• Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Mar 1, 2005
  • Also On: PSP
Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. More exceptional and more stylish than any other game in the series, Deception will provide an endless amount of entertainment.
  2. 85
    A great diversion from the usual fighting template. So while it may not be as complex or responsive as a number of other 3D (or even 2D) fighters out there, it's a hell of a lot of fun (whether you stink at it or not).
  3. Offers a ton of bloody entertainment, even when going online isn't an option. [Apr 2005, p.131]
  4. The core one-on-one fighting action is easily the best part of the game. It's gory, intense, and quite complex, meaning it captures much of what has made MK an institution among fighting games.
  5. Creativity and the will to venture into new territory has done good things for Mortal Kombat.
  6. The good news is that Mortal Kombat: Deception is still a great without the online modes. It's intense, frenetic, strategic, violent and bloody.
  7. Not even a masochist would venture through Konquest Mode more than once, and the Puzzle Kombat and Chess Kombat will only take you so far.
  8. 80
    Thanks to the GameCube's unfriendly button layout, performing the new demanding dial-a-combos is harder than ever. Patient players, however, will uncover an almost overwhelming array of play modes and hidden features.
  9. The map-navigating controls are touchy in the Konquest, but as an additional mode, it's quite impressive. [May 2005, p.91]
  10. 75
    If you're looking at the game for continuing the fun, campy Mortal Kombat legacy, you'll find a lot to like here. If you're looking for highly technical fighting matches or evolved modern game storytelling, you'll do better looking elsewhere.
  11. Deception can be mindless fun, but I can't help but feel that the developers are just trying to do too much with this game. [May 2005, p.138]
  12. Deception on the Gamecube is Deception minus online play, plus two characters everybody wishes were in the first runs of the game.
  13. 64
    It's not the worst game in the series, but perhaps the most disappointing because of the developer's inability to deliver on the majority of its several cool ideas.
  14. 40
    The game's fighting mechanic was a little thin to begin with, and without an online version to lend it some legs, it gets old real fast. Playing with the GameCube controller isn't too hot, either.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. The Gamecube's controller makes this game nearly impossible to play. Get it for PS2 or XBOX. Most of the new characters are pretty dull and uninspired, but the returning fighters look as good as ever. Full Review »
  2. EduardoR.
    10
    This game is almost perfect: the addition of "breaker" system, "death traps", 2 fatalities and 1 Hara Kiri per character and interactive arenas makes fighting more strategic, realistic and fun. Chess and Puzzle kombat modes are nice surprises. The only big mistake of the game is the Konquest Mode. Despite this flaw, the game is GREAT!!! Full Review »
  3. Chuck
    9
    The game is great the fatalities are good but onaga is hard other than that the game is good.