Mortal Kombat II

Mortal Kombat II

Overview & History: Released by Midway to arcades in 1993, Mortal Kombat II revolutionized the fighting game genre, expanding on its predecessor's controversial legacy. Following the defeat of the sorcerer Shang Tsung in the original tournament, the supreme Outworld Emperor Shao Kahn rejuvenates Tsung's youth and devises a deadly trap. Kahn lures Earthrealm's elite warriors—including Liu Kang, Raiden, and Johnny Cage—into Outworld for a secondary, high-stakes tournament. This arcade hit greatly expanded the franchise lore, introducing legendary combatants such as the blade-wielding Baraka, the steel-fan assassin Kitana, her clone Mileena, and the cybernetically enhanced Jax, setting a new gold standard for dark fantasy fighting games. The game also featured hidden boss fights against Noob Saibot, Smoke, and Jade, driving arcade players to spend countless quarters searching for secrets.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Mortal Kombat II delivered vastly superior gameplay mechanics over the original, emphasizing faster frame data, smoother animations, and a highly responsive five-button layout. Players engaged in brutal combat utilizing High and Low Punches, High and Low Kicks, and a dedicated Block button to absorb incoming damage. The sequel introduced devastating signature moves, such as Mileena's Sai throw, Reptile's acid spit, and Scorpion's iconic spear. Crucially, the sequel expanded finishing moves, introducing humorous "Babalities" and lighthearted "Friendships" alongside twice the number of gory "Fatalities" and unique environmental Stage Fatalities, such as knocking opponents into the Dead Pool or onto the ceiling spikes of the Kombat Tomb. The aggressive AI forced players to master tight corner traps, juggles, and aerial counters to survive the grueling ladder climb to reach Shao Kahn.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move, Jump, Crouch, and Flip
• Action Keys: High/Low Punches, High/Low Kicks, and Block
• Enter: Start / Pause / Insert Coin