Release Check/ Negative Edge
Release Check or Negative Edge is a feature which has been around in the Mortal Kombat series. It can be turned off or on via the Control Preset options in the game menu. It is turned ON by default.
Release check makes a player perform a special move by holding down an attack button, performing the motion control, then releasing the attack button. This is very different from the usual special move inputs found in games like Street Fighter, wherein you perform the motion control first, then you press the attack button.
It makes execution much more simpler, however if you are not used to this kind of Controls you might accidentally execute a move without intending so. Basically, it is highly advisable to turn it off if you are unfamiliar with the feature.
Sample:
In the video above, I started with release check turned off. Take note of the motion inputs on the leftside column, I performed Joker's BANG! by performing d, f + 1. You will clearly notice that the X button shows at the endpart of the execution, with The Joker shooting after the X button registers. When I turned it on, the execution shows that I held the X button first, then I did the input d, f then released the X button. It shows the Joker shooting after the motion control instead of the X button as shown on the first example.
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