Ultimate Mortal Kombat
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Video games, including Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 |
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a fighting game released in 1995 by Midway Games for arcade platforms. As a part of the Mortal Kombat franchise, it serves as an independent enhancement of Mortal Kombat 3, featuring upgraded gameplay mechanics and the addition of characters like returning fan favorites Reptile, Kitana, Jade, and Scorpion, who were not present in Mortal Kombat 3, alongside new gameplay elements.
Following its arcade debut, several home versions were released. Although none perfectly duplicated the arcade experience, the Sega Saturn edition was regarded as the most faithful adaptation. Later home releases further refined this accuracy. Some editions appeared under different names, including Mortal Kombat Advance for the Game Boy Advance in 2001 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat on the Nintendo DS in 2007. Additionally, a modernized iOS adaptation with 3D graphics was introduced by Electronic Arts in 2010.
Critical reception was largely positive, with the title considered a standout within the Mortal Kombat series. Nevertheless, certain home adaptations and the iOS version garnered mixed feedback. The game’s content was expanded in 1996 with Mortal Kombat Trilogy, which integrated a wider range of characters from across the series. The 2011 release Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection features an emulated version of UMK3, along with the original Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II.
Gameplay
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 introduced two distinct modes: a team-based 2-on-2 format supporting up to three players per team, and an eight-player Tournament mode. A new Master difficulty setting was also implemented. Upon completing either the main campaign or Tournament mode, players gain access to Shao Kahn's Lost Treasures—a selection of unlockable rewards including bonus fights and additional cutscenes.
To enhance competitive balance, various fighters received updated or modified movesets, with new combos added and damage values adjusted. Chain combos were redesigned to initiate with jump punches or vertical jump kicks, expanding combo possibilities. Importantly, combos that launch opponents no longer propel them to upper tiers in multi-level stages; only uppercut attacks achieve this effect.
Artificial intelligence improvements were made but introduced exploitable weaknesses: when players perform jump kicks after backflips, AI opponents consistently respond by throwing projectiles, creating vulnerability; if players remain within a certain proximity, AI may imitate their movements without launching attacks; furthermore, when trapped in corners, AI characters do not stagger from repeated punches, making them easier to defeat.
UMK3 showcases new stage environments such as Scorpion's Lair/Hell—which includes a unique Stage Fatality sending foes into lava—Jade's Desert featuring Cyrax trapped in sand, River Kombat/The Waterfront, Kahn's Kave/The Cavern, Blue Portal/Lost (a composite of previous stage elements), and Noob's Dorfen inspired by the Balcony stage. Before accessing original MK3 arenas in single- or two-player modes, the game cycles through all UMK3-exclusive backgrounds twice. Certain areas like Scorpion's Lair and Secret Cave can be unlocked via password entry. The original red portal background has been altered to blue.
Some features from MK3 were removed: only Kitana, Jade, Scorpion, and Reptile have character biographies displayed during attract mode; other fighters’ bios and full-body images are omitted. Storyline artwork and text are absent as well. The Bank and Hidden Portal stages were eliminated—Jade's Desert substitutes for the Bank stage within the rotation.
The Sega Genesis and SNES editions were released concurrently with Mortal Kombat Trilogy and incorporated its Brutality finishing moves—complex sequences involving eleven-button inputs that cause characters to explode.
Characters
The arcade edition features all the playable fighters from Mortal Kombat 3, each represented by their original actors: Cyrax (Sal Divita), Liu Kang (Eddie Wong), Kabal (Richard Divizio), Kano (Richard Divizio), Kung Lao (Tony Marquez), Stryker (Michael O'Brien), Jax Briggs (John Parrish), Nightwolf (Sal Divita), Sektor (Sal Divita), Shang Tsung (John Turk), Sheeva (stop motion), Sindel (Lia Montelongo), Smoke (Sal Divita), Sonya Blade (Kerri Hoskins) and Sub-Zero (John Turk). The bosses, Motaro (stop motion) and Shao Kahn (Brian Glynn, voiced by Steve Ritchie), also make a return. Shang Tsung’s transformations audibly announce the name of the character he assumes.
