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How to Play Mortal Kombat 1 (DOS): Complete Beginners Guide

How to Play Mortal Kombat 1 (DOS): Complete Beginners Guide

11 May 2025Gameplay Guides
A concise beginner’s guide to playing the original Mortal Kombat 1 on DOS, covering emulator setup, keyboard controls and signature special moves for each character.

Mortal Kombat is way older than one might think. Mortal Kombat was released in 1992 by Midway and was available for DOS, bringing intense action to our early home PCs. The game became so popular that, to this day, you can play Mortal Kombat 1 using platforms like Best DOS Games.

However, as you’re playing the popular first version of the game, there are things you must understand to dominate it. So, here’s the best Mortal Kombat 1 (DOS) beginners’ guide for new players and veterans.

Getting Started with Mortal Kombat 1

Getting Started with Mortal Kombat 1Getting Started with Mortal Kombat 1

Since modern PCs don’t have DOS, you will probably need an emulator. However, if you’re looking for a foolproof way of playing not only Mortal Kombat 1 but most MS-DOS games online, then you should check out Best DOS Games and their catalog of games.

You don’t need to download any emulator or anything but just visit our website and play your favorite gaming title. You can even use DOSBox as an emulator and then mount the correct directory. Once you’re in DOSBox, you can start the game by typing “mk.exe” and pressing Enter.

The game will be launched, and you will enjoy your favorite titles without any issues. However, playing Mortal Kombat 1 on an online service like Best DOS Games is still a quick and fast alternative, since you can play it on your Windows, Mac, and even tablet devices that way.

Understanding the Game’s Controls

Understanding the Game’s ControlsUnderstanding the Game’s Controls

The default control on the DOS version requires you to use a keyboard, but you can surely set the settings according to your requirements. Here are the basic controls that you can expect when playing Mortal Kombat 1 on DOS:

  • Up Arrow = Jump
  • Down Arrow = Crouch
  • Left and Right Arrow = Move Backward and Forward
  • A = High Punch
  • S = Low Punch
  • Z = High Kick
  • X = Low
  • Spacebar = Block

Once you master these key controls, you can use multiple combinations of them to make your gameplay easier. If you decide to play with Best DOS Games, you will have the option to set controls of your liking. Simply press F10, and you will be taken to the keyboard or controller setup page.

After learning your controls, you can start playing the game and keep the guesswork away.

Mastering the Gameplay

Mastering the GameplayMastering the Gameplay

Each character in Mortal Kombat 1 has a special move. For example, to initiate the Scorpion’s Spear, you need to use the following combination: Back, Back, Low Punch. Then, in order to get Sub-Zero’s Freeze attack, you need to focus on Down, Forward, Low Punch.

Lastly, Liu Kang’s Fireball can be initiated as Forward, Forward, High Punch. By using these attacks at the right time, you can easily destroy your opponents, but remember, these attacks aren’t unlimited and can only be used at a specific time in the gameplay.

Blocking is another important aspect of Mortal Kombat 1. Usually, by pressing the Spacebar, you can block high or low attacks. Learn to master blocking and then counter-attacking your opponents for the best possible gameplay.

Final Verdict

Now that you know the basics of Mortal Kombat 1, you might want to consider the best platform to play the game. By simply going to Best DOS Games, you can either search for Mortal Kombat in the search or click the link here to access the game instantly.

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