How to beat Mortal Kombat 2’s insane AI 

After watching as the younger family member all through the nineties, I'm always in awe of people who have the game down like this. The muscle memory and timing memorization needed isn't a joke. You made it look easy.

And not a single curse word uttered....... sir you have my respect.

Damn this was satisfying to watch. I spent countless hours at the arcade as a kid not only playing MK2 but watching the best people in the neighborhood play and swapping tips and writing down fatalities this definitely brings me back. Damn good work man

I tried this last night, worked like a charm. I couldn't believe it as this game's AI was the bane of my existence as a kid. Thanks to you I have my revenge!

I am imagining this dude going back in time to an arcade in the 90’s and blowing everyone’s mind with these moves 😂

I’ve been playing MK for twenty years and you’ve taught me things I’ve never knew about this game. You’ve earned a subscriber.

I used to watch my older brother play this game, and I would just sit behind him cheering him and almost praying he wouldn't loose. I got those same vibes from watching you play, hoping you didn't break your winning streak.

YOU ARE THE SUPREME MORTAL KOMBAT WARRIOR !! Up until I saw this video, I assumed that successful playthroughs I'd seen of this game were some sort of trick or cutscene and I wondered why the devs even bothered to program endings. It's so cool to see how this process actually works.

Kitana or Mileena at the 6th or 7th position in the ladder, always drained money in the arcades. They were always so quick to react.

my uncle knew similar things when i was a kid, he really was the only one who beat this game in my family. thanks for making this video, you made me remember good times.

Aside from pattern recognition, I like your distancing, timing, reaction time and input, those are insane since MK 2 AI is very cheap, yet you found a hole in it. Reminds me of 6 months of playing UMK3 in Nintendo DS (2007) doing the same thing over and over again, on how to exploit the AI and finding pattern using Smoke to beat the game in hardest difficulty, but yours is superb and lightning-fast with that AI. Bravo sir!

This works with pretty much any character, except for Raiden and Liu Kang, I think. I've also found out that Kung Lao's hat throw has a ridiculously large hit box, and he loves to spam that move, so if you just walk up to him and time your sweeps, 9 times out of 10 you'll take him out faster than using the jump bait.

I discovered the same technique when I was a kid on SNES (set the difficulty to Very Hard and they fall for it even better, so very hard is actually easier lol) then went to the arcade and found it worked also, beating my first game ever at an arcade. I use a slightly altered technique: Change the backflip into a backward jumpkick and they wait slightly longer to jump at you, giving you more time to plan your assault lol. I also find the roundhouse to be quite effective at throwing them back to the other side of the screen and does similar damage as the uppercut. Works using almost anyone, except for Liu, Raiden and the girls. I like to use Shang Tsung, that way I can use Kitana against the bosses. They fall for that fan wave so easily lol. Then I use a jumpkick/ fan throw (while still in the air) combo. :)

Few notes: This strategy does not work when you're using the girls, Liu Kang, or Raiden. It also only applies to the P1 side. For the P2 side, you need a different strategy, but it works with all characters.

This is really amazing how good situational awareness and reflexes u have & how perfectly u explain the attack & defense patterns of Opponents and how to deal with them. Most importantly, no foul language. Much appreciated

I saw this randomly and it made me wanna play mortal kombat with my arcade stick and its still pretty fun. Very simple and straightforward but tough to win.

This game was brutal to me back when i was like 8. I could manage street fighter, but MK2 always made me rage. Nice to see someone beat the AI so cleanly.

Ive always loved how the arcade-era MK's AI is over-tuned to the point where you can manipulate it to win if you know what you're doing its like Dark Souls where you take the time to learn how each characters AI works and how they react to your inputs and exploiting them to win, its great I remember being pissed as a kid about how the AI could react before the move even went out not knowing the AI can read your inputs.

Oh man, this came out into arcades when I was in junior high school. I was so obsessed that I'd spend my lunch money on this everyday after school. The fact that it had secrets in the game added to the allure of it all.

When he said he been playing for 30 years, that really put things in perspective for me.

