Mortal Kombat 2 Arcade Machine: Pro Tips and Strategies
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Mortal Kombat 2 is renowned for its fast-paced action, iconic characters, and brutal finishing moves. However, it’s also infamous for its challenging AI, especially in the arcade version. The CPU opponents often seem to anticipate your every move, reacting with lightning-fast counters and relentless aggression.
Are you ready to take your Mortal Kombat 2 [MK2] game to the next level? Fear not! By understanding the game’s mechanics and exploiting certain patterns, you can turn the tables and achieve arcade glory.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran seeking to refine your skills or a retro gaming enthusiast eager to conquer this arcade classic, this guide is your key to dominating the arcade machine. We’ll delve into pro tips and strategies that will give you a significant edge over the competition, and even the notoriously cheap CPU.
Mortal Kombat 2 Key Concepts and Theories
Before diving into specific strategies, let’s cover some essential concepts that will inform your approach to Mortal Kombat 2:
- Character Selection: Each character in MK2 possesses unique strengths and weaknesses. Experiment to find a character that suits your play style. Some characters, like Jax, might not respond to strategies the same way as others.
- Spacing and Timing: Mastering spacing is crucial for controlling the flow of the fight. Knowing when to attack, when to block, and when to retreat is key to success.
- Reading Your Opponent: Pay close attention to your opponent’s patterns and tendencies. Are they aggressive or defensive? Do they favor certain moves? Use this information to anticipate their actions and exploit their weaknesses.
- Exploiting AI Patterns: The MK2 CPU, while challenging, isn’t infallible. It often exhibits predictable patterns that can be exploited to gain an advantage.
Pro Tips and Strategies
Here are some proven strategies to help you conquer the Mortal Kombat 2 arcade machine:
The Jump-Back Exploit
This strategy is effective against the CPU:
- Wait for the computer to approach you. It’s best to crouch first.
- As they get close, immediately jump backward. Timing is crucial; jump back before they get too close to throw you, but not when they are too far away.
- The CPU will pause briefly and then jump toward you without attacking (most of the time on Very Hard difficulty).
- You will land first, leaving them open for a counter-attack right before they land.
- Use a High Kick (HK), Low Kick (LK), Roundhouse, Uppercut, or projectile. HK and Roundhouse attacks are the most consistent.
- Avoid corners when jumping away, as this trick only works outside of corners. If cornered, let them throw you and jump away after recovering to reset the situation.
- Limitations: This method is most consistent on the “Left” side (Player 1). It may not work with Liu Kang, Kitana, Mileena, Raiden, and Kung Lao (though it sometimes works briefly with Kung Lao).
Blocking and Punishing
- Blocking More Often: According to one suggestion, blocking more often can disrupt the AI’s offensive spamming. The AI tends to attack relentlessly if it thinks you’re always on the offensive2.
- Punishing predictable attacks: Capitalize on recovery frames after blocked attacks to inflict damage.
Kintaro and Shao Kahn’s Strategies
- Kintaro: Time a jump kick from sweep distance. If he blocks and throws you, jump back multiple times. When near the corner and he approaches, jump and kick him as he attempts to uppercut.
- Shao Kahn: Characters with good kick reach (Ninjas, Jax, Johnny Cage) can spam LK and mix in HK when Kahn gets close.
Katana’s Fan Lift
- Fan Lift and Combo: Use Katana’s fan lift, as the AI often walks right into it. After the fan lift, perform a deep jump attack, air fan toss, and flying air punch. The AI may not know how to counter the fan lift
Best Characters to Use for Competitive Play in MK2
For competitive play in Mortal Kombat 2, some characters are considered better than others due to their move sets, damage output, and overall effectiveness. Here’s a breakdown of top-tier characters based on gameplay and expert opinions:
- Mileena: Mileena is considered a top-tier character due to her speed and combo potential after a ground roll. She can also “sai-spam,” which is effective against many characters. Some consider her overpowered.
