"Dragons, warriors and violence - oh my!"

Well, we all know what Mortal Kombat has done for fighting games. Not only is it one of the most popular fighting series in video game history, but it's been so successful to create several TV series and cartoons, movies and spin-offs, as well as lots of merchandising. Mortal Kombat II is perhaps my favourite of the 'retro' Mortal Kombat games, because it does have the classic elements of the first MK, but has improved upon some of the major flaws that were present in the original Mortal Kombat. Better graphics, faster action, more moves, more characters, more arenas, better music, you name it, pretty much everything has been given a good glazing over.

Although Mortal Kombat was very popular ever since it swept the world in the beginning, it was this game that really put the stamp on it. The gaming public then realised what a good game series had been bred, and other ports - mainly the Genesis and SNES versions of this game - are among the most popular fighting games in a collection for those systems. This game is a lot more violent, but with more bone-crunching, blood, disgusting fatalities and all-round action...all that did was bring 'em in. =)

Game Play: 8/10

The gameplay in Mortal Kombat is much improved. While it's still the same old, same old in terms of the fighting system that was in Mortal Kombat 1, it's faster paced, there are more moves, and it looks a hell of a lot smoother. Also, there are twelve characters to pick in this game as opposed to MK1's seven. Characters that were only controlled by the computer in the original MK like Reptile and [a brand new design of] Shang Tsung are here, as well as other classic fighters that come in the form of Jax, Kung Lao, Baraka and so on. You still must beat up the other guy so all his life goes whilst trying to prevent your own life being depleted, and that pretty much sums up the gameplay for Mortal Kombat II.

Story: LOL

It's still the same old story that was in Mortal Kombat 1 or in pretty much any other fighter game: loads of fighters, they go through a fighting tournament to declare the winner by beating all the others and a couple boss characters. It's getting so repetitive; I'm not even going to bother rating this one. But like I always say, keep in mind it's not the story that makes the game, it's the quality of what's in the game that counts.

Audio/Video: 9/10

Let's start with the sound. This is probably the most worked-upon and improved feature of the game that Midway dug into after the original Mortal Kombat. The music is a lot more noticeable, and better in general. Like the original, every battle arena has its own theme tune, and they're all well-suited and composed. As well as this, it sounds a lot clearer, and what's new is that there's now music for when you're about to finish an opponent, when you perform a fatality, and when the fatality is executed, and this has now become a trademark in the Mortal Kombat series. Good job well done here, Midway.

The sound effects are much better as well. The grunts made by a fighter when they are hit or as they throw a punch or an uppercut or something sounds much more realistic, and sounds of moves connecting and special moves being executed sound much harder-hitting. I don't suppose they could have gotten any better, really. The voices of the announcer shouting "FIGHT" or "FINISH HIM" sound much better for what they're meant to be there for, and different characters have different voices for when they make a move or get hit. If you looked at MK1, you'll realise they all sounded the same, if you understand what I mean. I loved this new feature.

Replayability: High

Like the original and most good fighter games, Mortal Kombat II provides great action and timeless gameplay that'll always have you coming back for more. I don't know how long I've played this game but I never get sick of it and I'm always giving it another play-through. You also get different endings with all different characters, giving you more reason to play through again and again. There's also more unlockables to discover, and considering it's so fun in general, there's no wonder the replay value is so great.

Overall: 8/10

Well, while still not quite perfect, Mortal Kombat II still stays as one of my favourites in the fighter series. It has done a good job of improving over its predecessor as well as showing us some new features and better fighting action. For anyone who's into violence or fighting platformers, on the arcade machine this one is well worth a try.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/29/05