Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 | |
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Developer(s) | Arcade Midway Games
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Publisher(s) | Midway
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Release | November 6, 1995
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Arcade system | Midway Wolf Unit |
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a
Several home port versions of the game were soon released after the arcade original. Although none were completely identical to the arcade version, the Sega Saturn port came closest. Some later home versions followed the arcade original with more accuracy. Some versions were released under different titles: Mortal Kombat Advance for the Game Boy Advance in 2001 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat for the Nintendo DS in 2007. An iOS version recreating the game using a 3D graphics engine was released by Electronic Arts in 2010.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was mostly well-received and has been considered a high point for the Mortal Kombat series. However, the iOS remake and some other home versions were received poorly. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was updated to include more content from previous games in the series as Mortal Kombat Trilogy in 1996. The 2011 compilation Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection includes an emulation of UMK3 as well as the first Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II.
Gameplay
Two new gameplay modes have been introduced since the original Mortal Kombat 3: the 2-on-2 mode which was similar to an Endurance match but with as many as three human players in a given round on both sides (these had not been seen in the series since the first Mortal Kombat), and a new eight-player Tournament mode. An extra Master difficulty is present. Shao Kahn's Lost Treasures – selectable prizes, of which some are extra fights and others lead to various cutscenes or other things – are introduced after either the main game or the eight-player Tournament are completed.
To balance the gameplay, some characters were given new moves and some existing moves were altered. Some characters were given extra
The computer-controlled opponent AI was improved in the game. However, three new flaws were introduced along with the revisions: while backflipping away from an opponent, if the player performs a jump kick, the AI character will always throw a projectile; this leaves the computer character vulnerable to some attacks and can easily lead into a devastating combo. If the player walks back-and-forth within a certain range of the AI character, the opponent will mimic the player's walking movements for the whole round and never attack. If the computer opponent is cornered, the player can repeatedly perform punches without the AI character stumbling back, thus allowing the player to win easily.
UMK3 features several new backgrounds: Scorpion's Lair/Hell (this stage also contains a new
Some elements from MK3 are missing in UMK3. The only biographies featured are those of Kitana, Jade, Scorpion and Reptile (the
The Sega Genesis and SNES versions were released the same month as
Characters
The arcade version features all playable characters from Mortal Kombat 3, who were portrayed by the same actors:
There are four additional characters that are playable from the start: Several ninja characters from the first two games that have been absent from Mortal Kombat 3 return in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, including
as secret characters.- Jade (Becky Gable) – After the renegade princess Kitana killed her evil twin Mileena and escaped from Outworld to Earth, her close friend Jade was appointed by the emperor Shao Kahn to find and bring her back alive.
- Kitana (Becky Gable) – She is accused of treason after killing Mileena; she now attempts to reach queen Sindel to warn her of their true past.
- Reptile (John Turk) – As one of Shao Kahn's most trusted servants, Reptile assists Jade in the hunt for Kitana, but with secret orders enabling him to kill her if necessary.
- Scorpion (John Turk) – Scorpion escapes from Earth's hell after Shao Kahn's failed attempt at stealing the souls of Earthrealm. He eventually joins the struggle against Outworld.
More are unlockable via the Ultimate Kombat Kode:
- Classic Sub-Zero (John Turk) – Having been seemingly killed in the first game, Sub-Zero mysteriously returns to again attempt the assassination of Shang Tsung.
- Ermac (John Turk) – A mysterious warrior that exists as a life force of the souls of dead Outworld warriors in Shao Kahn's possession.
- Mileena (Becky Gable) – After she was killed by Kitana, Mileena was brought back to life by Shao Kahn to help him defeat Earth's warriors with her combat skills and a mind-reading connection to her sister.
Finally, Smoke's human form can be unlocked via a code entered right before a match.[3]
Returning characters were warmly welcomed by critics as an improvement to the "lackluster roster" of MK3 with "the greatly missed" Kitana, Mileena, Reptile, and especially Scorpion.
