Midway's Mortal Kombat II turns 26 today. Let's look inside the creation of one of the greatest fighting games of all time.
The Mortal Kombat II team in Chicago circa '94.

Boon, Tobias, Forden, and Vogel were behind the original MK. Just after creating all the player heads and the court in NBA Jam, Goskie joined the team to do backgrounds.

Everyone here but Tobias still works on the series.
Martial artist and original MK actor (and I'd even venture to call co-creator) Daniel Pesina returned to play Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Reptile, plus the secret character Noob Saibot.
Martial artist and original MK actor (and I'd even venture to call co-creator) Daniel Pesina returned to play Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Reptile, plus the secret character Noob Saibot.
Martial artist and original MK actor (and I'd even venture to call co-creator) Daniel Pesina returned to play Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Reptile, plus the secret character Noob Saibot.
Martial artist and original MK actor (and I'd even venture to call co-creator) Daniel Pesina returned to play Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Reptile, plus the secret character Noob Saibot.
Martial artist and original MK actor (and I'd even venture to call co-creator) Daniel Pesina returned to play Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, and Reptile, plus the secret character Noob Saibot.
Katalian Zamiar played Kitana, Mileena, and Jade in Mortal Kombat II.

Zamiar was a dedicated martial artist, having studied for 12 years. At the time, she had a degree in Anthropology, and was pursuing a master's in Criminal Justice and teaching undergrads Forensic Science.
Katalian Zamiar played Kitana, Mileena, and Jade in Mortal Kombat II.Zamiar was a dedicated martial artist, having studied for 12 years. At the time, she had a degree in Anthropology, and was pursuing a master's in Criminal Justice and teaching undergrads Forensic Science.
Katalian Zamiar played Kitana, Mileena, and Jade in Mortal Kombat II.Zamiar was a dedicated martial artist, having studied for 12 years. At the time, she had a degree in Anthropology, and was pursuing a master's in Criminal Justice and teaching undergrads Forensic Science.
Katalian Zamiar played Kitana, Mileena, and Jade in Mortal Kombat II.Zamiar was a dedicated martial artist, having studied for 12 years. At the time, she had a degree in Anthropology, and was pursuing a master's in Criminal Justice and teaching undergrads Forensic Science.
Katalian Zamiar played Kitana, Mileena, and Jade in Mortal Kombat II.Zamiar was a dedicated martial artist, having studied for 12 years. At the time, she had a degree in Anthropology, and was pursuing a master's in Criminal Justice and teaching undergrads Forensic Science.
John Parrish talks about how Jax came to join the Mortal Kombat series in MKII.

Danny = Daniel Pesina (Cage/Scorpion/Subbie/Reptile/Noob)
Rich Divizio played Kano
Carlos = Carlos Pesina (Raiden)
Tony Marquez played Kung Lao

Full interview:
Original designs for Jax included a kickboxer and him wearing a yellow outfit with metal hands that clanged on impact. Yellow outfit Jax went as far as being filmed against the blue screen, but the outfit was soon discarded.

Sidenote: He split the yellow pants doing a high kick.
Original designs for Jax included a kickboxer and him wearing a yellow outfit with metal hands that clanged on impact. Yellow outfit Jax went as far as being filmed against the blue screen, but the outfit was soon discarded.Sidenote: He split the yellow pants doing a high kick.
Original designs for Jax included a kickboxer and him wearing a yellow outfit with metal hands that clanged on impact. Yellow outfit Jax went as far as being filmed against the blue screen, but the outfit was soon discarded.Sidenote: He split the yellow pants doing a high kick.
Original designs for Jax included a kickboxer and him wearing a yellow outfit with metal hands that clanged on impact. Yellow outfit Jax went as far as being filmed against the blue screen, but the outfit was soon discarded.Sidenote: He split the yellow pants doing a high kick.
Original designs for Jax included a kickboxer and him wearing a yellow outfit with metal hands that clanged on impact. Yellow outfit Jax went as far as being filmed against the blue screen, but the outfit was soon discarded.Sidenote: He split the yellow pants doing a high kick.
Carlos Pesina returned as Raiden. At the time, he was studying computer graphic design and hoped to work at Industrial Light & Magic. He also appeared in TMNTIII as a stunt double for Casey Jones.

Raiden got to be on the game's side art, too, where he's actually wearing shorts.
Carlos Pesina returned as Raiden. At the time, he was studying computer graphic design and hoped to work at Industrial Light & Magic. He also appeared in TMNTIII as a stunt double for Casey Jones.Raiden got to be on the game's side art, too, where he's actually wearing shorts.
Carlos Pesina returned as Raiden. At the time, he was studying computer graphic design and hoped to work at Industrial Light & Magic. He also appeared in TMNTIII as a stunt double for Casey Jones.Raiden got to be on the game's side art, too, where he's actually wearing shorts.
Carlos Pesina returned as Raiden. At the time, he was studying computer graphic design and hoped to work at Industrial Light & Magic. He also appeared in TMNTIII as a stunt double for Casey Jones.Raiden got to be on the game's side art, too, where he's actually wearing shorts.
Carlos Pesina returned as Raiden. At the time, he was studying computer graphic design and hoped to work at Industrial Light & Magic. He also appeared in TMNTIII as a stunt double for Casey Jones.Raiden got to be on the game's side art, too, where he's actually wearing shorts.
Carlos Pesina re-enacts the Mortal Kombat II side art.
The younger Shang Tsung was played by Dr. Philip Ahn, M.D.

