Mortal Kombat 4 was the last game in the MK series to have an arcade version. It was also the last to have a PC version, unfortunately. Now, if you want to take advantage of the awesome experience that MK Deceptions for example provides, you need to own a console (GameCube, PS2 or Xbox). MK4 was Midway’s step forward towards 3D graphics and motion captured animations. Its competitors were the strong Street Fighter and Virtua Fighter series as well as its predecessor MK Trilogy that was one of the most beloved arcade games ever.

MK4 did not bring back into action any of the characters introduced in Mortal Kombat 3 or in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, but rather introduced a bunch of new characters, starting with the mysterious evil sorcerer Quan Chi, the imprisoned Elder God Shinnok and his general Reiko, the God of Wind Fujin and continuing with Tanya, Jarek and Liu Kang’s Shaolin monk friend Kai. I pretty much loved to play Cyrax in MK Trilogy, but he must have been damaged or something like that. At least the classical fighters came back: Raiden, Liu Kang, Jax, Sonya, Johnny Cage, Scorpion and Sub-Zero.

This was also your last chance to make use of weapons during combat (I never liked them anyway). Just as in every MK game, there are some hidden treasures for you. The most important things are the three Hidden Characters.

Noob Saibot
Goro
Meat

Ever wondered what the code box just before the fight might get you? Here’s a list for you.

001-001 - Unlimited Run meter
002-002 - Both players never drop weapons
010-010 - No maximum damage limit for Combos
011-011 - Play at Goro's Lair stage
020-020 - Rains blood at the Wind World stage
022-022 - Play at The Well stage
033-033 - Play at The Elder Gods stage
044-044 - Play at The Tomb stage
050-050 - Last hit causes the loser to explode
055-055 - Play at Wind World stage
060-060 - No rain on the Wind World stage
100-100 - Throwing disabled
110-110 - No throws and maximum damage combo limit
111-111 - Free weapon
123-123 - Start with energy slightly above Danger level
202-202 - Play at the Living Forest stage
222-222 - Random weapons
303-303 - Play at Fan stage
313-313 - Play at Ice Pit stage
321-321 - Big head mode
444-444 - Start with weapons drawn
555-555 - Weapons drop all over the stage
666-666 - No background music

Each character has its own list of custom abilities, combos and special moves. Yet for each of them the control buttons are all the same. First keep in mind the usual shortcuts and enjoy yourself trying out all the Combos below.

HP=High Punch
LP=Low Punch
HK=High Kick
LK=Low Kick
D=Down
U=Up / Jump
F=Forward
B=Backward
BL=Block
RN=Run

Kai Moves

Draw Weapon: D, B, LP
Upward Fire: F, F, LP
Down Fire: B, B, HP
Zip Punch: D, F, HP
Slide Kick: D, F, LK
Handstand: BL+LK (UB/UF to jump out)
Spin Kicks: hold LP (B/F moves)
Upper Kick: HK
Lower Kick: LK
Stand Up: BL

Combos
Upward Fire, U+HP, HK (35%)
Upward Fire, HP, U+HK (32%)
Upward Fire, D+HK, (29%)
(club) Upward Fire, B+LP (39%)
(dagger) Upward Fire, U+HK, HP (34%)
(dagger) Upward Fire, HK, LP (36%)
(corner) Upward Fire, Slide Kick, Slide Kick (41%)
(bo staff) Upward Fire, HP, HP, Slide Kick (44%)
(corner) HP, HK, Upward Fire, B+HK (53%)
(dagger) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, U+HK, HP (35%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, HK, Slide Kick (40%)
(corner) U, HK, Upward Fire, B+HP, Upward Fire, HP, U+HP, HK (45%)

Fatalities
Body Rip: (while close) U, F, U, B, HK
Saw Blade: (outside sweep) U, U, U, D, BL
Fan Stage: F, F, D, BL
Goro Stage: B, F, D, HK

