Ultimate Mortal Kombat

When I first booted up Ultimate Mortal Kombat on the Nintendo DS, I was honestly skeptical. Mortal Kombat is known for its fast-paced, precise fighting mechanics and brutal finishers—things that don’t always translate smoothly to handheld systems. But after spending real time with it, I can say this version surprised me in several ways, even if it’s not perfect.

This DS release is essentially a portable adaptation of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, one of the most beloved entries in the franchise’s arcade era. Right away, the nostalgia factor hits hard. The classic roster is here—Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Kitana, Raiden, and many others. Seeing these iconic characters rendered on a handheld screen felt impressive at the time. Even today, there’s something satisfying about launching into a match between Scorpion and Sub-Zero during a quick gaming session.

Gameplay remains faithful to the fast combo-heavy system of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. The pace is quick, and matches can swing dramatically depending on how well you execute your combos and special moves. Pulling off a clean combo string still feels rewarding. However, playing on the Nintendo DS does introduce some control limitations. The D-pad works fine for basic movement, but executing more complex special moves or combos can feel slightly cramped compared to an arcade stick or traditional console controller. It’s playable, but you definitely notice the difference.

One of the highlights for me was how intact the core fighting system feels despite the hardware limitations. The characters move smoothly, animations are recognizable, and the core gameplay loop is preserved. The DS hardware handles the 2D sprite-based visuals surprisingly well. While not arcade-perfect, it’s impressive for a portable system.

Of course, we can’t talk about Mortal Kombat without mentioning the Fatalities. Yes, they’re here. And yes, they retain that over-the-top brutality the series is known for. Pulling off a Fatality after winning a close match still brings that classic sense of satisfaction. The pixelated presentation doesn’t reduce their impact much; in fact, it almost adds to the retro charm.

One unexpected addition to this DS version is Puzzle Kombat mode. This is essentially a tile-matching mini-game inspired by puzzle games like Tetris or Panel de Pon, but with Mortal Kombat characters attacking each other as you create combos. I ended up spending more time in Puzzle Kombat than I expected. It’s surprisingly addictive and makes clever use of the touch screen. It also adds variety, giving you something different when you need a break from traditional fights.

Multiplayer is another strong point. If you had a friend with a copy of the game, local wireless matches were possible. Playing against a real opponent significantly improved the experience. Fighting games truly shine in competitive settings, and even on a handheld device, that competitive energy translates well.

In terms of presentation, the visuals are faithful but scaled down. Character sprites are smaller, and backgrounds are simplified compared to arcade versions. Still, the game runs at a solid speed, which is crucial for a fighting game. Audio includes recognizable voice clips and sound effects, though compressed. The iconic “Finish Him!” still hits with impact, even on the DS speakers.

If I had to point out weaknesses, the biggest would be the control limitations and occasional balancing frustrations. Some AI opponents can feel unfair at higher difficulties, and pulling off advanced combos consistently requires patience. Additionally, while the content is solid, it’s not expansive. Outside of arcade mode, versus, and Puzzle Kombat, there isn’t a massive amount of variety.

Still, Ultimate Mortal Kombat on DS achieves something impressive: it delivers a genuinely competent portable Mortal Kombat experience. It doesn’t feel like a watered-down novelty. It feels like a condensed version of a classic arcade fighter you can carry in your pocket.

Looking back, playing it felt like having a piece of 90s arcade history available anytime, anywhere. While it may not replace the arcade originals or console versions, it stands as a strong handheld adaptation that respects the series’ legacy and delivers fast, brutal fun on the go.