Mortal Kombat, developed and published by Midway Games in 1992, heralded a new era for the arcade fighting game genre. The first in its series, it was later released by Acclaim Entertainment for almost every home video game platform of its time. The game centers on Liu Kang's journey to save Earth from the malevolent sorcerer Shang Tsung, culminating in the infamous Mortal Kombat tournament. Mortal Kombat distinguishes itself from other fighting games with its unique five-button control scheme, its array of special moves, and the introduction of Fatalities, a gruesome finishing move. Despite sparking controversy for its extreme violence, Mortal Kombat has become a best-selling game, inspiring numerous sequels, spin-offs, and even a successful film adaptation.