That was fantastic! Love MKII, its a shame the computer cheats. Also JC ending is funny... that MKII movie looks way better than what we got lol

I could never win against first few AI characters. It was pure humiliation, so I quickly gave up, leaving the MK2 only as a friends battle zone. Nice speedrun you've made! Awesome!

I knew this pattern for a very long time. Depending on who you're using, if they fall into your jumping pattern, you can use your special move (sub zero's freeze for example), freeze them, and uppercut. Jump back immediately and in most cases, they'll jump towards you and you can rinse and repeat with the freeze/uppercut. With Johnny Cage, you can special uppercut or shadow kick when they jump towards you while doing the jump trick. Every person has their own pattern but also, the jumping trick doesn't work with every character that you use.

Great nostalgia here. Memories of cheesing the AI (just as this guy is doing) at the arcade and on my Sega Genesis! Also fantastic job narrating and doing all this in one video without editing!

After playing the game and getting so frustrated when I was younger, then finding out that the AI cheats recently, it's nice to see the computer get it's ass kicked for once. I just wish I knew this trick years ago.

Veteren MK player here. Great to see someone like you know how to play this game. I do exactly the same tactics to beat the CPU.

Actually very entertaining video of one of the best MK out there. 10 years got you some respect for sure. GG

I’m ordering MKII for my SNES off amazon now. This brings back so much nostalgia memories as a kid and I realize how much I miss this game cus of your channel.

Sir, you are one skilled player! I havent played this game for years. Its astounding how you can remember all these combinations! Subbed!

It's so funny because I figured out pretty much everything you're doing back in 1994 when I first got MK2 on my Genesis and played it constantly. Baiting the AI into jumping at you and then countering, jumping at Mileena and forcing her to try and use her mid-air sai attack. I do the same thing you do. But I always felt like I was cheesing the game by not straight up fighting the AI like I would a human player. Glad I'm not alone.

This video is so wholesome. It’s just a guy showing his passion for MK2.

The algorithm brought me here. Was not disappointed. You have this game down to an exact science. Def earned a subscriber!

Awesome playthrough! I played a lot of MK2 when I was 6 years old, but I never figured the AI like that. I know that crouching makes them walk forward, so I'd usually just hit low punch while crouching, but it would get boring really fast. You don't only kick the game's ass, you also make it look like a lot of fun.

Just pick Baraka and spam the chop chop blades attack. Occasionally, the AI will block it and counter with a throw, but a good chunk of the time, it should land.

I used to religiously play this in the arcade back in the day and I honestly do not recall it being as difficult as it is today. I played the arcade a few weeks ago and was stunned at how difficult it was....great tips man.

Most Impressive. 💯. You were probably one of the big kids in the arcade crowding around the MKII machine in the early 90s. I was a young padawan at the time looking up at others like you. True OG Gamer. 🔥🔥

I always beat Jade with Mileena's teleport kick, as Jade will block the first and instantly throw a fan. If you have perfect timing you tele-kick again and will go under the fan and connect, to which Jade will ALWAYS throw another fan. Repeat to win.

I love how you tell everyone how you'll finish your opponent in the middle of fighting. LOL Loved this game when I was younger. Totally set the stage for MK games later on down the road.

30 years we still love MK2, thank you!

This video bring back so many memories he just gave y’all a kid in the 90’s experience 💯💯💯

You are an absolute master of this game, and oh my god, I can't be the only one just seeing JC's Uppercut move at 12:45 for the first time too?? I've never seen that animation before??? My mind is blown! 🎉

Good times man, good times.. 30 years of fighting MK deserves respect, and lots of it too!

It’s something about that arcade screen that is so beautiful man. I could watch a hundred of these. Nice video bro!

The way you slapped the button at the character select screen was fantastic

This game was the bane of my existence as a kid and I still can't play the game without getting angry, seeing you absolutely dominate the whole game gave me catharsis that I didn't know I needed! Really impressive gameplay man, this was awesome to watch.

I remember the first time I saw someone do this at the arcade back in the day. After that I could finish it every time and people would actually stand there and watch you beat the game back then. It was like being a mini celebrity.

This brought back memories. I remember in the mid90s watching some older guy at the arcades doing all these fatalities. There'd always be a crowd of people gathered around whenever he came to play.

