Mortal Kombat: 20 Characters You NEED To Know!

Summary

Mortal Kombat characters like Nightwolf, Rain, and Sektor have unique abilities and story arcs.
The potential end of Mortal Kombat 1’s third season pack may leave fan favorites like Jade, Sonya, and Jax out.
Classic characters such as Baraka, Sonya Blade, and Liu Kang remain iconic figures in the Mortal Kombat universe.

Since 1992, the Mortal Kombat series has attracted fans globally with its arcade-style combat games. Nowadays, the franchise enjoys even greater popularity as it expands across multiple platforms with intricate titles. Initially, the first game featured a roster of just seven playable characters and three non-playable fighters; however, subsequent releases have significantly enriched the cast of Kombatants, each adding layers to the game’s engaging narrative.

In contrast to certain timeless characters who continue to captivate audiences, a number of fresh combatants have emerged with significant recognition, leaving fans eagerly anticipating their appearances in upcoming editions. From the original arcade and console platforms to films and literature, the iconic figures of Mortal Kombat are universally recognized names within the video game community.

Following that, I’ve heard whispers that the third season pack for my favorite game might be scrapped. Netherrealm Studios and WB Games haven’t confirmed or denied it yet, but the same source who leaked the info mentioned some popular characters like Jade, Sonya, and Jax were supposed to be included. Until anything official comes out, I’m taking this news with a pinch of salt. If MK11 really ends here, there’s always hope that the series will rebound with a fresh installment, bringing back classic Mortal Kombat warriors just like these rumored ones.

1. Nightwolf

Howling Mad

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 3)
Iconic For: Being the series’ first Native American character, his Spiritual Teleportation fatality, being strong enough to kill off a superpowered Sindel.

In the 1990s, almost all popular fighting games featured a character of Native American origin in their lineup. This included characters like Wolf Hawkfield from Virtua Fighter, T.Hawk from Street Fighter, and Michelle Chang from Tekken who had mixed backgrounds. The MK series also followed this trend by introducing Nightwolf, a warrior and shaman belonging to the Matoka Tribe. He used his powers to defend his people (and Earthrealm) against Shao Kahn’s invading forces.

Despite not often being the center of attention among Earthrealm warriors, he boasts an impressive record in the series’ history. He was the one who imprisoned Onaga at the end of Mortal Kombat: Deception and halted Sindel’s deadly spree in Mortal Kombat 9 (even though it cost him his life). Moreover, he possesses a unique arsenal of moves, including his powerful shoulder barges and colossal beam fatality. While he may not always be at the top of fans’ wish lists for a comeback, he is usually well-received when he does make an appearance in the community.

2. Rain

A Shower Of Arrogance

Debut: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (cameo), Mortal Kombat Trilogy (playable).
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat Trilogy).
Iconic For: Being the purple ninja, being arrogant to a fault, and his infinite combos.

Rain wasn’t initially designed to be a playable character. He was subtly included in the intro of UMK3 as a humorous nod to the Prince album ‘Purple Rain’. Just like the red ninjas Ermac and Skarlet, there was speculation among players about how they could control him, whether they recognized the reference or not. Eventually, he was made an official character, being depicted as an Edenian prince who inherited his water-based powers from his father, the god Argus. His divine blood instilled a sense of superiority and self-importance in him, making him one of the series’ most arrogant and self-serving characters.

In the world of MKT, there were additional reasons for competitors to dislike him due to his Water Bubble immobilizing opponents for a harsh series of attacks. His most infamous move, the Super Kick, allowed him to indefinitely toss around opponents. This move became so notorious that it was labeled as a brutality in MK11. In the early days of MK, he lost his divine and regal status but retained an air of arrogance as a water mage. Interestingly, he appears to have undergone a change in MK, becoming more humble following his flooding of Seido. This has led him to confront his shortcomings with a greater willingness than before.

3. Sektor

The Rocket-Powered Robo-Ninja

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3.
Highest Tier: A (Mortal Kombat 1).
Iconic For: Being one of the first robot ninjas, teleport uppercut+rocket combos.

