In 1997, Midway and the Mortal Kombat development team decided to make the leap to 3D for the franchise, due to the rising popularity of 3D games at the time. However, Ed Boon decided to only give the game 3D graphics and keep the 2D gameplay mechanics found in previous games. Many fans were disappointed that the game wasn't truly 3D. Initial reaction to the new 3D look of the series was negative, but MK4 still managed to be a financial success due to an aggressive advertisement campaign. Although the game was hugely popular, it failed to pull Mortal Kombat out of a slump that began that same year. In fact, from 1997 to 1999, the series waned due to several Mortal Kombat projects that were either short lived, mediocre in quality, or shoddy all together. It was also the time in which John Tobias, the game's main storyteller, and much of Midway's staff resigned. MK4 was also to be the last Mortal Kombat game released in the arcades due to a dramatic drop in arcade popularity at the time.

Thousands of years ago in a battle with the fallen elder god known as Shinnok, I was responsible for the death of an entire civilization.

To rid all realms of Shinnok's menace I waged a war that plunged the earth into centuries of darkness and banished Shinnok to a place called the Netherealm. Now after Shao Kahn's defeat at the hands of the earth warriors, Shinnok has managed to escape his confines of the Netherealm.

The war is now being fought once again, and this time it can be won by mortals.

- The Words of Raiden

Fujin (Playable),  Goro (Boss/Playable),  Jarek (Playable),  Jax (Playable),  Johnny Cage (Playable),  Kai (Playable),  Liu Kang (Playable),  Meat (Hidden/Playable),  Noob Saibot (Hidden/Playable),  Quan Chi (Playable),  Raiden (Playable),  Reiko (Playable),  Reptile (Playable),  Scorpion (Playable),  Shinnok (Final Boss/Playable),  Sonya (Playable),  Sub-Zero (Playable),  Tanya (Playable)

Church,  Elder God's Chamber,  Fire Well,  Goro's Lair,  Ice Pit,  Living Forest,  Prison,  Reptile's Lair,  Shaolin Temple,  Tomb,  Wind World