☠ Special Moves, Fatalities, Babalities, Friendships, and Animalities

Each fighter in Mortal Kombat 3 has their own set of special moves and signature finishing techniques. Along with the iconic Fatalities, the game features Babalities, Friendships, and the newly introduced Animalities, which allow fighters to transform into animals for a brutal final attack. Some arenas also include Stage Fatalities, making the environment itself part of the fight.

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, Friendships, Animalities, and Stage Fatalities for every playable character in Mortal Kombat 3 on SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive.

Shang Tsung

Shang Tsung relies on fireball control and his signature morph ability, allowing him to transform into other fighters. He rewards players who know the full roster and can adapt to any matchup.

Single Fireball:
Double Fireballs:
Triple Fireballs:
Triple Ground Fireballs:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Sweep):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Morph to Cyrax:
Morph to Jax:
Morph to Kabal:
Morph to Kano:
Morph to Kung Lao:
Morph to Liu Kang:
Morph to Nightwolf:
Morph to Sektor:
Morph to Sheeva:
Morph to Sindel:
Morph to Sonya:
Morph to Stryker:
Morph to Sub-Zero:
Morph to Smoke:

Sindel

Sindel controls space with her fireballs and devastating scream attack, which can stun opponents and open them up for combos. Her ability to float adds extra mobility, making her dangerous at mid-range and unpredictable in the air.

Fireball:
Fireball (In the air):
Scream:
Float:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Jax performing his Gotcha Grab move in Mortal Kombat 3

Jax

Jax is a close-range powerhouse who relies on grabs and heavy strikes. His Gotcha Grab and ground-based attacks deal strong damage, making him especially dangerous once he gets inside.

Gotcha Grab:
Bionic Rush:
Single Shot:
Double Shot:
Backbreaker:
Ground Smash:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Far):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Kano

Kano mixes close-range pressure with quick knife attacks and his signature Ball Roll. He's most effective when staying aggressive, using grabs and sudden rush moves to keep opponents off balance.

Strangle Grab:
Knife Uppercut:
Knife Throw:
Upwards Ball Roll:
Air Take Down:
Ball Roll:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Combo 4:
Combo 5:

Liu Kang

Liu Kang is a fast and well-balanced fighter with strong fireball control and reliable combo pressure. His Flying Kick and Bicycle Kick make him dangerous both at range and up close.

High Fireball:
Low Fireball:
Flying Kick:
Bicycle Kick:
Fatality 1:
Fatality 2:
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Combo 4:

Sonya

Sonya blends quick rush attacks with solid projectile control through her Energy Rings. Her mix of throws and fast pressure makes her effective at mid-range and dangerous once she gets close.

Energy Rings:
Leg Throw:
Flying Punch:
Bicycle Kick:
Fatality 1 (Half screen):
Fatality 2 (More than half screen):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Combo 4:

Stryker

Stryker uses grenades and baton attacks to control space and apply steady pressure. While not the fastest fighter, his ranged tools and solid combos make him effective at keeping opponents at a distance.

Rushing Attack:
Baton Takedown:
Low Grenade:
High Grenade:
Fatality 1 (Full screen):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality:
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero controls the fight with his freezing attacks, allowing him to stop opponents in place and set up strong follow-ups. His Slide adds fast ground pressure, making him dangerous at both mid-range and up close.

Freeze:
Ice Statue:
Ice Shower:
Ice Shower (front):
Ice Shower (behind):
Slide:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Combo 4:

Cyrax

Cyrax focuses on traps and control with his Green Net and timed bombs. Once he catches an opponent, he can set up damaging follow-ups, making him especially strong for players who like strategic setups.

Green Net:
Teleport:
Near Bomb Toss:
Far Bomb Toss:
Air throw (When an enemy in the air):
Fatality 1:
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Sektor

Sektor combines missile zoning with a fast Teleport Punch, letting him control distance and punish mistakes. He's effective for players who prefer steady projectile pressure with sudden close-range attacks.

Missile:
Missile (Smart):
Teleport Punch:
Fatality 1 (Sweep):
Fatality 2 (Far):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Nightwolf

Nightwolf balances offense and defense with his Shoulder Charge, projectile control, and arrow attacks. His ability to reflect projectiles makes him especially strong against zoning-heavy opponents.

Shoulder Charge:
Arrow Shot:
Hatchet Swipe:
Projectile Reflection:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Far):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality:
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Sheeva

Sheeva is a heavy-hitting fighter who relies on powerful stomps and strong close-range attacks. Her Ground Stomp and teleport options make her dangerous once she corners an opponent.

