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[Majestad]

Mortal Kombat season approaching.

How was your first experience with the MK franchise for the first time, GAF?

I remember the first time I saw a MK game was when I was like 5, and it was the supposedly shitty GameBoy version of MK2. I saw my brother playing it, and was like "woah, this looks badass". I don't recall actually playing the game.

When I was around 9 and had a N64 in my room, my brother sneaks in at midnight while I was sleeping and pops the cartridge in. I wanted to see what was happening on the TV, but his back covered the whole screen, and the only thing I could hear was Shao Kahn's laugh (the menu of Mortal Kombat Trilogy). I remember hearing the moans, the sounds of fatalities, etc. and thinking this sounds fucking amazing. Later when I finally had the chance to play it, I immediately became a fan of the franchise, and have played most games since it.

You guys probably have more interesting stories to tell, so feel free to share how was your first experience(s) with this classic franchise.

 

[Lightning Count]

Played it on the Mega Drive, remember writing down fatality combos as I learned and them after I found out the blood code.

ABACABB.

 

[bananafactory]

Heard of it and seen it but never played the games. (I don't play fighting games)

Played a bit of MK9 on Vita.

Plan on buying MKX and really diving in for the first time. The hype seems real.

 

[triplestation]

MK2

Sega genesis

Must have been 7 years old

 

[mikeebi3]

MK1 arcade, the feels

 

[BossRush]

I remember seeing the old MK4 arcade cabinet with Quan-Chi on the side but I never played it, eventually I played UMK3 though, pretty fun.

 

[Blackquill]

Wasn't fond of the character design and the visuals in general, immediately returned to Street Fighter

Spoiler

I didn't even know how to do fatalities

 

[RE_Player]

I always had a very casual relationship with MK. Would play it a couple times in the arcade and rented a couple of the console games when I was younger.

It wasn't until MK9 hit Vita that I really got into the franchise.

 

[60EffPeeEss]

I played a lot of MK3 at a friends house on a PS1, if I remember correctly. We rinsed it all day long, along with Resident Evil Survivor. That's all we had to play.

Played a TONNE of the Deadly Alliance on PS2, just single player, trying to 100% the game and just enjoying it in general.

Then came MK9 and by this time, I was seriously into fighting games. Loved playing it online in its prime, watching tournaments and just enjoying the ridiculous 90's ninjas/magic/gore aesthetic. People who criticise it for being overblown and stupid are just missing the point.

Can't wait for MKX.

 

[Corpsepyre]

MK2. Gameboy. Great times.

 

[spindashing]

I was going to say MK2 on the Genesis, which was the first one I owned, but even before that it was MK1 at an older cousin's place. The voices scared the hell out of me, I remember. I also remember playing MK1 on the Gameboy and I believe when you beat Sonya, the game incorrectly said "Finish Him."

 

[Hasemo]

MK2 on the PC. I think I was exposed to the arcade version of MK1 around the same time, but didn't really like it that much.
The PC version of 2 on the other hand was amazing. I still remember that I was only able to beat Kintaro twice during all those years and when I did it for the first time the game crashed.

 

[A-V-B]

Can't remember.

 

[ryanmac]

It was the SNES version at a friends house. I remember the arcade cabinets as well -- but I was more into the wrestling game and didn't bother with it.

I just remember all the rumours about hidden moves and codes, etc.

 

[Hoje0308]

Started with the SNES version of the original, but didn't become a huge fan until I saw MK2 in the arcade. It captured my violent little imagination like no game has before or since. I played the hell out of that title and the two sequels that followed. I bought Deadly Alliance and Deception, but at the time I was too busy being a teenager and man in his early twenties to master either. I haven't bought one since, but will pick up MKX. Oh, and Scorpion all the way.

 

[Creaking]

I played Mortal Kombat 2 in 06 or something and hated it. The only fighting games I was a fan of at the time were Tekken and SoulCalibur, and the old 2D Mortal Kombat felt stiff and shallow, more intent on ruining my thumbs with all those special move commands than offering thoughtful gameplay. Even with the fatalities, I wasn't attracted to it.


Fortunately, I liked the demo of MK9, and when my friend (who is a series fan) got it, I helped him beat the story mode. I even helped him with the challenge tower, beating the last stage myself. Really like what NRS has done with the series. I even picked up Injustice, though I think I like MK better. I'm excited for MKX, but knowing how the DLC goes with NRS titles, I'm going to wait until there's a complete edition before I run up on it.

 

[Arc07]

Original MK arcade cabinet at this bowling alley my parents played at weekly. I was 6 or 7 at the time and this teenager guy showed me how to use Scorpion. Funny enough, when I heard MK2 was out, I went to the only arcade in town and I saw the same guy playing MK2. He showed me the ropes and we had a blast.

