Among the very first video game franchises, Mortal Kombat stands out. It has developed an excellent set of playable characters. There have been 11 Mortal Kombat games in the series since its inception. Each game introduces new Mortal Kombat characters.
Many characters have fought, died, been resurrected, returned as a demon or cyborg, changed sides, and died all over again.
Here is a list of all of the Mortal Kombat characters and everything you need to know about them.
Top Mortal Kombat Characters
1. Liu Kang
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Liu Kang debuted in the Mortal Kombat games and has remained a mainstay ever since, appearing in almost every game. Liu Kang, partially inspired by Bruce Lee, is well-known for his booming battle cries, ability to summon fireballs and transform into a dragon, and status as a likeable protagonist with a good heart.
Liu Kang has undergone a remarkable transformation throughout the series, in addition to entertaining gameplay. He fought for the good side, died, became a vengeful zombie, was reborn and killed twice by time travel, returned as a villainous revenant, and now he is a Fire God.
Liu Kang Special Moves
- Dragon Fire: Kang uses his hands to throw a fireball at his opponent’s head.
- Flying Dragon Kick: Liu Kang leaps into the air and releases his signature “Flying Dragon Kick.”
2. Raiden
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Raiden, the thunder god, maybe a deity. The game says he may have taken on a human form specifically to enter and compete in the Mortal Kombat tournament. He has appeared in every Mortal Kombat video game since his debut in the first game.
Raiden Special Moves
- Lightening Bolt: Raiden’s hands generate electricity, and he shoots a lightning bolt in front of him.
- Torpedo: He shoots forward like a missile or Superman’s flight with his “torpedo” move. He pins his adversary against the wall with his blows.
- Teleportation: Raiden can teleport behind his opponent and launch a surprise attack when fighting them.
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3. Scorpion
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Throughout Mortal Kombat’s history, fans have consistently favoured the resurrected ninja previously known as Hanzo Hasashi and a member of the Shirai Ryu. Scorpion always proves the hype is warranted by including an exciting and fiery move set, such as performing the infamous spear and uttering the obligatory phrase “get over here.”
He is quick, agile, and incredibly dangerous, whether in human or ghost form. Moreover, he doesn’t have too complicated moves, making him a convenient character.
Scorpion Special Moves
Spear Throw: Scorpion aims his spear throw at his opponent’s heart. Then, Scorpion pulls his opponent over to him in one of the best moves in the game.
Teleport Punch: Scorpion uses his “Teleport Punch” to teleport off the screen and then flies closed-fist-first at his opponent.
4. Sub-Zero
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
In the Mortal Kombat universe, two brothers named Kuai Liang and Bi-Han share the same name and are known as Sub-Zero. The first Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, killed Scorpion in the first game. Noob Saibot, the undead warrior, was reborn after committing suicide. Kuai Lang, his younger brother, assumed the identity of Sub-Zero and became a hero later on in the series.
He did a good job, but his younger sibling, who took over for him, also did well. Over the years, Sub-Zero evolved, donning increasingly impressive outfits and learning new moves that added chill to his already chilling arsenal.
Sub-Zero often attacks his opponents by freezing them, showcasing his mastery of ice manipulation.
Sub-Zero Special Moves
Ice Freeze: Freezing ice is a fantastic ability, if not the best. He will freeze his opponent for a few seconds after firing an iceball from his wrists at them.
Slide: Sub-Zero performs the “slide” as his signature move, gliding across the screen like a skater and kicking his opponent out of the way.
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5. Jax Briggs
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat 2
Jax Briggs quickly became a fan favourite among Mortal Kombat 2’s many new supernatural characters, despite being presented as a regular human with normal abilities.
Jax serves in Earthrealm’s Special Forces alongside Sonya Blade and the rest of the team, demonstrating honour and dedication to the greater good. He is a soldier who has cybernetically enhanced abilities.
People rightfully celebrate Jax as one of the most formidable Mortal Kombat characters and a role model for people of colour in the gaming industry.
Jax has missed only one game since his debut in MK2, Mortal Kombat Deception. Even though Mortal Kombat: Special Forces gave him a name in the game. Now more than ever, players must have Jax as a kombatant. He will probably remain in his current role, given his original style.
Jax Special Moves
Lethal Clap: When Jax claps his hands together, a small but lethal amount of energy is generated.
Knee jab: The Major Muscle variation of the knee jab involves performing a knee uppercut and then delivering a punch to the body, which propels the opponent into the air.
Straight punch: Jax delivers a hefty punch with his rocket launcher and fires his machine gun fairly rapidly.
6. Sonya
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Sonya, a human with superpowers, plays a character in Mortal Kombat and serves in the Special Forces Unit: Outer World Investigation. She has been the only female playable character since the first Mortal Kombat arcade game. She is billed as serving in the elite U.S. special forces.
She has been one of our top picks throughout MK’s illustrious history due to her impressive gymnastics and potent pink energy ring projectiles. After witnessing Sonya use her new drone ally to decimate her sworn enemy Kano, she has become even more of a femme fatale.
Blade bashes skulls in and cracks bones with her aggressive fighting style, but she is not only good at that. She executes one of the game’s most recognizable special moves with her leg takedown, and her opponents find it difficult to stop her combos once she initiates them.
Sonya Blade Special Moves
Energy Rings: Sonya fires a sphere of pink energy waves forward to stun her opponent with her Energy Rings attack.
Leg Grab: Sonya performs her signature move, the Leg Grab, by grabbing her opponent’s legs in a handstand and flipping them over with her Square Wave Punch. Sonya performs this move by jumping to the top of the screen and floating across the top, nailing anyone in her path with a jumping motion.
7. Shang Tsung
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Shang Tsung is one of the longest-running characters in Mortal Kombat. In Mortal Kombat 11, he returns as a playable character and serves as one of the primary antagonists in the series.
One of the most underappreciated aspects of him as a kombatant is his ability to assume the appearance of other characters, which is a fast route to mastering a wide range of techniques. Any player can easily transform into the type of fighter with the greatest advantage in any battle. If someone needs to fight a powerful opponent like Jax quickly, they can instantly transform into Liu Kang, and vice versa.
Shang Tsung did not participate in the series except MK4, Deception, and MKX.
Shang Tsung Special Moves
- The first is a skull fireball he shoots with his hands.
- He can change appearances as you battle him.
8. Kung Lao
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat II
Kung Lao, a Mortal Kombat video game character, fights for the Earthrealm faction. He masters close-quarters combat and launches devastating attacks using his heat.
In the Mortal Kombat series, Kung Lao, a close friend and relative of Liu Kang, possesses a state-of-the-art arsenal. Mortal Kombat 2 players were won over the moment he made his debut with his iconic razor-edged hat.
Since then, he has integrated it into his fighting style, hurling it at you, slicing and dicing with it, and incorporating it into his repertoire of Shaolin Monk techniques. Although not as well-known as his best friend, Kung Lao is still important because of his powerful ranged attacks and ability to teleport between locations quickly and easily.
Kung Lao Special Moves
Teleport: Lao’s teleportation technique closely resembles Raiden’s, except that Lao teleports downward instead of dropping from above.
Hat slice: Kung Lao’s Hat Trick ability allows him to toss his hat into the distance and pull it back whenever he wants.
9. Reptile
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Reptile, a reptilian character, was the original secret character in Mortal Kombat. After much anticipation from the first game, the second game featured the debut of the green ninja.
Reptile, the personal bodyguard of Shang Tsung, watches from the shadows, prepared to pounce on any attacker. Speculators speculate that a hideous reptilian monster from a long-extinct race lies underneath his human appearance. He enters the competition to win and protect his master.
Scorpion and Sub-Zero didn’t just cause a simple skin tone change in Reptile; they continued to develop him. His groundbreaking repertoire of moves never ceases to fascinate. For starters, Reptile implemented invisibility as a game mechanic. Until then, no one had ever been able to control or even battle an invisible character in a fighting game.
Reptile Special Moves
Acid Spit: Forward + Forward + High Punch
Force ball: Back + Back + Back + High And Low Punch
Slide: Back + Back + High and Low Kick
Invisibility: Hold Block, Up + Up + Down + High Punch (release Block)
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10. Goro
First Appearance: Mortal Kombat (1992)
Even though the original Mortal Kombat game had Shang Tsung as the ultimate boss, every player knows Prince Goro of the Shokan is the most difficult opponent.
If he grabbed you, you would be in serious trouble, and his blows would quickly drain your health meter. Goro’s unparalleled strength makes him one of the most popular and influential characters in Mortal Kombat history. He may not inspire the same level of dread as he did in the first match, but anyone who faces him knows it won’t be easy.
Goro appeared in the first Mortal Kombat film, the sequel, and several animated films. Goro is an essential part of Mortal Kombat, adding to its viciousness.
Goro Special Moves
Grab and Punch: Goro will lift you in the air by your ankles and punch you in the face. After that, he will begin to hit his rival with uppercuts.
Skull Fireball: Goro can launch a green skull fireball from his fist.
List of All 10 Mortal Kombat Characters
| Mortal Kombat Game Series | Characters |
| Mortal Kombat 1992 | Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Johnny Cage, Liu Kang, Raiden, Shang Tsung, Kano, Sonya Blade, Reptile, Goro |
| Mortal Kombat II | Jax, Baraka, Kung Lao, Jade, Smoke, Kintaro |
| Mortal Kombat 3 | Cyrax, Sektor, Sheeva, Sindel, Kabal, Nightwolf, Kurtis Stryker, Motaro, Ermac, Rain, Chameleon, Khameleon |
| Mortal Kombat 4 | Meat, Reiko, Tanya, Kai, Jerek, Elder Gods |
| Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance | BO’ Rai Cho, Drahmin, Frost, Hsu Hao, Kenshi, Li Mei, Mavado, Nitara, Moloch, Blaze, Mokap |
| Mortal Kombat: Deception | Ashrah, Dairou, Darrius, Havik, Hotaru, Kira, Kobra, Shujinko, Onaga, One Being |
| Mortal Kombat: Armageddon | Daegon, Taven, Argus, Delia, Orin, Caro, Wu Lae |
| Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe | The Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, The Joker, Lex Luthor, Superman, Catwoman, Deathstroke, Darkseid, Dark Kahn |
| Mortal Kombat 9 | Cyber Sub-Zero, Skarlet, Kratos, Freddy Krueger |
| Mortal Kombat X | Cassie Cage, D’Vorah, Erron Black, Ferra/Torr, Jacqui Briggs, Kung Jin, Takeda, Triborg, Jason Voorhees, Predator, Leatherface, Alien |
| Mortal Kombat 11 | Cetrion, Geras, Kollector, Spawn, The Terminator, RoboCop, John Rambo, Kharon, Descendant of Apep |
