X-ray moves are the special attacks introduced in Mortal Kombat (2011) that display dramatic internal damage. These cinematic attacks briefly show bones, organs, and other anatomical effects as a fighter lands a powerful sequence of blows.
The 2011 game, commonly called Mortal Kombat 9, rebooted the series’ timeline while preserving many classic characters and ideas. Its X-ray system added a tactical resource mechanic: a player could build a super meter through combat and spend it on an X-ray move when the meter was full. The attack inflicted substantial damage but was separate from a match-ending Fatality.
X-ray moves are often confused with Fatalities because both use dramatic violence and cinematic presentation. A Fatality is performed after the opponent has been defeated, whereas an X-ray move is used during the fight and reduces the opponent’s health. Later games changed the presentation and naming of comparable high-impact mechanics.