Mortal Kombat: Every Game Ranked From Worst To Best
3. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
The original Mortal Kombat 3 was a mixed bag for fans, with the move towards urban locations and the absence of beloved fighters like Scorpion and Kitana.
Thankfully, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 rectified this error as it expanded the roster, featuring the return of the ninjas, new stages, and more balanced mechanics.
Though jarring at the time, the game's art direction led to some of the most iconic stages in the franchise, from the Subway to the Soul Chamber,and Jade's Desert. Even bizzare fighters like Cyrax and Stryker have since become fondly remembered.
Kombat was faster than ever, with the run button from MK3 being retained while combos were made more accessible for novice players. Finally, UMK3 introduced future fan favorites with the introduction of new ninjas such as Rain and Ermac.
To this day, the game is considered the best among the original MK trilogy, improving in every aspect what MK3 set out to do. At the same time, its gameplay has stood the test of time, and it is the only arcade Mortal Kombat to still have a presence in the competitive scene.