Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

You could, I guess, call this game Mortal Kombat 3.5. Still Mortal Kombat 3. Same graphics. Same characters. Minor tweaks. Toned-down overkill that ruined both Sub-Zero and Kabal. And a few new additions.

Most prominent: the return of Kitana, Reptile, and Scorpion. Also, MK2's hidden female, Jade, now playable. Midway demoted Smoke from unlockable character to standard character, and introduced three brand new Ultimate Kombat Kodes that will unleash Mileena, Ermac, and Classic Sub-Zero. And lastly, Human Smoke playable via button input.

With the new characters come new Fatalities, Friendships, Animalities -- fatalities that mark a slight improvement over the existing MK3 Fatalities. Kitana's kiss of death now stretches her victims out before they explode (bleh), Reptile eats more than his prey's head (eh), Mileena spits nails (riiiiiight), and (my favorite) Scorpion summons his defeated opponent to the netherrealm where his clan goes to town as the screen fades to black.

The new characters sport far superior animalities to the rest of the cast. No longer tinted bright inappropriate colors, they take on a more a distinct (and desperately needed) comedic edge. Kitana transforms into a bunny and goes Monty Python on 'em. Scorpion changes to a penguin and drops an explosive egg. Reptile? Changes into a chimp. Jade? A cat that kills in an appropriate cartoony fashion. Unfortunately, all the previous animalities remain unchanged.

Kitana, Scorpion, Reptile, Mileena, and Classic Sub-Zero unfortunately do not gain much (if anything) in the way of additional moves. Unlike Kung Lao and Liu Kang, however, at least their old moves have not deteriorated. Scorpion's spear, Classic Sub-Zero's ground ice, and Kitana's fanwave have not lost their edge.

New to the series, the red ninja Ermac (rumored to be running around inside MK1) makes his debut appearance with an interesting telekinetic slam move that leads into juggles (and also one of his Fatalities.) From there, the originality and inspiration ends, as the rest of his arsenal is either typical, ripped from Scorpion, or non-existent (more on that later.) Ultimate MK3 adds a few additional venues that dramatically expands the MK3 world -- a netherrealm stage, a desert stage, a throne room for Kahn. Midway axed the bank stage, and the game didn't lose anything with its departure.

Endurance matches make their return, which I would welcome except UMK3 has juiced up the AI in perhaps the most irritating way known to man. It's like fighting an IF/THEN statement. Midway has programmed all of the counter-attacks into the game, and the CPU just waits for the moment the player pushes the button before unleashing the appropriate counter attack (God help you if you fight Jade before an Endurance match on Master.) The AI actually ruins the entire one player gaming experience as it makes the game impossible to beat with someone other than Smoke.

Push forward on the joystick – the CPU automatically moves away. Push back, the CPU follows you. Try a jump kick, and the CPU likes to jump straight up and make a perfectly timed attack to take you out of the air. Jump back and get a taste of a projectile. Run in and get thrown. Try a combo as they stand up? Get thrown.

I repeat, the AI ruins this game's one player experience.

Aside from the AI, Ultimate MK3 suffers from some other serious flaws including: the fact that the game is incomplete. Ermac, Classic Sub-Zero, and Human Smoke all lack the full assortment of finishing moves. And while Ermac and Classic Sub-Zero at least have one special move to set them apart from existing characters, Human Smoke plays virtually identical to Scorpion. In a game with so much emphasis on special moves and finishing moves, for these reasons, Ermac, Classic Sub-Zero, and Human Smoke do not feel like full fledged characters, nor do they feel like they belong (I mean, two Sub-Zeros in one game?)

Other negative points of lesser concern: the bios for the original MK3 cast has vanished, and now only the 4 standard UMK3 additions remain (Kitana, Jade, Scorpion, Reptile). Midway also scrapped the endings that featured unique images in favor of text beside the Versus screen image. The "words of Raiden" attract screen has curiously disappeared as well as the storyline explaining Kahn's invasion. These are not game play related, but they're nice extras to have.

