Mortal Kombat II brings back the familiar faces of the Mortal Kombat fighters, including new additions to the roster, as they compete in a tournament held by the evil Shang Tsung. The story revolves around this sinister plot, with the player's objective being to defeat each opponent before facing off against the main antagonist.
The gameplay is similar to its predecessor, with one-on-one combat and a variety of moves at the player's disposal. These include punches, kicks, flying kicks, uppercuts, roundhouses, and special moves that vary by character. Players can also utilize throws, long-distance bullets, bicycle kicks, and teleportation features to gain an edge over their opponents.