" (US; 1995-09-19), page 81


Mortal Kombat 3

MK3 Title.png

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Books: (1995) | (1996) | (1996) | (199x)

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Mortal Kombat games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Mortal Kombat (No results?) | Mortal Kombat II (No results?) | Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) | Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1996)
Sega Master System
Sega Game Gear
Mortal Kombat (1993) | Mortal Kombat II (1994) | Mortal Kombat 3 (1996)
Sega Mega-CD
Mortal Kombat (No results?)
Sega 32X
Mortal Kombat II (No results?)
Sega Saturn
Mortal Kombat II (No results?) | Mortal Kombat 3 (unreleased) | Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1996) | Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1997)
Sega Dreamcast
Mortal Kombat Gold (1999)
Unlicensed Mortal Kombat games for Sega systems
Mortal Kombat 5 (1999)