Midway's Mortal Kombat combined digitized actor sprites, over-the-top violence, and secret finishing moves called Fatalities to become the most controversial game of its era. While the gameplay was simpler than Street Fighter II, the spectacle was unmatched. Ripping out spines, tearing off heads, and freezing opponents before shattering them generated a media firestorm. Congressional hearings followed. The result was the creation of the ESRB rating system in 1994. Beyond the controversy, MK built a deep lore, a massive roster of memorable characters, and a franchise that remains a fighting game powerhouse decades later.