In Mortal Kombat 3, the developers decided to introduce some diversity to the cast, as they had previously featured yellow, blue, green, gray, black, and even female blue and purple ninjas, along with other shinobi based on the color spectrum in Mortal Kombat 2. To achieve this, they took some unexpected steps: Sub-Zero removed his mask, Scorpion became unclothed entirely, and Smoke transformed into a robot. These changes were part of the Lin Kuei’s Cyber Initiative aimed at enhancing their combat capabilities and ensuring loyalty to the Grand Master’s commands. Among these new cyborg ninjas were Cyrax and Sektor.

Unlike the reluctant Cyrax or Smoke, who were compelled to join, Sektor chose to be converted and served the Grand Master faithfully – until his programming became tainted. In response, he planned to eliminate the Lin Kuei and establish his own clan of mechanical ninjas, the Tekunin, to wage war against adversaries like Sub-Zero. This plotline was truncated in the Alternate Timeline, where Sektor met an untimely end, only to be resurrected to serve Kronika in Mortal Kombat 11. In the revised timeline of Mortal Kombat 1, however, Sektor is the daughter of Madam Bo, the former armorer of the Lin Kuei, and serves Bi-Han within the new Cyber Initiative.

4. Cyrax

More Than A Machine

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 9).
Iconic For: Being one of the first robot ninjas, being the first black ninja, and their oppressive net and bomb-based combos.

Cyrax, initially hesitant among the Lin Kuei’s participants in the Cyber Initiative, found himself unwillingly part of the program. However, through his personal determination and some assistance, he successfully shattered his programming and strove to reclaim his humanity. In the traditional narrative, Sonya and Jax provided aid, while Sub-Zero accomplished it in the alternate timeline as depicted in MK11.

In the updated storyline of MK1, Cyrax is a female warrior hailing from the Zaki Clan, one of the Lin Kuei’s affiliated groups, and one of their most formidable fighters. Assigned to work under Sektor, they both participate in the revised Cyber Initiative, now manifesting as a mechanical suit rather than complete cyborg transformation. This allows her to maintain her autonomy, a freedom she doesn’t always exercise in accordance with Sektor’s commands, particularly when it pits her against her childhood friend and former Lin Kuei member, Kuai Liang.

5. Baraka

MK’s Toothiest Jobber

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 1).
Iconic For: Being the first playable monster character in the series, his arm blades and fangs, and losing to key characters.

In the original series, the Reptile character received criticism for transitioning from a secret character to becoming another villain. However, he undergoes a transformation in Mortal Kombat 1. Conversely, Baraka, the Tarkatan warrior and the first monster character introduced in the series (together with Mileena), instilled fear in players due to his grotesque fangs and retractable arm blades. His fatality move, where he impaled opponents with his blades and watched them die slowly, was exceptionally brutal.

Despite initially holding his ground, he eventually lost his edge, often losing to the newer characters in the series. He made a comeback in Mortal Kombat 4 Gold, only to be killed by Quan Chi. In Mortal Kombat X, he was turned into a non-playable character for D’Vorah to mutilate. Yet, it seems that someone at Netherrealm Studios has a soft spot for him, as they made him a representative of a discriminated Outworld race in Mortal Kombat 11. In Mortal Kombat 1, he was transformed into one of many humans affected by a disease called Tarkat, making him a sympathetic figure (and God Liu Kang somewhat unkind for afflicting him and the Tarkatans with this disease in his new timeline).

6. Sonya Blade

Special Forces with Special Skills

Debut: Mortal Kombat 1992.
Highest Tier: S (MK’92, Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat X, Mortal Kombat 11).
Iconic For: Being the series’ first female fighter and one of the toughest both in lore and in gameplay.

Sonya Blade was initially one of the earliest characters introduced in the Mortal Kombat series, who originally was conceived as a male character named Kurtis Stryker. However, with Chun-Li from Street Fighter becoming one of their competitors’ most successful characters, developers decided that changing her gender might increase appeal. Indeed, Sonya has since become a prominent figure in Mortal Kombat. Initially tasked with tracking down arms dealer Kano, who was allied with the Black Dragon criminal organization, she is now well-known as an MK mainstay.

She eliminated her former partner, prompting her to pursue retribution, eventually locating him at the MK tournament. Apart from her remarkable persistence, Sonya is known for her unique talent of firing energy blasts. Occasionally, these blasts are high-tech in nature, but at other times they possess mystical properties similar to her fiery smooch that incinerates. Despite being one of the more stern characters within the series, she has demonstrated a softer side towards fellow Special Forces agent Jax, movie star Johnny Cage, and her daughter Cassie.

7. Kano

Dealing With The Devil

Debut: Mortal Kombat 1992.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat X).
Iconic For: His cyborg eye, scummy attitude, heart-ripping fatality, and Australian accent.

As a gaming enthusiast, it’s quite peculiar, isn’t it? There aren’t many Mortal Kombat warriors hailing from the Land Down Under. Craig Marduk of Tekken and Jeffry McWild from Virtua Fighter are some tough cookies, but only Kano got a full-blown Aussie characterization. Initially, in Mortal Kombat ’92, he was just a weapons dealer for the Black Dragon syndicate. It wasn’t until Trevor Goddard, who played him in the 1995 Mortal Kombat movie, gave him an Australian accent (ironically, he was trying to make it sound like London) that Kano became associated with Australia.

Beyond that, he serves as a despicable foil to the human heroes. Ready to betray Earthrealm for profit and even his so-called friends, he’s one of the most untrustworthy and reprehensible characters in the series. However, his enjoyment of being a villain makes him an engaging character to watch, regardless of the game he appears in. He’s much like Shang Tsung, but with even poorer manners. Yet it’s just as gratifying to see him receive a well-deserved Nut Punch.

8. Kabal

Fast on His Feet and Just as Ugly

Debut: Mortal Kombat 3.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 3, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat 11).
Iconic For: His speed, his hookswords, and his mask.

Kabal is a character whose allegiance switches swiftly between hero and villain, making it challenging to define his storyline consistently. He was initially portrayed as a villain in Mortal Kombat 3, but this was later rewritten in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, where he was depicted as a former member of the Black Dragon clan. Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance killed him off, but Mortal Kombat: Deception resurrected him as a villain seeking to revive the Black Dragon clan along with Kobra and Kira. In Mortal Kombat 9, he was Stryker’s ex-convict partner who turned good until Sindel attacked him. Most recently, in Mortal Kombat 11, he is portrayed as a neutral character who Kano manipulates into fighting Sonya.

Instead of his unpredictable personality that drew players, it was his unique gameplay that made him attractive. He combined rapid hooksword attacks with swift dashes, leaving opponents reeling midair, hurling projectiles to keep them off-balance, and summoning circular blades to catch enemies unawares. Even when the games altered his moveset, he remained too quick for most players to follow, seldom (if ever) dropping below A-Tier in the series, and often being overpowered in other titles.

9. Jax

Jax By Name, Jacked By Nature

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2.
Highest Tier: S (MK2, Mortal Kombat 3).
Iconic For: His metal arms, his backbreaker throw, and his fatalities.

Following Sonya Blade’s debut in Mortal Kombat 92, Midway initially intended to feature the Kurtis Stryker character in Mortal Kombat 2. Stryker was envisioned as Sonya’s superior officer and a headband-wearing kickboxer. However, due to concerns that they might resemble Street Fighter’s Balrog too closely, the character underwent a transformation. The new design featured a muscular man who specialized in powerful dashing punches, ground slams, and exclaiming “Gotcha!” upon catching enemies midair for a brutal backbreaker. As a result, Stryker morphed into Jackson “Jax” Briggs in this revised version.

Interestingly, it wasn’t until Mortal Kombat 3 that the character gained his most memorable portrayal, with metal arms being added to his design as an upgrade. In other timelines, like Mortal Kombat 9, these arms were made full prosthetics (a bit ironic given his fatality in MK2 involved ripping off his opponent’s arms). Regardless of the form, he’s become well-known for his signature weapons, using them to defeat his enemies in various ways. He may not be as flexible as Sonya, but he carries a more serious demeanor than Johnny Cage, and his understated appeal has kept him a staple in the series.

10. Kenshi

Blind Fury

Debut: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat: Armageddon, Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat 1).
Iconic For: His telekinesis, blindness, and sword-swinging.

The MK games from Deadly Alliance to Armageddon during the 2000s are frequently criticized unfairly. Although they weren’t the top-tier fighting games at the time, they held up quite well for their era. However, it’s challenging to justify the original characters. Hsu Hao from MK: Deadly Alliance is a common source of frustration for both fans and critics because of his unique look reminiscent of the Village People. Characters like Mavado, Dairou, Kira, and Hotaru were more generic and forgettable but had their moments as well.

In a different rendition:

Kenshi, a swordsman blind by fate yet gifted with extraordinary abilities through his sword, Sento, was the most radiant character. Initially driven by revenge against Shang Tsung, he later shifted his focus to combating the Red Dragon crime syndicate. As the storyline progressed in Mortal Kombat 9 and Mortal Kombat X, he transformed into a former yakuza striving to liberate his family from their influence. Unfortunately, he lost his sight in an ill-fated mission at the hands of Mileena. Regardless of his motivations, he harnessed his powers to maneuver opponents with telekinesis or slice them into manageable pieces with his sword.

11. Ermac

Army Of One

Debut: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat X).
Iconic For: Inspiring the first of MK‘s many urban legends, his telekinetic attacks, and catchphrase.

Currently, Ermac is commonly recognized as the collective entity of MK, possessing a single body that houses hundreds, if not thousands, of souls. These combined entities utilize their joint strength and telekinetic abilities to disperse opponents. This concept has been present since Midway started revamping their palette-swapped ninjas during the 3D era. At times, they’ve portrayed as a hero (in MK: D and MK1) or an antagonist (in MK9 and MKX). However, their true notoriety stems from being the first urban legend character in the series.

The MK 1992 cabinet contained a hidden feature that tracked the number of times error macros, or “Ermacs,” occurred within the cabinet. Fans speculated that this meant there was an additional secret character in the game, possibly a red ninja, since behind-the-scenes footage suggested that the original ninja outfit was red to contrast with the blue screen. Ultimately, Midway would bring this red ninja character to life, and this mystery led to similar speculations about other characters (like Scarlet, a female red ninja) as well as creative additions in later games, such as the “Kano Transformation” ticker on MK2’s menu.

12. Jade

Chief Of Staff

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2 (secret opponent), Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (playable).
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 11).
Iconic For: Being the first female secret character in fighting games, being Kitana’s closest friend, her staff attacks, and “razorangs.”

Jade possesses her staff and sharp boomerang-like projectiles, akin to Kitana’s fans but unique in color (green) and origin. She initially appeared as a secret character in MK2, requiring players to win a match using only low kicks without blocking. After encountering her, it became clear that she was essentially a faster, dark-skinned version of Kitana with an immunity to projectiles. However, she didn’t become playable until UMK3.

In time, Jade earned the title of Kitana’s closest companion, serving as an equivalent to Liu Kang’s Kung Lao. She would wield her staff with precision, disarming her adversaries. Often overlooked, Jade has generally ranked low on the tier list across various appearances. However, she is always a crowd favorite, exhibiting a more outgoing personality in Mortal Kombat 9 or maintaining a reserved and regal demeanor as seen in Mortal Kombat 11.

13. Noob Saibot

The Wrath Of The Wraith

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2 (secret opponent), Mortal Kombat Trilogy (playable).
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 4 Gold, Mortal Kombat: Deception as Noob/Smoke, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon).
Iconic For: Being one of MK2‘s secret characters, their name, broken shadow-based moves, and connection to Sub-Zero.

Initially, the character known as Noob Saibot didn’t have a substantial backstory. He was essentially a ninja with an all-black palette who could be fought by players who managed to win 25 consecutive matches in Mortal Kombat 2 (MK2). His name is a reversed spelling of the surnames of MK creators Ed Boon and John Tobias. Later, he was made playable in Mortal Kombat Trilogy (MKT), but due to his overpowered Teleport Slam juggles and projectiles that disabled blocking, he was frequently banned from tournaments. It wasn’t until Mortal Kombat: Deception that his storyline began to be developed further.

Originally known as Bi-Han, also recognized as the first Sub-Zero, he was reborn as a spectral entity by Quan Chi. Despite seemingly obeying commands from Shao Kahn and Shinnok, his loyalty primarily lay with himself and the Brotherhood of Shadows. In ‘Khaos Reigns’, Bi-Han reemerges in this sinister form, confounding foes with portals, projectiles, and shadow doppelgängers. The sibling rivalry with Kuai Liang adds depth to his character, making him more intriguing than just another ninja. His contrasting abilities as an undead fighter against Scorpion also contribute to his fascination.

14. Smoke

Gets In Your Eyes

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2 (secret opponent), Mortal Kombat 3 (playable robot form), Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (playable human form).
Highest Tier: S (Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3- Human, Mortal Kombat: Deception– as Noob/Smoke, Mortal Kombat 1).
Iconic For: Being one of MK2‘s secret characters, then being one of MK3‘s robot ninjas, dominating bouts with his swift smoke-based attacks in most of his appearances.

Liu Kang possesses Kung Lao, while Kitana holds Jade as her companion. In the role of Sub-Zero, Smoke was once a friend to Kuai Liang, although he made his debut in Mortal Kombat 2 as a secret character. To encounter him, players had to press Down+Start on the Portal stage whenever they got “Toasty.” Much like his human appearances suggest, he played similarly to Scorpion but at a faster pace, with smoke bombs. He’d zip across the screen, landing rapid blows on opponents, and even wielded Scorpion’s spear.

Despite being cyberized, he remained lethal; whether it was obliterating the planet with his UMK3 fatality or teaming up with Noob Saibot as a formidable duo in MK: Deception. In MK9, he managed to evade becoming a robot but thrived in online matches due to his combos inflicting significant damage, being difficult to defend against, and easy for players to master. Even in his rebooted form in MK1, he climbed the ranks, causing frustration with his smoke balls and long-range attacks. While not as well-known as his yellow and blue counterparts, he might just be the strongest ninja within the gameplay aspect of the series.

15. Kitana

Prime Princess

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2.
Highest Tier: S (MK2).
Iconic For: Being the first female ninja, her sibling rivalry with Mileena, her deadly fan blades, and her more lethal kisses.

Despite not being one of the initial fighters in Mortal Kombat, Kitana stands out as one of the most iconic female characters in the series. Her distinctive blue ninja attire, deadly fan weapons, and significant role in the storyline as Liu Kang’s former rival and eventual lover have solidified her position as a main character. Hailing from the long-lived humanoid race known as the Edenians, whose world of Edenia was merged with Outworld before they targeted Earthrealm.

In the initial storyline, she was brought up by Shao Kahn and loyally served him until she uncovered his role in her father’s murder, King Jerrod, as well as his creation of a more fanatical yet devoted clone of herself through Shang Tsung. However, in the Mortal Kombat 1 reboot, these twin sisters who were once at odds with each other are now united against Shao Kahn and other Outworld conspirators.

16. Mileena

The Original Man Eater

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2.
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 2).
Iconic For: Being Kitana’s evil half-sister, her mix of sex appeal and fear factor, her sai daggers and rolling attack.

In the world of Mortal Kombat, while Kitana is widely recognized as an icon, it doesn’t mean she is the most popular female character. Her monstrous half-sister, Mileena, frequently challenges this status by being a sort of evil version of Kitana. Created by Shang Tsung through combining Kitana’s DNA with that of a Tarkatan, Mileena bears a striking resemblance to the Edenian Princess, except for her fangs and appetite for flesh. With her mask on, she often uses her sex appeal to lure unsuspecting enemies closer, only to unmask and feast upon them alive.

In a unique blend of allure and terror, she proved an ideal choice for the role of the anti-Kitana, constantly striving to outmaneuver her “sister.” However, despite Kitana’s descent into darkness in Mortal Kombat X, she often fell short. This development, nonetheless, enriched her character as Shao Kahn’s genuine daughter and heir to the throne of Outworld. This narrative twist resulted in a reboot of her character in Mortal Kombat 1, positioning her as Kitana’s true twin sister who grapples with a medical condition involving her fang-like teeth and insatiable thirst for blood. While some might prefer her as a villain rather than a hero, she remains relentless in devouring and expelling her enemies.

17. Johnny Cage

Brutal Bravado

Debut: Mortal Kombat 1992.
Highest Tier: S (MK’92, Mortal Kombat 1).
Iconic For: His shades, ego, comic personality, and swift Shadow Kicks and Nut Punches.

Initially conceived as a spin-off for the Jean-Claude Van Damme film “Universal Soldier”, Mortal Kombat later evolved into a fighting game. However, when the collaboration with Van Damme didn’t materialize, creators Ed Boon and John Tobias paid homage to their near miss with the Belgian action star by introducing Johnny Cage, a fictional actor who found himself in the first MK tournament as a means to rejuvenate his faltering career. He modeled his appearance and some of his moves on Van Damme’s character from the movie, including the iconic Nut Punch.

