Shang Tsung's Babality

Earlier today I was playing the latest MK for PS3. I had it on the easiest level and I was trying to blaze through computer opponents with Shang Tsung. I was trying to do one his finishers but I accidentally hit the wrong button and I discovered his Babality instead. So, here it is for you to enjoy, my happy accident from earlier in the day.

Shang Tsung's Babality:

back, down, back, light kick  (from a jumping distance)

Freddy Krueger Mortal Kombat

As I mentioned in my last post, I've finally gotten my hands on Mortal Kombat for PS3 and I've been blown away by how amazing it is. Earlier this weekend I was checking out the DLC characters for MK and I was really excited about Freddy Krueger. I remember watching Nightmare On Elm Street as a kid and Freddy was one of the most charismatic slasher bad guys around. Having him in a game is pretty awesome and that's one of the cool thing about the new MK, the ability to play characters outside of the MK universe like Kratos. I've never played God Of War but it seems like a great game that has a lot of fans so I'm sure GOW fans are just as thrilled about Kratos as I am about Freddy.

 It was definitely cool being able to play the nightmare king himself and Freddy proved this weekend that he can fight right up there with the big boys of MK universe. If you're a fan of Mortal Kombat and the Nightmare On Elm Street movies then you'll get a kick out of laying down Freddy's nightmares on your opponents.

Now Playing: Mortal Kombat

Oh yeah baby! I finally picked up MK for the PS3 last night and I've really been enjoying slamming computer opponents into the ground and seeing all the different fatalities. I might do a real review of the game later but for now my first impression is a solid two thumbs up! I was worried that Mortal Kombat would kind of suck because MK vs DC Universe kind of sucks but I was pleasantly surprised. One of the biggest things that sticks out about the game and the best surprise so far is that the fatalities aren't ridiculously impossible like they seemed to me in MK vs DC. 

I haven't gotten a chance to really explore all the characters, their moves, or all the different modes available in the game but I expect to be pleasantly surprised. How awesome is it to have Freddy Krueger available for download? I grew up watching Nightmare On Elm Street and I still enjoy watching the movies every now and then. They were a lot scarier back when I was a kid. Now they're actually kind of funny. That Freddy sure does have a sense of humor! I can't wait to download him and actually, I think that's what I'm going to go do right now, download Freddy so I can put him in my game...

Mortal Kombat Trilogy On PS3

The other day I did a blog post about the missing fatalities in the moves menu for Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (PS3). I was annoyed that the fatalities and heroic brutalities are missing in the game for no apparent reason. Well I have good news for MK lovers on the PS3. I downloaded the Mortal Kombat Trilogy the other day which is available through the Playstation Store. The arcade versions of Mortal Kombat I, II, and III are all included in the trilogy. The good news is that if you like these classic arcade titles you can purchase them for very little and best of all, the fatalities are included in the moves menu. I know some people out there already play these on MAME emulators but I would strongly suggest anyone with a PS3 buy the trilogy if only for convenience. I have to say it's really handy having all the moves right there in the menu and I feel like I can finally start getting to know these characters in depth. The other great thing about the MK trilogy on PS3 is that you have the option to play online with leader boards and rankings so you can practice all those classic moves on others. 

So if the fatalities for the MK arcade trilogy are easily accessible in the moves menu then that begs the question, why weren't they included in the MK vs DC Universe game? It doesn't make sense! 

Where are the fatalities for MK vs DC Universe?

One of the great things about this generation's gaming consoles is how far we've come along from the NES, SNES and Sega Genesis days. Back when arcade fighting games first came out for home consoles you had to study the game manuals for the moves if you didn't know them already. Chances are that you're pretty good with one character but not all of them so if you're kicking some ass with Scorpion but then you get a little bored and want to try a new character like Reptile or Shang Tsung you'll have to stop and study the manual or look for the moves online. The great thing about games for Xbox and PS3 is that they can support online manuals. If you're playing Street Fighter IV with Gouken or Juri for the first time you can press start for instant access to all of their moves. That includes special moves like hadokens and shoryoukens, super moves, ultra combos and unique moves like Guile's reverse spin kick.

Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe was the first game in the MK series that I bought for PS3. I was exited about the fatalities and brutalities and I couldn't wait to have them there in the start menu, easily accessible like the Street Fighter IV moves but then.... 

They weren't there. I'm not sure if there's something that I've missed or that I am still missing but I had to check online for fatalities and heroic brutalities. The fatalities are complex and difficult to learn so why wouldn't they be included with the rest of the moves in the start menu?

Arcade Fighting Sticks

If you're new to the world of fighting games you may not have realized that there are arcade sticks out there for gamers who love tournament fighters like the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat series. Not only are arcade style sticks available, they are a must if you want to get the full experience of a fighting game.

Street Fighter II and its later editions along with Mortal Kombat 1 and 2 came out when I was in grade school and high school. I remember being a kid at lunch time saving a quarter or two from my lunch money, waiting for a trip to the arcade after school so I could go a couple of rounds with some friends. I recently ordered my first fighting stick for the PS3 and these memories came back. I still enjoy playing Street Fighter IV on the regular PS3 controller like I enjoyed Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat on the SNES but I firmly believe (and I'm sure others agree) that these games were made for and are played best on arcade fighting sticks. I've never participated in a tournament or attended one but as far as I can tell from what I read online, serious players are using arcade style controllers like the ones made by HORI and Mad Catz.

It seems like there was an arcade in every neighborhood a few decades ago but times have changed. I used to discover new games at the arcade as a kid and now most people are introduced to fighting games on home consoles like the Xbox 360 or through PC emulators. If you're just getting into fighting games like Street Fighter IV I have two suggestions. Play the classics Street Fighter II, SF II Turbo, Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II and also try playing them on a decent fighting stick. I think the early games are great for teaching beginners the basics and with a fight stick you'll be mixing combos full of hadokens and shoryukens in no time.