Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 is the update to MK3. It features several gameplay changes, a ton of re-balancing, and the return of several older characters to the series.

New modes include a 2 on 2 tournament mode, which is a two player version of the Endurance matches, as well as an 8 player tournament mode. A master difficulty was added to the single player mode, which also re-introduced endurance matches.

A new feature called Shao Kahn's treasure chest appears when the player completes the single player game. The features allows the play to choose a prize from the chest which can be one of 10 (down from the arcades selection of 12) unique secrets or unlockables for the game.

Gameplay changes included new moves and combos for the characters. Combo uppercuts also no longer launch the opponent into the upper tier of a stage; only standard uppercuts can.

Returning characters from MK3 include: 

Cyrax, Liu Kang, Kabal, Kano, Kung Lao, Stryker, Jax Briggs, Nightwolf, Sektor, Shang Tsung, Sindel, Smoke, Sonya Blade, Sub-Zero.

Returning characters from older titles include:

Jade, Reptile, Kitana, and Scorpion. As well as unlockable characters: Classic Sub-Zero, Human Smoke, Ermac, and Mileena.

Bosses include:

Motaro and Shao Kahn.

Hidden opponents:

Noob Saibot, and Rain.

The SNES and Genesis versions omit Sheeva, who was available in the arcade version, but add hidden character Rain. Rain and the other hidden character, Noob Saibot, are both playable as well. Motaro and Shao Kahn are also selectable, being enabled via a cheat code menu.

New stages with some old ones returning from games prior to MK3 include Scorpion's Lair/Hell, Jade's Desert, River Kombat/The Waterfront, Kahn's Kave/The Cavern, and The Pit 3 bridge. The bank stage from the arcade version is missing, however.

The SNES version of the game has some buggy gameplay, and is also considered to be inferior to the SNES port of the original Mortal Kombat 3. While removing Animality finishing moves, the Brutalities were introduced. They are finishing moves that allow the player to attack their opponent with a series of kicks and punches which result in the victim exploding. Rain and Noob Saibot are made playable characters for the first time. Mileena, Ermac and Classic Sub-Zero are playable without any need of codes. Motaro and Shao Kahn are unlockable characters for two player fights, although only one player can choose a boss at a time. An exclusive Easter egg was included that allows access to three separate cheat menus. The player can drastically alter gameplay, access hidden content, or view the ending, among many other things. Sheeva has been removed, however a bug exists that allows the player to play her. She is invisible though, and generally causes the game to crash.

This was the last Mortal Kombat for 16bit consoles and was followed-up by the Playstation spin-off title, Sub Zero Mythology, and finally, Mortal Kombat 4.