In a surprising blend of arrogance and kindness, he served as a constant source of humor in the series, providing relief from the gruesome violence and disfigurement that sometimes became overwhelming. When things grew too grim, he would inject levity with a movie quote or a witty remark. He even engaged in meta moments, such as signing an autograph for the player or transforming his past glitches into game features, like repeatedly decapitating opponents. Without him mockingly defeating enemies both physically and verbally, the Mortal Kombat experience wouldn’t be the same.

18. Kung Lao

Shaolin In Style

Debut: Mortal Kombat 2.
Highest Tier: S (MK2, PS1 Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon).
Iconic For: His razor hat and friendly rivalry with Liu Kang.

Initially, Johnny Cage appeared to be similar to Street Fighter’s Ken, while Liu Kang was reminiscent of Ryu. However, these two characters shared less in common than Capcom’s Shotos. As a result, Midway introduced a new Shaolin monk named Kung Lao. He is the descendant of the original Great Kung Lao, who thwarted Outworld’s attempt to conquer Earthrealm by defeating Goro. Regrettably, Goro exacted his revenge at the subsequent tournament and killed him.

In the White Lotus, Kung Lao teamed up with Liu Kang to seek vengeance for his ancestor and protect Earthrealm. Despite being frequently belittled by both friends and foes, who viewed him as a less skilled monk compared to Liu Kang, he remains unbothered by this. This could be due to the fact that he possesses a flair that arguably surpasses his friend’s style. His distinctive hat with a razor edge not only set him apart from others but also sliced through enemies and severed their heads when players executed certain moves in his Mortal Kombat 2 fatality. Few characters in the Mortal Kombat universe could rival his charisma.

19. Liu Kang

Hero Turned Villain Turned God

Debut: Mortal Kombat ’92.
Highest Tier: S (MK’92, Mortal Kombat 2, Mortal Kombat X, Mortal Kombat 11).
Iconic For: Being the series’ original hero, his Flying Kick and Bicycle Kick, and his Dragon Animality.

As a die-hard Mortal Kombat fan, I’ve always admired the pivotal role of Liu Kang in the series lore. He was Earthrealm’s champion, defeating formidable foes like Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, and Shinnok. However, things took a dramatic turn in Mortal Kombat 9 as he lost faith, met his demise, and transformed into an evil Revenant. In his absence, Johnny Cage, Sonya Blade, and her daughter Cassie stepped up to carry the torch of heroes. But by the time Mortal Kombat 11 rolled around, a time imbalance brought back the virtuous Liu Kang to join forces with Raiden once more.

By the finale of that match, he transitioned into assuming the role of Earth’s new protector demigod, taking over from his former mentor, in Mortal Kombat 1. However, it is his portrayal as the red headband-clad human character, the original Shaolin monk within the series, that fans most fondly recall. He displayed Bruce Lee-esque moves to subdue enemies and woo Kitana, serving as a contrast to his more comedic adversaries Johnny Cage and Kung Lao. His transformation into a dragon and consuming opponents also left an indelible mark on spectators.

20. Shang Tsung

Sorcerer Supreme

Debut: Mortal Kombat 1992 (boss), Mortal Kombat 2 (playable).
Highest Tier: S (Mortal Kombat 1).
Iconic For: Being the series’ original final boss, his ability to morph into other players, and his constant sly scheming.

In the role of the original primary villain in the franchise, Shang Tsung instilled terror among long-standing Mortal Kombat followers. A powerful sorcerer hailing from Outworld, Shang Tsung was exiled to Earthrealm. With dominion over the Mortal Kombat tournament, his unbeaten champion, Goro, had reigned supreme for centuries. If not for the intervention of the Great Kung Lao, who defeated Goro, Shao Kahn’s invasion of Earthrealm would have been permitted due to the accumulated victories Outworld required to merge the realms.

This paved the way for the initial MK game, with Shang Tsung appearing as the final antagonist. He wasn’t overly challenging, but his knack for transforming into other characters in the roster made players question their next move. Even when he became a playable character in subsequent games, his unpredictability kept them guessing about which form he would assume next. The transition to 3D gameplay diminished this aspect, but like his schemes, Shang Tsung’s gameplay style remains deceptive and cunning. He is the snake compared to Liu Kang’s dragon, living up to the comparison in terms of slyness.

2025-01-29 04:57