Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mortal Kombat 4 on mobile retains the classic one-on-one fighting structure that fans have come to expect from the series. Each bout is a race to deplete your opponent’s health bar with punches, kicks and a handful of special attacks triggered by familiar button combinations. The timing-based round system adds strategic depth: if the timer expires, the fighter with more health emerges victorious, rewarding disciplined play and perfect defense.

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While the roster is pared down to nine fighters—Raiden, Liu Kang, Scorpion, Reiko, Tanya, Fujin, Sub-Zero, Quan Chi and the unlockable Reptile—the selection covers several fan favorites and introduces enough variety in move sets to keep matches lively. Each character still feels distinct: Scorpion’s teleport punch, Sub-Zero’s freezing blast and Tanya’s acrobatic kicks are present, though they’ve been simplified for the mobile controls and technical limitations.

The mobile adaptation leans on the engine of Mortal Kombat 3, meaning you won’t find the fully realized 3D arenas of the console and PC versions. That trade-off yields a responsive, sprite-based combat experience that runs smoothly on midrange devices. Special attacks are fewer, but this encourages players to master timing and positioning rather than memorizing long combo strings.

Graphics

Graphically, Mortal Kombat 4’s mobile edition offers a mixed bag. The absence of the series’ 3D models is immediately noticeable; stages and fighters revert to detailed 2D sprites drawn from the previous generation. This design decision keeps the framerate stable but sacrifices the depth and perspective that made the console version feel cutting-edge.

That said, the sprite work remains impressive for a mobile title of its era. Characters are faithfully rendered, with clear animations for each punch, kick and signature move. Backgrounds are vibrant, populated by onlookers and environmental hazards, ensuring the arenas never feel empty despite their flat presentation.

Special effects—like Scorpion’s “Get over here!” chain or Sub-Zero’s ice blast—look crisp, with satisfying visual feedback when hits connect. Blood spray and impact flashes are still intact, preserving the series’ trademark brutality, though some finer details are muted compared to their console counterparts.

Story

The narrative framework in Mortal Kombat 4 is straightforward: the thunder god Raiden once banished the fallen Elder God Shinnok, only to see him return with a vengeance. To thwart Shinnok’s scheme to conquer the universe, Raiden summons a select group of warriors to compete in a tournament whose champion will earn the right to face the rogue deity.

This storyline unfolds primarily through brief text interludes and character intros rather than fully animated cutscenes. While it provides enough context to justify each battle, the plot takes a backseat to the action, offering more of a motivational backdrop than a deep, character-driven drama.

The mobile release does little to expand upon this lore, but longtime fans will appreciate the nods to classic Mortal Kombat moments. Unlocking Reptile, for instance, feels like a reward tightly woven into the franchise mythos, even if the path to his secret fight is as simple as meeting specific match conditions.

Overall Experience

For fans craving portable Mortal Kombat action, the mobile version of Mortal Kombat 4 delivers a compact, reliable experience. Battles are quick, the controls responsive, and the roster—though limited—includes enough heavy hitters to sustain replay value. The streamlined special move list means newcomers can jump in without hours of combo practice, while veterans will enjoy rediscovering iconic techniques in bite-sized matches.

However, players seeking the full 3D visual spectacle or a deep narrative campaign may feel the adaptation falls short. The graphics engine swap to 2D sprites is a practical workaround for older devices but undeniably steps back from the franchise’s polygonal ambitions. Likewise, the simplified story presentation offers only a skeletal overview of the heroic struggle against Shinnok.

Ultimately, Mortal Kombat 4’s mobile iteration stands as a testament to the series’ enduring combat fundamentals. It may lack some of the polish and breadth of its console and PC peers, yet it captures the bloody thrills and accessible gameplay that define Mortal Kombat. For on-the-go brawlers and casual tournament contenders alike, it’s a worthy addition to any fighting-game collection.

Retro Replay Score

4.8/10