Raiden Moves

Draw Weapon: F, B, HP

Spark: D, B, LP
Wall Smash: F, F, LK
Teleport: D, U

Combos
(hammer) B+LP, jump HP, Smash (27%)
(hammer) B+LP, B+LP, Smash (27%)
HP, HK, Smash (37%)
B+LP, B+LP, U+HP, Smash (34%)
HP, HK, D+HP, jump HK, Smash (25%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, jump HP, HK air chain, Smash (38%)
(hammer) Up Kick, HK, B+LP, jump HP, Smash (40%)
(near corner) HP, HP, HK, D+HK, jump HP, HK air chain, Smash (33%)
Jump HP, HP, HP, HK, HK, Weapon, jump HP, Smash (45%)

Fatalities
Dynamo: F, B, U, U, HK (close)
Electrocute: D, U, U, U, HP (close)
Fan Stage: D, F, B, BL
Goro Stage: F, F, D, LP

Shinnok Moves

Draw Weapon: B, F, LP

Impersonations
Kai: F, F, F, LK
Raiden: D, F, F, HP
Liu Kang: B, B, F, HK
Reptile: B, B, F, BL
Scorpion: F, B, LP
Jax: F, D, F, HK
Reiko: B, B, B, BL
Cage: D, D, HP
Jarek: B, B, B, LK
Tanya: B, F, D, BL
Fujin: F, F, B, HK
Sub-Zero: D, B, LP
Quan Chi: F, B, F, LK
Sonya: F, D, F, HP

Combos
Upward Kick, HK, B+HK (29%)
(any weapon) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, jump LP (28%)
(spear) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, HP, HP (34%)
(near corner) HP, HP, HK, D+HK, jump HP, HK air chain (27%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, walk in HP, jump HK (34%)

Fatalities
The Hand: D, B, F, D, RN (close)
Goal: D, U, U, D, BL (close)
Fan Stage: D, D, F, HK
Goro Stage: D, F, B, HP

Liu Kang Moves

Draw Weapon: B, F, LK
Fireball: F, F, HP
Low Fireball: F, F, LP
Flying Kick: F, F, HK
Bike Kick: Hold LK 3-5 seconds

Combos
HP, HP, HK, HK, Flying Kick (29%)
(jag sword) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, run in, HP, jump LP (30%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, HP, Fly Kick, Fly Kick (36%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, jump HP, HK, air Fireball (35%)
(near corner) Hold LK, HP, HK, D+HP, release LK, HP, Fly Kick (29%)
Jump HP, HK, HK, Draw Weapon immediately followed with HP, Fly Kick (46%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in HP, jump HK, air fireball (40%)

Fatalities
Dragon Morph: F, F, F, D, HK+BL+LK (1/2 screen)
Screen Shot: F, D, D, U, HP (close)
Fan Stage: F, F, B, LP
Goro Stage: F, F, B, HK

Reptile Moves

Draw Weapon: B, B, LK
Acid Spray: D, F, HP
Palm Strike: B, F, LP
Inviso: BL+HK
Super Crawl: B, F, LK

Combos
(axe) LP, Crawl, B+LP (26%)
(axe) hit out of air with B+HP, hold F and HP (15%)
(corner) Jump HK, Crawl, Uppercut (27%)
(axe) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, walk in, LP, B+LP (32%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, Crawl, jump HP, HK air chain (36%)
(axe) Upward Kick, HK, HK, Crawl, B+LP (41%)
(curved sword) (corner) Jump HK, jump HK, Crawl, HP, jump HP (42%)

Fatalities
Beauty Treatment: Hold HP+LP+HK+LK then U (close)
3-D Acid Loogie: U, D, D, D, HP (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: D, F, F, LP
Goro Stage: D, D, F, HK

Scorpion Moves

Draw Weapon: F, F, HK
Spear: B, B, LP
Tele-Punch: D, B, HP
Fire Breath: D, F, LP
Air Throw: BL when both in air

