I hope you folks are ready to play the new Mortal Kombat game today! So many great titles in the series history but what are the great characters? We all have our personal favorite and then there are the obvious ones that people favor on social media more than others. Below is a list of the Top 10 Classic Mortal Kombat Characters in no particular order!
1. Baraka
Baraka appeared in Mortal Kombat II as a servant of the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn. His menacing appearance was the thing of nightmares for children who played the game in the ’90s. His species was unknown up until the game Mortal Kombat: Deception which he was revealed as Tarkatan, a crossbreed of demon.
He is a popular character that was chosen in my friends circle a lot because of the blades that extended from his arms. The fatalities he would serve were brutal even in the earlier games but have gotten even gorier.
2. Sub-Zero
The original Sub-Zero was Bi-Han, a Lin Kuei assassin turned wraith. His character was murdered by Scorpion but was brought back as a wraith named Noob Saibot. Kuai Liang is now the youngest and most recent Sub-Zero which was debuted in Mortal Kombat II. The only appearance which differentiates them is the younger Sub-Zero bearing a scar over his right eye.
He has been a fan favorite since the ’90s for the freezing power he yields. One fatality that is different from his ice power-type is ripping the spine out of his opponents body. Definitely one of the most memorable ones to date.
3. Scorpion
Ah yes, we have reached Scorpion. Shining eyes and his memorable line “GET OVER HERE!” are always what fans think when they see this character. A resurrected ninja with a deep backstory of how he became the way he is, is likely the reason why people like his character so much. He is bound by his need for revenge for the death of his clan and family. This is the reason he is a spectre which makes him immune to death.
Not many people can pull of yellow but Scorpion wears it like a champ. His weapon of choice is a tipped Kunai which is part of his signature move of pulling his opponents toward him. He is my favorite of the series and I’m sure I’m not alone with this opinion.
4. Goro
Goro is a four-armed Shokan warrior who is regarded as one of Shao Kahn’s favorite. He was listed as a sub-boss of Shao Kahn in the first Mortal Kombat game. On the days I have to carry my groceries up two flights of stairs are the days I wish I was Goro, even with his hairstyle choices.
This Shokan proved to be impossible to beat in the first game. His history as commander of Outworld’s armies showed his brute strength but was toned down in later games to give him more balance. He has fire abilities that let him throw fireballs at his enemies.
5. Jax
Major Jackson “Jax” Briggs is a special forces leader from the Earthrealm that has been enhanced with cybernetic arms. His first initial appearance was in Mortal Kombat II. Besides his arms, the first thing people notice is his upper body build. He is depicted as African American and initially wore karate pants and boots.
His character is a very level-headed man which is desirable as a person in a leadership position. He is known to be quite tenacious on the battlefield. When fighting in matches, his fatalities are head-crushing…literally. He uses his huge metal arms to crush peoples heads and has even ripped his opponents arms off!
6.Kitana
For being over 10,000 years old, Kitana is looking no older than 25. This is due to her species being Edenian (at least in the first timeline).
Blue is her color and her fans are her weapon. Her fans are made of steel and slice through anything in her path. She throws them at her opponents which cuts them down very quick. One of her most well-known fatalities is her “kiss of death” which she is willing to give to any opponent on the cheek, which causes their heads to explode. She was a character I choose often to play as a child because of the “kiss of death” move and her steel fans.
7 Liu Kang
Liu Kang has been one of the longest running characters in the series. He has been the main protagonist across the first four games. He is one of the Earthrealms strongest warriors and has become Grand Champion in the original timeline.
His appearance hasn’t changed much since the first game, typically wearing kung fu pants and shoes while also wearing a red headband.
He is regarded as one of the most powerful in the series and his powers have proven this. He can send a fire dragon out of his hands. In one of his fatalities he turns into a fiery dragon and bites the head off his opponents.
8 Raiden
Raiden is an original character that has been a staple in the series. Even those who don’t play the games recognize his appearance and where he is from. He is the God of Thunder and a protector of the Earthrealm which makes him one of the most powerful characters in the MK Universe.
He is known for his abilities to throw lightening, teleportation and flying. Most of his fatalities involve his lightening ability, my personal favorite is bug eyes which cause his opponents eyes to pop out of their head. I would think that would be a Brutality level move but I digress. He is one of the longest running in the series and I hope he never goes away.
9. Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn is the main antagonist of most of the Mortal Kombat series. He has god-like strength and is considered possibly more powerful than Raiden. He is an Immortal with a lust for conquering the Earthrealm but has failed many times because of how he underestimates the power of fighters from the Earthrealm.
His appearance hasn’t changed much since his appearance in Mortal Kombat II. He is always seen with his warlord helmet with its skull-like design, spiked knee-pads; elbow pads; and gauntlets. He arms himself with the wrath hammer which he has used to dole out some pretty sick fatalities: Fore, where he smashes his opponent into the ground with only their head remaining then hits it like a golf ball.
10. Sindel
Sindel is hair goals. That is one thing I have to mention because if I was able to grab people with my hair and throw them…well I wouldn’t but I would use my hair to move things around. She appeared first in Mortal Kombat III and though she appears evil, she is a kind-hearted character.
She is the mother of Kitana and has ruled the realm of Edenia with her. Once evil and working with Shao Kahn, she had changed her alliance to the side of good in the series.
Besides her ability to throw people with her hair, she has a banshee-like scream that rearranges the insides of her opponents. These powers make her one tough character to beat if a player decides to go up against her.
Honorable Mention:
Frost
Frost is a character that is very talented but her ego doesn’t always match. She perceives herself as being better than most and is threatened by anyone she thinks is greater than her. She certainly isn’t a favorite of Sonya’s, that is for sure!
Being Sub-Zero’s apprentice, her abilities are very similar but isn’t at the same level as him. She is still formidable and can deal some very nasty fatalities: freeze shatter which turns the opponent into solid ice and is served a high kick smashing them to pieces.
Mileena
She may look Edenian like Kitana but underneath that face mask you will find a mouth like Baraka’s. She is half Edenian and half Tarkatan which gives her a mixture of both species appearance. Part of this is due to being a clone of Kitana caused by sorcery using Tarkatan physiology.
Mileena has barbaric strength that is comparable to the Shokan but possibly more powerful. Despite her appearing similar to Kitana in physique, her weapon is a sai which is a kobudo karate weapon. While her weapons can be used in fatalities, her most famous is “the man-eater” which shows her inhaling her opponent and projectile vomits bones out after. Delicious…