Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II is a single-player and multiplayer fighting game.

The story continues from the original tournament on Earth, Mortal Kombat. After Shang Tsung’s defeat, he persuades Emperor Shao Kahn to host a new contest in the realm of Outworld. Fighters from Earthrealm are invited to compete once again, unaware that the tournament is a trap designed to ensure their destruction and allow Outworld to invade. The player chooses from a roster of warriors, each with their own motivations for entering the deadly competition, and battles through a series of one-on-one matches to reach the final confrontation with Shao Kahn himself.

The gameplay builds on the foundation of the first Mortal Kombat. Players engage in side-view, best-of-three-round duels using a combination of punches, kicks, blocks, and jump maneuvers. Every character has unique special moves that can be executed with precise button inputs, such as fireballs, teleportations, or rapid multi-hit attacks. Common maneuvers like uppercuts, sweeps, and flying kicks remain vital, while throws and roundhouse kicks add further tactical options.

A defining feature of the franchise, finishing moves known as “Fatalities,” return with even more elaborate executions. Each fighter has at least one unique Fatality that can be performed after winning the final round of a match. These violent finishers became a hallmark of the series, and Mortal Kombat II expands the concept with multiple Fatalities per character, as well as hidden finishing moves like Friendships and Babalities in later revisions. Stage-specific Fatalities allow players to use the environment to eliminate their opponent, such as knocking them into spikes or acid pits.

The roster is significantly expanded compared to the original. Returning fighters include Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, and Shang Tsung, now rejuvenated and able to morph into any character. New challengers include Kitana, Mileena, Jax, Kung Lao, Baraka, and Reptile as a fully playable character. Boss encounters escalate the challenge: after defeating the other fighters, players face Shang Tsung, the towering Kintaro, and ultimately Shao Kahn, whose overwhelming strength tests mastery of the mechanics.

Several modes and settings enhance replay value. The arcade version supports up to two players alternating or fighting head-to-head, including mirror matches between identical characters. Early home versions across platforms such as the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and later compilations maintained the core structure, though censorship or graphical adjustments sometimes altered blood, violence, or speed. Later re-releases aimed to preserve the arcade experience more faithfully.