Mortal Kombat II 3DO

Mortal Kombat II: a short history

A Fatal Attraction

The original Mortal Kombat released in 1992 was a phenomenon. Its gore-soaked fatalities grabbed arcade-goers’ attention, sparking controversy and even a congressional hearing.  Midway capitalised on this notoriety with Mortal Kombat II, upping the ante with even more blood and refined fighting mechanics (see magazine article below).

Console Kombat

Mortal Kombat made its way to Mega Drive and SNES on “Mortal Monday,” with the Mega Drive offering a gore cheat while the SNES opted for a sanitised “sweat” version.  The Mega Drive unsurprisingly won the sales battle, but Mortal Kombat II’s arrival on September 13, 1994, changed the landscape. Nintendo relaxed its censorship, allowing Midway to unleash the full, bloody experience. The SNES version, arguably surpassing even the 32X, boasted vibrant colours, improved sound, and superior sprites.

3DO’s Lost Kombat

But where was the 3DO version?  3DO owners endured a long wait, with a deal between 3DO and Williams not materialising until September 1995.  Hopes were raised in April 1996 with an update from Williams stating Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for the 3DO was slated for release after E3 that year (see 3DO magazine article below).  However, August 1996 brought disappointment: Williams cancelled the 3DO version, shifting focus to the ill-fated M2.  The M2 never arrived, and with it went any hope of Mortal Kombat on 3DO.  Years later, remnants of the UMK3 3DO project surfaced online, but lacked the means for implementation.