Returning from previous installments are four additional playable fighters: Kitana, Jade, Reptile, and Scorpion. The new Ultimate Kombat Kode introduced in revision 1.0 unlocks secret characters Mileena, Ermac, and Classic Sub-Zero.
- Jade (Becky Gable) – Tasked by Shao Kahn to capture Kitana after Kitana kills Mileena and flees to Earth.
- Kitana (Becky Gable) – On the run for alleged treason, she aims to alert Queen Sindel about their true history.
- Reptile (John Turk) – A loyal servant of Shao Kahn, assigned alongside Jade with covert orders to eliminate Kitana if necessary.
- Scorpion (John Turk) – Having escaped from Earth’s underworld, he joins the battle against Outworld forces.
Unlockable through the Ultimate Kombat Kode:
- Classic Sub-Zero (John Turk) – Returns with a mission to assassinate Shang Tsung.
- Ermac (John Turk) – A fighter composed of the souls of deceased Outworld warriors.
- Mileena (Becky Gable) – Revived by Shao Kahn to defeat Earth’s champions using both combat prowess and telepathic abilities.
The human version of Smoke can be accessed via a pre-match code.
Critics praised the returning characters for enhancing the previously criticized "lackluster roster" of MK3, particularly noting the comeback of Kitana, Mileena, Reptile, and Scorpion. Due to legal complications with former performers, Becky Gable portrayed the female ninjas—Mileena, Kitana, and Jade. Their costumes and hairstyles were unified into three palette-swapped models representing male, female, and cyborg ninjas.
Two new hidden fighters exclusive to console versions are included: Noob Saibot (John Turk) and Rain (John Turk). Noob Saibot, originally a Kano palette swap in previous titles, is now an independent ninja character unlocked through a Kombat Kode. Although Rain appears in the opening sequence as a fake hidden character absent from arcades, both Noob Saibot and Rain are playable on 16-bit consoles where Sheeva was omitted; boss characters can also be accessed via cheat codes on these platforms.
Release
Following the tradition of earlier Mortal Kombat releases, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 debuted in arcades at select locations in early November 1995. Arcade operators owning Mortal Kombat 3 cabinets were able to upgrade them to UMK3 free of charge. In 2008, series co-creator and producer Ed Boon identified UMK3 as his preferred 2D Mortal Kombat installment and mentioned it was the last title he personally programmed.
The game was adapted for numerous home systems including Super NES, Genesis, Sega Saturn, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Xbox Live Arcade, and iOS devices. An initially planned PlayStation version transformed into Mortal Kombat Trilogy. It was also packaged with the premium edition of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon on PlayStation 2 and featured in the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection compilation for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Various developers and publishers contributed to these versions such as Acclaim Entertainment, Avalanche Software, Electronic Arts, Eurocom, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Williams Entertainment. Later releases commonly incorporated online multiplayer capabilities and enhanced graphics beyond the arcade original.
A proposed 3DO port developed by New Level was canceled in 1996 due to development delays that postponed release beyond the peak popularity period of Mortal Kombat 3 and because of the franchise’s limited presence on that system.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Wave Net
The Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Wave Net—also referred to as the Williams Action Video Entertainment Network—was an intended network system designed to facilitate online multiplayer gameplay. This system underwent trials exclusively in Chicago and San Francisco, utilizing dedicated T1 connections linked directly to Midway's headquarters in Chicago. However, due to substantial expenses—amounting to several thousand dollars per installation plus hundreds for each arcade cabinet—and a lack of widespread infrastructure, the network never achieved broad deployment or public availability. No ROM dumps from this system are known to exist. Williams had plans to leverage WaveNet for delivering complimentary game updates to arcade operators in exchange for a share of the generated revenue.
