Home Gaming Insert Koin – Mortal Kombat II

Insert Koin – Mortal Kombat II

2 min read
18

MK 2 (3)

A video game arcade without a few fighting game cabinets is like a YouTube comments section without the kind of vitriol spewed forth by what I can only assume is the angriest collective of 12 year-olds that the world has ever seen. There may be certain genres which drove people to arcades, but it’s the humble fighting game which kept them there, ready to smack a token on the side of the cabinet as they waited their turn.

MK 2 (5)

I’ve seen a ton of great fighting games grace arcades over the years. Killer Instinct, Eternal Champions, Tekken, Dead or Alive, Street Fighter and a truckload more. But nothing, nothing ever beats your first time playing Mortal Kombat on an arcade stand.

Let me paint a picture for you: It’s a hot day in the Eastern Cape, I’ve sought refuge and I’ve found it in my local arcade. And in the corner, there’s a Mortal Kombat II stand. Now, never mind the fact that by the time this stand had arrived, Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance was all the rage on the PlayStation 2.

The stand itself was dusty, the decals were cracked and the fight-stick was worn down from years of abuse and QCF actions. But what the hell, it looked like fun.

MK 2 (4)

I don’t need to wax lyrical about how Mortal Kombat II was a monumental step forward for the franchise. New characters, smoother combos and better finishing moves.

While Geoff and I will still have heated arguments over which Mortal Kombat is best (MORTAL KOMBAT 3 SCREW YOU GEOFF), you just cannot deny how instrumental the first sequel was in moving the franchise forward.

But here’s the thing: Mortal Kombat II had what appears to be a stock-standard arcade stand. The typical two-player setup, with a familiar shape. But it’ll always be one of my favourite stands, of all time thanks to the decals on it.

MK 2 (1)

There’s just something magical about seeing Raiden throwing lightning on the sides, as if he’s channelling a quickening from Highlander, with the new logo smackdab in the middle of the top decal.

And then there’s the fight stick layout. I swear, Mortal Kombat II had a layout which knew precisely where to position every input action for the various high and low combos.

MK 2 (2)

Mortal Kombat II isn’t just one a gold standard for what a fighting game sequel should be. It’s also one of the damn finest examples of arcade kabinet that you’ll ever see. And worth every koin spent on it.

Last Updated: September 9, 2015

18 Comments

  1. I agree! MKII remains the most awe-inspiring arcade game to this date for me. I still remember my first time seeing MKII at a Bimbos in Jhb.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      September 9, 2015 at 15:53

      Too much nostalgia in one comment!

      Reply

  2. oVg NOT SURE IF...

    September 9, 2015 at 15:46

    Odd that the 1992 version is still more gruesome than MKX over the top fatalities.
    Probably because they were real actors. They need to bring back stop motion.

    Reply

  3. Captain JJ Fantasticus

    September 9, 2015 at 15:53

    Don’t forget the brilliant Primal Rage. That was one awesomely cool game. Very unique.

    Reply

  4. RinceThis

    September 9, 2015 at 15:53

    Sweet read man!

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      September 9, 2015 at 15:54

      Only looking at the pictures doesn’t count as reading!

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        September 9, 2015 at 15:55

        You shurrup! I didn’t even do that 😛

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          September 9, 2015 at 15:57

          FINE, then it’s just ME!

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            September 9, 2015 at 15:57

            It’s always just YOU isn’t it?!

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 9, 2015 at 15:58

            I’d make a comment about it only being to the ladies, but I’m married now, so it feels weird to say that.

          • RinceThis

            September 9, 2015 at 15:59

            Dammit! Was waiting with finger poised above the print screen button!

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 9, 2015 at 16:11

            LOL

  5. Hendrik

    September 9, 2015 at 16:04

    I first saw a stand like this in Sun City when I was 9 years old. I only knew how to uppercut etc. And there was this guy jamming with Sub-Zero, sliding, throwing ice balls and going crazy. I almost cried it was so beautiful. That guy was my god!

    Reply

    • oVg NOT SURE IF...

      September 9, 2015 at 16:52

      Then the secret Spine Rip 🙂

      Reply

  6. Tiaan Pat

    September 10, 2015 at 08:19

    Man i miss Killer Instinct 🙁 Number 2 was a bad sequel for me. Got the game on my PC still play it every now and then but not the same as at the Arcade

    Reply

    • CypherGate

      September 10, 2015 at 09:41

      Nothing is better than the arcade version. I remember hearing the game in the distance cause it was so loud with bass as well and there was a huge crowd! When I walked over to have a look I saw things freaked me out and yet excited me cause it was something ive never seen before and when there was space for me to try it out I was too nervous and scared somehow lol when i decided to try it out when no one was around a guy came up and challenged me. He did end up destroying me though. I thought he was the best player at the time lol

      Reply

      • Tiaan Pat

        September 10, 2015 at 12:13

        That takes me back… I know the feels. Could never really play with Jaco :/ stupid half and quarter circles 🙁

        Reply

  7. Spidy Duz It

    September 11, 2015 at 10:49

    MK3 Ultimate

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Mortal Kombat: Scorpion’s Revenge sequel coming later this year

GET OVER HERE...and read this news about Mortal Kombat: Battle of the Realms preparing to …