Definitive Fighting Game Versions!

[Weekend_Warrior]

But the Saturn version of MK2 was broken as hell, man! Tons of missing frames and completely re-done audio. Loading times...

That port was straight up garbage.

Nobody is saying otherwise in respects to MK II on SAT, but I find it funny that a lot of these issues you've listed here also apply to UMK3 on SAT. Some Frames are missing here and there, balance does not exist in this game at all and Loading times feel just as bad as MK II or worse (and yet you say this version is more definitive than the PS2 MKA version simply because of a little slowdown?) O_o

A little slowdown? The game is unplayable on PS2.

[CD AGES]

YES! A little slow. The mere fact that you say the slowdown makes the game unplayable is simply rediculous and rather halarious all the while!

Perhaps someones been playing a bit too much MK Trilogy

[Weekend_Warrior]

It's just my opinion. You can call me a liar if it makes you feel better

Doesn't really matter anymore anyway, because if I play UMK3 now I'm most likely going to play it on PS3 and 360 with the MK Arcade Kollection (I have it on both systems). There aren't many people playing the shit online these days, but I'm fine with the CPU cause the difficulty seems dialed up from what it was in the arcades

[Ziggy]

MK
>>>Mortal Kombat Deception "Premium Pack"

Provide platform info "Premium pacK" is available, PS2 Xbox. Latter version performs better.

MK II
>>> Saturn

Removal of the Saturn port. Replace with Midway Tressures 2 (Xbox,GCN,PS2) as well as Shaolin Monks (Xbox, PS2).

UMK III
>>> XBLA, NDS

Removal of XBLA as no longer available as a sole release. Add MKA Premium Edtion (PS2)

For MK, MKII and UMK3, the Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (Xbox Live, PSN, PC) is probably the best choice.

For MKII, there was a version available on PSN before the Arcade Kollection came out. I don't believe it's available for purchase anymore (since the Arcade Kollection came out) but if it is, it's the best way to play MKII in my opinion. As far as home ports go. It has a few VERY minor bugs, but overall, it's a more perfect port than MKII from the Arcade Kollection. The only bugs I know of are audio related. One that actually pisses me off is when you knock an opponent into the pit. Their falling scream doesn't cut out soon enough and overlaps their landing scream. It ruins the whole thing for me LOL. The other audio glitch is when you beat the game, the audio cuts out during the credits. Like I said, very minor bugs. The game is tight, and plays perfectly. The picture is bright, and the audio is loud.

MKII from Arcade Kollection has very dim video and the audio is quiet too. The mix of audio is off as well - the music is too quiet. My only other real problem with this port is the controls. You can't assign block to an L and R button, only one. This is because of UMK3, which uses one for block and one for run. But c'mon, they should have let you use L and R for block in the first two games. L and R is block in the original port of MKII on PSN, as well as every other home port of the game since 1993. It makes it unplayable for me. Sure, if I had to, I could get use to it. But for the reasons already mentioned, the original port of MKII on PSN is my first choice.

The Saturn port should definitely NOT be the definitive version tho. It is far from it. I don't even know where to begin. It has missing audio, and alternate audio. I think it uses some of the same alternate audio from the Genesis port, which is a shame because it was so boring. There's no excuse for the Saturn version tho, being that it's a CD! This alone ruins the game for it. But there's also loading times, which there's plenty of ports to choose from that don't have loading times. Also, the 3x3 controller layout doesn't suit MK games. The X button layout with shoulder buttons, like SNES and Playstation, is best for MK games. But it looks like others agree, so I don't have to really make my case.

edit: The version of MKII on Midway Treasures 2 and Shaolin Monks has a few issues. Some people bug out from the shadow issue, but the start button issue is a bigger problem. You can't fight Smoke, but that's not as big of deal as not being able to random select. Not being able to random select makes the game unplayable for me, and I'm sure many others. Another annoying aspect of this port is that it's slightly faster.

So my verdicts for each game:

Mortal Kombat: Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (PSN, Xbox Live, PC)

Mortal Kombat II: PSN version, if available, or else Arcade Kollection

Ultimate MK 3: I don't know what the general thought is on this one, but I know it's either the port on Armageddon or Arcade Kollection.

[CD AGES]

Thank you for youur input Ziggy. If I didn't mention Arcade Collection before, it was simply because I am not entirely sure if vlame's list honors digital releases (notice I did not mention other downloadable releases like GG^Core, Marvel Origins, 3S online edition and so on). Furthermore, I don't know what the current status of MK Arcade Collection because last I heard, it was a buggy mess at launch. Don't know where it stands with the community after all its patches and updates.
Yes MK II on PSN is perhaps the most definitve port, but I thought it was pulled from the marketplace prior to WB Games purchase of Midways assets. Same thing happend with UMK3 XBLA release (it was pulled and that was the most accurate release as well.)

Well, I'm glad someone agrees with having MKA UMK3 PS2 release on the list

[vlame]

honorable mentions for digital versions.

[foxhound1022]

Do the AES ports of the SNK fighters not apply? We are talking about definitive home versions in relation to arcade accuracy, correct?

[CD AGES]

Do the AES ports of the SNK fighters not apply?

I believe the OP specifically mentions AES does not qualify. Why that is, don't know.

Perhaps because AES is basically arcade perfect in just about every respect due to its identical tech to the MVS platform, or maybe because the format is rather cost prohibitive for the average gamer.

We are talking about definitive home versions in relation to arcade accuracy, correct?

This is the real question that deserves a bit of clarity from the OP... especially when I look at DOA2 U on the list and yet no DC port of DOA2 which is arguably the purest, MOST accurate to its arcade brethren in visuals, gameplay, content, you name it.

[foxhound1022]

Hmm. AFAIK, some of the JP versions of AES fighters are very inexpensive. I know Fatal Fury Special can be obtained for around $20, so IDK.

[CD AGES]

Hmm. AFAIK, some of the JP versions of AES fighters are very inexpensive. I know Fatal Fury Special can be obtained for around $20, so IDK.

Good point. But then hardware is a tad expensive too no? Much like a good friend of mine, I see myself investing in consolizing an MVS and purchasing software for it which is even more affordable than importing AES titles.