Super NES
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) adaptation, created by Avalanche Software and distributed by Williams Entertainment in North America and Acclaim Entertainment across Europe, was released in late 1996. This version was based on Sculptured Software’s earlier port of MK3 but suffered significant reductions due to hardware constraints: character name announcements were omitted by the announcer, Sheeva was excluded, only five new arcade backgrounds were retained, and Shao Kahn’s Lost Treasures chest contained 10 boxes instead of the original 12. Several Fatalities were either modified or removed; notably, Rain and Noob Saibot lacked finishing moves, Kitana’s "Kiss of Death" reused an existing effect, Animalities were eliminated, and Brutalities were introduced instead. Some enhancements improved gameplay: Rain and Noob Saibot became playable characters for the first time; Mileena, Ermac, and Classic Sub-Zero were unlocked from the beginning; Motaro and Shao Kahn served as unlockable bosses for two-player battles. Additionally, a cheat code unlocked menus that allowed players to adjust gameplay settings, access hidden content, and view character endings.
Sega Genesis
Avalanche Software developed the Sega Genesis version, published by Williams Entertainment in North America on October 11, 1996, and by Acclaim Entertainment in Europe on November 28, 1996. This edition utilized code from Sculptured Software’s previous MK3 port but featured downgraded graphics and audio compared to the SNES version due to hardware limitations. Similar cuts included Sheeva’s removal, a reduction of Shao Kahn’s treasure chest to 10 boxes, omission of character names by the announcer, Kitana’s "Kiss of Death" causing only head inflation, a different version of Scorpion’s "Hellraiser" Fatality, retention of Sonya’s Friendship from Mortal Kombat 3, and preservation of the Bank stage.
In contrast with the SNES port, this release included more stages: five new ones alongside six originals from MK3, such as Subway, Bank, Rooftop, Soul Chamber, The Temple, and The Pit 3. Several finishing moves were cut—Animalities and Mercy were removed; Rain and Noob Saibot received only Brutalities without other finishers; Human Smoke shared Scorpion's combos; Stryker's Friendship replaced running characters with dogs. Unique features consisted of playable bosses Motaro and Shao Kahn as well as Mileena, Ermac, and Classic Sub-Zero available without cheat codes. Shang Tsung could transform into Robot Smoke, Noob Saibot, and Rain—capabilities absent in arcade versions—and Nightwolf possessed the Red Shadow shoulder move later seen in Mortal Kombat Trilogy. This version also included a variation of Pong titled MK4, previously featured in the Genesis/Mega Drive port of MK3.
Sega Saturn
The Sega Saturn edition, developed by Eurocom and distributed by Williams Entertainment in North America and GT Interactive in Europe in June 1996, was adapted from the PlayStation and PC versions of Mortal Kombat 3. It matched their visual fidelity and menu design but omitted the arcade introduction sequence; as a result, Rain was absent despite a Kombat Kode hint referencing him. This release preserved several MK3 features removed from the arcade UMK3 version, including "The Bank" stage and Noob Saibot appearing as shadow Kano instead of a black ninja. Additional Kombat Kodes were introduced, while some from the arcade iteration became nonfunctional. Unlocking secret characters was simplified through a hidden options menu rather than entering numerous Kombat Kodes—though unlocked fighters could not be saved—and the length of Kombat Kodes was reduced from ten to six inputs.
Mortal Kombat Advance
Released for the Game Boy Advance, Mortal Kombat Advance was developed by Virtucraft and published by Midway Games on December 12, 2001, in North America and March 1, 2002, in Europe. This version draws heavily from the SNES adaptation, with each character (excluding Noob Saibot and boss characters) possessing one Fatality and one Friendship move. Three secret characters—Human Smoke, Motaro, and Shao Kahn—become available after completing towers beyond the Novice level. Due to the GBA's limited button count compared to UMK3, special move inputs were either combined or modified. The game's violent content was toned down to suit a younger audience, although it maintained its "M for Mature" rating.
PlayStation 2
Included on the first disc of the 2006 PlayStation 2 "Premium Edition" of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon is an almost flawless arcade-quality port of UMK3. Nevertheless, characters that are unlocked cannot be saved unless accessed through the EJB menu.
Xbox Live Arcade
The Xbox Live Arcade adaptation closely replicates the original arcade experience, with only minor network issues and no ability to save unlocked Kombat Kodes. Features include online leaderboards, adjustable display ratios ranging from 4:3 to 16:9, and unlockable Achievements. The game was mistakenly released on October 20, 2006, but was removed within twenty minutes; however, due to early purchases, it effectively launched four days ahead of schedule. By June 2010, it was withdrawn from XBLA because of evolving publisher rights and permissions, though those who previously purchased it can still download it again and play online.