Ground Stomp:
Fireball:
Teleport Stomp:
Fatality 1 (Close):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Kung Lao

Kung Lao is a fast, technical fighter known for his Hat Throw and Spin attacks. His teleport and aerial mobility make him dangerous in close exchanges and hard to predict.

Hat Throw:
Teleport:
Spin:
Flying Kick:
Fatality 1:
Fatality 2 (Inside sweep):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality:
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:

Kabal

Kabal is one of the fastest fighters in MK3, using his Top Spin and quick pressure to overwhelm opponents. His speed and combo potential make him especially strong in aggressive play.

Eye Spark:
Top Spin:
Ground Saw:
Fatality 1 (Outside sweep):
Fatality 2 (Close):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship:
Animality (Close):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Combo 4:

Smoke

Smoke combines quick teleports, invisibility, and strong rush attacks to keep opponents guessing. His speed and mix-ups make him especially dangerous in close-range fights.

Harpoon:
Teleport Uppercut:
Air Throw:
Invisibility:
Fatality 1 (Across screen):
Fatality 2 (Sweep):
Stage:
Babality:
Friendship (Across screen):
Animality (Across screen):
Combo 1:
Combo 2:
Combo 3:
Combo 4:

🗝 Cheats and Secrets

Mortal Kombat 3 includes several hidden mechanics that aren't explained anywhere in the game itself. Some of them are activated before a match even starts, while others require precise inputs during a fight. Knowing these secrets adds more depth to the gameplay and unlocks some of MK3's most memorable moments.

Below you'll find step-by-step instructions for performing the most important cheats and secrets in Mortal Kombat 3 on SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive.

Mortal Kombat 3 start screen with Killer Codes enabled

Start Screen Codes

All codes below must be entered on the start screen, before entering any menus. Input the button sequence exactly as shown.

Killer Codes: KJJKJJ
Cheats: JKLLJ
Secrets: LJJK
Endurance Match: J+L+K+Enter

How to Perform Mercy

The Mercy input is the same for every character.

Hold O (Run), then press ,releaseO.

Mercy can only be performed in the third round of a match and must be done during the "FINISH HIM/FINISH HER!" prompt, just like a Fatality. When successful, it restores a small amount of your opponent's health and allows the fight to continue. Performing a Mercy is also required to access Animalities.

Random Select on the Mortal Kombat 3 character selection screen

How to Use Random Select

To use Random Select for Player 1, move the cursor to Shang Tsung on the character selection screen, then press:

+Enter

The game will automatically assign a random fighter.

⭐ Interesting Facts

🐉 Animalities Debuted in Mortal Kombat 3

Animalities first appeared in Mortal Kombat 3. To perform one, you must execute a Mercy during the final round, defeat your opponent again, and then enter the Animality command. It was one of the most over-the-top additions to the series at the time.

🏟 Stage Fatalities Are Arena-Specific

Not every stage allows a Stage Fatality. In MK3, special arena finishers can only be performed on certain levels, including Subway, The Pit 3, and the Bell Tower. Positioning matters - you must be at the correct distance to trigger them.

🏃 The Run Button Changed the Series

Mortal Kombat 3 introduced the Run button, which dramatically increased the pace of matches. Combined with expanded combo strings, this made MK3 one of the fastest and most aggressive early entries in the franchise.

🔥 A Shift in the Roster

Unlike earlier games, Mortal Kombat 3 initially removed several classic ninja characters from the base roster and focused more on new fighters like Stryker, Kabal, and the cyber ninjas. Some fan-favorites would later return in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

🚇 Hidden Developer Names in the Subway Stage

On the Subway stage, you can spot an in-game advertisement that references the surnames of series creators Ed Boon and John Tobias. It's a small background detail, but fans quickly noticed it. Like many early Mortal Kombat stages, the arena hides subtle nods to the people behind the game.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Mortal Kombat 3 feels different the moment you start playing. The fights are faster, the pressure is constant, and every mistake can quickly turn into a full combo. It rewards timing, confidence, and a bit of risk.

Even today, the game holds up surprisingly well. The mechanics are simple to understand but hard to master, which makes each match feel earned rather than random. Some players prefer the earlier entries, others lean toward Ultimate MK3, but the original MK3 stands firmly on its own.

If you want to test the moves, secrets, and finishers listed above, you can play Mortal Kombat 3 online right here and experience how it actually plays in action.