 

[Emperor Bohe]

Mk2 on SNES. I still play the arcade version online to this day on PC, 360 and PS3

 

[LCGeek]

Too lovely. Was at a skating rink with a good arcade when I come in see people crowded around the machine. Scorpion vs Johnny cage, the scorpion player won in spades abusing the hook and when he did the fatality me and my brother knew we were hooked. I didn't play it that day as other objectives had to be done, but 2 days later at that rink I dug deep in to the deep game.

 

[Sanctuary]

It took me a few dollars to finally get adjusted to having to actually hold a button to block. This was after spending about a year learning Street Fighter 2.

I played Mortal Kombat 2 in 06 or something and hated it.

MK2 was the best of the series.

 

[MisterCrow]

Arcades in bowling alleys when I was 10. First time I saw the game I was actually on vacation with my parents and saw it in some restaurant, but actually got to play it later on. Saw The Pit and it blew my little kid mind. Been a huge fan ever since and have played everything.

Played so much 2 for SNES when it came out it's not even funny. Had huge packets of print outs of moves and fatalities and stuff. Unfortunately played MK Mytholigies: Sub-Zero but fortunately played Shaolin Monks (which ruled). Did not play that Jax game actually. I'm in the minority, I loved 4 on N64 (even though it wasn't that great). Played the all 3d ones since.

Can't wait for the new one. MK X actually seems to be a lot like the MK 2 of the reboots. MK 2 was really dark as is MK X. I get a super strong MK 2 vibe from it, I love it. I think MK 2 was my favorite back in the day.

 

[Playdor]

MK1 on the Amiga. The real looking digitised graphics combined with all the blood was so chilling. I was actually scared of playing the game.

 

[Leafhopper]

Mortal Kombat 1 on the SNES.

As it being my first exposure to the game and not knowing an Arcade version existed and not knowing that much about fighting games and playing SF2 right before it:

I thought it was pretty shitty, and I questioned what the hell was that "grey dust" coming out of characters, when I was younger. I figured it was blood but I could never take it seriously.

Later games were fun though and I enjoy UMK3 the most.

 

[Bare Grills]

playing mk trilogy on ps1. good times. good times.

 

[PIMPBYBLUD]

I'm OG. MK 1 arcade in San Antonio, TX at my favorite arcade Diversions. It was love at first sight. There is only three arcade games that ever left me in awe when I first saw it.

Street Fighter 2
Mortal Kombat 1
Killer Instinct

Mortal Kombat 2 was awesome as hell as well and is my favorite MK. I even made my own move notebook with drawings and everything for MK2. I have such live for that game. Would love a HD remake of the original trilogy for now gen even though they came out for last gen.

 

[Creaking]

MK2 was the best of the series.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never been able to enjoy it.

 

[Bleepey]

Getting hype as fuck seeing this advert:

Mortal Kombat!!!!!!

 

[MrCunningham]

To be honest, the original Mortal Kombat did nothing for me as a game. I was kinda underwhelmed by it when compared to Street Fighter II. I did have a lot of fun with Mortal Kombat II though. Spent a lot of time playing that one with friends back in the day.

 

[Sanctuary]

I'm OG. MK 1 arcade in San Antonio, TX at my favorite arcade Diversions. It was love at first sight. There is only three arcade games that ever left me in awe when I first saw it.

Street Fighter 2
Mortal Kombat 1
Killer Instinct

Mortal Kombat 2 was awesome as hell as well and is my favorite MK.

No love for Samurai Showdown? Anyway, those were the three really popular games at my local arcades as well (MK2 was even more popular). Never had to worry about playing anyone. Didn't have to wait in line that long either if you were any good at them.

To be honest, the original Mortal Kombat did nothing for me as a game. I was kinda underwhelmed by it when compared to Street Fighter II. I did have a lot of fun with Mortal Kombat II though. Spent a lot of time playing that one with friends back in the day.

Agreed. MK1 was rather mediocre as a fighting game, and all it really had going for it was the character digitization, gore and fatalities. MK2 is when the series actually became a legitimate fighter.

 

[Zombine]

"Why won't this fatality work?!"

 

[Booker Dewitt]

A MK3 cabinet at the community pool that had broken sticks.

 

[SonicMegaDrive]

I first played it by random chance when I was hanging out at my local go-cart raceway back in 1992. I had no idea it was a mega-popular phenomenon, I just saw it as another crappy Street Fighter knock-off with awkward controls. I'm pretty sure I got all the way to the end on one credit using Kano before getting wiped by Goro.

I didn't really come to appreciate the game in any way until the sequel came out and every teenager became seemingly obsessed with trading fatality codes with one another.

 

[spindashing]

Getting hype as fuck seeing this advert:

Mortal Kombat!!!!!!

