These five new characters were Kung Lao, Kitana, Jax, Mileena, and Baraka. It also had returning characters such as Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Raiden, as well as Shang Tsung and Reptile, two boss characters that were unplayable in the first game. It continued the game's storyline, taking it into Shao Kahn's realm of Outworld.

Believed by many to be the best game in the Mortal Kombat series, Mortal Kombat II did better than any other MK game and left fans craving for a third installment.

Story:

Moves:

Note: There is a universal fatality for every character that can be performed on the Dead Pool stage. When the screen says 'Finish Him/Her!', hold LP + LK. Then, walk up to your opponent and press D + HP to knock them into the acid waters of the level. Liu Kang After winning back the Shaolin Tournament from Shang Tsung's twisted clutches and returning him to the Outworld in disgrace, Liu Kang returned to his temples. He discovered his sacred home in ruins, his Shaolin brothers lost in a vicious battle with a horde of Outworld warriors, a parting salvo from Tsung and his minions. Now he travels into the dark realm to seek revenge... Fireball: F, F, HP (also in air) Low Fireball: F, F, LP Flying Kick: F, F, HK Bicycle Kick: Hold LK for 5 secs. Fatality 1: Rotate D-Pad 360 degrees counter-clockwise Fatality 2: D, F, B, B, HK Friendship: F, B, B, B, LK Babality: D, D, F, B, LK Pit Fatality: D, B, F, F, LK Kung Lao A former Shaolin monk and member of the White Lotus Society, Kung Lao is the last descendant of the great Kung Lao who was defeated by Goro 500 years ago, allowing the tournament to fall into Shang Tsung's evil hands. Realizing the danger the Outworld menace poses to all Earth, he joins Liu Kang in entering Shao Kahn's contest. Teleport: D, U Hat Throw: B, F, LP Diving Kick: D + HK (in air) Whirlwind Spin: U, U, LK Fatality 1: F, F, F, LK Fatality 2: (Hold LP) B, B, F Friendship: B, B, B, D, HK Babality: B, B, F, F, HK Pit Fatality: F, F, F, HP Johnny Cage The world was shocked when martial arts movie star Johnny Cage disappeared from the set of his latest film. But in truth, he was following his former ally Liu Kang into the Outworld where he plans to compete in a twisted tournament in which lies the balance of Earth's existence - as well as a script for another blockbuster movie. Low Fireball: B, D, F, LP High Fireball: F, D, B, HP Shadow Kick: B, F, LK Shadow Uppercut: B, D, B, HP Low Blow: BL + LP Fatality 1: D, D, F, F, LP Fatality 2: F, F, D, U Friendship: D, D, D, D, HK Babality: B, B, B, HK Pit Fatality: D, D, D, HK Reptile Shang Tsung's personal protector, Reptile lurks in the shadows, stopping all those who would do his master harm. His human form is believed to disguise a horrific reptilian creature whose race was thought extinct millions of years ago. He enters the contest hoping to defeat all and protect his master. Acid Spit: F, F, HP Force Ball: B, B, HP + LP Invisibility: U, U, D, HP Slide: B + BL + LP + LK Fatality 1: (Turn Invisible) F, F, D, HK Fatality 2: B, B, D, LP Friendship: B, B, D, LK Babality: D, B, B, LK Pit Fatality: D, D, F, F, BL Sub-Zero Thought to have been vanquished in the Shaolin Tournament, Sub-Zero mysteriously returns. It is believed this secretive member of the Lin Kuei, a legendary clan of Chinese "ninjas" has traveled into the Outworld to again attempt an assassination of Shang Tsung. To do so, he must fight his way through Shao Kahn's tournament. Freeze: D, F, LP Ground Freeze: D, B, LK Slide: B + BL + LP + LK Fatality 1: (Hold LP) B, B, D, F Fatality 2: (F, F, D, HK) F, D, F, F, HP Friendship: B, B, D, HK Babality: D, B, B, HK Pit Fatality: D, D, F, F, BL Shang Tsung After losing control of the Shaolin Tournament and returning to the Outworld in disgrace, the shapeshifter Shang Tsung promised his