Mortal Kombat 3 cover

Mortal Kombat 3

Critic score1 critic
First release
Apr 15, 1995
Genres
Fighting · Action

Mortal Kombat 3 brings new elements to the 2D fighting series: multi-level playfields, "Dial-A-Combo" attacks, a "Run" button to speed up the battles, and "Vs." codes, which unlock new powers and abilities once both players enter a code sequence in pre-match-up screens. Also included are more stage fatalities and finishing moves as each warrior attempts to go one-on-one with the Centaurian enforcer Motaro, and Shao Kahn himself.

Also known as MK3, MKIII

Attributes

No Attributes added.

Details

Storyline, release dates, time to beat, age ratings, modes, links, keywords

Storyline
Fed up with continuous losses in tournament battle, Shao Kahn who had lost to Liu Kang in the Outworld tournament, enacts a 10,000 year-old plan. He would have his Shadow Priests, led by Shang Tsung, revive his former Queen Sindel, who unexpectedly died at a young age. However, she wouldn't be revived in the Outworld. She would be resurrected in the Earth Realm. This would allow Shao Kahn to cross the boundary lines and reclaim his queen. When Sindel is reincarnated in Earth Realm, Shao Kahn reaches across the dimensions to reclaim her. As a consequence of his action, the Earth Realm becomes a part of the Outworld, killing billions instantly. Only a few are spared, as Rayden protects their souls. He tells them that Shao Kahn must be stopped, but he cannot interfere; due to his status, he has no power in Outworld, and Earth Realm is partially merged with Outworld. Shao Kahn has unleashed extermination squads to roam throughout the Earth Realm and kill any survivors.Read more

Fed up with continuous losses in tournament battle, Shao Kahn who had lost to Liu Kang in the Outworld tournament, enacts a 10,000 year-old plan. He would have his Shadow Priests, led by Shang Tsung, revive his former Queen Sindel, who unexpectedly died at a young age. However, she wouldn't be revived in the Outworld. She would be resurrected in the Earth Realm. This would allow Shao Kahn to cross the boundary lines and reclaim his queen. When Sindel is reincarnated in Earth Realm, Shao Kahn reaches across the dimensions to reclaim her. As a consequence of his action, the Earth Realm becomes a part of the Outworld, killing billions instantly. Only a few are spared, as Rayden protects their souls. He tells them that Shao Kahn must be stopped, but he cannot interfere; due to his status, he has no power in Outworld, and Earth Realm is partially merged with Outworld. Shao Kahn has unleashed extermination squads to roam throughout the Earth Realm and kill any survivors.

Release dates
Arcade
Apr 15, 1995
PlayStation
Jun 14, 1995
DOS
Sep 1995
All 13 release dates
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Oct 13, 1995
PlayStation
Oct 13, 1995
DOS
Oct 13, 1995
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Oct 13, 1995
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Oct 20, 1995
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Oct 20, 1995
PlayStation
Dec 08, 1995
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
1995
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
1995
PC (Microsoft Windows)
Sep 1996
Time to beatIGDB · recorded
Main Story
1h
Main + Extras
3h
Completionist
6h
Age ratings
ESRB MPEGI 18
Game modes
Multiplayer, Single player
Perspective
Side view
Keywords
martial arts, dinosaurs, bloody, gravity, death
… All 48, robots, hand-to-hand combat, skeleton, multiple endings, special forces, dog, sequel, tournament, gods, boss fight, throwing weapons, train level, character select screen, developer voice acting, special attacks, native american, active ability, extreme violence, melee, grapple, mercenary, cheat code, konami code, destructible environment, banned, sega channel, controversy, versus screen, alternative blood, gore system, finishing move, button mashing, bots, severed limbs, continue countdown, random character selection, shaman, cryokinesis, disfigurement, friendship, soul steal, multi-tier combat, promo vhs

At a Glance

Critic Score
50
Main Story (IGDB)
1h
Main + Extras (IGDB)
3h
Completionist (IGDB)
6h

How it plays

Languages

  • Englishinterface, audio
IGDB · recorded 14 Oct 2026

Language data: IGDB · recorded 14 Oct 2026