There are also two new hidden opponents and console exclusives:
Release
Like previous Mortal Kombat games, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 debuted in arcades. It first appeared in select arcades in early November 1995.[7] Arcade owners who already owned Mortal Kombat 3 were provided with the option to upgrade to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 at no cost.[2] In 2008, the Mortal Kombat series co-creator, designer and producer Ed Boon said that UMK3 is his favorite 2D Mortal Kombat title.[8] It was also the last game he has programmed himself.[9]
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was ported to many
A port for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer was being developed by New Level but was canceled in 1996.[10] Cited reasons for the cancellation include development delays which pushed the release date too far beyond the peak of Mortal Kombat 3's popularity and the fact that the Mortal Kombat franchise had no established presence on the console.[11]
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Wave Net
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Wave Net (an abbreviation for Williams Action Video Entertainment Network[12]) was a rare network version of the game that allowed for online multiplayer matches. It was tested only in the Chicago and San Francisco areas that used a dedicated T1 line, connected directly to Midway's Chicago headquarters. It is highly unlikely that any Wave Net test games were ever released to the public after the infrastructure was dismantled, and so there are no known ROM image dumps of this version. One of the reasons this version was not widely adopted was the cost of T1 lines at the time: the setup cost several thousand dollars per arcade installation, plus a few hundred dollars for each cabinet using the hardware.[12] Williams' plan was to use WaveNet to upload new games and game updates, which they would provide to arcade owners for free in exchange for a cut of the games' revenues.[12]
Super NES
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) version was developed by Avalanche Software and published by Williams Entertainment in June, 1996 in North America, and by Acclaim Entertainment on November 28, 1996, in Europe. This version of the game uses the code from
Sega Genesis
The Sega Genesis version was developed by Avalanche Software and published by Williams Entertainment on October 11, 1996, in North America and by Acclaim Entertainment on November 28, 1996,[
Sega Saturn
The Sega Saturn version was developed by Eurocom and published in 1996 by Williams Entertainment in North America and by
Mortal Kombat Advance
Mortal Kombat Advance is the title given to the Game Boy Advance port of the game, which was developed by Virtucraft and published by Midway Games in North America on December 12, 2001, and in Europe on March 1, 2002. This version is based on the SNES port, but each character (except for Noob Saibot and the bosses) has only one individual Fatality and one Friendship. Three hidden characters can be unlocked by completing any tower other than Novice: Human Smoke (Warrior), Motaro (Master), and Shao Kahn (Grand Master). The GBA control system features two fewer buttons than those used in UMK3, which results in many special moves' button sequences being consolidated or changed. The violence in this game was toned down due to a younger fanbase using the GBA (though the game is still rated "M for Mature") and there is less blood.
PlayStation 2
On all "Premium Edition" copies of the PlayStation 2 version of 2006's Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, a near arcade-perfect version of the game is included in the first disc. However, it is impossible to save unlocked characters in this version without accessing the EJB menu.
Xbox Live Arcade
The Xbox Live Arcade version has very few differences from the arcade original. There are some minor glitches in the network play on
Nintendo DS
On June 27, 2007, MK co-creator Ed Boon officially confirmed a Nintendo DS port entitled Ultimate Mortal Kombat.[13] The game, developed by Other Ocean Interactive and published by Midway Games on November 12, 2007, in North America and on December 7, 2007, in Europe, is an arcade-perfect port of UMK3, and includes Wi-Fi play and brings back the "Puzzle Kombat" minigame from Mortal Kombat: Deception. Additionally, when unlocking Ermac, Mileena and Classic Sub-Zero with Kombat Kodes on the VS screen, they will remain unlocked, thanks to the inclusion of player profiles.[14]
Mobile (J2ME)
In December 2010, EA Mobile released a Java-based port of the game for mobile phones.[15] The game features only six playable fighters (Cyrax, Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Sonya, Kitana) and a single boss character (Shao Kahn).
iOS
In December 2010, Electronic Arts published their remake of the game for iOS. It features a wireless two-player mode that could function over either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections. Although the gameplay remains true to the 2D original, the digitized sprites of the arcade machine were replaced with 3D rendered graphics. Control was implemented via an on-screen joystick and buttons, utilizing the iOS-based devices' capacitive touchscreen. Network communication allowed for scores to be posted online, and a simplified control scheme was also included to improve accessibility. The character roster was incomplete, featuring only nine playable characters (Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Kitana, Nightwolf, Jax, Sheeva, Sonya, Liu Kang, and Stryker). Success at playing the game would unlock two additional fighters (Ermac and Jade). Both boss characters were included as CPU-only opponents. The game also features achievements. In June 2011, EA updated it to include the full roster and six new arenas.[16]
Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection
The game is a part of the digital release package Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, developed by Other Ocean Interactive and NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. Arcade Kollection also includes the first Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II.
Arcade1Up
In 2019, Arcade1Up released a home arcade cabinet that included Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, alongside Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II.[17]
Reception
Critical response
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
AllGame | (SSAT)[33] |
Computer and Video Games | SMD, SNES & SSAT: 4/5[23][24] |
Electronic Gaming Monthly | SSAT: 8.625/10[25] SNES: 6.875[26] |
Next Generation | Arcade & SSAT: [27][28] |
TouchArcade | iOS: [29] |
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment | SSAT: 8/10[30] |
Maximum | SSAT: [31] |
Sega Saturn Magazine | SSAT: 91%[32] |
Reviewing the arcade version, a
Critical reception of the game has varied depending on the version under review. The initial releases were generally well-received by critics, especially the
Reviewing the Genesis version,
Ultimate Mortal Kombat for the Nintendo DS was given a review score of 7.8 out of 10 from IGN's Greg Miller, who wrote that "if all you want is a really solid, fun version of Mortal Kombat 3 that can go online, that's what you're going to get. It's good stuff all around."[40] GameSpot's "Best and Worst of 2006" included the XBLA version among the five best fighting games of the year.[41]
IGN rated the game 97th on its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time".[42] In 2018, Complex listed the game 68th in their "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time" writing: "Although not as jaw-dropping as MK2 was when it first came out on the SNES, this was still a great port of the arcade classic."[43]
Ed Boon, one of the creators of the series, has stated Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 to be his favorite Mortal Kombat arcade title.[44]
Legal controversy
U.S. Appeals Court Judge
Sales
Due in part to the Genesis and Super NES versions being delayed until the 1996 Christmas season, spawning rumors that they would never be released, those versions met with disappointing sales.[47]
Legacy
Looking back now, we should have made [sic] the Genesis & Nintendo versions ALSO as Mortal Kombat Trilogy instead of selling 2 games at the same time.[48]
Mortal Kombat Trilogy was released by Midway in 1996 as a follow-up to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Unlike Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy was not released in arcades but was instead released for the Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn and PC, as well as for the Game.com and R-Zone. Mortal Kombat Trilogy features the same gameplay and story, but includes all of the characters from the first three games, adding several completely new ones. Also, it introduces features such as the "Aggressor" bar, a meter that fills during the course of the match to make a player character faster and stronger for a short time, and the Brutality finishing moves that were introduced in the 16-bit versions of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was also later remastered to be released as part of the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection in 2011.
Notes
- ^ Bundled with the special edition of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.
- ^ Despite Sheeva being removed, launching 8 vs. 8 Tournament Mode and selecting a random character select will sometimes select the icon for the endurance matches (a large E), which actually represents Sheeva. The graphics data for the character is not present, which renders her effectively invisible, but her moves can be performed; she is incredibly fast and very glitchy. Also, using her usually causes the game to crash after a number of moves.
- ^ Another leftover from MK3 that was not totally deleted was code data for the 'Endurance Mode', which is still accessible through a Game Genie code.
References
- ^ "sega-saturn.com - news". 1997-06-06. Archived from the original on 1997-06-06. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
- ^ a b "MK3 Makeover". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 74. Ziff Davis. September 1995. pp. 48–50.
- Emap International Limited. May 1997. p. 75.
