Mortal Kombat 3

Mortal Kombat 3 (MK3) is a legendary fighting game developed by Midway Games and released in 1995. As the third installment in the Mortal Kombat series, it introduced several groundbreaking gameplay mechanics while retaining the brutal and fast-paced combat fans had come to love. Unlike its predecessors, which followed a tournament storyline, MK3 shifts the narrative to a full-scale invasion of Earthrealm by Shao Kahn, who resurrects his queen, Sindel, as part of his plan for conquest.

New Gameplay Innovations

MK3 introduced several new mechanics that set it apart from its predecessors and influenced future fighting games.

• The Run Button: A major addition, the run button allowed players to dash toward opponents, making aggressive playstyles more viable and reducing overly defensive strategies.
• Chain Combos: Known as “dial-a-combos,” these predefined attack sequences let players string together multiple hits, often launching opponents into the air for extended juggle combos.
• Interactive Stages: Some arenas allowed players to uppercut their opponents through ceilings, transitioning the fight to different levels and keeping battles dynamic.
• New Fatalities: The signature finishing moves returned with even more creativity. MK3 also introduced Animalities, where characters transformed into animals to deliver their final blow.
• Kombat Kodes: This system allowed players to enter symbol-based codes before a match, unlocking hidden features, modifying gameplay, or even altering the roster.

New and Returning Characters

MK3 expanded its roster with a mix of returning fan favorites and brand-new fighters. However, some iconic characters from previous games were missing at launch, leading to updates and later editions to address the gaps.

Returning Fighters

• Liu Kang
• Sub-Zero (now unmasked)
• Sonya Blade
• Jax Briggs
• Kano
• Shang Tsung
• Shao Kahn (final boss)

New Fighters

• Sindel – The resurrected queen of Edenia and a key figure in Shao Kahn’s invasion.
• Cyrax & Sektor – Cybernetic ninjas who introduced robotic combat to the series.
• Kabal – A mysterious warrior with super speed and deadly hook swords.
• Sheeva – A four-armed Shokan warrior serving Shao Kahn.
• Nightwolf – A Native American fighter wielding mystical energy.
• Stryker – A riot police officer who uses modern weaponry in battle.

While the absence of characters like Scorpion and Kitana disappointed fans, Midway quickly responded with Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (UMK3) later in 1995, reintroducing missing characters and balancing gameplay. Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996) followed, including every character from the previous games and additional features.

Impact on Fighting Games

MK3 made a significant impact on the fighting game genre, both in arcades and on home consoles. The addition of combos, mobility enhancements, and interactive arenas became staples in future Mortal Kombat titles and influenced competing franchises. The game also introduced a darker, more industrial aesthetic, moving away from the mystical Asian influences of earlier games and adopting a more urban setting with city backdrops and dystopian themes.

Its success led to multiple home console versions across platforms like the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, PlayStation, and PC. The game's fast-paced, combo-heavy mechanics made it a favorite in competitive play, and even today, many fans consider it a high point of the series.

Mortal Kombat 3 Closest Modern Adaptation

For fans looking for a modern version of MK3’s gameplay, Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) is the best contemporary adaptation. This reboot reimagines classic characters and storylines while introducing advanced mechanics and next-gen visuals.

Additionally, Khaos Reigns, an upcoming expansion, promises to bring back the long-lost Animalities, offering a nostalgic throwback to MK3’s unique finishing moves.

Why Mortal Kombat 3 Still Matters

Even decades after its release, MK3 remains a crucial part of the Mortal Kombat franchise. It refined the series’ formula, introduced enduring characters, and laid the foundation for future entries. Whether you’re a veteran who played it in arcades or a new player discovering its legacy, MK3’s fast-paced combat and innovative mechanics ensure its place in fighting game history.

Summary

Mortal Kombat 3 (MK3) is a fighting game developed by Midway Games and first released into arcades in 1995 as the third game in the Mortal Kombat series. 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 the Fatality finishing moves, including Animalities. Other features new to the series were combos, predefined sequences used to perform a series of consecutive attacks. A "Run" button was also added, allowing players to briefly dash toward the opponent, as were "Kombat Kodes", an unlockable content system using various symbols that can be entered before two-player matches to achieve certain effects.

Some characters from the previous games returned and new characters were introduced into the series. Mortal Kombat 3 notably omitted popular characters from previous games, some of whom were added in an update, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, released later in 1995. The home console-exclusive Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996) added even more characters, as well as other new features.