Combos
(default weapon) Spear, HK, HK, Weapon (31%)
(unmasked only) Spear, HK, HK, Weapon, jump LP (35%)
(corner) HP, HK air chain, telport punch, jump UP with HP, HK air chain (53%)
(curved sword) HK, HP, Spear, HK, HP, LP (45%)
(mace) B+LP, B+LP, Teleport, Spear, HK, B+HK (43%)
HP, HK, D+HP, Spear, HP, HP, D+HK (25%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, HP, Spear, HP, HP, HK, B+HK (44%)
Upward Kick, HK, HK, Spear, HP, HP, HK, B+HK (50%)
(near corner) Spear, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, walk in HP, jump HP, LP air chain, air throw (41%)
(near corner)Spear, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in HP, Fire, run in HP, Fire (39%)
HP, HK, D+HP, Spear, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in, HP, jump HK, Air Throw (43%)
(unmasked only) HP, HK, D+HP, Spear, HP, HP, HK, HK, Weapon, jump LP (45%)

Fatalities
B.B.Q.: B, F, F, B, BL (1/2 screen)
Scorpion: B, F, D, U, HP (close)
Fan Stag: F, D, D, LK
Goro Stage: B, F, F, LK

Jax Moves

Draw Weapon: D, F, HP
Gun Shot: D, F, LP
Slide Punch: D, B, LP
Earthquake: F, F, D, LK
Backbreaker: BL when both in air
Multi Throw: Throw, then (hold) RN+BL+HK - HP+LP+LK - HP+BL+LK - HP+LP+HK+LK

Combos
(club) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, immediately throw weapon, Earthquake (36%)
Upward Kick, HK, HK, Weapon (41%)
HP, HK, D+HP, walk in HP, Slide Punch (24%)
(club) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, B+LP (31%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, HP, Slide Punch, LP, Slide Punch (41%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, jump HK, Backbreaker (38%)
(near corner) HP, HK, D+HP, run in HP, Slide Punch, LP, Slide Punch, LP, Gunshot (46%)

Fatalities
Arm Rip: Hold LK for before you win then F, F, D, F, release LK (close)
Head Smash: B, F, F, D, BL (close)
Fan Stage: F, F, B, LK
Goro Stage: F, F, B, HP

Reiko Moves

Draw Weapon: D, B, HP
Vertical Teleport: D, U (BL to throw)
Horizon Teleport: B, F, LK
Flip Kick: B to D to F+HK
Throwing Stars: D, F, LP

Combos
Flip Kick, HP, jump HK (20%)
Jump HK, Flip Kick, walk in, Uppercut (24%)
(crossbow near corner) Flip Kick, HP, LP (16%)
(near corner) Flip Kick, HP, jump HP, HK air chain, Teleport Throw (34%)
(club) Upward Kick, HK, HK, Flip Kick, B+LP (43%)
(jag sword) Flip Kick, LP-HP combo, Flip Kick, LP-HP combo (46%)
Upward Kick, HP, HK, HK, Flip Kick, HP, jump LK (47%)

Fatalities
Power Kick: F, D, F+HK+BL+LP+LK (close)
Shuriken Massacre: B, B, D, D, HK (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: D, D, B, LP
Goro Stage: F, F, D, LK

Johnny Cage Moves

Draw Weapon: F, D, F, LK
High Fire: D, F, HP
Low Fireball: D, B, LP
Groin Punch: BL+LP (doesn't work on Sonya or Tanya obviously)
Shadow Kick: B, F, LK
Shadow Upper: B, D, B, HP

Combos
(pirate sword) HK, B+HP, Shadow Kick (27%)
HP, HK, D+HP, run in, D+HK, Shadow Kick (22%)
(tuxedo only) Jump HP, HP, HP, HK, HK, weapon (34%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in, HP, jump HK, Shadow Kick (42%)
(corner)Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in and HP, HP, jump HK, run in LP, Shadow Kick (48%)

