Mortal Movie Monday - Mortal Kombat Retrospective

Patrick McCarron · Feb 2, 2009

Starting this month at TRMK, we are going to start doing a new weekly feature called Mortal Movie Mondays. Every Monday we will take a look at some cool and interesting videos from the Mortal Kombat Universe. As well, we want you readers to submit us some ideas. Head on over to <a href="http://www.trmk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12437">this thread</a> to suggest a video to us.

This week we want to feature <a href="http://www.retrowaretv.com">Retroware TV's <a href="http://www.pwnordie.com/retrowaretv/playlists/213181">Mortal Kombat Retrospective web-series</a>. In this series, which was actually produced a while ago for Season 1 of their <a href="http://www.retrowaretv.com/home/RWTVEpisodes/tabid/57/Default.aspx">Retroware TV Web Series</a>, the director/narrator Lance puts together what I consider one of the greatest comparisons of the various ports of <a href="http://www.trmk.org/games/mortal_kombat_1">Mortal Kombat</a> through <a href="http://www.trmk.org/games/mortal_kombat_trilogy">Mortal Kombat Trilogy</a>. Lance compares everything from the common 16-bit ports of the games, to the 8-bit portable versions, and even takes a look at the later 32-bit Saturn and Playstation ports of the games. Each game is also compared for music, sound and animation completeness in comparison to the arcade version. He even offers insightful notes on the ports, like which games use the wrong music for some stages, and random tidbits.

You can watch Mortal Kombat Retrospective below.

<embed src="http://blip.tv/play/gb0A0sgZAA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>

Remember to check back next Monday, for another great Mortal Movie Monday feature. We have another great video treat ready for you!

ded_ · Feb 2, 2009

not bad at all, although lots of ports are missing. he used mat footage so he could review them too, but still i enjoyed the vids, thanks for posting them.

btw, the first video in part 3 is the second vid from mk2 review, you may fix that

Patrick McCarron · Feb 2, 2009

ded_ said:
not bad at all, although lots of ports are missing. he used mat footage so he could review them too, but still i enjoyed the vids, thanks for posting them.

btw, the first video in part 3 is the second vid from mk2 review, you may fix that

Exactly, he used MAT because he had trouble capturing from his MK boards directly. Most capture cards can't handle the resolution this adapter both Lance and I have.

As far as missing ports, he didn't cover any of the MAT releases because they are obviously just emulation. He also didn't cover the PC or Amiga ports of the games. As far as the old systems I don't think he missed any, GameGear is the same as the Master System. And has no notes of import versions though, like your mention of SNES MK2 in Europe being different. I'd have to see that personally yet though, have you confirmed this on a real SNES and not just an emulator?

And I fixed the links, the top story video is now the entire piece in one file.

Angel · Feb 2, 2009

MK1 on the Master System... Had brought for us... X_X

The ad for MK1 was seen over here, I remember it very well, though I only saw it ONCE. The MK2 ad, never made it here as far as I'm aware. I must confess I did play MK2, but not as much since there was no arcade machine for that one for ages in my local arcades. There was an option to buy the Master System MK2 for us, but me and my bro didn't go for it. I never knew there was a MS MK3.

Though the endng made me chuckle... Yes you really can spell everything with a K.

outworld222 · Feb 2, 2009

Great video. Its interesting to look at all the versions of MK that I haven't played. I must say, I always stuck to the SNES, from MK1 to MK3, that was my choice ofcourse lol. Be it as it may, great vid, and long live mortal kombat ofcourse. lol.

Tim Static · Feb 2, 2009

Wuhoo!

Spotlight on the classics, the games that made these series what it STILL is.:mrgreen:

I'll have my review up later when I watch it.....AFTER BAUER HOUR!!!

itobandito · Feb 2, 2009

Awesome, thanks for posting this on the site Patrick. I really hope you guys enjoy it. Any questions post them here guys, let's discuss!!!!

outworld222 · Feb 2, 2009

Which MK4 version is better? PS1 or N64?

Combined together, MK1-mk3, Is SNES the best version (bar arcade)

What about the PC version of these games? (MK1 - MK3?) Thanks....

ded_ · Feb 3, 2009

mk4 n64 is the best home version and for its time, the PC had the best ports of all mk games except mk4 obviosly. infact i still think that mk3 dos version is the best home port, even now, after MAT

ded_ · Feb 3, 2009

Patrick McCarron said:
As far as missing ports, he didn't cover any of the MAT releases because they are obviously just emulation. He also didn't cover the PC or Amiga ports of the games. As far as the old systems I don't think he missed any, GameGear is the same as the Master System. And has no notes of import versions though, like your mention of SNES MK2 in Europe being different. I'd have to see that personally yet though, have you confirmed this on a real SNES and not just an emulator?

