Mortal Kombat
1992 • Midway
8.6/10Midway
Fighting
The controversial fighting game featuring digitized characters, brutal fatalities, and supernatural martial arts combat.
Gameplay
2D fighting with digitized character sprites, special moves, and finishing moves called Fatalities.
Historical Context
Developed by Ed Boon and John Tobias at Midway, using digitized actors to create realistic-looking fighters.
Fun Facts
- • Sparked the creation of the ESRB rating system
- • Featured digitized actors instead of drawn sprites
- • Sub-Zero and Scorpion became iconic characters
Cultural Impact
Changed the gaming industry by leading to content rating systems and proving that mature content could drive sales.
Review
Mortal Kombat shocked players with its realistic violence while delivering solid fighting game mechanics and memorable characters.