Super Nintendo Mortal Kombat 1 vs Sega Genesis Mortal Kombat 1

How many people here have played Mortal Kombat 1 on both the Super Nintendo Entertainment System & the Sega Genesis (a.k.a. Mega Drive in some regions)?

Note:This can include actual consoles or emulators

I have played both & I'm gonna do a comparison of the 2 versions.

If you ask me "Why no Sega CD (Mega CD in some regions)?" Well that is because I have never played the Sega CD.

I have played the Arcade version though (ported to PlayStation 2 on the Mortal Kombat Deception Premium Pack).

This comparison is about...

Which 1 is truly closer to the Arcade version, Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis?

However, some things will be based on my personal preference.

Not everyone (who looks at this) is gonna agree with me 100% on this, but that's okay. (as a fellow Mortal Kombat player & long time fan) I respect everyone's opinion.

OK, let's get started...

Round 1: Controls

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[x]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-Yes, Super Nintendo has a more Arcade accurate controller layout including both high punch & low punch which do their own unique things (I played Sega Genesis MK1 using a 6 button pad, but I could do moves like Scorpion's Spear or sub-Zero's Freeze by pressing the required directional buttons & either punch button as opposed to Super Nintendo & Arcade where I either have to press HP or LP depending on what special move I was doing).

-In the end, I personally prefer Sega Genesis's controls because like the original Arcade version, they're not sluggish like Super Nintendo's (if you've played Super Nintendo MK1, you've probably noticed that the controls are kind of slow & that there is like a second delay in any move you do)

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 0 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 1 point

Round 2: Level of Violence

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[x]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-As many people know, Mortal Kombat 1 on Sega Genesis is more violent like the original Arcade version if you know the codes to enable the blood, gore & violent fatalities (ABACABB to just get the blood & gore or DULLARD to bring up a Cheat Menu with many cheats & the option to enable blood & gore).

-Super Nintendo does not have the blood & gore at all. There's not even a cheat code, believe me, I have checked around & no cheat codes came up to include blood & gore. I did hear from a friend once that (with a hacking device like a Pro Action Replay or other) you can enter a code to change the color of the sweat from gray to red (so yeah, make the sweat look like blood) but that's it.

-Of course in both the Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis version, the Pit Bottom is as clean as a whistle (no blood on any of the spikes & no dead bodies or severed heads lying around like in the original Arcade version).

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 0 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 2 points

Round 3: Graphics

[x]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-I look at the graphics seen in the Arcade version, then I look at those of Super Nintendo & those of Sega Genesis. Though there is a lack of blood & gore, I'm gonna have to say that Super Nintendo's graphics are closer to those of the original Arcade version (more detailed backgrounds & more frames of animation) when compared to the graphics of the Sega Genesis (which the backgrounds weren't as detailed & some frames of animation are missing).

-In the Super Nintendo version, the backgrounds are more detailed compared to Sega Genesis. In the Super Nintendo version, at the Warrior Shrine, there is Liu Kang statue right next to Goro (though it doesn't bow like the real Liu Kang upon winning), whereas in the Sega Genesis version, you get a Ninja Statue in it's place (so yeah, there are 2 Ninja statues at the Warrior Shrine). Also the glowing eyes in Goro's Lair blink which I don't see them do on the Sega Genesis (though on Sega Genesis, they're much bigger & therefore much more noticeable).

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 1 point
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 2 points

Round 4: Voice Over

[x]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-The Super Nintendo version/port has more voice-over compared to it's Sega Genesis counterpart. In the Super Nintendo version, you hear the name of your fighter announced upon selecting said fighter. At the end of the round, you hear (insert winner fighter's name here) wins. Plus all the grunts & screams sound closer to that of the Arcade version. You only hear some of Goro's snarls & roars. If I recall, you only hear Shang Tsung's laugh when Reptile randomly drops in to give a clue (it's been a while since that happened on the Super Nintendo).

-On the Sega Genesis, the only voice-over you hear is the Announcer saying "FIGHT!", "Excellent" & "Finish Him/Her" as well as Scorpion yelling when he does his spear move. You won't hear things like Rayden yelling when he does his Super-Man move, Liu Kang letting out that yell he does when he does his Fly Kick, Kano yelling upon winning, Johnny Cage yelling "Yeah!" upon winning or Goro letting out his signature roars.

-On the Super Nintendo, when Scorpion does his Spear, you hear him yell "Come here!" & on the Sega Genesis, when Scorpion does his Spear, he yells "Get over here!". Of course on both the Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis, you won't hear the Announcer say things like "Flawless Victory" or "Fatality!" (which was just changed to the text of "Finishing Bonus" on the Super Nintendo).