During the filming of MKII, he was a resident at Hinsdale Hospital with an office for family practice. Today, he's a family physician in Chicago.

Check out his new book "Mortal Doctor" here: https://tinyurl.com/mortaldoctor 
The younger Shang Tsung was played by Dr. Philip Ahn, M.D.During the filming of MKII, he was a resident at Hinsdale Hospital with an office for family practice. Today, he's a family physician in Chicago.Check out his new book "Mortal Doctor" here: https://tinyurl.com/mortaldoctor 
The younger Shang Tsung was played by Dr. Philip Ahn, M.D.During the filming of MKII, he was a resident at Hinsdale Hospital with an office for family practice. Today, he's a family physician in Chicago.Check out his new book "Mortal Doctor" here: https://tinyurl.com/mortaldoctor 
The younger Shang Tsung was played by Dr. Philip Ahn, M.D.During the filming of MKII, he was a resident at Hinsdale Hospital with an office for family practice. Today, he's a family physician in Chicago.Check out his new book "Mortal Doctor" here: https://tinyurl.com/mortaldoctor 
The younger Shang Tsung was played by Dr. Philip Ahn, M.D.During the filming of MKII, he was a resident at Hinsdale Hospital with an office for family practice. Today, he's a family physician in Chicago.Check out his new book "Mortal Doctor" here: https://tinyurl.com/mortaldoctor 
Super Mortal Bros.
After playing Kano in Mortal Kombat, Rich Divizio came back for Mortal Kombat II as Baraka.

Divizio was built like a killer MMA fighter.
Baraka initially looked very different in Mortal Kombat II.

Here's Rich Divizio with the original Baraka mask (and a Super Big Gulp), and the one he actually wore and constantly sweated in.
Baraka initially looked very different in Mortal Kombat II.Here's Rich Divizio with the original Baraka mask (and a Super Big Gulp), and the one he actually wore and constantly sweated in.
Baraka initially looked very different in Mortal Kombat II.Here's Rich Divizio with the original Baraka mask (and a Super Big Gulp), and the one he actually wore and constantly sweated in.
Ho-Sung Pak played Liu Kang once again in MKII.

In addition to being a top-ranked karate competitor, he appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninjat Turtles 2 and III as Raphael, and worked with Jackie Chan on Drunken Master II.

In Korean, his name translates to "superstar."
Ho-Sung Pak played Liu Kang once again in MKII.In addition to being a top-ranked karate competitor, he appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninjat Turtles 2 and III as Raphael, and worked with Jackie Chan on Drunken Master II.In Korean, his name translates to "superstar."
Ho-Sung Pak played Liu Kang once again in MKII.In addition to being a top-ranked karate competitor, he appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninjat Turtles 2 and III as Raphael, and worked with Jackie Chan on Drunken Master II.In Korean, his name translates to "superstar."
Learn more about the legend that is Ho-Sung Pak here: https://twitter.com/nbajambook/status/1094618553771311104
A workplace dispute on the set of Mortal Kombat II.
Snack time.
Anthony Marquez played Kung Lao.

Marquez also appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, performing stunts for Leonardo as well as appearing as a rebel soldier and a guard soldier. Along with MKII, he appeared in Midway's Revolution X as a ninja.
Anthony Marquez played Kung Lao.Marquez also appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, performing stunts for Leonardo as well as appearing as a rebel soldier and a guard soldier. Along with MKII, he appeared in Midway's Revolution X as a ninja.
Anthony Marquez played Kung Lao.Marquez also appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, performing stunts for Leonardo as well as appearing as a rebel soldier and a guard soldier. Along with MKII, he appeared in Midway's Revolution X as a ninja.
Anthony Marquez played Kung Lao.Marquez also appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, performing stunts for Leonardo as well as appearing as a rebel soldier and a guard soldier. Along with MKII, he appeared in Midway's Revolution X as a ninja.
Anthony Marquez played Kung Lao.Marquez also appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, performing stunts for Leonardo as well as appearing as a rebel soldier and a guard soldier. Along with MKII, he appeared in Midway's Revolution X as a ninja.
Imagine winning one of the 10 copies of VideoGames magazine autographed by the full cast of Mortal Kombat II.
Ed Boon ran a tight ship on the set of Mortal Kombat II.
Ed Boon ran a tight ship on the set of Mortal Kombat II.
Ed Boon ran a tight ship on the set of Mortal Kombat II.
Ed Boon ran a tight ship on the set of Mortal Kombat II.
John Tobias' original character sketches for Kintaro, Shang Tsung, Baraka, and Raiden in Mortal Kombat II.
John Tobias' original character sketches for Kintaro, Shang Tsung, Baraka, and Raiden in Mortal Kombat II.
John Tobias' original character sketches for Kintaro, Shang Tsung, Baraka, and Raiden in Mortal Kombat II.
John Tobias' original character sketches for Kintaro, Shang Tsung, Baraka, and Raiden in Mortal Kombat II.
John Tobias' original character sketches for Kintaro, Shang Tsung, Baraka, and Raiden in Mortal Kombat II.
The back of the Mortal Kombat II flyer, mailed out by Midway to arcade owners, distributors, and operators to promote MKII's arrival in arcades on June 25, 1993.
Thanks for reading. If there's interest, I might do another thread about another game or subject later on down the line. Peace.
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