☠ Special Moves, Fatalities, Babalities, and Friendships

Each fighter in Mortal Kombat 2 has a distinct set of special moves and finishing techniques that shape their fighting style. In addition to character-specific special attacks, the game is famous for its brutal Fatalities, the humorous Babalities, and the unexpected Friendships, which offer a non-lethal way to end a match.

These moves are a core part of Mortal Kombat 2's identity. Executing them consistently requires clean inputs, proper spacing, and good timing - and mastering them is just as important as winning the fight itself.

Notes:

You can use WASD instead of when playing on PC.
The + symbol means the buttons should be pressed at the same time.
means Forward, means Back - assuming your character is on the left side of the screen.

Below you'll find a complete list of special moves, Fatalities, Babalities, and Friendships for every playable character in Mortal Kombat 2 on SEGA Genesis.

Liu Kang

Liu Kang is a fast and aggressive fighter who thrives on pressure and mobility. His fireballs control space, while the Flying Kick and Bicycle Kick let him quickly close distance and keep opponents on the defensive.

High Fireball:
Low Fireball:
Flying Kick:
Bicycle Kick:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Kung Lao

Kung Lao is a fast, technical fighter who relies on movement and timing. His Hat Throw controls distance, Teleport helps him reposition instantly, and the Spin punishes opponents who get too close.

Hat Throw:
Teleport:
Spin:
Diving Kick:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Far):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Johnny Cage

Johnny Cage is a well-rounded fighter who mixes speed with strong punish options. His Shadow Kick and Green Bolts control momentum, while the Shadow Uppercut gives him a reliable answer at close range.

Shadow Kick:
Low Green Bolt:
High Green Bolt:
Shadow Uppercut:
Ball Breaker (Close):
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Reptile

Reptile is a fast and unpredictable fighter who rewards aggressive play. His Acid Spit and Slide control space, while Invisibility lets him confuse opponents and create openings for sudden attacks.

Acid Spit:
Slide:
Forceball:
Invisibility:
Fatality 1 (Half screen):
Fatality 2 (Close and Invisible):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero is a methodical fighter built around control and punishment. His Freeze sets up guaranteed damage, while the Slide gives him a fast way to catch opponents off guard.

Freeze:
Ground Freeze:
Slide:
Fatality 1 (1 part - Sweep, 2 part - Close):
Fatality 2 (Far):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Shang Tsung

Shang Tsung is a versatile fighter who excels at zoning and mind games. His Flaming Skulls control the screen, while his ability to morph into other characters lets him adapt to almost any matchup.

Flaming Skull:
2 Flaming Skulls:
3 Flaming Skulls:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:
Morph to Liu Kang:
Morph to Kung Lao:
Morph to Johnny Cage:
Morph to Reptile:
Morph to Sub-Zero:
Morph to Kitana:
Morph to Jax:
Morph to Mileena:
Morph to Baraka:
Morph to Scorpion:
Morph to Raiden:

Kitana

Kitana is a balanced fighter who controls space with her fans and strong mobility. Her Fan Throw and Fan Lift keep opponents in check, while her speed allows her to punish mistakes quickly.

Fan Swipe:
Fan Throw:
Fan Lift:
Flying Punch:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Jax performing his Gotcha Grab move in Mortal Kombat 2 on SEGA Genesis

Jax

Jax is a power-based fighter who dominates at close range. His Gotcha Grab and Ground Pound punish mistakes hard, while his strength lets him overwhelm opponents once he gets in.

Energy Wave:
Ground Pound:
Gotcha Grab:
Back Breaker:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Mileena

Mileena is a fast and aggressive fighter who thrives on sudden movement. Her Teleport Kick and Ground Roll let her break defenses quickly, while the Sai Throw helps control space.

Teleport Kick:
Ground Roll:
Sai Throw:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Baraka

Baraka is an aggressive rushdown fighter who pressures opponents nonstop. His Blade attacks are fast and punishing, and once he gets close, his offense can quickly overwhelm careless opponents.

Blade Swipe:
Double Kick:
Blade Spark:
Blade Fury:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Scorpion

Scorpion is a dangerous counter-focused fighter built around punishment. His Spear pulls opponents into close combat, while Teleport lets him strike unexpectedly and keep pressure high.

Spear:
Teleport:
Scissors:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

Rayden

Rayden is a mobile fighter who controls the fight with speed and surprise. His Lightning pressures from a distance, while Teleport and Torpedo let him switch positions and punish mistakes quickly.

Lightning:
Torpedo:
Teleport:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage (Close):
Babality:
Friendship:

🗝 Cheats and Secrets

Mortal Kombat 2 is full of little extras that feel like they were made for arcade cabinets - quick shortcuts, hidden options, and a few "developer-ish" features that fans discovered and passed around for years. Below are two of the most useful ones for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version - a way to access Test Modes and a simple trick for Random Select.

Test Modes

Test modes are hidden inside the options menu and aren't visible during normal play. To unlock them, enter the Options menu and highlight Done!.

While Done! is selected, press the following sequence:

If the input is entered correctly, Test modes will appear in the menu.

Character selection screen in Mortal Kombat 2 on SEGA Genesis

Random Select

Random Select lets the game choose a fighter for you instead of making a manual selection. It's a simple way to add variety to matches or force yourself to play characters you don't usually pick.

To use Random Select for Player 1, move the cursor to Liu Kang on the character select screen, then press:

+LShift

The CPU will automatically select a random fighter for you.

⭐ Interesting Facts About Mortal Kombat 2

🕹 Designed with arcade feedback in mind

Mortal Kombat 2 was developed directly in response to player feedback from arcades. The developers focused on faster gameplay, better balance, and more responsive controls, making the sequel feel sharper and more competitive than the original game.

🧍 A roster that defined the series

Several characters who later became series staples made their debut in MK2, including Kitana, Mileena, Kung Lao, Jax, and Baraka. This game helped establish the core cast that many fans now associate with classic Mortal Kombat.

☠ Friendships and Babalities debuted in MK2

Mortal Kombat 2 was the first game in the series to introduce Friendships and Babalities. These non-lethal finishers were added partly as a tongue-in-cheek response to criticism about violence, offering a humorous alternative to Fatalities.

🧠 Noob Saibot's name is a developer reference

The secret character Noob Saibot gets his name from the surnames of developers Ed Boon and John Tobias spelled backwards. In MK2, he appears as a hidden opponent without a character portrait on the select screen.

📜 Unusual trivia: Jax's original name

Before settling on Jax, developers briefly planned to name him Stryker, a name that would eventually be used for a completely different character in Mortal Kombat 3.

Mortal Kombat 2 is the point where the series truly came together. It refined the combat, expanded the roster, and introduced ideas that would define Mortal Kombat for years to come. Every match feels deliberate, every character plays differently, and the game constantly rewards knowledge and practice.

From secret characters and hidden Test modes to Friendships, Babalities, and stage finishers, MK2 is packed with details that go beyond simple one-on-one fighting. It's a game that still holds up because of how confidently it builds on its own rules.

You can play Mortal Kombat 2 online right here and experience the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version directly in your browser - a solid way to revisit one of the most important fighting games of the 90s, or to understand why it left such a lasting mark.