What is the name of Mortal Kombat’s signature finishing-move system?

Mortal Kombat’s signature finishing-move system is called Fatalities.

A Fatality is a character-specific finishing move performed after the opponent has been defeated and the game displays the “Finish Him” or “Finish Her” prompt. Players must enter a particular button combination, often from a specified distance, to trigger the move. The system became one of the defining features of Mortal Kombat and helped distinguish it from rival fighting games.

Brutalities, Friendships, and Animalities are also named finishing-move categories, but they were introduced in later installments or used for different effects. Friendships are humorous nonviolent endings, while Animalities allow fighters to transform into animals in games that support them. Fatalities remain the franchise’s best-known finishing mechanic and appear in many mainline entries.