And I fixed the links, the top story video is now the entire piece in one file.

MAT versions arent completely emulated. There are lots of stuff different than arcade, I writed an article only for MAT for one site few weeks ago. Except PC and Amiga, he missed Gameboy, Jakks, Hanhelds (lol), and GameGear, but yeah they are almost the same with only few differences between SMS (like pause, music and "on screen" display).

I tested the gameplay differences only in emulators, but i know people who tested those on real consoles too.

Patrick McCarron said:
Exactly, he used MAT because he had trouble capturing from his MK boards directly. Most capture cards can't handle the resolution this adapter both Lance and I have.
Most capture cards can't handle the resolution this adapter both Lance and I have.

So, it is possible to cap directly from Arcade, and if it is what equip is needed? I'm interested in capturing stuff from MK4 arcade lol

Angel · Feb 3, 2009

Wasn't the gamegear version more or less the same as the Master system version???

Patrick McCarron · Feb 3, 2009

ded_ said:
MAT versions arent completely emulated. There are lots of stuff different than arcade, I writed an article only for MAT for one site few weeks ago.

MAT is emulation, but the level of emulation is based on the console itself. The differences are also due to the incomplete emulation. Like the flashing shadows problem that came from a MAME bug actually. (They say they don't use MAME but I don't believe them when I saw that glitch)

ded_ said:

Except PC and Amiga, he missed Gameboy, Jakks, Hanhelds (lol), and GameGear, but yeah they are almost the same with only few differences between SMS (like pause, music and "on screen" display).

Well those consoles would obviously be different. He also went with the consoles he could easily record the real devices.

ded_ said:

So, it is possible to cap directly from Arcade, and if it is what equip is needed? I'm interested in capturing stuff from MK4 arcade lol

Click to expand...

Yes it is possible, not super easy due to the sync rate of the MK games may not work with some capture cards. I haven't tested my two TV capture boards with the device.

I currently have this device, which I want to sell so I can buy another.
http://www.jrok.com/hardware/RGB.html

This is the one I want to buy:
http://www.jrok.com/hardware/RGBv4/index.html

Angel said:

Wasn't the gamegear version more or less the same as the Master system version???

Click to expand...

Yes they should be the same. Only difference would be the screen resolution is slightly different, and the Game Gear can display more colors at a time. The Game Gear also does Stereo sound, where the SMS is Mono. But those factors shouldn't heavily influence how the game is.

Click to expand...

ded_ · Feb 3, 2009

Yep, thats what i meant. MAT: DE is the best version probably, but still they all suck imo, nothing can beat MAME (except the original arcades of course).

I have pinnacle pctv 310i pal, but except the capture device, what other stuff is needed? someone told me there is dv out in the arcade (mk4) but its not standart...

Angel said:
Wasn't the gamegear version more or less the same as the Master system version???

the only differences are in sms that the characters are smaller (better resolution) and there is more distance between the lifebars. in mk2 the pit fatalities works for females and shang (in gamegear they dont) and there is a pause button and mk3 gamegear has no background music.

Umon Daisuke · Feb 3, 2009

Interesting that the Saturn MKT's MK3 music had accurate sampling rate (and didn't sound like a slowed down LP like the PS1).

Btw, I totally forgot that I still have the longbox PS1 MK3. There was a re-release in 97 as one of SCEA's first Greatest Hits titles in a smaller CD-sized cardboard box. Interested Pat?

Patrick McCarron · Feb 3, 2009

ded_ said:
I have pinnacle pctv 310i pal, but except the capture device, what other stuff is needed?

1) Arcade Board
2) JAMMA setup (cables, power supply etc)
3) JROK converter to PAL (for your device)
4) Lots of luck (as 3 may not sync well with MK games on your device)

ded_ said:
someone told me there is dv out in the arcade (mk4) but its not standart...

Nope, MK4 has a Serial Port, not a video output. It's a common mistake people make. I think the port is useless for production boards, but I've never set it up to listen what is on the port during gameplay.

ded_ · Feb 3, 2009

thanks for the info

Tim Static · Feb 3, 2009

Umon Daisuke said:
Interesting that the Saturn MKT's MK3 music had accurate sampling rate (and didn't sound like a slowed down LP like the PS1).

