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Released in 1997, Mortal Kombat Trilogy is a brutal celebration of everything that made the original Mortal Kombat games iconic. Developed by Midway Games and published by GT Interactive, it was launched on platforms including PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Windows, MS-DOS, and Sega Saturn, offering fans the most complete MK experience to date.
The game brings together the entire roster from Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, and Mortal Kombat 3 (including Ultimate MK3), boasting over 30 fighters — a first for the series. This includes every ninja, cyborg, and kombatant players had come to love, with secret characters now fully playable from the start or unlocked via cheat codes.
Mortal Kombat Trilogy doesn’t just compile fighters — it also features every stage, every Fatality, Brutality, Animality, and Friendship move, all wrapped in that gritty digitized art style the series was known for. It also introduced a unique Aggressor Meter, which when filled gives players a temporary speed and damage boost.
The gameplay retains its classic 2D feel but refines the mechanics and balance. Despite differences between platform versions — like missing frames, altered sound, or loading times — each version captured the raw spirit of MK. The Nintendo 64 version, in particular, had exclusive features like 3-on-3 battles but fewer characters due to cartridge limitations.
To this day, Mortal Kombat Trilogy remains a cult favorite for its massive roster, nostalgic presentation, and sheer over-the-top violence. For many fans, this was the game that defined the golden age of arcade fighters — chaotic, brutal, and endlessly fun.