...holy shit. I forgot about this.

 

[PIMPBYBLUD]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I've never been able to enjoy it.

Have to agree MK2 is the best

 

[superNESjoe]

My brother and cousins played 1 and 2 on Genesis. I wasn't very good at it at the time but had a blast playing it because of how crazy it was. I felt like I was doing something bad every time I played, it was so violent. I ignored the series afterwards until MK9 came out and fell in love with it.

 

[Beardz]

I remember seeing this arcade with lots of blood and screams, the funny thing was I was seeing a bootleg version of the game, "Yawdim presents". The first fatality I saw was the one sub zero does.

 

[Amiibro]

I was at the local video rental place that had pool tables and arcade games. I was there the day they wheeled it in. I just remember seeing the fighters and amazed how real they looked compared to other games.

I miss the days of being in the arcade and getting beat down by someone in real life and then they offer to teach you the moves or fatalitys. Nothing beats that kind of gaming imo.

 

[PIMPBYBLUD]

No love for Samurai Showdown? Anyway, those were the three really popular games at my local arcades as well (MK2 was even more popular). Never had to worry about playing anyone. Didn't have to wait in line that long either if you were any good at them.



Agreed. MK1 was rather mediocre as a fighting game, and all it really had going for it was the character digitization, gore and fatalities. MK2 is when the series actually became a legitimate fighter.

I do remember seeing Samurai Showdown and the thing I loved the most about that game was the clash face off you would have occasionally. Only to find out later in life that it was totally random who one despite pressing the damn red button.

 

[Majanew]

At the arcade room in the bowling alley (I believe it was called Fair Lanes). It was 1993 and I was 13 years old. Many of us would meet up and play.

Original MK arcade cabinet at this bowling alley my parents played at weekly. I was 6 or 7 at the time and this teenager guy showed me how to use Scorpion. Funny enough, when I heard MK2 was out, I went to the only arcade in town and I saw the same guy playing MK2. He showed me the ropes and we had a blast.

What state?

 

[entremet]

At the arcades--accept no substitutes.

That block button was so weird for a SF head like I was at the time.

 

[MisterLuffy]

I don't recall when I first saw it, but I remember my dad would rent MK1 then later MK2 for snes at Hollywood Video. It was awesome playing them.

 

[Uncle Rupee]

"Do other kids actually like this?"

The game seemed like crap to me, especially after Street Fighter 2. I remember seeing how stupid the fatality inputs were and thinking how nonsensical they seemed. I mean, at least the moves in Street Fighter 2 sort of make sense for the actions they perform, whereas the fatalities require what seems like a random assortment of button presses just to be hard to figure out or pull off. I seemed to be one of the few kids my age who saw right through the bullshit "mystique" of the game's violence.

 

[Sanctuary]

...holy shit. I forgot about this.

This is the version I remember:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-3czWuGeBI

Much more hype.

 

[.la1n]

MK1 in the arcade but it was just a passing interest. Spent more time with MK2, it was hard to not give in to the excitement others had at the arcade when it arrived.

 

[Osu 16 Bit]

First saw it at my local mall Aladdin's Castle in 1992. Blew me away. Had heard nothing about it, just showed up and floored me. Been a huge fan every since.

 

[fluffydelusions]

In the arcade

 

[ErrorMacro]

It's actually kinda of funny.

When I was like 7, my cousin used to go to my house and bring his SNES and my sister, he and me would spend the day playing. We usually rented games as well. I remember one day we rented Mortal Kombat III and Yoshi's Island. But I didn't play MK because of the violence. So, when I went to sleep on another room, they changed games to MK. But the TV volume was high, and I could hear the game sound from the room where I was trying to sleep. I remember getting up, going to them and demanding they changed to Yoshi's Island because I was scared and couldn't sleep lol.

I barely remember anything from my childhood, but this memory always stick out to me. Funny thing is, MK is one of my favorite franchises nowadays.

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

My brother and I likely walked to the bowling alley to see it. He eventually got the SNES version.

Can't say I remember a memory if the series before that.

 

[Sephiroth_GR_]

Mortal Kombat season approaching.

How was your first experience with the MK franchise for the first time, GAF?

I remember the first time I saw a MK game was when I was like 5, and it was the supposedly shitty GameBoy version of MK2. I saw my brother playing it, and was like "woah, this looks badass". I don't recall actually playing the game.

Holy shit! that was my first experience as well! Some friends of mine had this game when i was 8-9 years old. So i borrowed it for a day...then the day became a week and the week became a month....soooo many batteries spent on the original Game Boy.

 

[Beast780]

I was 7 years old it was MK 1 on SNES and it was the best game ever. Mom wouldn't let us get Mortal Kombat II because of SpineGate. :-(