Mortal Kombat 4 marks the franchise's transition to 3D. Polygonal graphics that have aged poorly but core series gameplay is retained. First 3D MK, an inevitable transitional step. For collectors and die-hard franchise fans wanting to follow the series' evolution.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players16+
Description
First 3D transition of Midway's Mortal Kombat series, polygonal versus fighter with bloody Fatalities. Created by Midway and Eurocom, released in 1998 in the United States and Europe under the Mortal Kombat 4 title. Fifteen 3D fighters including Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang and Quan Chi, contextual weapon mode, Fatalities and arcade soundtrack. Western edition under the Mortal Kombat 4 title.
Mortal Kombat 4 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
The move to 3D brings weapons, interactive arenas and a new dimension to the fights, without disowning any of the series' stylised violence. Feeling the impact of a blow and dropping a spectacular fatality stays an instant, transgressive pleasure. Snappy, generous and built for the duel, an entry that modernises the formula without betraying it.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
The move to 3D adds weapons and sidesteps that refresh the bloody duel, and every round won immediately calls for a rematch. Unlocking the endings and mastering the arena Fatalities keeps you trying again. The system stays stiff and the port modest, but the gore one-upmanship and the guilty pleasure of the versus retain a stubborn appeal in multiplayer.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
The series' first move to 3D, this entry adds weapons and new arenas to a formula already rich in Fatalities and secrets. Unlocking the fighters, mastering each style and chaining versus matches stretches the fun well beyond the first game. That generosity of content offers a replay value combat fans appreciate.
PAL release of the first Mortal Kombat to move into polygonal 3D. A transitional step with dated visuals, the entry matters mostly for its place in the series' evolution. Loose copies are affordable while sealed examples are notably scarcer in Europe. Its value stays reasonable next to NTSC-U MK3, making it an accessible milestone for anyone tracking the franchise on PSone.
A questionable morality
The tournament is won on skill, but its trademark remains the finishing blow: once your opponent is beaten, the game politely invites you to dispatch them in the most spectacular and bloody way possible. You perform these finishers with the care of a craftsman, turning the kill into a compulsory figure you drill to land like any other combo.