- ^ "ReviewAxis: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3", GameAxis Unwired 53 (February 2008)
- ^ "The History of Mortal Kombat – Games Feature at IGN". Uk.games.ign.com. 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ "Mortal Kombat Secrets: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 – Behind The Scenes". Mksecrets.net. 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- Imagine Media. p. 29.
- ^ Walk, Gary (2008-11-17). "Interview: Ed Boon on The Ups and Downs of the Mortal Kombat Franchise". GameDaily. Archived from the original on December 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
- ^ "Twitter / noobde: RT @Aleix_Twit @noobde What". Twitter.com. 2013-01-21. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
- ^ Glide, Tommy (July 1996). "Sneak Previews: Ultimate Mortal Kombat (3DO)". GamePro. No. 84. IDG. p. 47.
- ^ "Gaming Gossip". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 86. Ziff Davis. September 1996. p. 34.
- ^ Imagine Media. p. 18.
- ^ Craig Harris (27 June 2007). "Ed Boon on Ultimate Mortal Kombat". IGN.
- ^ "Coverage of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and Mortal Kombat 8". Mortal Kombat Online. Retrieved 2013-08-11.
- ^ "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 out on Java mobiles this week | Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 news | Mobile". Pocket Gamer. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ^ "Ultimate Mortal Kombat™ 3 on the App Store on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
- ^ "Arcade1Up Machines Are on Sale, and Mortal Kombat Cabinet is Available for Pickup". 16 May 2019.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
- ^ a b "Computer and Video Games - Issue 175 (1996-06)(EMAP Images)(GB)". June 1996. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
- ^ Lomas, Ed (January 1997). "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". Computer and Video Games. No. 182. p. 68. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "Review Crew: Ultimate MK3". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 83. Sendai Publishing. June 1996. p. 20.
- ^ a b "Review Crew: Ultimate MK3". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 89. Ziff Davis. December 1996. p. 96.
- ^ Imagine Media. December 1995. p. 209.
- ^ Imagine Media. July 1996. pp. 78, 81.
- ^ Nelson, Jared (2010-12-17). "'Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3' Review – An Updated Version of the Arcade Classic". TouchArcade. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
- ^ a b VideoGames 89 (June 1996), page 60.
- ^ Emap International Limited. p. 126.
- ^ Emap International Limited. pp. 66–67.
- ^ "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega Saturn) Review". Archived from the original on 15 November 2014.
- ^ "IGN Presents the History of Mortal Kombat - Retro Feature at IGN". 2011-03-19. Archived from the original on 2011-03-19. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
- ^ "ProReview: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". GamePro. No. 94. IDG. July 1996. p. 66.
- ^ "Genesis ProReview: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". GamePro. No. 99. IDG. December 1996. p. 153.
- ^ "Super NES ProReview: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3". GamePro. No. 100. IDG. January 1997. p. 121.
- ^ Nintendo Power #94 (March 1997).
- ^ "Street Fighter Versus Mortal Kombat: Which Fighter Scores the KO?". Arcadesushi.com. 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
- ^ Miller, Greg (2008-11-15). "Ultimate Mortal Kombat DS Review". IGN. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ "Best Fighting Game". GameSpot. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
- ^ Top 100 SNES Games of All Time - IGN.com, retrieved 2022-01-27
- ^ Knight, Rich (April 30, 2018). "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time". Complex. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ^ "Total Mortal Kombat: Ed Boon Interview". Total Mortal Kombat: The Realm of the Warriors. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ American Amusement Machine Ass'n v. Kendrick, 244 F.3d 572 (7th Cir. 2001).
- ^ Id. at 578.
- ^ "Immortal Kombat". GamePro. No. 107. IDG. August 1997. p. 77.
- ^ "Twitter / noobde: Looking back now, we should". Twitter.com. 2013-02-20. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
External links
- Official website (iOS remake)
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 at MobyGames
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 - The Mortal Kombat Wiki
- UMK3 at Mortal Kombat Online Archived 2013-09-05 at the Wayback Machine