Mortal Kombat 1 Finishing Moves: A Comprehensive Guide to Fatalities and Brutalities

Introduction

Mortal Kombat 1, released in 1992, revolutionized fighting games with its graphic violence and iconic finishing moves. The game introduced a wide range of fatalities, spectacular finishing moves that killed the opponent in a gruesome manner, and brutalities, less flashy but equally brutal moves that could be performed without sacrificing the protagonist.

Fatalities

Fatalities required the player to enter a specific button combination at the end of a round. Each character had their unique fatality, with varying levels of complexity and gore.

1. Sub-Zero: Spine Rip

Sub-Zero freezes the opponent's head, then rips out their spine with a loud crack.

2. Scorpion: Spear

Scorpion fires a grappling hook from his hand that impales the opponent through the mouth and drags them towards him.

3. Liu Kang: Bicycle Kick

Liu Kang jumps into the air and delivers a spinning bicycle kick that decapitates the opponent.

4. Johnny Cage: Shadow Kick

Johnny Cage transforms into his alter ego, Tommy, and performs a flying kick that smashes the opponent's body.

5. Goro: Stomp

The four-armed Goro grabs the opponent and stomps on them repeatedly, crushing their body.

Brutalities

Brutalities were introduced to provide a more subtle and less gory alternative to fatalities. They could be performed by pressing a specific combination of buttons during a round.

1. Sub-Zero: Ice Slide

Sub-Zero sweeps the opponent off their feet with an icy slide, freezing them in place.

2. Scorpion: Teleport Chop

Scorpion teleports behind the opponent and chops them in half with his sword.

3. Liu Kang: Roundhouse Kick

Liu Kang delivers a powerful roundhouse kick that sends the opponent flying across the screen.

4. Johnny Cage: Roundhouse Punch

Johnny Cage unleashes a devastating roundhouse punch that shatters the opponent's jaw.

5. Goro: Pummel

Goro grabs the opponent and pummels them relentlessly, eventually sending them flying.

Cultural Impact

The finishing moves in Mortal Kombat 1 had a profound cultural impact, becoming synonymous with the franchise and the fighting game genre. Their graphic nature sparked controversy and debate, but their popularity has endured over the decades.

Legacy

The finishing moves in Mortal Kombat 1 have been imitated and expanded upon in subsequent games in the series. Each new installment has introduced new and more elaborate fatalities and brutalities, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in video games.

Conclusion

The finishing moves in Mortal Kombat 1 are a testament to the game's innovative and groundbreaking nature. They have become iconic symbols of the franchise and have had a lasting impact on the fighting game genre. Their influence continues to be felt in modern games, where the pursuit of increasingly spectacular and gruesome finishing moves remains a key element of the experience.

Additional Information

• The first fatality in a fighting game was performed by Goro in Mortal Kombat 1.
• The most popular fatality in Mortal Kombat 1 is Sub-Zero's Spine Rip.
• Fatalities and brutalities have been featured in all Mortal Kombat games.
• The latest Mortal Kombat game, Mortal Kombat 11, features over 50 unique fatalities and brutalities.

Tables