Mortal Kombat - Kick-Ass Kung-Fu Action

Doug said . . .

Who are the best characters to play as in the first three Mortal Kombat games, and, can you tell us how to perform any of their most unfairly-powerful moves?

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First things first, Doug; Don't be these guys.

Mortal Kombat has been rated #34 on 1 Up's Top 50 Essential Video Games. While some you may believe it deserves a higher ranking, I think we can all agree that a little-known video game involving two plumbers in mismatched colours crushing turtles, tripping shrooms, and pulling coins out of their asses to shove in their hats deserves a special place in our hearts.

Regardless, before I commence, for the lesser learned reader, I'll provide a little background information on the game from the same source, 1 Up: Play It Loud.

Finished reading? Dig it? Go buy it; if nothing else, it's a great excuse to pick up the ol' SNES- my personal favorite amongst all video game consoles.

By the way, Doug, I hope you prefer SNES, or perhaps some sort of SNES mod for your PC/Mac.

Anyway, little cool tidbit- hold the L & R buttons before the Acclaim logo appears, and continue holding them until it disappears. You should get a new intro to the game.

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MORTAL KOMBAT I

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I'm a Johnny Cage kind of guy:

Sure, his "cool" move with the game is Shadow Kick: B-F-HK. But why waste your time with that shit?

There's a little something called "Cage's Endless Air Juggle." Special move? Not really. But when you can waste your opponent so easily by simply mastering it, it definitely falls under the definition of badass:

Main Entry: 1bad·ass
Pronunciation: -"as
Function: adjective
often vulgar : ready to cause or get into trouble : MEAN

Oh fuck yeah. To perform the "Endless Air Juggle," force your opponents back to the edge of the screen. When you're facing him, block until he jumps. Then perform a Jumping High Punch. Laugh maniacally, but only briefly, as you'll have to repeat this punch over, and over, juggling him. Wait for him to die. Laugh maniacally again. Eventually you'll master the Juggle/Evil Laugh combo, and you'll be able to do both at once.

But what about moves, you ask? Well, it's been 13 years, so let me do a little research (this is general information, sources unnecessary, although I state them as I deem required):

Note: Not all moves, especially fatalities, will be available on all platforms. Some removed for various reasons, generally censorship. Fuck censorship.

Fireball: B-F-LP
Shadow Kick: B-F-LK
Ball Breaker: Block + LP

His Fatality (end move) is a Power Uppercut. Stand close: F-F-F-HP

Combos:
Jump Kick - Fireball
Jump Kick - Shadow Kick
Jump Kick - Ball Breaker
Uppercut - Shadow Kick

Each of these allocates 30-40% damage, well worth using. The latter two are best done in the corner of the screen.

Another preference (recommended during interviews with various gamers)- Kano.

Spin Attack: Back away, spin circle counter-clockwise.
Knife Throw: Hold Block-B-F
Fatality: B-D-F-LP (close)
Fatality: B-B-B-LP (close)

And finally- Scorpion, an extremely popular character. You might suggest giving him the first go.

Spear: B-B-LP
Teleport: D-B-HP
Fatality: Hold BL-Up-Up [Half-Screen]

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Mortal Kombat II

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What many consider the best of the MK series, and most certainly a pain in the ass to beat.

Also, if you're very, very patient and have a lot of free time, you can beat the game 250 times with the same character, and eventually play Pong. Pong, you say? Yes, Pong.

Anyway:

Reptile. Everybody recommends Reptile. Don't know why. I'm still a Johnny Cage guy. Definitely a worthwhile character, though.

Acid Spit: F-F-HP
Slide: B + LP + LK + BL
Forceball: B-B-HP + LP
Invisibility: Up-Up-D-HP [using block, i.e. BL]

Finishers:
Fatality 1: B-B-D-LP [medium range]
Fatality 2: F-F-D-LK [become invisible and stand close]
Friendship: B-B-D-LP
Babality: D-B-B-LP
Stage: D-F-F-BL (again, stand close)

Shang Tsung. Many consider home overrated, but in my opinion, once a man is the man, he remains the man despite any faults. And as we all know, skulls and morphing make one the man.

Flaming Skull: B-B-HP
Two Flaming Skulls: B-B-F-HP
Three Flaming Skulls: B-B-F-F-HP

Finishers:
Fatality 1: Hold HK (high kick) for two seconds and let go. [Lameass sweep.]
Fatality 2: Up-D-Up-LK [Gotta be close.]
Fatality 3: Hold LP (left punch) for twenty-five seconds. Let go with the announcer/narrator/whoever the hell he is says, "Finish Him."
Friendship: B-B-D-F-HK
Babality: B-F-D-HK
Stage: Hold BL-D-D-Up, release BL-D [Again, stand close.]

Morphs (waste of time, but a cool feature):
Liu Kang: B-F-F-BL
Kung Lao: B-D-B-HK
Johnny Cage: B-B-D-LP
Reptile: Hold BL-Up-D-HP
Sub-Zero: F-D-F-HP
Kitana: BL-BL-BL
Jax: D-F-B-HK
Mileena: Hold HP (high punch) for two seconds. Boom.
Baraka: D-D-LK
Scorpion: Hold BL-Up-Up
Rayden: D-B-F-LK


Scorpion.

Spear: B-B-LP
Teleport: D-B-HP [Pretty damn useful.]
Air Throw: BL [Bock, in air.]
Scissors: F-B-LK [Don't do this to your best friend.]

Finishers:
Fatality 1: Up-Up-HP [Half-screen, of course.]
Fatality 2: Hold HP-D-F-F-F- then release HP [Have to be close.]
Friendship: B-B-D-HK
Babality: D-B-B-HK
Stage: D-F-F-BL [Again, close.]

I don't know what's the deal with combos on this one. Sorry. Fuck around with the special moves a lot. I've got combos for the next.

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Mortal Kombat III

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Considered a disappoint by many for its shallow story and characters- but hey, the whole purpose is the ass-kicking, right?

Kung Lao. Sometimes, it's good to have a girl on your side. Plus the last combo is sick as hell. Gotta be quick.

Hat Throw: B-F-LP
Diving Kick: D + HK [In the air, of course.]
Spinning Shield: F-D-F-R
Teleport Attack: D-Up

Finishers:
Fatality 1: R-BL-R-BL-D
Fatality 2: F-F-B-D-HP [Closer, please.]
Animality: R-R-R-R-BL [That's it, closer.]
Babality: D-F-F-HP
Friendship: R-LP-R-LK [Sweep that shit!]
Stage: D-D-F-F-LK

Combos:
LK-LK-B + HK [Smugh 19%.]
HP-LK-B + HK [Even worse 18%.]
HP-LP-HP-LP-LK-LK-B + HK [Rockin' 34% hit combo.]

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These are my personal choices. Obviously, you'll have to experiment, but the fact is, if you master any of the characters in the game, regardless of the programmed character's ability, you'll be able to hold your own, if not entirely dominate, in competition- and I assume you'll be busting out the two player mode.

As long as you're rockin' a gaming console or a mod, I recommend Killer Instinct. You'll love it.

Keep those fingers on the buttons.