In terms of gameplay, Ultimate MK3 more or less is the game MK3 should have been. But, Midway, did you have to cannibalize MK3's extras to get there?

Here it is - "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3", a game that can rightfully be called the peak of the old-school era of the series. A lot of time had passed since the first "MK", and in that span, the developers managed to polish just about everything. The number of fighters here is so vast it makes your head spin - and right away, you're torn: go with Sub-Zero like always, or surprise yourself and pick Cyrax to bring some brutal chaos?

Gameplay-wise, it's the same battle-tested "MK3" we know and love, just with more bells and whistles. Special moves, savage combos, fatalities - it's all here, and it looks great, especially when you land that final blow and the screen flashes with "Finish Him!" That moment when you pull off what you had in mind? Nothing like it. And then there's *Brutality*, the new finishing move that blew everyone away. Instead of one flashy finisher - it's a whole cascade of punches and kicks that shatter your opponent into pieces (bones, metal bits - depending on who's on the receiving end). It's both brutal and hilarious, especially if you manage to memorize the right combo. Though honestly - I often just peeked into the old-school cheat book to look up each fighter's Brutality. Good times.

The graphics? Just right. Sure, by today's standards it's pixelated nostalgia, but back then, it looked great. And the music - pure old-school atmosphere. Those iconic tunes perfectly sync with the button-mashing and screen action.

The stages are just as stylish: from urban streets to eerie otherworldly chambers. Every arena adds its own vibe, and knocking someone into the next level mid-fight? Pure timeless magic.

And yes - difficulty levels are what you'd expect. Want a chill session? Pick a small tower and go nuts. Want a test of your willpower? Climb the biggest one and brace yourself to be pounded into oblivion.

Another cool touch was the character bios - with bits about their missions, enemies, and backgrounds... but honestly, who read those? The joystick's in hand, your eyes are glowing, Sub-Zero's waiting to enter the arena - who has time for reading?

For me, this is the favorite game in the series. No joke. Nothing before or after hooked me quite like this. "Ultimate MK3" is the kind of fighting game you come back to even years later. Got a few spare minutes? Why not? Pick your favorite fighter, hit "Start," and the classic digital magic kicks in. Solid, fast-paced, and insanely fun - this is the kind of fighter that never gets old.

10 out of 10.

UMK3 isnt as good as it looks,the series started to die down for some people when MK3 hit the shelves.Right now,I'm reviewing the Super Nintendo version.Now,the SNES version isnt all that great,the graphics are great,and the controls are good,but ever since they started to put the new combo system,Mortal Kombat lost its edge.Lets keep the main flaw in clear prespective,Midway packed to much stuff in the SNES,the system could barely handle it.The game constantly suffers from slowdown,and the controls are sometimes unresponsive.In the SNES version,they took out animalitys.If I was gonna buy UMK3,I would buy the sega saturn version.Constant slowdown,unresponsive controls,and the new combo system kind of killed my interest in Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 are the only MK games that I dont like all that much.If I were you,I'd buy the Sega Saturn version.6 out of 10.

ULTIMATE MORTAL KOMBAT 3, in my opinion, is one of the best arcade games I have ever played. Even though I haven't owned a Nintendo Wii for very long, I enjoy it very much. In addition, even though I've never made it to the last level, I enjoy the game very much as well, even though I've never owned the game. However, when this game is available to download on the Nintendo Wii, this is one game that is definitely going to be on my list of downloads. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that the people at Sega Genesis know how to keep video game fanatics entertained. Now, in conclusion, if you're a video game fanatic, this is definitely one you'll want to play and own.

Mortal Kombat and its sequels are some of the greatest games ever created! It has a good story, incredible action, great music, awesome characters, very fun, really interesting looking stages, and more! Below is an In-depth review of the game called Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3!

The Kombatants!

Liu Kang - This Chinese warrior is a fearless fighter who is bent on getting revenge!

Johnny Cage - An action movie star, Cage enters Mortal Kombat!

