About this game
Mortal Kombat II is the Mega Drive port of Midway's 1993 arcade fighting game, released September 13, 1994 ("Mortal Tuesday"), developed by Probe Software and published by Acclaim Entertainment. Unlike the first game's censored Genesis version, this port retained all blood and Fatalities without code entry. The arcade original, designed by Ed Boon and John Tobias, became central to early-1990s debates over violence in games.
Gallery
The Story Behind
Mortal Kombat II was released in arcades in 1993, designed by Ed Boon and John Tobias at Midway, and became one of the highest-grossing arcade games of the era. The game's explicit violence and digitized actor sprites placed it at the center of early-1990s debates over violence in video games, contributing to the formation of the ESRB rating system in 1994. The Mega Drive port, developed by Probe Software and released on September 13, 1994 (marketed as "Mortal Tuesday"), was notable for retaining all blood and Fatalities without requiring a code — a sharp contrast to the censored first game on the platform.
Tricks & Tales
The arcade version was the first Midway release to use the DCS Sound System. The hidden character 'Noob Saibot' is the backwards spelling of 'Boon Tobias,' the surnames of designers Ed Boon and John Tobias. Probe Software founder Fergus McGovern appears as a hidden easter egg "Fergality" move in the Mega Drive port. Reviewers noted the port was faster than the arcade original, though with less vivid colors due to the Mega Drive's palette limitations.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
The Japanese Mega Drive and the North American Genesis use different cartridge shapes — Japanese carts have a notch on the side that fits a locking arm inside the JP console, while Genesis carts are slightly narrower with a different profile. The two cartridges are physically incompatible without an adapter. European PAL carts share the same shape as the Genesis. Beyond physical shape, some games from 1992 onward also check a software region register and will lock out foreign consoles even with an adapter. A region converter cartridge or a mod chip addresses both the physical and software locks.
Maintenance Tips
The cartridge edge connector — both on the console and the cartridge itself — is the most common source of read errors on a Mega Drive. Clean the cartridge contacts with a cotton swab lightly dampened with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol, and let them dry completely before inserting. Avoid blowing into the slot; moisture accelerates pin corrosion. For persistent problems, the console's cartridge slot pins can be gently cleaned the same way using a thin swab.
Going deeper
Explore the machine this game ran on, and what to check before you buy or care for one:
What to Watch Out For
Before buying, these are the points worth knowing — from someone who handles original Japanese Mortal Kombat II copies regularly.
Does Mortal Kombat II for Mega Drive save progress?
No. Mortal Kombat II uses no save system — it's a single-session arcade-style fighting game. Progress isn't stored between plays. The cartridge contains no battery, so there's no battery replacement concern.
Will a Japanese Mega Drive Mortal Kombat II work on a North American Genesis?
Not without modification. Japanese Mega Drive and North American Genesis cartridges use different physical shell notches to prevent direct insertion. The console also enforces region settings in hardware. Playing Japanese Mega Drive software is most reliably done on a Japanese Mega Drive console. Region adapters exist for those wishing to run imports on Western hardware.
My Mortal Kombat II cartridge won't start — what should I try?
Clean the gold edge contacts on the base of the cartridge with a cotton swab dampened in 90%-or-higher isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry fully. Mega Drive cartridges rarely fail internally — dirty contacts are the most common cause of boot failure. Never blow into the cartridge; the moisture corrodes the pins you're trying to clean.
Before You Buy
Things worth knowing before you buy Mortal Kombat II
A short checklist for buying a used Mega Drive cartridge wisely — useful with any seller, anywhere.
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Choose a seller who tests it before shipping
A copy that has actually been powered on and checked is a known quantity. An untested one is a gamble you only settle after it arrives.
Look for a seller who states it was function-tested and says what they confirmed. A serious seller can tell you exactly what was checked.
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Make sure it fits your console
This is a Japanese Mega Drive cartridge; it differs in shape and region from the North American Genesis and may need a matching console or adapter.
Play it on a matching Japanese console or a region-free system, and confirm the listing states the region.
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If this title saves your progress, check the battery
Cartridges that save use a small coin-cell battery that fades over decades — a dead one wipes your save without warning.
Ask the seller whether the save function was tested. Replacing the battery is possible, but doing so erases any existing save.
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Check that the contacts are clean
Dirty edge contacts are the most common cause of startup and sound trouble in cartridges of this age.
Choose a seller who cleans the contacts before shipping. A note that it was tested and cleaned means the basics were handled.
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Read the seller's reviews and return policy
A 100% positive record across thousands of sales is close to a guarantee — packing, communication and problem-solving all work for everyone. A return policy protects you if something is off.
Read the feedback and confirm a clear return window before you buy.
The last step before buying anywhere is knowing what it's worth.
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