ruler, Shao Kahn, that he could still unbalance the furies and allow Kahn to take over the Earth. His plan was to lure the Earth warriors to compete in the Outworld, and then, win or lose, never to let them return. Convinced of this plan, Shao Kahn restored Tsung's youth. Skull: B, B, HP Double Skull: B, B, F, HP Triple Skull: B, B, F, F, HP Fatality 1: Hold HK for 2 secs. Fatality 2: U, D, U, LK Fatality 3: Hold LP for 30 secs. Friendship: B, B, D, F, HK Babality: D, B, F, D, HK Pit Fatality: (Hold BL) D, D, U, D MORPHS Liu Kang: B, F, F, BL Kung Lao: B, D, B, HK Johnny Cage: B, B, D, LP Reptile: U, D, HP Sub-Zero: F, D, F, HP Kitana: BL, BL, BL Jax: D, F, B, HK Mileena: Hold HP for 3 secs. Baraka: D, D, LK Scorpion: U, U Raiden: D, B, F, LK Kitana Kitana's beauty hides her savage role as a personal assassin for Shao Kahn. Seen talking to an Earth realm warrior, her motives have come under suspicion by her twin sister Mileena, but only Kitana knows her own true intentions. Fan Swipe: B + HP Fan Throw: F, F, HP + LP Fan Lift: B, B, B, HP Square Wave Punch: F, D, B, HP Fatality 1: (Hold LK) F, F, D, F Fatality 2: BL, BL, BL, HK Friendship: D, D, D, U, LK Babality: B, B, F, F, HK Pit Fatality: F, F, F, HP Jax Major Jackson Briggs was leader of the U.S. Special Forces unit of which Lt. Sonya Blade was a member. After receiving a signal from Lt. Blade, Jax embarks on a rescue mission, hoping to retrieve both Sonya and the elusive Kano, wanted criminal and leader of the Black Dragon organization. Sonya's trail leads him into the ghastly Outworld, where he believes both Sonya and Kano to be held prisoner. Ground Pound: Hold LK for 3 secs. Gotcha Grab: F, F, LP Sonic Wave: F, D, B, HK Backbreaker: BL (in air) Fatality 1: (Hold LP) F, F, F Fatality 2: BL, BL, BL, BL, LP Friendship: D, D, U, U, LK Babality: D, U, D, U, LK Pit Fatality: U, U, D, LK Mileena Serving as an assassin along with her twin sister Kitana, Mileena's dazzling appearence conceals her hideous intentions. At Shao Kahn's request, she is asked to watch for her twin's suspected dissension and must put a stop to it at any cost. Teleport Kick: F, F, LK Roll: B, B, D, HK Sai Throw: Hold HP for 2 secs. Fatality 1: Hold HK for 2 secs. Fatality 2: F, B, F, LP Friendship: D, D, D, U, HK Babality: D, D, D, HK Pit Fatality: F, D, F, LK Baraka Baraka led the attack against Liu Kang's Shaolin temple. He belongs to a nomadic race of mutants living the wastelands of the Outworld. His fighting skills and dreaded Blade Fury gained the attention of Shao Kahn who then recruited him into his army of destruction. Blade Swipe: B + HP Blade Spark: D, B, HP Blade Fury: B, B, B, LP Double Kick: HK, HK Fatality 1: B, B, B, B, HP Fatality 2: B, F, D, F, LP Friendship: U, U, F, F, HK Babality: F, F, F, HK Pit Fatality: F, F, D, HK Scorpion This reincarnated specter is back after learning of Sub-Zero's return. He again stalks the ninja warrior, following him into the dark realm of the Outworld where he continues his personal mission - to avenge the loss of his family at the hands of the Lin Kuei clan. Spear: B, B, LP Teleport Punch: D, B, HP Leg Grab: F, D, B, LK Air Throw: BL (in air) Fatality 1: U, U, HP Fatality 2: (Hold HP) D, F, F, F Friendship: D, B, B, HK Babality: B, B, D, HK Pit Fatality: D, D, F, F, BL Raiden Watching events unfold from high above, the mystic Raiden realizes the grim intentions of Shao Kahn. After warning the remaining warriors from the Shaolin Tournament, Raiden soon disappears. He is believed to have ventured into the Outworld alone. Lightning Bolt: D, F, LP Torpedo: B, B, F Teleport: D, U Shock: Hold HP for 5 secs. Fatality 1: Hold HP for 10 secs. Fatality 2: (Hold LK for 5 secs.) BL + LK Friendship: D, B, F, HK Babality: D, D, U, HK Pit Fatality: U, U, U, HP

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