Mortal Kombat Trilogy was Midway’s 1996 home update to Mortal Kombat 3, bringing characters and stages from the first two games into the MK3/Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 framework. Despite its name, it was not three separately playable arcade games in one package. Its platform editions also differ, so the best version depends on what you want to play and what hardware you have.
What was Mortal Kombat Trilogy?
Released originally by Midway in 1996, Mortal Kombat Trilogy was the second and final update to Mortal Kombat 3, according to GOG’s August 15, 2022 announcement. It drew on the series’ first three entries by restoring characters and stages from Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II while retaining the later game’s foundation. It was a consolidated, updated fighting game—not a collection that let players launch three complete arcade versions separately.
The game was a home release rather than an arcade release, a notable distinction in the early series’ history, as Kamidogu’s series history explains.
What did the update add?
Beyond the returning characters and stages, Trilogy introduced the Aggressor bar and new finishing moves, as described in GOG’s announcement. The Aggressor mechanic gave the game an additional combat feature; the returning material made it feel like a broad home-era gathering of the early series rather than simply another small roster revision.
#1 Best Overall
- 32 playable characters plus hidden characters, over 30 original moves and fatality attacks, new brutality moves, new power gauge
- Players: 1-2
- Controller: Gamepad, Joystick
Which platforms got the game, and when?
Release dates varied by platform and source. The following dates and roster counts are reported by a specialist platform reference; they should not be read as one universal launch date or a complete account of every regional release.
| Platform | Date listed by the reference | Standard playable roster listed |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 64 | October 31, 1996 | 26 |
| PlayStation | December 1996 | 32 |
| PC | 1997 | 32 |
| Sega Saturn | August 31, 1997 | 32 |
The roster figures are standard playable-character counts from that reference, not claims that every platform handled hidden characters identically. The editions vary in hidden characters and other version-specific content; the broader game overview also documents omissions and differences, including changes in the Nintendo 64 edition. Treat the table as a starting point, not proof that these versions are interchangeable.
Rank #2
![Mortal Kombat Trilogy (Greatest Hits) - (PS1) PlayStation 1 [Pre-Owned]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41wQQXpn4BL._SL160_.jpg)
- 32 playable characters plus hidden characters, over 30 original moves and fatality attacks, new brutality moves, new power gauge
- Players: 1-2
- Controller: Gamepad, Joystick
Which version should you play?
Choose based on what you can run
If you want a straightforward way to try the game on a modern computer, GOG announced a digital PC release on August 15, 2022, describing it as a restoration and accessibility effort made in collaboration with Warner Bros. Its announcement establishes that release at that time; it does not establish current availability in every territory.
Check the edition before buying a used copy
For a physical PlayStation or Nintendo 64 copy, verify the platform and region against your console, and check the seller’s description for disc or cartridge condition and whether the original case and manual are included. A title listing alone does not establish that a copy is complete, compatible with your hardware, or currently available at a reasonable price.
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Rank #3
- Fighting Game
Why the “arcade trilogy” description needs a caveat
The name captures the game’s broad reach across early Mortal Kombat content, but it can suggest a format the game did not have. Trilogy assembled returning fighters and stages within an updated MK3-based game; it was not three intact arcade games bundled as distinct modes. And because the home editions differ, “the Trilogy version” does not describe one identical experience across PlayStation, PC, Saturn, and Nintendo 64.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Console Compatibility: Compatible with Nintendo 64 (N64) systems for authentic retro gaming experience
- Regional Version: US version game cartridge designed for North American Nintendo 64 consoles
- Classic Fighting Gameplay: Features 3D fighting action with weapons and signature fatalities that define the franchise
- Iconic Character Roster: Play as fan-favorite characters like Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden with unique special moves
- Multiple Game Modes: Single-player and multiplayer modes available for solo challenges or competitive battles
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