Zero losses. No glitches. Straight punisher. This is the best mk2 playthrough I've seen, ever.

I can still remember walking into the arcade and seeing Mortal Kombat for the first time. The sheer volume of sound coming from the machine. The yellow warning stickers about it being 18+ The older (much taller) kids playing, and actually doing Falalities. Squeezing through the crowd to put my quarters on the glass. Getting my ass kicked, and still be excited to get my turn. That's my Mortal Kombat memory. When did you discover MK?

The trick with Mileena with that jump kick at the angle and timing also works the same against Liu Kang. You can also get Liu Kang in an infinite loop if you just do neutral punch from a very specific distance and timing. Usually the distance works out if you jump back and let him jump at you and take maybe 1 step back. If I remember correctly if you are Liu Kang then you can't manipulate the AI by jumping back as they won't generally follow you. Might be another character (Kung Lao?) that also doesn't work. For Shao Kahn he's probably even easier if you just jump into him (without attacking) and hold down. Then you get a free uppercut. It's really fast and easy. if you get him in the corner then you can just jump kick straight at him like with Kintaro.

Bro! They way you just recited this game was insane! Im completely in awe. Bravo.

This video makes up for all the times I lost at MK. Feels like watching your older brother beat up your bully. Great vid 👍

I really like how simple your tutorial is. Very easy to follow. Thank you for this. Any chance of doing a MK3 tutorial? Liked and subscribed.

I’m a massive MK fan and am still recently playing mk11 online up until the release of MK1 but I just can’t help but love the old style of the games, and there’s something so mesmerising about watching it be played on a machine like this with the buttons and toggle stick

I love this. Cool to see the AI exploit and i love the old school RU-vid vibe with the video camera too. Hope this video keeps blowing up chief

my heart was pumpin at the end, good job

Impressive, entertaining, and informative. I think I might have to get an Arcade 1Up cab just to try it myself. Think it would be fun to learn.😄

You have my respect for being this damn good on this game. Part two and three used to frustrate me so bad as a kid… They are exceedingly hard.

Thank you for this sir, I’ve had the 1up model for a year and only play it with other people since it’s so frustrating against the computer. This helps a lot 👍

good stuff bro, brought me back of them days in the arcade. loved it there back then

I played a lot of this game back in the days. Once I discovered that I could bait the AI to jump toward me (as you often did in this video) it actually became quite easy. I always used Baraka so I could immediately follow with his chop chop blades move. Shao Khan is also incredibly easy with Baraka, as you said he really likes to shoulder dash, moreover he never jumps, so you just spam chop chop blades and he basically kills himself. The real challenge for me was Kintaro. I never found out the strategy in this video, it certainly would have saved me a lot of trouble, but eventually I found a way to slowly defeat him through chip damage by repeatedly spamming low punch.

Just come across your channel! You sir, are AMAZING at this game. I have no doubt this is near impossible but you make it look so easy! Respect! I must admit I was on the edge of my seat a few times haha few close calls!

This was so satisfying to watch! Great job!

Man... takes me back to my childhood. One of my cousins always had Mortal Kombat down when we when to the arcades. Wouldn't even play would just watch them. Love your work

Great video and impressive skill! To this day I cannot beat Kintaro. Reaching him in itself is a huge task imo.

The fact that you did this with Johnny Cage you are a legend. I use Sub-Zero and Scorpion, and sometimes Raiden and Lui kang.

Sir this is an MK2 Master Class this was my favorite game of them all .. Well Done 💪🏾

Masterful. Awesome video. Takes me back.

This video has helped me out a lot. I've always struggled with the A.I.

After years of studying the game myself, this technique only works for Kung Lao (sometimes), Johnny Cage, Reptile, Sub-Zero, Shang Tsung, Jax, Baraka, and Scorpion. To win with Liu Kang, try combining bicycle kicks and luring them in for a round house. Kitana and Mileena are so fast that it's quite simple to beat the AI with simple combos involving their special moves. Raiden is the enigma to me. Sometimes I can beat the AI with him easily combining the torpedo with roundhouses and sweeps. Other times, he gets destroyed.

