Mortal Kombat II SNES vs. Sega Genesis Review Showdown

Released on September 9, 1994 by Midway and developed by Probe Software, Mortal Kombat II brings the arcade smash sequel to the Sega Genesis

VS.

Released on September 9, 1994 by Midway and developed by Sculptured Software, Mortal Kombat II brings the arcade smash sequel to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Mortal Kombat II. I planned on publishing a review head-to-head in synergy with the release of the film in Early May, but something crazy happened. I didn't have a copy of MKII for SNES, so I bought one on EBay, Hollywood Video stickers and all. It arrived, I popped it into my SNES, and it was somehow not Mortal Kombat II, but the first game. Somehow, someone had slapped the MKII sticker on it. Thankfully, the seller refunded, but by the time the replacement copy arrived, the movie, which kind of flopped, and which I thought was just okay (hey, at least it was better than Annihilation!), was out of theaters. But I had already played through and done screenshots for the Genesis version of the game. I was too deep in. I had to finish this review head-to-head. Anyway, these games were part of the very fabric of the 90s, and thus, of my own life. I played Mortal Kombat II in the arcades, horribly, as I am famously terrible at fighting games, then played it often with my friends when it hit consoles...but that was a very long time ago. Now, however, I've replayed both 16-bit console versions. Which version is best?

The Sega Genesis (whose images will be pictured first in each paragraph break)?

Or the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (which will be pictured second)?

For me, the better graphics are almost immediately obvious. The SNES version has a more animated opening screen, and the character select screen is more colorful and feels more highly detailed. In gameplay, both versions look good and run smoothly. The characters are well-animated, featuring that motion caption look the early Mortal Kombat series was famous for, and the character design is distinct and memorable. The higher amount of colors of which the SNES is capable gives it an edge, particularly with the backgrounds, even if the resolution in the Genesis version feels a little smoother. The backgrounds in the SNES version also feature additional animated objects, like floating monks and flying beasts. Also, to quote an Adam Sandler film that was released two years after these games, the biggest surprise here is that "Happy learned how to putt...uh oh!" In this case, "putting" refers to displaying blood. The first game console ports featured a ton of blood in the Genesis version, just like in the arcades, and NO blood in the SNES version, due to Nintendo's tight content standards. This cast aspersions toward the SNES version, which were apparently taken to bloody heart, as the SNES port of Mortal Kombat II not only seems to feature even more blood than its Genesis counterpart, but better-looking blood at that. 

Somebody's more vibrant and colorful...

And it's the good ol' SNES

The sound element is a little closer, and more a matter of preference than the graphics. The tracks are similar for each, but the Genesis versions are, befitting its sound chip, a little boppier and bassier, while the SNES versions feel a little bit more orchestral. However, the SNES version features more music. Likewise, both versions contain some voice-acting, but the Genesis version features more distorted-sounding and less voice acting than the SNES version. Both games feature great 16-bit sound, but SNES gets a slight edge here.

The voice-acting in the Genesis version has a CB Radio feel

The voice-acting in the SNES version is clearer

The gameplay feels an even tighter competition than the sound. Coming back to this game, I decided to pit it against Street Fighter II for comparison. Mortal Kombat II's fighting engine is fun, but very simplistic. Even at the easiest difficultly level, the CPU AI is brutal. It's generally set to "seek and destroy," as the CPU will immediately charge the player, and keep charging and attacking no matter what. In the easiest difficulty, this can be countered with a longer range attack. I rediscovered my love for Baraka's sword slash move in the Genesis version, as I can spam that to continuously hit the CPU as it constantly approaches. At a certain point, even on the easiest difficulty, the CPU will figure that out, and the player will have to get down and start low-punching and throwing in a few extra moves to win. The "just distance attack" strategy won't work on the final string of CPU opponents, even on the easiest setting. 

Raiden, shocking me again

It's the classic "nut punch" strategy

MKII's general move-set features a low and high punch, a low and high kick, and a block. Astute retro gamers might remember that the Sega Genesis controller only has three-buttons, and these are five moves. The SNES controller, with its six buttons, handles these perfectly, even intuitively assigning "block" to the shoulder buttons. The Genesis standard controller requires frustrating button combinations to perform basic moves, though a special six-button controller can thankfully remedy this...though the SNES version allows button-remapping and the Genesis version doesn't. The actual fighting is not complex, regardless of CPU difficulty, though of course combos and special moves come into play. However, most characters, outside of a very few special moves, don't really fight much differently from the others. I want to use Scorpion because I like Scorpion and his "GET OVER HERE!!" harpoon the best, but I found that the CPU in SNES simply won't allow it, always anticipating the harpoon move and blocking or jumping over it. I could use it reliably in the Genesis version (at least on the easier modes), so Scorpion is my go to there and Baraka my go to on Genesis.

Jax, have you ever thought that maybe Scorpion just doesn't like you?

Reptile, I want to see you bleed!

So Mortal Kombat II's fighting lacks some of the technical excellence of Street Fighter II. However, what it lacks in gameplay technical excellence, it makes up for in theatricality. "The Fatality" finishing moves, requiring complex button competitions to eviscerate a defeated opponent in character specific ways, are legendary, even if I have never in my life been able to pull one off. II also features the bizarre "Friendship" and "Babality" finishing moves, which add even more schoolyard legend to the game. The famous, Mortal Kombat horror movie aesthetic here is well-employed, and it even enhances the gameplay. That gameplay, in my opinion, is best when it is against a human opponent. The two-player mode in both games is a blast. The game's more simple fighting engine allows a newer player to compete far more quickly, as long as the opponent isn't a pro. Multiplayer fights are just so fun. Even the single-player mode is more fun with a friend watching and commenting. This game feels designed to be enjoyed by friends (OR MORTAL ENEMIES), and my best times playing it all involved that, even on these recent playthroughs. With that said, the controller issues give a gameplay edge to the SNES, as well as the fact that the hit box for each character feels a little firmer in the SNES version. The Genesis port does feature more continues than the SNES one does, so for someone who is awful at fighting games like me (platformers are my bread and butter!), that does give some bonus points to the Genesis version.

Climbing the opponent mountain in Genesis single-player...

Versus on the Super Nintendo

As far as replay value, both games feature an incredibly challenging single-player campaign that features an arduous and long series of fights before a number of highly difficult boss fights (of course, there is not battery saving, and this must be done in one sitting--if you don't lose, this takes 20 minutes, but if you're like me, this takes an hour). The player definitely has to get insanely good to make it through all of these on the higher difficulty levels. Both versions also feature secret characters to fight and myriad cheats. Couple that with the fun multiplayer and Mortal Kombat II features solid replay value.

Scorpion rules

Unless I'm playing on SNES, then Baraka rules

While Mortal Kombat II might not feature the most refined and complex gameplay, but it's still fun today, particularly if friends are involved. I'm not sure about the film (I have friends who think it was awesome), but it's safe to say, the legend of the game is here to stay. In this case, though, the Super Nintendo version is just a little bit better. 

Sega Genesis Version Scores:
Graphics: 8.0
Sound: 8.0
Gameplay: 7.3
Lasting Value: 7.5
Overall (Not an Average): 7.6

SNES Version Scores:
Graphics: 8.3
Sound: 8.2
Gameplay: 7.5
Lasting Value: 7.5
Overall (Not an Average): 7.8