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Even then, characters would take chip damage from any hit while blocking - Sub-Zero's ice projectile is the unique exception. Unlike Street Fighter, characters did not block while retreating or crouching, but required pushing the block button to low block.
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The controls consisted of five buttons arranged in an "X" pattern: a high punch, a high kick, a low punch, a low kick, and a block button, as well as an eight-way joystick. However, it used a fighting system different from the Street Fighter formula, which was used in all sequels until Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance. The game was a response by Midway to Capcom's highly successful fighting game Street Fighter II, which spawned a number of sequels and related games.
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