Since the MK1 reveal this channel has blew up. *well deserved i might add*

I felt like I had it down pretty good, but man, you are very talented. I would at least die a few times and have to put forth effort but it didn’t even phase you! Mad respect!

Casually letting Scorpion take a round off you because you broke your own self-imposed handicap was equal parts sporting and freakin swag. I'm not even really an MK guy outside my obsessive childhood fandom, but the energy you brought to this performance made it a joy to watch!

Once again you are the supreme mortal kombat warrior !!

Great work. You remind me of the random dude at arcades that was the only person able to show secrets that you couldn't just search back then.

I completely forgot how many heads were ripped off on that fatality. My mother got me this game when I was a kid. Blockbuster video!

I remember teaching people these methods in the arcade back in the day. When I was in my prime, I could run the whole game on two quarters and just astound people. The real fun for a while was since I'm in the Chicago area, we knew the places they would test out the newer build of MK 2 and as they added fatalities. My fav to pull on human players was the Kintaro Shang Tsung one. People would flip for it. :)

Need a video .. on just going over fatalities! You made it look super easy ..

Yeaaaa lets goooooo, your content is the best for mk fans bro i promise. Keep it up with the good work ur doing awesome bro. Keep it toasty!

This is the best Mortal Kombat 2 Let's Play Video ever made.

Big props. I never felt like I could figure out the AI. It seemed like it was cheesing me by reading my inputs. Even on “Very Easy” on the Super Nintendo it was too hard. You made it look easy. Really enjoyed seeing your walkthrough.

So enjoyable to watch. 30 years of mastery indeed. Brings back good memories of my teens. Thank you!

so smooth, well presented, i subscribed, thanks!

Bro the old school arcade button smashing is like asmr, really brings me back to when I used to play on these as a kid. Love the vid btw🙏

Few notes: -The back jump trick works better if you use a kick on the jump, this makes the cpu to delay its jump, giving you more time to punish the cpu´s jump. - For the 2p stick this back jump exploit does not work, but there is a different exploit that only works for the 2p stick, in which you must jump towars the cpu without doing any attack, this will glich the cpu into just walking backwards and when it gets a little far from you it will stand still for 2 seconds and it will use a proyectile that you can punish easily by jumping it.

this was the first arcade game i played as a kid in the 90's. i was totally blown away by it. i ve never seen something more "real" stuck inside of a wooden box. i remember walking back home with a friend and only talking about how real it seemed to me. like i felt i was controlling real people on the screen. i think i was 8-9 years old.

Watching someone else play this game brings back unpleasant memories of trying to beat this game as a child.

To experience going to an arcade when these early Mortal Kombat games were released brings me so much joy to watch back on them now. I know today's games with the graphics are cool but they will never compare to MK, Killer Instinct, Tekken, Street Fighter OG releases. The sounds, characters and artwork back then was something else. Thanks for making something so difficult look so easy man, cheers

Thanks for making this video. Never got too far in this game cause of the AI spike. It’s dope how you got all the fatalities and tricks down pat. It is annoying that the AI is so difficult that we have to do these little tricks. Like I want to have fun and use my special moves and all that and not have to use a repeated pattern.

Bro... how? You make it look so easy. Great video!

Wow enjoyed it SOOO much!!! Brought back many memories! Thanks!!!

The feel associated with MK2 is next to none. The background music was so effective and dark

this deserves more views, fuck mk2 ai

I completed this a few times and each time felt like a giant victory especially Kintaro and Shao Kahn. Such unfair fights that annihilate you if your unprepared.

well done, and very cool arcade setup! i enjoyed watching all of it!

Awesome playthrough and explanation. I liked and subbed.

Rubberbanding AI code like they used with NBA Jam. Used this so you would lose easy so the Arcades made money. 2P side MK2 AI plays different too compared to 1P side.

Very nicely done! You have certainly mastered it!

awesome showcase man, informative too!

This was refreshing to see. Nice tutorial. 2 & 3 always wrecked me. My favorite thing about the game was the yells they make when they throw an opponent. Sounds like the voice actors broke their vocal chords. OOOOAAAAEEEOOOooHHH!!!!