Sonya Blade - A beautiful Texan who is a Lt. in the United States Army. The is skilled fighter enters the tournament but why? Is it because a certain red eyed individual is Kompeteing?

Lord Raiden - Is it true Lord Raiden is the God of thunder?

Shang Tsung - This old shapeshifting fighter is one of the greatest fighters ever in the history of the world! He has the power to take a living being's soul!

Kano - A member of the Black Dragon Organization, Kano fights with no fear in the tournament!

Scorpion - A poor soul, when he was a live his wife and child were murdered by Sub Zero and the Lin Kuei clan of ninjas. Scorpion with his trusty spear is seeking revenge on the cold one.

Sub-Zero - The younger brother of the murderer of Scorpion's family is in the tournament. Now it will be a big showdown like never seen before!

Reptile - Not much is known about this fighter except he wears the same exact ninja uniforms as Scorpion and Sub Zero but only green and can mimic other fighters maneuvers! Though it is thought that he is the last of an ancient reptilian humanoid specie, he protects Shang Tsung from enemies.

Kung Lao - The last decedent of the heroic fighter Kung Lao is a former Shaolin monk and is also a member of White Lotus Society. He enters the tournament.

Jax - U.S. Special Forces Major Jackson Briggs enters the tournament with his huge bionic arms!

Katana - Katana is an assassin and has a twin sister but unlike Mileena she has a different agenda than serving the ruler of Outworld.

Mileena - Like Katana, she is also an assassin but unlike her twin sister she will do what she can for Shao Kahn!

Baraka - A nomadic mutant, he joins Shao Khan in the Outworld.

Cyrax - Built by the Lin Kuei to kill Sub-Zero, The second Cybernetic ninja is unit LK4D4.

Kabal - The mysterious Kabal enters the tournament because apparently he is the loan surviver of by Khans' extermination squad. Kabal plan on getting revenge.

Knightwolf - This historian used the powerful magic of the Shamen to product his sacred land in North America on Earth. Since Khan has invaded, this Native American enters the tournament.

Sheeva - This four-armed beauty from Shokan is Sindel's protector. She was chosen by Shao Khan but why wasn't she chosen to be the leader of his squads? She questions him because he chose Motaro, a Centaurian which is the natural enemy of the Shokans.

Sindel - The queen of Outworld. This evil beauty has something to scream about!

Stryker - Kurtis Styker was the leader of a riot control brigade. Shao Khan has caused much destruction on Earth and Stryker enters the tournament to seek out the killer of millions.

Smoke - Built by the Lin Kuei to kill Sub-Zero, The third Cybernetic ninja has a few surprises in his arsenal.

Sektor - Built by the Lin Kuei to kill Sub-Zero, The first Cybernetic ninja's unit is name is Sektor LK-9T9.

Jade - This female warrior is not to be trusted!

Rain - A deadly ninja!

Ermac - A deadly ninja!

Noob Saibot - A deadly shadow ninja!

Kintaro - After Goro was defeated Kintaro, Shao Khan replaced the prince with this monster to lead his legions!

Shao Khan - A large and muscular being the supreme ruler of the Outworld, the Astrial Plane of Shokan, and all of the surrounding regions. The fighters have gathered and the tournament has begun! Will Khan rule supreme over Earth or can the earthlings defeat their opponents and Shao Khan?

Game Play: The game play is very good. The basic movies are easy to perform but the fatalities are very hard to do but with the help of cheats it can be much easier.

Graphics: The graphics are wonderful. Most of the game is digitalized!

Difficulty: The game can be very easy or it can be very hard depending on what you set the difficulty level.

Music: The music is great! Just awesome catchy tunes through out the game! In My opinion its some of the best music ever in a video game!

Sound: The sound is great. The real voices sound clear and the punching and kicking does as well.

Overall: I have always loved Mortal Kombat. If you like excellent fighting games then I strongly recommend you play Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 today!

To purchase this video game on many game formats check out Amazon.com!