Mortal Kombat Nitro: Inside the Canceled Uncensored SNES Revival from Sculptured Software

Mortal Kombat Nitro: Inside the Canceled Uncensored SNES Revival from Sculptured Software Few games in the fighting genre hold the same legendary status as Mortal Kombat.

And for fans of retro gaming, the story of Mortal Kombat Nitro—a canceled update for the Super Nintendo—remains one of the medium’s most engaging lost chapters.

Recently, a former Acclaim developer, in collaboration with popular Mortal Kombat YouTuber tabmok99, has provided an unprecedented look at this elusive title, shining a light on its ambitious features and turbulent development history. Mortal Kombat Nitro was under development by Sculptured Software following the tepid response to the original Mortal Kombat port on the Super Nintendo (SNES).

Early releases on the SNES famously altered the game's signature violence, replacing blood with sweat, a move that disappointed fans and even original creators.

Mortal Kombat Nitro set out to address those criticisms by presenting a version of the game truer to its arcade roots: less censored, more gory, and packed with new content.

This unreleased iteration aimed to stand as a more authentic and feature-rich alternative to the censored SNES port. Among the planned improvements for Mortal Kombat Nitro were new playable characters—including Goro, Shang Tsung, Reptile, and Kung Lao—multiple costume selections, expanded fatalities, and the possibility of unlocking both good and bad endings based on the player’s choices.

These enhancements would have set Mortal Kombat Nitro apart as one of the most substantial fighting game updates of its era, had it reached the eShop or physical release. Development on Mortal Kombat Nitro was ultimately halted, with Midway—publisher for the original arcade editions—reportedly opposing its launch as they shifted focus to the arcade debut of Mortal Kombat II.

Despite never making it to retail shelves, details about Mortal Kombat Nitro have surfaced over the years through interviews, design documents, and concept art shared on social media.

Notably, former Acclaim developer James Fink, known in the community as TheONBlastShow, published select materials for the game in 2020, shedding new light on its ambitious scope. During a recent interview with tabmok99, Fink reflected on the necessity of Mortal Kombat Nitro for the SNES audience.

He explained that the original SNES port’s alterations—particularly the replacement of blood with sweat—did not align with his expectations.

Both Fink and co-creator Ed Boon shared disappointment at the level of content sanitization.

As Fink stated, his vision for Mortal Kombat Nitro was to remedy these issues and deliver a more faithful and expanded Mortal Kombat experience for Nintendo fans. While Mortal Kombat Nitro remains unreleased, Fink revealed that, although he previously promised not to distribute the game, his position has evolved.

During the video feature with tabmok99, he suggested that he may consider making the game accessible in the future, expressing hope that the community might one day finish and play it themselves.

This statement has reignited hopes among the Mortal Kombat community that this historic project will not fade into obscurity. As preservation of video game history becomes increasingly important, the renewed attention on Mortal Kombat Nitro emphasizes not only what fans missed but also the enduring legacy of creative ambition and advocacy for authenticity on Nintendo platforms like the Super Nintendo.

As the story of Mortal Kombat Nitro continues to resurface, it serves as a reminder of the passionate work by developers and fans dedicated to preserving the true spirit of classic gaming.

SNES Xbox Series X|S Inside Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat Nitro Sculptured Software Acclaim Super Nintendo Midway Ed Boon James Fink tabmok99