Game:

Mortal Kombat (1992)

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Mortal Kombat arcade game, released in 1992 by Midway Games, is one of the most iconic and controversial fighting games in video game history. Known for its intense violence, unique characters, and groundbreaking gameplay mechanics, it became a cultural phenomenon and significantly influenced the fighting game genre.

Gameplay:
One-on-One Fighting: The core of “Mortal Kombat” involves two characters battling each other in a best-of-three rounds format.
Special Moves: Each character has unique special moves that can be executed by specific combinations of joystick movements and button presses.
Fatalities: The most infamous feature, Fatalities, are brutal finishing moves that can be performed when an opponent is defeated, adding a shocking level of violence that set it apart from other games.

Characters:
The original roster includes seven playable characters: Johnny Cage, Kano, Raiden, Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Sonya Blade. Each character has a distinct backstory, fighting style, and signature moves.
Bosses: The game also features formidable non-playable bosses like Goro, a four-armed half-dragon, and Shang Tsung, a sorcerer who can transform into other fighters.

Graphics and Sound:
Digitized Sprites: Mortal Kombat used digitized images of real actors, which gave the characters a more realistic look compared to other games of the time.
Sound Design: The game’s sound effects, including the iconic “Finish Him!” voiceover, and music contributed to its dark and intense atmosphere.

Impact and Legacy:
The game’s graphic violence led to widespread controversy and was a major factor in the creation of the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board), which assigns age and content ratings to video games in the United States.
Mortal Kombat spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, movies, comics, and an extensive multimedia franchise.

Arcade Culture:
Mortal Kombat was a major hit in arcades, known for its long lines and competitive nature. It was a game that not only appealed to hardcore gamers but also attracted casual players due to its shocking content and easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay.

This game helped shape the fighting game landscape and continues to be influential in the video game industry today.

Critics:
Ação Games Arcade - 100%
Sega Force Arcade - 97%

Released: June 1992
Machine type: Arcade
Original System: Arcade
Developer: Midway Manufacturing Company
Published by: Midway Games, Inc.
Genre: Martial arts
Software: Ed Boon
Graphics: John Tobias
Music: Dan Forden
Sounds: Dan Forden
Japanese spelling: モータルコンバット
Chinese spelling: 真人快打

#arcade
#retrogaming
#oldschool

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