Midway's digitized-sprite fighter arrived on the major Sega and Nintendo systems on the same day in September 1993, an event Acclaim's marketing called Mortal Monday. Probe Software handled the Game Gear and Master System versions, released under Acclaim's Arena Entertainment label. Fitting the arcade game onto Sega's handheld meant real cuts: the roster is down to six fighters, with Kano left out, and the six arcade buttons are mapped to just two.
Even so, the essential parts are there. Liu Kang, Raiden, Johnny Cage, Sonya, Sub-Zero and Scorpion fight through a single-player tournament against Goro and Shang Tsung, and each character keeps their signature special moves and a finishing move. The sprites are small but recognizably digitized, and the game runs at a reasonable pace on the handheld. Like the Genesis version, the Game Gear release toned down the blood by default, which became part of the controversy around the game's home releases.
Tips for Mortal Kombat
Learn each fighter's projectile first, since specials like Sub-Zero's freeze and Scorpion's spear work well against the computer.
Shang Tsung changes into other fighters, so expect his moves to switch during the fight.
How to Play Mortal Kombat
Click Play Now to launch Mortal Kombat directly in your browser — no downloads or plugins needed. Arrows move and perform special-move motions, with Z and X covering punches and kicks; the manual explains how blocking and the remaining attacks fit onto two buttons. Enter pauses. You can also connect a USB or Bluetooth gamepad for a more authentic feel.
Save states let you save your progress at any point. Create a free account to sync saves across devices. Press F11 for fullscreen mode.
To play Mortal Kombat, simply hit the "Play Now" button on this page. The game loads instantly in your browser using an embedded emulator — no plugins, downloads, or setup required.
Is Mortal Kombat free to play?
Mortal Kombat is free to play here on RetroVault.GG. We believe classic games should be accessible to everyone, so there's no cost to jump in.
What console is Mortal Kombat for?
Mortal Kombat is a Game Gear title. Our browser-based emulator lets you experience it exactly as it was on the original hardware — no console required.
What genre is Mortal Kombat?
Mortal Kombat is a fighting game. It was made for the Game Gear.
Can I play Mortal Kombat on my phone?
Yes, RetroVault.GG works on mobile browsers. Visit the game page on your phone or tablet and tap Play Now to start playing Mortal Kombat.