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 2 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 2 points

Round 5: Music

[x]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-Well for starters, Super Nintendo's music sounds closer to the original Arcade's music tracks but some music tracks (Such as the Title Screen, Palace Gates/Goro's Lair without Goro, The Warrior Shrine/The Pit Bottom, The Pit & Goro's Lair while battling Goro) sound kind of scary. Overall though, the Super Nintendo's tracks (as I've stated) are closer to the Arcade tracks. There are end tracks for each arena (after you hear "Finish Him/Her!"), fanfares for the VS Screen & Fatalities & even music for when you have to press Start to continue & there is finale/credits music for after you kill Shang Tsung.

-Sega Genesis doesn't have a Fatality fanfare, a Continue fanfare (excluding arena music which you sometimes still hear after you lose the match) or the ending music (instead, all you just hear is the Warrior Shrine music, The Pit Bottom/Goro's Lair music & The Pit music). The music of the Sega Genesis had to be altered drastically because it was an older (but like Super Nintendo, 16-bit) console & it wasn't as powerful as Super Nintendo.

-I enjoy the music tracks from both games & enjoy listening to them all on YouTube, but in the end, Super Nintendo's is still better.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 2 points

Round 6: Bios & Endings

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[x]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-On the Sega Genesis, you get to see the exact same bio pics as in the Arcade version (scaled down & seem a little pix-elated of course) & that also applies for Goro Lives. On the Super Nintendo version, at each fighter's bio screen, you just see them do their victory pose which also goes for Goro Lives.

-On the Sega Genesis version, you also get the actual Arcade ending pics (also scaled down & kind of pix-elated of course). On the Super Nintendo version, the 1 who kills Shang Tsung just poses in front of his (well her if you're playing as Sonya) statue at the Warrior Shrine & the text for said fighter's ending just scrolls upward (which is kind of sad looking in my opinion).

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 3 points

Round 7: In-Game Features

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[x]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-While playing the Sega Genesis version, I saw many features that are also shown (but not 100% accurate) to the original Arcade version. I already mentioned the bio & ending art so we're good there. Anyway, like the Arcade version, you get a screen where the pics of all 7 playable fighters scroll down on both the left & right sides of the screen. After you win a certain # of matches in a row (usually 7 at least), you get to enter your initials & see them in the Hall of Fame. At the end of the game, you see each of the 7 playable fighters pose at the Warrior Shrine as the credit text for each actor scrolls up (like the Arcade version, except you only see 1 warrior at a time instead of seeing all 7 fighters at the same time by the end of this part) & then you see Goro (well, technically Shang Tsung morphed into Goro) & Shang Tsung pose in Goro's Lair. After the credits are done, you see the Game Over screen which just shows Goro's Lair. Remaining true to the Arcade, sometimes (will occur randomly) shadows fly across the moon at The Pit. I'll give more of an explanation regarding this in a later category.

-In the Super Nintendo version, though the Hall of Fame is there, you can't enter your initials after you win a certain # or matches (believe me, I know from experience). You also don't get to see the entire cast post at the Warrior Shrine or the bosses pose in Goro's Lair. Instead, the actors (as well as the characters they portray) are just listed at the end of the credits.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 4 points

Round 8: CPU battles

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[x]Tie

Personal Comments

-The CPU's are fun to fight against in both games. They seem much easier on the Sega Genesis than on the Super Nintendo (I think it may have something to do with the sluggish controls on the Super Nintendo version) but (if you've entered the DULLARD code & activated a certain flag #) they will finish you with their fatality or knock you into the Pit. On the Super Nintendo, they won't do either of those at the end of the match (no matter what difficulty level you play on). Instead, they just throw you around a couple times and/or just deck you once.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 4 points

Round 9: Fight with Reptile

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[x]Tie

Personal Comments

-Fighting Reptile is fun on both Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis. He is fast & aggressive (sometimes can be harder than Goro and/or Shang Tsung) On the Sega Genesis version (like the Arcade version) Reptile's health bar says Scorpion, but rest assured it is Reptile. If he beats you, it says Reptile wins. Is that proof enough for you? (lol)

-On the Sega Genesis, (like the Arcade version) shadows have to fly across the moon at The Pit. If this happens, you must obtain a Double Flawless Victory, DO NOT press Block at all & do your fighter's Fatality (DO NOT do The Pit fatality). If done correctly, the screen will flash & a message will pop up saying "You have found me, now prove yourself" indicating you will fight Reptile. If you kick his ass (with your fighter's fatality), a message will pop up saying "You have defeated Reptile. 10,000,000 points!"

-On the Super Nintendo version, you just have to be at The Pit. All you have to do is obtain a Double Flawless Victory, DO NOT press block at all & do your fighter's fatality (NO pit fatality). If done, the "You have found me, now prove yourself" message just pops up. You will now face Reptile & if you kick his ass (using your fighter's fatality), you just get a Finishing Bonus of 10,000,000 points.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 4 points

Round 10: Fatalities

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[x]Tie

Personal Comments

-Fatalities are cool either way. If you do Super Nintendo vs censored Sega Genesis (how can you even consider some of these Fatalities? It's just an uppercut or a kick), Super Nintendo can easily win. If you do Super Nintendo vs uncensored Sega Genesis, then Sega Genesis can easily win (because of the blood & gore of course). So that's why I say tie.

