Mortal Kombat became famous for digitized actors and finishing moves called Fatalities.
Midway released Mortal Kombat in arcades in 1992. Instead of drawing all of its fighters as traditional animation, the game used digitized footage of performers, giving its characters a distinctive realistic appearance for the period. Its most recognizable feature was the Fatality, a finishing move performed after an opponent had been defeated.
The game was created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. Its playable cast included Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Raiden, Sonya, and Kano, while Shang Tsung served as the final boss. Blood, secret moves, and the game’s violent presentation drew controversy and helped fuel debate about regulation of video-game content.
Mortal Kombat’s release contributed to the creation of the Entertainment Software Rating Board in the United States, alongside controversy surrounding other games. Fatalities are not the same as ordinary special moves, and Scorpion’s signature spear attack is separate from his finishing moves. The arcade original also differs from later home versions in content and presentation.