Amiga · Arcade · DOS · PlayStation · PlayStation 3 · Sega 32X · Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · Sega Saturn · Super Nintendo Entertainment System
3.64 from 1744 ratings
3050 members have it in their collection · 20 playing now · 181 backlogged · 142 wish listed
How long? Main story 3h · 100% 2h (from 5 logged playthroughs)
Status Sir_Laguna May 7, 2026
Just watched the Mortal Kombat II movie.
It's bad, but as a fan of the games I enjoyed a few things about it. The fight between Liu Kang and Kano is great and I loved how just before the ending the movie goes "wait, I think this character is the real protagonist here" and changes gears
Also #JusticeForLewisTan
Review Terrzm 5/5 · Dec 1, 2024
I think you should only play this on a 6 button Genesis Controller while sitting on the floor. It is the best Mortal Kombat game
Status thegameistobesold Mar 30, 2021
Holy fuck does the AI get super cheap after the second fight! Takes the fun out of it...but damn the uppercuts feel good and the Fatalities are satisfying!
Review Westane 3/5 · Jan 4, 2016
![Mortal Kombat II.mp4_snapshot_00.24_[2015.12.09_22.57.11]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/mortal-kombat-ii-mp4_snapshot_00-24_2015-12-09_22-57-11.jpg)
Gameplay, Story and Value:
![Mortal Kombat II.mp4_snapshot_01.27_[2015.12.09_22.57.44]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/mortal-kombat-ii-mp4_snapshot_01-27_2015-12-09_22-57-44.jpg)
All things considered, Mortal Kombat II is not much different than its predecessor. Controls remain the same with dedicated buttons for High Punch, Low Punch, High Kick, Low Kick and Block combinations with the direction pad for Uppercut, Roundhouse and Sweep. In this sense, all characters in the game play exactly the same way, and the …
Gameplay, Story and Value:
All things considered, Mortal Kombat II is not much different than its predecessor. Controls remain the same with dedicated buttons for High Punch, Low Punch, High Kick, Low Kick and Block combinations with the direction pad for Uppercut, Roundhouse and Sweep. In this sense, all characters in the game play exactly the same way, and the only real variety comes from each characters unique set of special moves and fatalities.
The character roster has been increased from seven fighters to twelve, introducing series staples like Jax, Kitana and Mileena. Move sets have also been slightly expanded with each fighter average 3-4 special moves up from the first game's 2-3. Additionally, the game has been sped up slightly allowing for more active gameplay than in the original game.
![Mortal Kombat II.mp4_snapshot_16.19_[2015.12.09_22.59.36]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/mortal-kombat-ii-mp4_snapshot_16-19_2015-12-09_22-59-36.jpg)
Unfortunately, much like the first game, the actual fighting in Mortal Kombat II feels very shallow. Movement is somewhat stilted and there's virtually no room for any kind of combos. It's too easy cheese the game by getting someone within sweep range and literally leg sweep them to death. While higher levels of play do allow for more advanced juggling, the game itself doesn't really do a good job of accommodating that. Attacks are generally slow and repetitive and without the ability to effectively counterattack blocking in melee range seems not only weak, but risky.
Presentation, Music and Sound:
![Mortal Kombat II.mp4_snapshot_05.49_[2015.12.09_22.58.31]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/mortal-kombat-ii-mp4_snapshot_05-49_2015-12-09_22-58-31.jpg)
While the visuals have certainly improved over the first game with better colors, cleaner sprites and more detailed effects and backgrounds, the overall style of Mortal Kombat simply doesn't hold up as well over time as an animated game like Street Fighter II. That's not to say it looks terribly, it's perfectly playable, only that it's hard not to look at it and think it feels dated. Animations are smooth and the variety of environments are fun, and the addition of blood without the need for a cheat code is welcome.
The music is... there... mimicking the style of its predecessor. It's not bad at all, but it's really only barely noticeable while you're actually playing the game. Digitized voices proving the iconic "FINISH HIM!" and "GET OVER HERE!" as well as other samples, which all still sound great. Fighters are all have their own voice samples, many shared across the roster, and while they're fine for the most part I'd be lying if I said Liu Kang's Bruce Lee impersonation didn't start wearing on me...
Afterthoughts:
![Mortal Kombat II.mp4_snapshot_22.46_[2015.12.09_22.59.59]](https://600games.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/mortal-kombat-ii-mp4_snapshot_22-46_2015-12-09_22-59-59.jpg)
I have A LOT of memories attached to this game. It was at the height of my interest during a difficult time in my childhood and it's a very important game to me as a result. The associated memories are... not all good, but I value them regardless.
That said, even I acknowledge that this is neither the best 16-bit fighting game, nor is it even the best 16-bit Mortal Kombat game. The fighting is shallow and clunky and I really just don't have a lot of fun playing it compared to something like the vastly superior Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
It's a great piece of history, both personally and just in general, but ultimately it just doesn't hold up.
Review:
*Yep, I've adopted rounded-up quarter scores (i.e. 6.0, 6.3, 6.5, 6.8, 7.0)
#dealwithit
Gameplay:
