Mortal Kombat Animality Finishers Tier List

Mortal Kombat Animality Finishers Tier List

As a seasoned Mortal Kombat veteran with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the return of animalities in Mortal Kombat 1 has been nothing short of a delightful trip down memory lane. The sheer creativity and gore that NetherRealm Studios has brought to these long-neglected finishers is absolutely breathtaking.


As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel exhilarated by the fresh revamp in Mortal Kombat 1. Stepping into the shoes of the Fire God Liu Kang marks the beginning of a new epoch, and it’s fantastic to see characters like Johnny Cage and Scorpion rejuvenated. The developers at NetherRealm Studios have infused this nostalgic game with a breath of fresh air, revitalizing the franchise’s fatalities by reintroducing animalities for the first time since Mortal Kombat 3. For years, animalities – a blend of ruthless brutality and side-splitting humor – have been an overlooked gem in the series. With babalities and friendships having made their comeback more recently, it’s taken nearly three decades for animalities to shine once again!

In the grand unveiling of Mortal Kombat 1, NetherRealm has pulled out all the stops by reintroducing animalities, a feature that complements the release of the Khaos Reigns DLC. With three decades of gaming advancements under their belt, the animalities in Mortal Kombat 1 are significantly more gruesome and spectacular compared to their initial appearance. Much like fatalities, however, not all animalities are equally impressive; some characters exhibit an extraordinary level of visceral creativity, while others fall a bit flat. Nevertheless, it’s gratifying to see this significant aspect of the game series’ rich history being brought back to life in Mortal Kombat 1.

Mortal Kombat 1 Animalities Tier List

S-Tier

  • Ashrah
  • Johnny Cage
  • Peacemaker
  • Quan Chi

Among the top-tier animals, you’ll find those that offer an ideal blend of humor and destruction. Johnny Cage’s “Jaws” inspired creature, for instance, pays homage to the original film while delivering the signature Mortal Kombat violence. Similarly, Ashrah’s animal form stands out, transforming her from a redeemed demon into a winged unicorn that shoots rainbow flames.

A-Tier

  • Baraka
  • Homelander
  • Mileena
  • Rain
  • Takeda
  • Tanya

A recurring characteristic of top-tier MK1 animals is their cleverness and unpredictability. Characters like Mileena with her praying mantis form and Baraka with his porcupine transformation exemplify this by incorporating the fighters’ essential attributes into unique, memorable finisher moves. The animalities of Tanya and Rain are particularly amusing because they’re so outlandish – Tanya transforms into an ultra-aggressive giraffe, while Rain morphs into a pufferfish that sneakily enters opponents’ mouths before exploding through their bodies.

B-Tier

  • Ermac
  • Li Mei
  • Kenshi
  • Kitana
  • Omni-Man
  • Nitara
  • Reptile

These creatures may not be as awe-inspiringly violent as those previously shown, but they certainly don’t fall short of expectations. The transformation of Li Mei into a panda, tearing off the loser’s arm, is the standout moment among this collection, and equally impressive is Kitana’s metamorphosis into gaming’s deadliest hummingbird. For fans of Invincible, Omni-Man’s animal form is particularly exhilarating, serving as a Lovecraftian Hail Mary to vanquish defeated adversaries.

C-Tier

  • General Shao
  • Geras
  • Havik
  • Kung Lao
  • Liu Kang
  • Reiko
  • Scorpion
  • Sektor
  • Sub-Zero

Regarding the lesser-ranked animal forms of MK1’s creatures, one aspect they seem to fall short on is equal levels of ambition compared to their higher-ranked counterparts. Take Scorpion and Sub-Zero for instance, their transformations into a real scorpion and wooly mammoth are fitting. However, the actual substance of their animal forms could use more development; they don’t deliver the same level of gory excitement as some common fatalities do.

D-Tier

  • Cyrax
  • Noob Saibot
  • Raiden
  • Shang Tsung
  • Sindel
  • Smoke

As a fan, I must admit that not every MK1 fatality leaves me awestruck, and this sentiment extends to some of its new animalities as well. Shang Tsung’s transformation into a snake, while fitting, is somewhat underwhelming, as it primarily serves to constrict opponents, which barely qualifies as a brutality.

Despite Mortal Kombat 1 marking a fresh start for the series, it’s also a heartfelt tribute to its past. With the return of animalities, long-time fans can reminisce, and newcomers get a taste of a vital piece of MK‘s history. The only thing left now is to see what animalities will be assigned to the fighters from Kombat Pack 2.

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2024-10-12 22:34