Homeβ€ΊGamesβ€ΊMortal Kombat 1β€ΊJohnny Cage
Johnny Cage Mortal Kombat 1 fighter artwork
Mortal Kombat 1 Move & Ability Guide

Johnny Cage moves, skills and special abilities

Move & Ability Guide

Playable Mortal Kombat 1 fighter.

25 ability entries1 Basic Attack6 Special Moves1 Equippable Move5 Kombos1 Aerial Kombo1 Fatal Blow2 Fatalities7 Brutalities1 Animality
Mortal Kombat inputs: Forward means toward the opponent; Back means away. Reverse horizontal directions when facing left. A comma or β†’ separates steps; + means press together. Use your assigned buttons if controls were remapped. 1 = Front Punch (PS Square / Xbox X / Switch Y); 2 = Back Punch (Triangle / Y / X); 3 = Front Kick (Cross / A / B); 4 = Back Kick (Circle / B / A). Kameo = R1 / RB / R; Block = R2 / RT / ZR; Throw = L1 / LB / L; Flip Stance = L2 / LT / ZL. During/Requires describes a prerequisite, not an extra direction. Finishers need the finishing prompt, distance and unlock conditions shown. Kameo copied moves depend on the opponent.

Basic Attacks

1
Under The Table
basic_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + 3

Directional/basic attack.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Special Moves

6
Shadow Kick
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Forward, 4

Johnny Cage's advancing kick special. Its startup and recovery have been adjusted in official updates.

Tip: Use it as an advancing punish or combo-ending tool when spacing is correct. It can be unsafe if used carelessly, so confirm current frame data.
Verified through official WB HotfixSource β†—
Ball Buster
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Down, 1

A Johnny Cage special move referenced in official balance and Brutality notes.

Tip: Use the current Move List and Practice Mode for exact input and combo applications. Its interaction with Wowing Out has received official fixes.
Verified through official WB February and March updatesSource β†—
Rising Star
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Back, 3

Special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation; enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block input where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Throwing Shade
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Down, Back, 2

Special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation; enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block input where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Show Off Parry
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Down, 2

Johnny Cage's parry special. Official hotfix notes adjusted its startup and Enhanced version recovery.

Tip: Use it as a read-based defensive tool rather than a default response. Incorrect timing can leave Johnny vulnerable.
Verified through official WB HotfixSource β†—
Wowing Out
special_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Down, Back, 4

Special move.

Tip: Use the listed universal notation; enhanced versions use the game's Enhance/Block input where supported.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Equippable Moves

1
Cagenado
equippable_move
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Down, Forward, 3

A Johnny Cage attack referenced in official Mortal Kombat 1 airborne-state adjustments.

Tip: Use it within Johnny's pressure and combo sequences. Check the current Move List for exact notation and frame properties.
Verified through official WB June UpdateSource β†—

Kombos

5
Foot Loose
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
1, 1, 4

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed sequence as a string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Cage Match
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
2, 1, 4, 4

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed sequence as a string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Gut Punch
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + 2, 4

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed sequence as a string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Leg Day
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
3, 3, 3

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed sequence as a string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Back To The Footure
kombo_attack
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + 1, 2, 4

Ground kombo string.

Tip: Enter the listed sequence as a string.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Aerial Kombos

1
High Drama
aerial_kombo
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
1, 2, 4

Aerial kombo string.

Tip: Perform the listed sequence while airborne.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Fatal Blow

1
That's Entertainment
fatal_blow
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Flip Stance + Block

Fatal Blow.

Tip: Available when the game's Fatal Blow conditions are met.
Current movelist reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Fatalities

2
Hollywood Walk Of Pain
fatality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Back, Down, 2

Fatality. Perform at close range.

Tip: Use the listed distance and input after FINISH HIM/HER appears.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Krash And Burn
fatality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Down, Back, 4

Fatality. Perform at mid distance.

Tip: Use the listed distance and input after FINISH HIM/HER appears.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Brutalities

7
Here's Johnny
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Grab / 1+3

Tap Down during the hit. Final hit: Wombo Kombo.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Game Over Man
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
1 or 3, then Grab / 1+3

Must activate with a throw escape. Final hit: Hands Off.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
You Got Caged
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward, Down, Back, 2

Hold 2 during the hit. Final hit: Throwing Shade.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Welcome To The Party
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Down, 1

Hold 2 during the hit. Final hit: Ball Buster.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Hope You're Insured
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Forward, 4

Hold 4 during the hit. Final hit: Shadow Kick.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Gut Hole!
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back + 2

Hold Forward and fully charge the attack. Final hit: Charge Gutbuster.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
Freeze Frame
brutality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Forward + 1, 2, 4

Hold Down during the hit. Final hit: Back To The Footure.

Tip: The required final hit and hold/tap condition must be satisfied for the Brutality to trigger.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—

Animality

1
Open The Beaches
animality
Controls: Universal notation
How it is used
Back, Forward, Back, Forward

Animality. Perform at mid distance.

Tip: Use the listed distance and input during the finisher window.
Current MK1 reference check β€” September 2026Source β†—
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