Mortal Kombat 3 - Ultimate on SNES is where the series really starts to feel like it’s hitting its stride. You’ve got a ridiculous roster—23 fighters, including some wild new additions and classic favorites—all packed into this brutal, fast-paced brawler. The fatalities? Even gnarlier than before. And the combos actually flow now, so pulling off a ridiculous string of punches and kicks feels satisfying instead of clunky.

What surprised me was how much the little details add up. The backgrounds actually feel alive, with random stuff happening in the distance while you’re busy uppercutting someone into a pit. And yeah, the digitized sprites still look janky by today’s standards, but back then? This was as close to "realistic" as fighting games got. Plus, unlocking hidden characters actually takes some effort—no cheap codes here.

Best part? The two-on-two mode is chaotic in the best way, and if you’ve got enough friends (and controllers), the tournament setup turns your living room into an arcade. Just don’t blame me when someone rage-quits after getting Scorpion’s spear to the face for the tenth time.