"This game took so many quarters from me...."

Mortal Kombat is always been my favorite fighting series, but this one to me has ALWAYS been the best of the series. It surpasses the first Mortal Kombat in every way.

Story- Mortal Kombat has never had oscar worthy stories, but it's still OK to say the least. Shang Tsung was going to be executed for losing to Liu Kang in the first mortal kombat tournament and for the death of Goro, but he pleads the emperor Shao Kahn to give him one more chance, the new plan is to lure all of the kombatants to Shao Kahn so he can kill them. Mortal Kombat 2 tournament has arrived!

Graphics- For 2D fighting games this is very good, very colorful and detailed, especially the fighters. The backgrounds look well done as well, the graphics are twice as better than MK1 graphics.

Sound- Typical Mortal Kombat. Loud, and a bunch of yelling and grunting. The music is much better in this one than MK1, the only problem is that most characters sound exactly the same, with the exception of Liu Kang they all make the same grunts and screams. Other than that though the sound is great. Scorpion still shouts "Get Over Here!" and it sounds a lot better.

Gameplay- Mortal Kombat has always been different than other fighting games, they rely more on violence and special moves. Every single character from the first Mortal Kombat except Sonya and Kano return on this game. There are a total of 12 fighters to choose from, most are new, but this has to be the only fighting game that didn't have CRAPPY new characters. Every fighter does the same kicks and punches, so you don't need to remember much on how to fight for it is a lot easier than Virtua Fighter or Street Fighter. Everyone does different special moves and fatalities, the fatalities are twice as bloody as the first MK, everybody does two now along with a new move called a "friendship" where instead of killing your opponent you become friends, I always enjoyed these. They also made a babality where you turn your opponent into a baby, meh, never too crazy about them. The returning characters do their signature moves such as Scorpion's spear and Raiden's electricity. The fighting is fast paced and bloody, with two players it can get very fun and addicting. The AI in this game is merciless, they will predict every move you make and beat the hell out of you in ten seconds flat, you got to have skill to win at this game.

Fun Factor- If your a skilled MK player than one player can be very fun, but playing your friends is even better. If your new at this than the tough AI will frustrate you.

Replay value- High, although the game won't last forever it is very fun to play for a while and you can have good fights.

Conclusion- This is a great fighting game and the best MK game ever made, since this game doesn't exist in the arcades much anymore I suggest you try and find it for a home system because this is a game you won't regret buying.

Story-5/10
Graphics-7/10
Sound-8/10
Gameplay-9/10
Fun Factor-10/10
Replay Value-High

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/19/08

Game Release: Mortal Kombat II (US, 1993)