Mortal Kombat 3

"Mortal Kombat 3" (MK3), released in 1995 by Midway Games, is a significant entry in the iconic Mortal Kombat series, known for its intense fighting gameplay and graphic content. This installment built upon the foundation laid by its predecessors and introduced several new features and changes, further cementing the series' popularity in the fighting game genre.

Key Features of Mortal Kombat 3:

1. Storyline Shift: Unlike the first two games, which centered around a tournament storyline, MK3 focuses on a narrative where warriors fight against Shao Kahn, who invades Earthrealm after resurrecting his bride, Sindel.

2. Enhanced Combat and New Mechanics:

   • Run Button: MK3 introduced a 'Run' button, allowing players to dash towards opponents, addressing the balance between offensive and defensive play.
   • Run Meter: Accompanying the Run button is a meter that depletes as players run or perform combos.
   • Chain Combos: Also known as 'dial-a-combos', these are sequences of attacks that can't be interrupted once initiated, often ending with moves that set up juggle combos.
   • Interactive Levels: For the first time, players could uppercut characters through ceilings to continue the fight in a new stage.

3. Finishing Moves:

   • The game retains all styles of finishing moves from "Mortal Kombat II," including Fatalities, Babalities, and Friendship moves.
   • Animality: Introduced in MK3, these finishing moves involve the character transforming into an animal to defeat their opponent.
   • Mercy: Another addition where a player can give their opponent a small amount of life in the 'Finish Him/Her' stage, which is necessary to perform an Animality.
   • Stage Fatalities: New stage-specific fatalities are introduced in the Subway, Bell Tower, and Pit 3.

4. Kombat Kodes: A novel feature in MK3, these are codes entered at the VS screen in two-player games to modify gameplay, fight hidden characters, or display messages.

5. Unlockable Content:

   • The "Ultimate Kombat Kode" was used to unlock the character Smoke.
   • The codes for these features were often shared through gaming magazines and other media.

6. Roster Changes: MK3 saw the return of some characters from previous games and the introduction of new ones. Notably, the game initially omitted some popular characters, who were later added in the update "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3" and the home console-exclusive "Mortal Kombat Trilogy."

Reception and Legacy:

"Mortal Kombat 3" was well-received for its innovations in gameplay, the introduction of new mechanics, and its compelling storyline. While the omission of certain characters was initially met with criticism, the subsequent updates addressed these concerns. The game's influence is evident in its continued popularity and the way it shaped the future of the Mortal Kombat series and the fighting game genre as a whole. Its legacy is marked by its impact on competitive gaming, its controversial yet popular use of violence and gore, and its contribution to the evolution of fighting game mechanics.