Review: Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition - daytrum

Ages: Mature

Family Rating:

Parental Advisory:
extreme, graphic violence

Mortal Kombat has always been among the bloodiest games on the market, and on the Game Boy Advance, Midway Games maintains its violent crown. Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition is effectively the sequel to last year's Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. It not only serves bloody fighting, but multi-player support that lets up to four compete against each other.

At its core, Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition is a great fighting game that offers a variety of attacks and reversals. The game includes a gambling system where players may place bets on the outcome of linked battles, mini-games and other fighting challenges. In addition, there are two forms of "kurrency" that may be wagered and used to unlock or purchase hidden characters, backgrounds and other features.

The game offers compelling and entertaining multi-player modes that let up to four compete in tournaments; a tag team match; a co-op mode and more. Gamers can also link with Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance to fight head-to-head as Scorpion, Shang Tsung and Quan Chi.

A welcome new practice mode lets gamers practice their moves. And there are new warriors such as Bo Rai Cho and Nitra and returning fighters that include Cyrax, Drahmin, Hsu Hao, Johnny Cage, Mavado, Raiden and Reptile. As in the console versions, Mortal Kombat washes the screen with lots of blood and offers gory finishing moves that kill and dismember beaten fighters in cruel ways.

The graphics are excellent and do a great job of serving a 3D arena. Unlike other fight games, the arenas in Mortal Kombat feel as if they have depth so the characters are free to move about.

On the Game Boy Advance, Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition is a first rate fight game that continues to shock with blood and gore. The violent karnage continues, and this one is definitely not appropriate for kids.

10/23/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff

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