Mortal Kombat is one of those rare video game franchises that has been able to fully transcend its medium, branching out into movies, TV, and comics with relative ease. In the years since its release, the series has developed a reputation for its gore and violence, particularly a set of finishing moves known as Fatalities which depict graphic and gruesome acts against the opposition player. It isn't just the violence that Mortal Kombat is known for, though, with some of its colorful and varied cast of characters becoming icons within the fighting genre.
As with most other popular fighting series, Mortal Kombat's fighters have evolved over the years, but its core group has remained stable. Both heroes and villains have equally shared the spotlight, and the franchise's lore is incredibly deep and complex, demonstrated by the multitude of comics and TV series dedicated to unraveling and expanding upon the overarching narrative. The core group of characters has ensured the series' popularity has never waned, and their individual characteristics help to bring them to life.
Raiden
Raiden is a central figure in Mortal Kombat's mythology; he is the god of thunder and has a duty to protect Earthrealm from any potential threats. As a god, he possesses several supernatural abilities such as flight, teleportation, and the power to control lightning. Easily distinguishable by his electric blue eyes and his straw hat, Raiden has played a huge part in the franchise and has appeared in every mainline game to date. While he usually stays behind the scenes when the fighting starts, his godly status means he is a formidable fighter who can use his immense speed and various forms of electricity to leave his opponents badly hurt.
Liu Kang
Often portrayed as one of the series' primary protagonists, Liu Kang is a skilled martial artist who goes on to become the champion of Mortal Kombat several times over the years. As one of the game's most accessible characters, Liu Kang is both strong and agile, with a varied and balanced move set. He is a great choice for beginners and represents one of the most well-rounded fighters on the roster. A constant thorn in the side of the likes of Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn, Liu Kang represents the absolute best of Earth's warriors, and his often cold exterior hides a softer, compassionate side of his personality.
Johnny Cage
Johnny Cage is a Hollywood actor with a reputation for starring in martial arts movies. He initially entered the Mortal Kombat tournament to prove that his fighting skills go way beyond his movies. Based on the famous actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, Johnny Cage was the very first character created for the series, and he has remained a popular character ever since his debut. Initially shown to be arrogant and hot-headed, the character matures in later entries, becoming more rounded and serious. His earlier incarnations were often seen to provide some comic relief. In terms of fighting style, Johnny Cage has mastered several styles over the years, including karate. He is agile and powerful, and can also utilize blasts of energy to damage his opponents.
Sonya Blade
Another ever-present in the series, Sonya Blade was the first female character that the series introduced; she is a general of Earth's Special Forces. Her ongoing feud with the character Kano has served as one of the most hotly contested rivalries in the series. Sonya's military training has seen her become extremely agile and deadly, with an array of kicks and strikes designed to cause maximum impact. Her acrobatic nature comes in extremely handily in combat, and she even incorporates gymnastics such as cartwheels into her move set. She has also served as a love interest of Johnny Cage, with the two even having a daughter, Cassandra Cage, together.
Scorpion
Thanks to his striking appearance, Scorpion is one of the most recognizable fighters in Mortal Kombat, as well as the entire game industry. In the series' early days, the character, who's real name is Hanzo Hasashi, was killed and subsequently resurrected as the wraith Scorpion by the villainous Quan Chi. Originally portrayed as a villain, Scorpion has become something of an anti-hero as more about his character and motives have come to light. Over time, he has become Mortal Kombat's mascot, and his trademark scream of ''Get over here!'' has become synonymous with the franchise. Scorpion is able to use Hell's fires offensively, and uses a kunai spear to harpoon opponents at will. He shares an iconic rivalry with Sub-Zero that in many ways embodies the series.
Goro
As one of the primary antagonists in Mortal Kombat, Prince Goro is Outworld's champion and a formidable fighter. His incredible height sees him tower above humans, and his four arms allow him to deal visceral damage to hapless opponents. He isn't the fastest fighter, and the majority of his powerful move set is usually slow and labored, but he is also able to hurl fireballs at his opponents if they are out of reach. Goro is over 4,000 years old, and remained unbeaten in combat for 500 years as he won nine Mortal Kombat tournaments in a row, until his eventual defeat at the hands of Liu Kang.
Shao Kahn
Shao Kahn serves as one of the series' primary antagonists. The Emperor of Outworld, he is known for his imposing stature and god-like strength which can even rival Raiden's. Shao Kahn is a tenacious villain who operates with a singular purpose: to conquer and control the realm of Earth. He is ruthless, arrogant and even borderline overconfident at times, as he continuously underestimates Earth's warriors. His helmet, complete with skull plate, is his trademark, and he is rarely seen without it. He is able to absorb souls to increase his considerable power, and in battle he is brutally strong and fast. Shao Kahn is one of Mortal Kombat's most infamous villains and has obtained legendary status among fans.
Mortal Kombat 11 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