Nintendo DS
Co-creator Ed Boon announced Ultimate Mortal Kombat for Nintendo DS on June 27, 2007. Developed by Other Ocean Interactive and published by Midway Games, it launched in North America on November 12, 2007, and in Europe on December 7, 2007. This version is an arcade-perfect port of UMK3, featuring Wi-Fi multiplayer functionality and reintroducing the "Puzzle Kombat" minigame originally seen in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Unlocking Ermac, Mileena, and Classic Sub-Zero through Kombat Kodes ensures these characters remain permanently available via player profiles.
Mobile (J2ME)
In December 2010, EA Mobile released a Java-based mobile phone port featuring six playable fighters—Cyrax, Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya, and Kitana—and a single boss opponent, Shao Kahn.
iOS
In December 2010, Electronic Arts released a revamped version for iOS that featured wireless two-player gameplay via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This edition replaced the original digitized sprites with fully 3D-rendered visuals and incorporated on-screen controls tailored for capacitive touchscreens. The initial lineup comprised nine selectable fighters, including two unlockable characters, while both bosses remained exclusive to CPU control. The update also introduced online leaderboards and achievement tracking. By June 2011, EA expanded the game to include the complete character roster along with six additional battle arenas.
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection
Released in 2011 by Warner Bros. Interactive, the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection was developed collaboratively by Other Ocean Interactive and NetherRealm Studios. This compilation features Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 alongside the original Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II, available on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 platforms.
Arcade1Up
In 2019, Arcade1Up introduced a home arcade cabinet that included Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 together with Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II, bringing the classic fighting experience into personal spaces.
Critical response
A reviewer from Next Generation expressed some reservations about the repetitive nature of updates within the series but acknowledged that Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 preserved the essential quality and gameplay mechanics. An IGN retrospective noted that while the update satisfied certain fans, it left others—particularly those favoring specific characters—disappointed.
Critical reception differed across platforms; notably, the Sega Saturn version received acclaim as an almost flawless arcade adaptation despite occasional loading delays. It earned "Game of the Month" honors from Electronic Gaming Monthly, with GamePro emphasizing its expanded content relative to MK 3. Although some critics viewed it as offering limited innovation over its predecessor, many appreciated its high replay value and abundance of hidden features.
The Genesis edition was regarded as competent within the 16-bit era but did not introduce significant new elements beyond earlier versions. The Super NES release was praised for its sound quality and graphical fidelity yet criticized for minimal additional content. It was nominated for Nintendo Power Awards '96 in the category of "Best Tournament Fighting Game."
The Nintendo DS version garnered favorable reviews for delivering a robust iteration of Mortal Kombat 3 with online multiplayer capabilities. Meanwhile, the XBLA version was recognized by GameSpot as one of the top fighting games released in 2006.
IGN placed the game at number 97 in its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time." In 2018, Complex ranked it 68th on their list of "The Best Super Nintendo Games," highlighting it as an excellent port of the arcade original.
Ed Boon, co-creator of the franchise, has identified Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 as his preferred arcade entry within the series.
Legal opinion
In a 2000 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was referenced when overturning Indianapolis's ban on violent video games. Judge Richard Posner remarked that by portraying a woman capable of engaging equally in violent combat, the game communicates a particular message or "ideology," akin to that expressed through literature and film.
Sales
Both Genesis and Super NES versions, which faced delays until the Christmas season of 1996 amid speculation about cancellation, ultimately experienced underwhelming sales performance.
Legacy
In 1996, Midway introduced Mortal Kombat Trilogy as a successor to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Unlike the earlier release, this title was not available in arcades but was launched on multiple platforms including Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn, PC, Game.com, and R-Zone. The game featured a roster combining fighters from the first three installments, added new characters, and implemented features such as the "Aggressor" meter, which temporarily enhanced speed and power, along with the Brutality finishing moves. These Brutality moves were subsequently added to the Super NES and Genesis editions of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
In 2011, a remastered version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was released as part of the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection.