Since Mortal Kombat first appeared in arcades in 1992, gamers have been mesmerized by the compelling characters, enjoyable gameplay, epic plot, and the myriad of brutally violent ways kombatants can finish their opponents after a fight. Despite less-than-stellar reactions from parents, politicians, and rating boards worldwide, Mortal Kombat and its creative director Ed Boon have managed to carve out a respected spot for themselves in the video game world.

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No matter how enamoring the sight of blood and guts is to fans of the fighting game franchise, one cannot deny the engaging and colorful cast of characters that have been introduced from the original game in 1992 up until Mortal Kombat 1 in 2023. With so many Mortal Kombat fighters to choose from, characters in this universe must stand out to players in order to get a shoe in when it comes to selection, and there is no shortage of weird, wonderful, and charismatic fighters to choose from.

10 Goro

If a hulking, four-armed monster warrior is not what a person associates with charisma, it would be completely understandable. Indeed, at first glance, Shokan prince Goro seems far from likable, especially considering his role as sub-boss to Shang Tsung in multiple Mortal Kombat games.

However, despite being portrayed as a powerful yet dim-witted behemoth previously, Goro has been fleshed out in recent years. His nobility and code of honor, which are traits shared by his entire race, have warmed fans to the character. In fact, his charisma is so potent that even other royalty like Princess Kitana have seen fit to forge mutually beneficial alliances with Goro and the Shokan.

9 Jacqui Briggs

Although her father Jackson 'Jax' Briggs is a veteran of the Mortal Kombat franchise (having been introduced in Mortal Kombat 2), Jacqui Briggs has cemented her own brand of kick-ass confidence and cool combat abilities. Like her father, Jacqui employs bionic gauntlets and Special Forces training to her advantage in combat.

First presented to players in Mortal Kombat 10, Jacqui wins hearts with her slick demeanor and expert tactical knowledge. Among the new recruits of Mortal Kombat 10, she quickly shows her leadership skills and is adept at quelling the wisecracks of fellow team members like Kung Jin.

8 Bo' Rai Cho

A character who attacks his enemies using flatulence and vomit would reasonably not feature highly in the charisma department. However, no character is like Bo' Rai Cho. Appearing first in the 2002 entry Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, the master of drunken fist is a walking contradiction, simultaneously being a master mentor to Liu Kang and Kung Lao and also a fighter who uses his bodily functions and size to his advantage.

Although fan reception to Bo' Rai Cho has been middling, one cannot deny that the character is unexplainable enamoring, and also consistently takes on the role of respected martial artist and teacher throughout Mortal Kombat lore. If anything, Bo' Rai Cho's charisma is proven tenfold by the fact that he frequently appears in the series despite his very first Fatality (in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance) being burning his opponent to death by lighting a fart on fire.

7 Cassie Cage

In regard to genetics, Cassie Cage was never going to miss out on charisma and likability by being the daughter of Special Forces officer Sonya Blade and movie star-turned-Earthrealm hero Johnny Cage. Fusing the best (or worst dependent on opinion) qualities of both her parents, Cassie Cage appealed to fans across the board with her protagonist roles in Mortal Kombat 10 and Mortal Kombat 11.

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If the slick humor of her father and the military pragmatism of her mother were just not enough to sway gamers, then Cassie's Fatalities provided that final push. Her Mortal Kombat 10 Selfie Fatality was widely loved, seeing Cassie punch the jaw off her opponent and subsequently take a selfie that is uploaded to social media.

6 Stryker

In a world of spectral ninjas, mystical martial arts, and inter-realm wars, the "person-on-the-street" character can grab one's attention and appeal to them greatly. This is the case with Kurtis Stryker, NYPD riot cop and unaware defender of Earthrealm. Appearing as a playable character in only three franchise entries, Stryker is one of few fighters in Mortal Kombat that cannot call upon any special or otherworldly powers to assist him in combat.

Instead, Stryker relies on his trusty firearms and baton in a fight, further endearing him to fans as a character that, despite being faced with creatures from other realms, will continue to honor his oath as a law enforcement officer while using as much brutality as is necessary.

5 Kano

Whilst the likes of Shang Tsung and Shao Khan fill the role of big bad in Mortal Kombat, there is a multitude of other villainous characters who align themselves with the forces of evil for their own nefarious reasons. Not one of these antagonists is as persistent or begrudgingly beloved as series veteran Kano.

From his cybernetic eye and dual knives to his cheeky Australian accent and tendency to rip the heart out of his opponents, Kano has appeared consistently across the Mortal Kombat series. His self-serving nature and his proclivity for treachery have strangely captivated fans of Mortal Kombat, cementing Kano as a firm favorite of many gamers.

4 Erron Black

An Old West gunslinger hailing from 1800s Texas, Erron Black was introduced in Mortal Kombat 10, where he acted as part of Kotal Khan's bodyguard. Employing the use of antiquated weapons including a pair of revolvers, rifles, and explosives, Black made quite the impression when fans got their hands on Mortal Kombat 10.

An awesome aesthetic, intriguing backstory, and smooth Texan drawl provided by voice-acting royalty Troy Baker have propelled Black into the good graces of veteran Mortal Kombat fans among series mainstays like Scorpion and Raiden. With these traits, this charismatic gunslinger is bound to appear frequently in future franchise entries.

3 Scorpion

The face of the Mortal Kombat franchise and creator Ed Boon's favorite character, the undead ninja warrior Scorpion is arguably the series' most iconic fighter and has appeared in every mainline game bar 1995's Mortal Kombat 3. With his famous cry of "Get over here!," Scorpion has speared the hearts of Mortal Kombat fans and gamers in general, being recognizable even to those with no prior engagement with the series.

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His charisma comes from his overall neutrality in the lore, preferring to use the events of the series to further his own quest for vengeance. His rivalry with Kuai Liang's version of Sub Zero also engages fans, with the pair switching malleably between respected allies and sworn enemies.

2 Sonya Blade

The sole female fighter in the original Mortal Kombat game, Special Forces Lieutenant Sonya Blade has captivated fans of the series through her no-nonsense attitude and her use of military technology in combat. From her trusting relationship with fellow Special Forces operative Jackson 'Jax' Briggs and lasting feud with Black Dragon leader Kano, Sonya Blade is one of Earthrealm's most valuable defenders.

Blade is firmly poised as a staple of the Mortal Kombat franchise, with her personality appealing to both her allies in-universe and fans of the series. Having appeared in the vast majority of franchise entries, it is close to a sure bet that Blade's charisma will afford her future appearances.

1 Johnny Cage

The king of vanity and self-assuredness, action movie star and warrior of Earthrealm Johnny Cage has positioned himself in the upper echelons of Mortal Kombat fans' rosters despite his tendency toward comic quips and hitting on every woman he comes across. If anything, it is these traits plus his genuine combat skill and trademark sunglasses that have endeared fans to him.

Beginning in the original Mortal Kombat game as a washed-up actor looking to regain his spark, Johnny Cage went through a massive progression as he become a pseudo-protagonist in NetherRealm Studios' reboot series. A testimony to his long-lasting popularity with the fan base, Johnny Cage has been and will continue to be a mainstay in the franchise, if for nothing else but his choice to tattoo his own name in large print across his own chest.

Mortal Kombat 1 launches on September 19, 2023 for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.

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