-Kano's Heart Rip fatality on Sega Genesis is better than his Super Nintendo (?) Rip (which some think is just a Titty Twister if I can say that here). Johnny Cage's Head Decap fatality is slightly better than his Super Nintendo fatality (where he's supposed to be kicking through his opponent's chest which would've looked better had blood & gore been included). Rayden's Shocker (head splattering on uncensored Sega Genesis, turned into ashes on Super Nintendo) Fatality, Scorpion's Toasty Fatality, Sub-Zero's (Spine Rip on uncensored Sega Genesis, Deep Freeze & Shatter on Super Nintendo) Fatality as well as Sonya's Kiss of Death Fatality are cool either way while Liu Kang's (light-hearted & not deadly at all) Cartwheel Fatality sucks no matter which version you're playing.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 4 points

Round 11: Codes & Glitches

[]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[x]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-Well, there aren't really any codes you can enter on the Super Nintendo version, but there are a couple glitches you can do. As Rayden on Endurance 3, if you end the fight doing his fatality, when the ashes of said fighter #2 disappears, Goro appears all shiny & metallic (which fans have dubbed him as the T-1000 Goro). This unfortunately only goes for the 1st round of the 1st match against Goro. If you fight against Goro as Sub-Zero, if you freeze him, try sweeping him 3 times, he let's out a snarl.

-The Sega Genesis does have the ABACABB code to enable blood & there is also the DULLARD code to bring up a whole cheat menu filled with cool stuff. Here, you can enable blood (you don't even really need ABACABB because of this), activate certain flags which will allow 1 hit damage to player 1 or player 2, objects always fly across the moon at The Pit, a man's head flies across the moon at The Pit, CPUs do Fatalities to you if you lose, Reptile drops in to give random clues before every match, you always fight at 1 arena for the whole game (up to Endurance 3 in 1 Player mode) & infinite credits.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 3 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 5 points

Round 12: End Boss Fights

[x]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-Like the Reptile fight, the fights against Goro & Shang Tsung are fun on both the Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis versions. Goro doesn't seem as intimidating on the Sega Genesis as he did on the Super Nintendo (primarily due to the absence of the Goro Fight theme we hear in both the Super Nintendo & Arcade)

-The final battle against the old evil sorcerer himself. In both Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis, he's not really as big a threat as bosses such as Shao Kahn & Onaga. Of course what happens when you kill Shang Tsung is much more epic on the Super Nintendo as opposed to the Sega Genesis (I guess memory constraints are to blame for that) which I will explain in the next round.

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 4 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 5 points

Round 13: In-Game Finale/Shang Tsung's Defeat

[x]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-Like the Arcade version when you kill Shang Tsung, the screen flashes & the souls of all 7 playable fighters come out of him (except in the Arcade version, you get to see Sonya, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang & Raiden twice, I have no clue as to why this is, but hey I ain't gonna complain because to me, it's no big deal).

-In the Sega Genesis version when you kill Shang Tsung, it just skips the flashing screen & souls escaping sequence (most likely wasn't enough memory to fit this onto the cart because as I stated earlier, Sega Genesis wasn't as powerful a 16-bit console as Super Nintendo) & goes straight to the "Outstanding! You have defeated Shang Tsung! You are the supreme Mortal Kombat warrior!".

Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 5 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 5 points

Well, at this point, Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis are tied at 5 points a piece. Everything I explain in the final round will seal their fates & determine an ultimate winner.

Final Round: Which is more special to me?

[x]Super Nintendo Entertainment System
[]Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
[]Tie

Personal Comments

-I grew up on the Super Nintendo version. As a kid, I wanted a Sega Genesis (to play Sonic the Hedgehog which my neighbors had) but of course, I didn't know about the whole blood & gore secretly being on the Sega Genesis until my Junior year in high school (2002). Yeah, we were a Nintendo only family up until I was in 7th grade when we got into PlayStation.

Final Score
-Super Nintendo Entertainment System = 6 points
-Sega Genesis/Mega Drive = 5 points

So, I guess congratulations to Super Nintendo for winning.

This was a very close race I might add, but Super Nintendo won by only 1 point.

Not everyone will agree with me here, but like I said I respect everyone's opinions.

As I stated before, some of this was based on which is more Arcade accurate & some of this is based on my personal preferences.

Mortal Kombat is a fun fighting game franchise (much better than Street Fighter in my opinion).

So, who likes Super Nintendo Mortal Kombat 1 better & who likes Sega Genesis Mortal Kombat 1 better?