Mortal Kombat

The Genesis version brings the ultra-violent fighting game that defined the 1990s arcade craze to home consoles. Set in a dark fantasy tournament known as Mortal Kombat, fighters from across realms battle for supremacy under the watch of the god Raiden and the scheming Shang Tsung. Players choose from a roster including Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Sonya Blade, and others, each with their own martial arts style and finishing moves. The narrative framing of an interdimensional tournament gives weight to each match, and the iconic, brutal Fatalities became the game's most notorious feature. The home version trimmed some of the arcade's content but preserved the distinctive digitized graphics and the violent spectacle. Its gritty atmosphere and mature presentation made it one of the most talked-about and best-selling games of its generation.