Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a single-player and multiplayer 2D fighting game that expands upon Mortal Kombat 3 with an enlarged roster, new arenas, and additional gameplay modes.

The game continues the series’ storyline of Earthrealm warriors battling the forces of Outworld. Shao Kahn, emperor of Outworld, has merged Earth with his realm and seeks to eliminate all resistance. Players select from a wide cast of fighters, each with unique special moves and finishing techniques, and face a ladder of opponents culminating in battles with the sorcerer Shang Tsung, the centaur warrior Motaro, and Shao Kahn himself.

The roster features 23 fighters available from the start, including Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Sonya, Kitana, Jax, Reptile, and Cyrax. Several hidden and unlockable characters, such as Classic Sub-Zero, Mileena, Ermac, and bosses, can be revealed through gameplay codes or progression. Each fighter retains the series’ hallmark finishing moves, including Fatalities, Animalities, Friendships, and Babalities, which add variety to end-of-match sequences.

Combat uses a five-button layout with high and low punches, high and low kicks, and a block. The “run” button introduced in Mortal Kombat 3 returns, allowing aggressive rushdown tactics. Chain combos enable preset attack strings, and each stage provides interactive features: uppercuts may knock opponents through floors into new arenas, and certain levels include stage-specific Death Traps, such as spike pits.

Several modes of play are available. In single-player, players can enter one-on-one matches or participate in a tournament ladder of increasing difficulty. Multiplayer allows two human players to fight directly, while two-on-two battles and an “8-Fighter Tournament” mode provide additional variety. Difficulty levels and match options can be customized through the game’s options and hidden menus.

Later versions added further adaptations. Mortal Kombat Advance on the Game Boy Advance attempts to replicate Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 but with altered controls and presentation due to hardware limitations. The Nintendo DS release, titled Ultimate Mortal Kombat, includes a wireless multiplayer option for head-to-head battles and adds Puzzle Kombat, a tile-matching mini-game originally featured in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Console ports and arcade compilations preserved the original roster and features, often including versus modes with online or system link functionality.