Mortal Kombat 4

Mortal Kombat 4
Cover art for the home versions
Developer(s)	Midway Games (Arcade) Eurocom (N64, PC, PS1) Digital Eclipse (GBC)
Publisher(s)	Midway Games
Series	Mortal Kombat
Platform(s)	Arcade, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Game Boy Color
Release date(s)	October 15, 1997 Arcade NA: October 15, 1997 EU: 1997 Nintendo 64 NA: June 23, 1998 EU: September 15, 1998 PlayStation NA: June 24, 1998 EU: September 15, 1998 Windows NA: July 31, 1998 EU: September 15, 1998 Game Boy Color NA: December 1998 EU: 1999
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Cabinet	Standard
Arcade system	Midway Zeus hardware Main CPU: TMS32031 (@ 50 MHz) Sound CPU: ADSP2104 (@ 16 MHz) Sound Chips: (2x) DMA-driven (@ 16 MHz)

Mortal Kombat 4 (MK4) is the fourth main installment in the Mortal Kombat series of fighting games developed by Midway Games. Released to arcades in 1997, Mortal Kombat 4 is the first title from the series and one of the first made by Midway overall to use 3D computer graphics. Eurocom later ported it to the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, PC, and Game Boy Color during 1998. An updated version titled Mortal Kombat Gold was released exclusively for the Dreamcast the following year.

The gameplay system of Mortal Kombat 4 is similar to that of the previous games; one of the most notable additions is the use of weapons and objects during fights. The storyline chronicles the attack from the corrupted Elder God Shinnok against his former comrades who trapped him in the Netherealm many years prior to the beginning of the series. The other 17 playable characters take part in the battle between good and evil, with the forces of light trying to stop Shinnok and the forces of darkness from conquering all the realms.

While developing the game, the Midway staff had problems making the graphics as it was one of the first 3D fighting games they developed. Co-creator Ed Boon commented that the staff wanted to make Mortal Kombat 4 more violent than its predecessors, removing the comical finishing moves featured in them. Since its release, the game received generally positive response from critics, with the exception of the Game Boy Color port.

Mortal Kombat 4 is played in a similar way to the previous titles from the series with some changes. MK4 introduces a limited weapon system, allowing each character to take out a special weapon using a set button combination. Once equipped, the weapons are primarily used through the punch buttons. This includes swinging, clubbing or even tossing the weapons. The weapons can also be purposely dropped, in similar fashion to the arena objects such as severed heads and rocks; if an opponent's weapon is dropped, the other character is able to pick it up and use it. By sidestepping, the player is able to move in a 3D manner, shifting the camera angle, preventing both characters from holding up the weapons or objects they had on the ground.