Mortal Kombat 3 (rev 2.1)

Shao Kahn's conquest of Earthrealm has resulted in the enslavement of its inhabitants, necessitating a new Mortal Kombat tournament to restore balance. This two-player fighting game pits fourteen digitized characters against one another across varied stages, some featuring elevated platforms that allow for strategic uppercuts. Players utilize six buttons – high punch, block, high kick, low punch, low kick, and run – along with an eight-way joystick to execute attacks and maneuvers. Mortal Kombat 3 introduced several new gameplay elements, including the ability to chain combos and perform "Animality" transformations during fights, as well as a “mercy” system allowing opponents a chance at recovery. Secret combinations of button presses, known as Kombat Kodes, unlock hidden characters and messages, while an Ultimate Kombat Kode provides access to the elusive ninja Smoke. This iteration also incorporated player-selectable difficulty settings for the first time in the series. Beyond standard fatalities, this release includes new finishing moves such as babalities and friendships, alongside adjustments to existing combos and character abilities. A main story plot was added, along with more blood effects and altered ending sequences.