Fatalities
Body Rip: F, B, D, D, HK (close)
Head Punch: D, D, F, D, BL (close)
Fan Stage: D, F, F, HK
Goro Stage: B, F, F, LK

Jarek Moves

Draw Weapon: F, F, HP
Forward Roll: B, F, LK
Upward Roll: F, D, F, HP
Blade Toss: D, B, LP
Earthquake: B, D, B, HK

Combos
(curved sword) HK, HP, LP (27%)
(hammer) B+LP, B+LP, Roll (27%)
(curved sword/hammer) Upward Kick, HK, HP, Earthquake (35%)
(hammer) Upward Kick, HK, HK, Weapon, Earthquake (40%)
HP, HK, D+HP, run in HP, Blade Toss (22%)
(Curved sword) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, walk up HP, LP (34%)

Fatalities
Heart Pull: F, B, F, F, LK (close)
Eye Beam: U, U, F, F, BL (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: F, D, F, HK
Goro Stage: B, F, F, LP

Tanya Moves

Draw Weapon: F, F, HK
Fireball: D, F, HP
Air Fireball: D, B, LP in air
Spin Kick: F, F, LK
Splits Kick: F to D to B+LK

Combos
(boomerang) Jump HK, Spin, LP (29%)
(boomerang) Upward Kick, HK, HK, Spin, LP (45%)
(hammer) B+LP, B+LP, step forward, Spin, Splits (35%)
(ice staff) HK, B+HP, B+LP, B+HP, Spin, Splits (37%)
(ice staff/hammer) Upward Kick, HK, HK, Weapon, Spin, Splits (49%)
Jump + HP, HP, HK, HK, Spin, Splits (41%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, Spin, HP, Spin, Splits (42%)
(corner, boomerang) Jump HK, jump HK, Spin, jump HK, Spin, LP (48%)

Fatalities
Explode Kiss: D, D, U, D, HP+BL (close)
Neck Breaker: D, F, D, F, HK (close)
Fan Stage: B, F, D, HP
Goro Stage: F, F, F, LP

Fujin Moves

Draw Weapon: B, B, LP
Dust Storm: F, D, F, HP
Slam: B, F, D, LK from the dust storm
Spin: F, D, LP (hold) (B/F moves)
Flying Knee: D, F, HK
Diving Kick: U, D, LK during jump

Combos
Dust Storm, Slam, Uppercut (24%)
Dust Storm, jump HP, HK air chain (22%)
(crossbow in corner) Dust Storm, HP, Dust Storm, HP, LP (15%)
Jump HK, Dust Storm, Slam, HK, Knee (34%)
(weapon) Dust Storm, Slam, HK, jump HP, Dive Kick (37%)
(crossbow) Dust Storm, jump HP, Dust Storm, jump HP on way down, jump LP (54%)
HP, HK air chain, Dust Storm, quickly draw weapon, Slam, throw weapon (55%)
HK, HK, Dust Storm, Slam, HP, jump HK (32%)
Dust Storm, Upward Kick, Dust Storm, Slam, HK, Knee (45%)
(any weapon) Dust Storm, jump HP, Dust Storm, Slam, HK, jump LP (50%)
(corner)Jump HK, jump BACK with HK, Dust Storm, Slam, HP, jump HP, HK (37%)
(club, back edge of stage) Dust Storm, jump late HP, Dust storm, Slam, LP, repeat combo

Fatalities
Turkey Shoot: Tap BL+RN 12x (1/2 screen)
Wind Blast: D, F, F, U, BL (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: D, D, D, HK
Goro Stage: B, F, B, HP