Btw, I totally forgot that I still have the longbox PS1 MK3. There was a re-release in 97 as one of SCEA's first Greatest Hits titles in a smaller CD-sized cardboard box. Interested Pat?

like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mortal-Kombat-3...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS1-PS2-MK3-MOR...hash=item110345802060&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

PS- is anyone here can buy one of these 2 for me, I will pay you extra for it. My ex-gf ****ed up my credit w/ bank and eBay account (LONG story) and I havent been able to restore it yet. And i really REALLY want this

Patrick McCarron · Feb 3, 2009

Umon Daisuke said:
Interesting that the Saturn MKT's MK3 music had accurate sampling rate (and didn't sound like a slowed down LP like the PS1).

Btw, I totally forgot that I still have the longbox PS1 MK3. There was a re-release in 97 as one of SCEA's first Greatest Hits titles in a smaller CD-sized cardboard box. Interested Pat?

I replied to you in my collection thread.

http://www.trmk.org/forums/showthread.php?p=148321#post148321

Tim Static said:
like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mortal-Kombat-3...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

http://cgi.ebay.com/PS1-PS2-MK3-MOR...hash=item110345802060&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

PS- is anyone here can buy one of these 2 for me, I will pay you extra for it. My ex-gf ****ed up my credit w/ bank and eBay account (LONG story) and I havent been able to restore it yet. And i really REALLY want this

Take this over to another thread, I am trying to keep this comment thread on topic and not about collecting.

KornKombat · Feb 3, 2009

Very great Video. I was planning on making a Mortal Kombat Trilogy Arcade with a N64, after I finish my MK Gold Arcade. But after seeing this video i wonder if the N64 version is the one I want to go with? Orginally I thought the N64 version would be better b/c of NO LOAD time. I own the PSX version as well and it just kills me to play more than a couple fights. The N64 version I actually enjoy, it runs fast and all the characters feel complete, and the classic Sub-Zero is really fun to play with b/c he has both Sub-Zeros special moves. And with the PSX version having only some of the classic characters it seems very unbalanced and broken. And in my opinion they should have never been in the game, just 1 version of the character and they need to be MK3 style sprints.

But, The Sega Saturn version doesn't seem to bad, seems like loading is fast, and the graphics are better. I dont know much about it though b/c I never played this version.

I wish someone could make a video on just MK Trilogy and to go into great detail about it. Id like to see which version truely is the best.

Too bad Sega Dreamcast didn't make a MK Trilogy.

Is the Saturn version put together like the PSX version just less load time and better graphics? How bad is the load time? And are the graphics better than the N64? And what about sound?

Patrick McCarron · Feb 3, 2009

KornKombat said:
Very great Video. I was planning on making a Mortal Kombat Trilogy Arcade with a N64, after I finish my MK Gold Arcade. But after seeing this video i wonder if the N64 version is the one I want to go with? Orginally I thought the N64 version would be better b/c of NO LOAD time. I own the PSX version as well and it just kills me to play more than a couple fights. The N64 version I actually enjoy, it runs fast and all the characters feel complete, and the classic Sub-Zero is really fun to play with b/c he has both Sub-Zeros special moves. And with the PSX version having only some of the classic characters it seems very unbalanced and broken. And in my opinion they should have never been in the game, just 1 version of the character and they need to be MK3 style sprints.

But, The Sega Saturn version doesn't seem to bad, seems like loading is fast, and the graphics are better. I dont know much about it though b/c I never played this version.

I wish someone could make a video on just MK Trilogy and to go into great detail about it. Id like to see which version truely is the best.

Too bad Sega Dreamcast didn't make a MK Trilogy.

Is the Saturn version put together like the PSX version just less load time and better graphics? How bad is the load time? And are the graphics better than the N64? And what about sound?

I can capture some video of the Saturn once I get a better cable for it. What would you like to see? I'll order the S-video cable this week for it. I only have an RF cable right now.

What were you going to do with the monitor on the MKT arcade machine? Because that is another thing, if you use an existing monitor the Saturn may be more friendly since it has an RGB cable that you can hack apart to connect directly to a real arcade machine. Now only if the Saturn MKT could support the Saturn RAM carts.

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-k8-49-en-70-152.html

The N64 would not work with RGB out of the box, you'll need to modify the console.

http://www.gamesx.com/rgbadd/rgbn64.htm

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