Classic brutal fighter with polished controls, expanded roster, complex storylines and satisfyingly challenging gruesome finishers
Classic brutal fighter with polished controls, expanded roster, complex storylines and satisfyingly challenging gruesome finishers
Vote (3,803 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Gamefabrique
Works under Windows
Vote
(3,803 votes)
Developer
Gamefabrique
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Pros
- The controls are fantastic
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a big improvement on 1 & 2
- The updated Ultimate version makes MK3 (original) redundant
- The soundtrack is brilliant
- More characters and more finishing moves
- More combos, moves and locations
Cons
- It uses 1995 graphics
- The controls are geared towards arcade play
- Some characters are a little too similar
The high point in the Mortal Kombat saga.
Mortal Kombat 3 was released in 1995 and people in arcades loved it. Then came along Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, which had more characters and altered gameplay--and then, it got a little sticky. The arcade version and the home version started to differ, then the developers made it the same (back to arcade), and later on in 2001, 2007, and 2010 it was altered again to play on the Gameboy Advance, Nintendo DS and on Apple products. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is an update of Mortal Kombat 3, due to that fact the original MK3 is redundant.
A High Point For The MK Series
Before you fire up your blog to disagree with this point, take a look at the gaming culture and atmosphere in general. Back in 1995 and even up to the 00s, everything hadn’t been done within the realms of fighting games, which meant people had far less choice than they have today. Furthermore, it was violent and proud rather than Mario and Donald Duck watered down violence we have today (because video-game violence offends sensitive liberals and hardcore republicans). Furthermore, the MK series itself was operating on a purer and more thrill-hungry paradigm, whereas later games were concentrating on giving the players something different or upping the stakes.
The New Players
To seasoned MK fans, these characters feel like part of the family, but back in 1995, these characters were new and exciting. There was Jade, who was Kitana’s friend but an employee of Emperor Shao Kahn. There was Kitana, who was accused of treason after killing Mileena. There was Reptile, who was Shao Kahn's most trusted servant. Scorpion is the undead monster out for revenge who was playable in the Ultimate MK3 but not in the original MK3. The unlockable characters include Classic Sub-Zero (because he is supposed to be dead), Ermac and Mileena.
More Characters But Not Too Many
Reviewing any Mortal Kombat game has to now be done with a fair amount of hindsight, and with that said, you have to appreciate that Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 has more characters than the first three instalments, but it doesn’t have too many as the later games do.
The Gameplay Is More Polished
Compared to Mortal Kombat 1, 2 & 3, the gameplay is far more polished and easier to handle. It still has the awkward button presses in order to pull off the moves, but that is just a part of playing the MK games. The finishing moves are suitably gruesome and difficult. The fact that they are difficult is somehow more rewarding than they are these days, especially since the most recent version for Mortal Kombat allows you to buy shortcuts so you can finish off players without having to press the correct button combination.
Did Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 Revolutionize Fighting Games?
Who knows the answer to that? It certainly was a strong instalment in the MK series that both built on the previous games whilst adding just enough to keep the game fresh and fun. The story within the game is complex – just the way MK players enjoy. Some bad guys go good, some good guys go bad, and the players have their story arc resolved by the end of the game.
There are lots of combos, lots of fatalities, and plenty of moves for you to master. You can turn your opponent into a baby, the soundtrack is good, the story follows on from MK 2, and it is currently available on multiple platforms.
Pros
- The controls are fantastic
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is a big improvement on 1 & 2
- The updated Ultimate version makes MK3 (original) redundant
- The soundtrack is brilliant
- More characters and more finishing moves
- More combos, moves and locations
Cons
- It uses 1995 graphics
- The controls are geared towards arcade play
- Some characters are a little too similar
Pros
- Comes with 24 classic and fun characters that you can play
- Lets you configure the buttons to improve the way you play
- Will remind you of the original Mortal Kombat games
- Features multiple fights to win to reach the final round
- Includes original characters like Sonya and Johnny Cage
Cons
- Older graphics look outdated when compared to modern games
- Lots of disturbing moments and bloodshed
- Too violent for younger players
- Suffers from some glitches
- Doesn't walk you through the special moves of characters
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 takes everything you love about both the original game and all the later installments and brings the fighting game into the modern era.
Mortal Kombat started out as a simple fighting game that let you play as one of several characters in the word's most ultimate fighting championship. The popularity of the arcade game led to the developers releasing an edition that you could play at home on consoles like the Sega Genesis. Mortal Kombat even inspired two popular films. This newer version of the game lets you enjoy all the excitement while playing on your computer.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 gives you 24 characters to choose from when you first start. While some are newer characters, you'll also find characters like Johnny Cage and Sonya. Before choosing one of those characters, make sure that you check out the special skills associated with each one. Those special moves can help you take down other characters faster and get to the final stage of the championship competition.
Though the game shows you the buttons you need to use to kick, punch and jump, you can also configure those buttons to make playing easier. Just click on the options menu, look for the configuration area and change up the movements to work with the buttons you want to use. The only downside is that the game doesn't give you a lot of different ways to use those buttons.
One thing that players loved about the original game was just how realistic it looked. When you slammed your fist into an opponent's face, you actually believed that you injured the other person. The graphics tend to look a little bit dated today, especially when you compare this game to console fighting games. Those graphics also suffer from some glitches in the game that can make your character freeze long enough for a competitor to step up and wipe you out of the competition.
Despite looking dated, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 has some disturbing scenes. When you punch or hit a character, you might see blood flying across the screen and blood pouring out of their wounds. Those graphics are far too disturbing for younger players. If you miss playing Mortal Kombat though, playing Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 will remind you of hitting up the arcade as a kid or playing one of the original games with friends on an old console.
Pros
- Comes with 24 classic and fun characters that you can play
- Lets you configure the buttons to improve the way you play
- Will remind you of the original Mortal Kombat games
- Features multiple fights to win to reach the final round
- Includes original characters like Sonya and Johnny Cage
Cons
- Older graphics look outdated when compared to modern games
- Lots of disturbing moments and bloodshed
- Too violent for younger players
- Suffers from some glitches
- Doesn't walk you through the special moves of characters