Sub-Zero Moves

Draw Weapon: D, F, HK
Ice Ball: D, F, LP
Ice Clone: D, B, LP
Slide: LP+BL+LK

Combos
(axe) LP, Ice, LP, B+LP (22%)
Ice Ball, Upward Kick, HK, HK, Slide (21%)
(ice staff) B+HP, jump HK, B+LP, B+HP, jump HP (31%)
HP, HK, D+HP, jump HK, Slide (21%)
(corner) Jump HK, jump HK, HP, Slide, HP (27%)
(corner) Jump HK, Ice, jump HP, HP, Slide, HP (22%)
Upward Kick, Ice, Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, B+HK (38%)
(ice Staff) Upward Kick, HK, B+LP, Upward Kick, HK, B+HP, jump HP (43%)
(default weapon) HK, Ice, Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, HK, Weapon, Slide (40%)

Fatalities
3-D Headrip: F, B, F, D, HP+BL+RN (close)
Ice Smash: B, B, D, B, HP (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: D, U, U, U, HK
Goro Stage: D, D, D, LK

Quan Chi Moves

Draw Weapon : D, B, HK
Skull Fireball: F, F, LP
Teleport Stomp: F, D, LK
Steal Weapon: F, B, HP when their weapon is drawn
Slide Kick: F, F, HK
Air Throw: BL when both in air

Combos
(mace) HK, B+LP, jump LP (25%)
(mace) B+LP, B+LP, Teleport Stomp (30%)
(crossbow in corner) Jump HK, B+LP, LP (16%)
(corner)Jump HK, jump HK, jump HP, LP air chain, Air Throw (40%)
Upward Kick, HK, HK, Weapon, jump LP (42%)
HP, HP, HK, HK, Weapon, jump LP (36%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in late HP, HP, Teleport Stomp (44%)

Fatalities
Leg Rip: Hold LK before you win then F, D, F, release LK (close)
Impersonality: U, U, D, D, LP (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: F, F, D, HP
Goro Stage: F, F, B, LK

Sonya Moves

Draw Weapon: F, F, LK
Purple Fireball: D, F, LP
Bike Kick: B, B, D, HK
Air Punch: F, B, HP
Leg Grab: Hold D, BL+LP
Forward Flip Kick: B to D to F+LK
Air Throw: BL when both in air

Combos
(corner) Flip Kick, Uppercut (16%)
(corner, weapon) Jump HK, jump HK, jump UP with HP, Air Throw (36%)
HP, HK, D+HP, jump HK, Air Throw (26%)
HP, HP, HK, HK, HK (28%)
(blade wheel corner) Flip Kick, B+HP, B+HP, HP (28%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in HK, Leg Grab (42%)
(blade wheel near corner) Upward Kick, HK, D+HP, Flip Kick, B+HP, B+HP, HP (44%)

Fatalities
Kiss Blade: D, D, D, U, RN (outside sweep)
Deadly Flip Kick: U, D, D, U, HK (outside sweep)
Fan Stage: D, B, B, HK
Goro Stage: F, D, F, HP

Noob Saibot Moves

Draw Weapon: F, F, HK
Fire: D, F, LP (also during teleport)
Teleport: D, U (BL to throw)
Air Throw: BL when both in air

Combos
(scythe) HK, HP, LP (27%)
HP, HP, HK, HK, Weapon (25%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, jump HK, Air Throw (41%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, D+HP, run in, HP, fireball (34%)
(near corner)Upward Kick, HP, HK, D+HP, run in HP, jump HP, HK air chain, air throw (50%)

Fatalities
Torso Pull: D, HP
Ice Smash: U, D, HP
Fan Stage: D, B, B, HK
Goro Stage: F, D, F, HK

Goro Moves

Fireball: F, B, HP
2 Hand Swipe: F, F, HP
High Stomp: F, F, B, HK
Weak Upper: D, D, HP
Big Boot: B, B, HK
Short Stomp: B, F, D, D, HK

Combos
(corner) Boot, Boot, High Stomp (60%)
HK, HK, Swipe, Short Stomp (41%)
HP, HP, HK, Swipe (21%)
Upward Kick, HP, HP, HK, HK, Weak Upper, High Stomp (52%)

Fatalities
He is unable to execute any fatality.