Mortal Kombat

The Good
The graphics, while not as great as the SNES version, are quite impressive for Mega Drive standards, even though the colour schemes don't match the arcade.

The controls and gameplay are more akin to the arcade version than the SNES version, but it is mostly because of the wider screen and smaller characters. Some moves, like Kano's rolling ball, are easier to pull off in this one. Also, the fact that the blood is included in this version through a code( press A,C,A,C,A,B,B on the "Codes of Honour" screen) makes this version palatable

The Bad
The sound and music department. Even though they're still good for Mega Drive standards, you'll strain your ears and mess around with the volume. The simple fact is that this version simply is missing most of the arcade voices and grunts. It feels like I'm watching a silent movie most of the time because the grunts are so far in between.

The music is a mixed bag: some Mega Drive renditions of arcade music are well-done and catchy such as the Pit theme (played in the Throne Room), others like the one in Goro's Lair sound like an incoherent mess that makes them unrecognisable to those familiar with the arcade tunes.

The controls, while responsive, are compromised a bit due to choppy animation and a delay in-between-jumps.

The Bottom Line
Compared to the SNES version, this one is not the one to buy, at least when it comes to sights and sounds, but the controls are just as smooth and responsive as the SNES, and the blood will keep you around as well.

I'd stick with the SNES version for its better overall quality despite the absence of blood, but every once in a while I try this one out without regrets.

The Good
Mortal Kombat is at its best a very average game. However to some it is an unflappable conversion of a perfect arcade game, to others it is a disgusting corrupting game with deplorable violence that should have been banned from the start.

To me it is a hollow 2D beat-em-up that relies on its sensationalist nature rather than its gameplaying core. It is memorable, but for all the wrong reasons. Everybody knows this game has gore. That is not a new thing. But unfortunately for the gamers of the world the makers of this game were determined that the gore would be the selling point of the game. Couple that with a media hype that was unparalleled in its day makes this more of a one trick pony than a challenging game.

Its plus points are found in its use of digitised actors for characters, this was a new thing and kudos to the Arena & Probe for that. The music was ok too.

The Bad
But that is where the praise ceases I'm afraid. Without the blood & gore (and if you were a SNES owner this was the only version you got) this game was boring. Very boring.

It lacks any kind of flow, switches between very hard and very easy and is a control nightmare. The finishers were a novelty but unfortunately they decided to base the entire game on that one thing.

Thankfully there was better to come.

The Bottom Line
A game for renting only.

The Good
The game is quick and easy to learn. The fatalities are an interesting diversion. It might not have look pretty, but it sure has the feel of the original Mortal Kombat arcade machine (try saying that about the SNES version which plays like jerky molasses). Sega actually lets MK have the blood and gore.

The Bad
Even though it is great for pick up and play gaming sessions, the depth of the MK games has always been much lower then the Street Fighter games. The playstyles of the characters are all very simular only differing in special moves and personality. The graphics are passable, but are quite a step back from the arcade version.

The Bottom Line
It was definitely the version of Mortal Kombat to own back in the day. The graphics might have been homely, but it played so much better then the Super Nintendo version. I know it's already been mentioned, but Sega letting the violence of the arcade be ported home also adds to the experience. If you should ever find a Genesis and cart of MK (and television to play it on)(and power supply), there are much worse things to do then play it.

The Good
Mortal Kombat is definitely a hallmark in computer gaming; instead of a game that was something of a breakthrough (digitized actors and unprecedented violence), it turned into a veritable institution, spawning three sequels, two movies, a TV series and more stuff I probably don't even know about.

Basically MK is a solid game: great music, good graphics (plus the digitized actors...), solid gameplay and more easter eggs than you can shake a stick at. I never got addicted to it, but it was certainly great fun for a few hours; plus, the Genesis version is technically excellent and a thoroughly good conversion.

The Bad
It's not that I didn't like the game as such - it was uninspired and the violence was superfluous at times, but it was still a pretty good game. What I can't figure out is why in the hell this thing became so amazingly popular; why it spawned this many sequels and spinoffs; why anyone would actually make a television show out of it?... I just can't figure it out.

The Bottom Line
A solid game that's quite fun for a while. There are better games to spend your money on though.