- Jax: Jax is another top-tier character because he has many options, does significant damage, has good reach, and is easy to use. A methodical Jax player can slowly chip away at an opponent’s health. His ground-pound move is also very effective.
- Liu Kang: Liu Kang is a well-balanced character with the strongest single move in the game, the Bicycle Kick, which can take off 33% of an opponent’s health. He also has the most projectile range of any character.
- Kitana: Outside of special moves, Kitana is similar to Mileena. If you get an opponent cornered with Kitana, they are essentially done.
- Kung Lao: Kung Lao has a move for almost every situation. His hat throw can frustrate jumping opponents, and his hat spin counters jumping attacks. He can also kick an opponent twice in the air.
- Sonya, Kano, and Johnny Cage: In MK1 Sonya and Kano top the tier lists followed by Cage. It is said that Kano and Cage can be switched out as they are almost the same character, with the edge going to Kano because of his ducking kick.
- Sub-Zero: Although he was considered the strongest in the first Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero was balanced out for Mortal Kombat 2, making him an average character.
- Baraka: Baraka’s jump kick is almost unstoppable and his shredder stops any teleport/jump/neck kick/sweep in its tracks
Current Trends and Developments
While Mortal Kombat 2 might be a classic, the spirit of competition lives on. Online communities and emulators allow players to connect and test their skills against others worldwide.
Speedrunners are constantly discovering new strategies and glitches to complete the game as quickly as possible. These discoveries often breathe new life into the game and inspire players to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Case Studies and Examples
- MVG’s Analysis of AI Cheating: The YouTube channel MVG has done an in-depth analysis of how the Mortal Kombat 2 AI cheats, performing moves instantly that human players cannot3. Understanding these mechanics can help players anticipate and counter the AI’s tactics.
- Michael Loman’s Strategies: Michael Loman has videos demonstrating strategies to win without continuing or losing a single round on very hard difficulty
FAQs
Why does the AI in Mortal Kombat 2 seem so cheap?
The AI in Mortal Kombat 2 was designed to be challenging, and at times, it feels like it has an unfair advantage. The game can perform moves instantly that are impossible for human players. However, this “cheapness” can be overcome by understanding the AI’s patterns and exploiting its weaknesses
Is it possible to beat Mortal Kombat 2 without using continues?
It is possible, but it requires practice, patience, and a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. By using the strategies outlined in this guide and adapting to your opponent’s patterns, you can significantly increase your chances of success
Does the difficulty setting affect the AI’s behavior?
The difficulty setting impacts the AI’s aggressiveness and reaction time. On higher difficulties, the AI will be more likely to anticipate your moves and punish your mistakes. However, even on the highest difficulty, the AI is still susceptible to certain patterns and exploits
Are there any characters that are better suited for beginners in Mortal Kombat 2?
Some characters are easier to pick up and play than others. Scorpion and Sub-Zero are often recommended for beginners due to their straightforward movesets and effective special moves. However, experiment with different characters to find one that clicks with your play style.
Do these strategies work on all versions of Mortal Kombat 2?
The strategies outlined in this guide are primarily geared towards the arcade version of Mortal Kombat 2 and its semi-arcade-perfect ports. They may not work as effectively on portable editions or versions with altered gameplay mechanics
In Conclusion
Mortal Kombat 2 stands as a testament to the enduring power of the fighting game genre, a classic that continues to captivate players decades later. While the game’s notoriously challenging AI can certainly test your patience and skill, the journey to mastery is a rewarding one.
By diligently practicing the strategies and tips outlined in this guide, you’ll find yourself increasingly empowered to conquer the arcade machine, one brutal match at a time, and ultimately dominate your opponents in glorious kombat.
Remember that true mastery requires not only practice but also the ability to adapt to the ever-shifting tides of battle. And above all, amidst the blood and thunder, remember to have fun, for it is in the joy of competition that the true warrior spirit is forged. Now, armed with knowledge and fueled by passion, go forth and unleash your inner warrior upon the unsuspecting world!
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