Mortal Kombat II is a classic fighting game developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Midway Games. The game was first released in 1993 for arcades and later ported to various home consoles, including the Nintendo Super NES (SNES). In this article, we will discuss some minor fixes made to Mortal Kombat II on the SNES, as well as information about the age rating available.

Background

Mortal Kombat II was a major hit in 1993, both critically and commercially. The game's success can be attributed to its engaging gameplay, impressive graphics, and over-the-top finishing moves. However, when it came to porting the game to home consoles, including the SNES, some compromises were made to ensure the game would run smoothly on less powerful hardware.

Minor Fixes

Several minor fixes were made to Mortal Kombat II on the SNES to improve its performance and overall quality. Here are a few examples:

1. Graphics tweaks: The SNES version of Mortal Kombat II features some graphical tweaks, including reduced polygon counts for certain characters and stages. This helps to reduce the game's memory usage and improve its frame rate.
2. Sound chip modifications: The SNES's sound chip was also modified to better suit the game's soundtrack. The original arcade version of Mortal Kombat II featured a unique sound design that included 3D audio effects, but these were not possible on the SNES due to its limitations. However, the developers found alternative ways to create an immersive soundtrack, using techniques such as layering and filtering.
3. Button mapping changes: The SNES version of Mortal Kombat II features some button mapping changes compared to the arcade original. For example, the game's "Hadouken" special move was mapped to the SNES's shoulder buttons instead of the original arcade controls.

Age Rating

Mortal Kombat II is known for its graphic violence and over-the-top finishing moves, which led to it being rated M for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) when it was released in 1994. The game's ESRB rating is due in part to its graphic content, including "blood-splattering" effects, character fatalities, and other violent scenes.

However, when Mortal Kombat II was re-released on the Virtual Console service for the Wii and Wii U, it was rated T for Teen by the ESRB. This change in rating is due to the fact that the game's violence has been toned down compared to the original arcade version. The SNES version of Mortal Kombat II still features some graphic content, including character fatalities and blood-splattering effects, but they are not as intense as those found in the arcade original.

In 2015, Mortal Kombat II was released on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service, where it was rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. This change in rating is due to the fact that the game's violence has been significantly toned down compared to the original arcade version.

Impact

The minor fixes made to Mortal Kombat II on the SNES had a significant impact on the game's overall quality and playability. The graphics tweaks, sound chip modifications, and button mapping changes all helped to improve the game's performance and immersive experience.

However, these changes also affected the game's original intent and tone. The SNES version of Mortal Kombat II was not as violent or over-the-top as the arcade original, which is why it received a lower ESRB rating. This change in tone is likely due to the fact that the developers wanted to make the game more accessible to a wider audience on consoles.

Conclusion

Mortal Kombat II on the SNES is a great example of how minor fixes can improve a game's overall quality and playability. The graphics tweaks, sound chip modifications, and button mapping changes all helped to create an immersive experience that was faithful to the original arcade version. However, these changes also affected the game's tone and violence, leading to a change in ESRB ratings over time.

Today, Mortal Kombat II remains a classic fighting game that is still enjoyed by fans around the world. Its impact on the gaming industry cannot be overstated, as it helped to establish the "fatalities" trope that has become synonymous with modern fighting games.

In conclusion, Mortal Kombat II on the SNES is a must-play for any retro gaming enthusiast or fan of classic fighting games. While it may not have all the features and graphics of the original arcade version, its minor fixes and toned-down violence make it an enjoyable and accessible experience that is still fun to play today.

Rating: 8/10

Recommendation:

If you're a fan of Mortal Kombat II or classic fighting games in general, then this game is a must-play. However, if you're looking for a more intense and violent gaming experience, then you may want to look elsewhere. The SNES version of Mortal Kombat II is still an enjoyable and immersive experience that is well worth playing.

Pros:

• Faithful adaptation of the original arcade version
• Improved graphics and sound design compared to other consoles at the time
• Toned-down violence compared to the original arcade version

Cons:

• Less intense and violent than the original arcade version
• Some minor glitches and bugs
• Limited replay value due to its relatively short campaign