It’s crazy to think it’s been almost 25 years since that kid stood in the middle of the street and screamed “Mortal Kombat” at the top of his lungs, but that’s our reality. And the Kombat is kontinuing with the upcoming April 14 release of Mortal Kombat X.
To celebrate argubably the greatest fighting game series ever created, we’ve compiled the 20 greatest Mortal Kombat characters–starting with that acid spitter down below.
20. Reptile
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
The series’ first hidden character has always been blessed with an abnormal amount of special moves in comparison to the other challengers. In other words, he was more than just a cool-looking creature.
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Photos: NetherRealm Studios
19. Kenshi
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance
Blind and telepathic, Kenshi’s ability to gain notoriety as a plethora of new characters were thrown in the mix was obvious once he first drew his sword…and blood.
18. Sindel
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3
The rightful Queen of Outworld has been portrayed as both benevolent and brutal in various iterations. Her magical hair and unearthly essence instantly made her fan favorite from jump.
17. Jade
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
In accordance to the game’s storyline, the protector of Princess Kitana is arguably among the top-tier of skilled fighters. The degree of difficulty to play with her equates to the lethal damage she does to opponents.
16. Shao Khan
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
The Emperor was perfectly designed to represent the purest force of evil. His inability to be reasoned with or swayed makes him one the most infamous bosses in video game history.
15. Kung Lao
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
Kung Lao’s legacy actually preceded his first appearance in the game for it was his ancestor’s defeat to Goro who prompted the Mortal Kombat conflict as we know it. His disciplined nature and hat attacks and fatalities easily differentiated him from any other character in the franchise.
14. Johnny Cage
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
As the sole beacon of comedic relief, Cage’s fierce fighting style during gameplay equalled him out to make the ideal hero. He was killed off a couple of times and eventually brought back because fans demanded it.
13. Baraka
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
The Tarkatan was the first character with a personality that mirrored the bloodlust that separated MK from the pack. His blade attacks made him memorable but he was also easy to use; giving first-timers a sinister playing experience right from the start.
12. Nightwolf
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3
Due to obvious stereotypes, the shaman’s popularity doesn’t always match his importance to the series’ progression but his presence was definitely integral. Additionally, if mastered, he could be the most unstoppable player no matter who he’s up against.
11. Mileena
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
The evil twin divided the line of sexiness and sickness ever since the face was revealed © Ghostface Killah. Factor in speed, ability to use the sai trumps Raphael and her cannibalistic mentality and you have a real winner on your hands. It’s rumored that her role in Mortal Kombat X will be of great importance as well.
10. Cyrax
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3
The complexity of Cyrax’s soul inside his robotic body is remarkable, especially since he’s not supposed to have one. His character opened up some much-needed depth to the mystique of the Lin Kuei and his custom net attack was one part cheap and two parts champion.
9. Quan Chi
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero
The cunning sorcerer’s initial impact to the franchise was so vast, he was actually written into storylines where he previously didn’t even exist. The game’s creators also went out of their way to give him some of the most creative special moves and fatalities around.
8. Jax
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
Major Jackson Briggs filled Sonya Blade’s spot while she was chained up in Kahn’s Arena during the second tournament and eventually surpassed her priority to the storyline. His brute strength and brawn (without shortage of speed) also makes him an easy counter to any opponent he faces.
7. Kabal
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 3
Kabal’s debut version was so powerful, he actually had to be tweaked and toned down for the subsequent Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. (He had a combo that could take 50 percent of your energy.) His character also allowed for expansion inside Kano’s Black Dragon universe.
6. Kitana
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
The series’ female protagonist has dented pop culture thanks to her fan weapons and shapely humanly frame. She is easily one of the most popular female characters ever created for a video game.
5. Shang Tsung
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
Even with a relegated role in the bad guy hierarchy as series progressed, Shang Tsung remained an epitome of evil in all of his appearances. His in-game morphing ability was also ahead of its time for years to come. Will he be in X?
4. Raiden
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
The thunder god has increasingly grown more humane in nature over the years, making the storyline’s conflict that much more sensational. Also, using lightning against enemies just never gets old.
3. Sub-Zero
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
Even your mother knows who Sub-Zero is. The only player to appear in all of the Mortal Kombat games always manages to teeter between the role of hero and vigilante, making him the coldest badass you’ve ever seen.
2. Liu Kang
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
Every game has a hero and Liu Kang is exactly that for the MK franchise. Whether he’s walking dead or bicycle kicking, there’s no denying the significance he brings to the game.
1. Scorpion
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat
Ever since the unforgettable “Get Over Here!” and “Come Here” was first groaned, Scorpion has rivaled the Mortal Kombat dragon in terms of symbolism. Sometimes it just feels good to be the bad guy.
The 20 Greatest Mortal Kombat Characters
