Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega)

"Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega)" (MK3) is indeed a significant entry in the Mortal Kombat franchise, remembered for its expansions upon the gameplay elements introduced in earlier titles. Here’s a recap of some of the features and innovations it introduced:

Gameplay and Mechanics

• Run Button: This allowed players to quickly close distance against opponents, adding a new tactical layer to the fights.
• Kombat Kodes: Codes entered at the VS screen to unlock characters, secrets, or change game dynamics, adding replay value and secrets for players to discover.
• Chain Combos: Predefined sequences that players could execute for a series of attacks, also known as 'dial-a-combos'.
• Choose Your Destiny: A feature that allowed players to select the difficulty level in single-player mode, tailoring the challenge to the player’s preference.
• Interactive Stages: Players could uppercut their opponents through ceilings to continue the fight in a new stage, which was visually appealing and added variety to the gameplay.
• Expanded Finishing Moves: Besides the classic Fatalities, MK3 introduced Animalities and the ability to perform Mercy to give opponents a bit of health back—a prerequisite for performing an Animality.

Characters and Story

• Character Roster: The game had a mix of returning favorites and new fighters, though some popular characters were initially missing and later added in "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3".
• Story Progression: The narrative moved away from the tournament arc to a full-scale invasion of Earthrealm by Shao Kahn.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

• Fan Reaction: The introduction of new gameplay mechanics was generally well-received, but the exclusion of certain characters was met with criticism, leading to their return in subsequent versions.
• Series Continuity: Many of the features introduced in MK3, like the combo system and additional finishers, have continued to evolve in later Mortal Kombat games.
• Home and Later Versions: "Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3" and "Mortal Kombat Trilogy" expanded the roster and included additional content to address some of the criticisms and build on the strengths of the original MK3 release.

Mortal Kombat 3's emphasis on a faster pace, new combos, and additional content cemented its place as a beloved classic in the fighting game genre, with its influences felt in many of the series' subsequent entries. The franchise continues to be popular, with later games adding even more depth and polish to the formula established by earlier titles like MK3.