Mortal Kombat (GB)

Mortal Kombat (Game Boy/Game Boy Color version) brings the classic fighting experience to a handheld device. Players choose from an iconic roster of characters such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, and Raiden to participate in a deadly tournament. The game features 1-on-1 combat, where skill and reflexes are key to victory.

The control scheme is relatively simple yet effective: the D-pad is used for movement (back, forward, jump, crouch), and the A/B buttons execute basic attacks like punches and kicks. Each character possesses a unique set of special moves, requiring players to master specific button combinations to unleash them. For instance, Scorpion can throw his "Get Over Here!" spear, and Sub-Zero can freeze opponents. Despite hardware limitations compared to its arcade or console counterparts, the game still attempts to recreate the signature violent and intense feel of the series.

A highlight of Mortal Kombat is its infamous finishing moves, known as Fatalities. After defeating an opponent and hearing the "Finish Him/Her!" prompt, players have a short window to input a specific button sequence to perform a spectacular and gruesome finishing blow. While the 8-bit graphics on the Game Boy/Game Boy Color cannot display the intricate details of larger versions, the concept of Fatalities remains intact and is an essential part of the experience.

The primary game mode is Arcade Mode, where players face a series of AI-controlled opponents, climbing the ladder to confront the final bosses, Goro and Shang Tsung. Each victory brings you closer to earning the Mortal Kombat champion title. The game might also support a versus mode via link cable in some iterations, allowing for direct head-to-head combat with friends. Mortal Kombat (GB/GBC) is a respectable effort to bring one of the most famous fighting games of all time to a portable platform, despite the necessary simplifications.