Mortal Kombat Trilogy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Fate | Defunct (bankrupt in 2010) |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Video games, including Mortal Kombat series |
Mortal Kombat Trilogy is a fighting game launched by Midway Games in 1996, serving as the ultimate update to Mortal Kombat 3 and succeeding Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. It was made available on platforms such as PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, and PC, with further adaptations for Game.com and R-Zone. While retaining the narrative and gameplay mechanics of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, it expands the roster and stages by including elements from earlier installments. Notable gameplay enhancements include the addition of the "Aggressor" meter and the debut of the "Brutality" finishing move. Critical reception ranged from mixed to favorable.
Gameplay
Combatants fill an "Aggressor" meter during battles, which accumulates at double speed when the opponent is blocking, granting a temporary boost in movement speed and attack power. Numerous fighters gained restored or new special attacks originating from previous titles. A censored version of Sub-Zero's famous "Spine Rip" Fatality appears, obscured by a black screen to prevent graphic re-animation.
This edition introduced the "Brutality" finisher, where relentless strikes cause the adversary to explode. All arenas featuring Stage Fatalities from earlier games return except for one from Pit II, which was omitted due to similar censorship concerns.
Battle environments from MKII, MK3, and UMK3 are included alongside four backgrounds from the original Mortal Kombat. Certain platforms have fewer stages due to hardware constraints.
Characters
Beyond the complete roster found in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Trilogy incorporates Raiden and Baraka as they appeared in MKII, complete with updated running animations. Johnny Cage reappears portrayed by Chris Alexander following legal issues involving former actors. Playable bosses Goro, Kintaro, Motaro, and Shao Kahn are accessible from the start in most editions; however, on Nintendo 64 only Motaro and Shao Kahn are initially playable.
Alternate versions of Jax, Kung Lao, Kano, and Raiden are present in the PC, PlayStation, and Saturn releases. The game also features two secret ninjas: Chameleon (male) in most versions and Khameleon (female), exclusive to the Nintendo 64 edition.
Development
A number of original cast members departed Midway amid royalty disagreements prior to development, resulting in recasting their roles. Johnny Cage was originally omitted but later reinstated with a new actor. Raiden’s gameplay sprites continued to use Carlos Pesina’s likeness while his versus portrait featured Sal Divita’s image.
Most background tracks from MKII and MK3 were retained; however, none from the original Mortal Kombat were included. CD-ROM editions deliver high-fidelity audio but experience slowed tempo during Finish Him/Her sequences due to downsampling without tempo adjustment.
PlayStation
Developed by Avalanche Software, this version underwent several revisions aimed at aligning gameplay more closely with arcade standards and resolving bugs. Shang Tsung is only playable via CPU control because of loading complications related to his morphing animations. The closing credits hint at a forthcoming Mortal Kombat 4 slated for 1997. Compatibility issues cause freezing when played on PlayStation 2 or 3 consoles.
Nintendo 64
Ported by Leland Interactive Media, this edition introduces exclusive 3-on-3 combat matches. Players start with four credits and can earn additional ones after two-player battles. Unlocking is required for Free Play mode. Although music quality is reduced compared to CD versions, all ending themes remain intact.
Due to cartridge storage limits, only 30 characters are included—excluding Goro, Kintaro, classic variants of Jax, Kung Lao, Kano, Raiden, and unmasked Sub-Zero. Chameleon is replaced by Khameleon exclusively on this platform. This version features a unique stage called Star Bridge along with enhanced backgrounds featuring extra animations.
Beta builds contained additional stages and character capture sequences not present in the final release. Motaro and Shao Kahn possess Fatalities unique to this port as well as an exclusive Aggressor meter mechanic.
Sega Saturn
Nearly a year after the PlayStation release, Point of View adapted the game for the Sega Saturn with minimal alterations to the content. Due to differences in hardware, some transparency effects were substituted, and a few voice samples were omitted.
MS-DOS and Windows
Point of View also developed versions for MS-DOS and Windows, which featured quicker loading times compared to the PlayStation edition. These versions underwent at least two public updates, bringing gameplay closer to the PlayStation Greatest Hits version. In August 2022, the game was made available again through a digital release on GOG.com.
Game.com
As a launch title for Tiger Electronics' handheld console, this version supported multiplayer functionality via link cable. It presented a streamlined roster of thirteen fighters with simplified move lists—each character possessed two special moves and four finishing moves that shared identical input commands.
Reception
Critical opinions varied depending on the platform. The Brazilian publication SuperGamePower praised the Nintendo 64 edition as the finest Mortal Kombat installment, while French magazine Super Power preferred it over the PlayStation counterpart. Electronic Gaming Monthly lauded the N64 version's extensive content despite some graphical limitations; GamePro commended its faithful arcade-style gameplay but pointed out occasional slowdowns.
GameSpot criticized the N64 release for missing animations and absent characters but appreciated its variety of modes. IGN noted that its audio quality was muffled relative to PlayStation’s clearer sound but acknowledged its accurate arcade representation.
The PlayStation edition received acclaim for its controls and content but faced criticism over challenging AI and unbalanced boss fights. Electronic Gaming Monthly favored it over the N64 version due to additional characters and a lower price point despite existing bugs.
Released significantly later with few enhancements, the Saturn version elicited mixed reactions because of outdated visuals amid newer fighting games but remained recommended for dedicated series enthusiasts.
The Nintendo 64 version achieved robust sales during a period with limited competition. IGN later recognized Mortal Kombat Trilogy for consolidating every character and most stages into one comprehensive package that satisfied fans prior to Midway’s development of Mortal Kombat 4.