Mortal Kombat, as a franchise, is the definition of the word iconic. This bloody and brutal franchise has been one of the most successful and popular property in the fighting game genre for decades now. This is largely due to how much Mortal Kombat focuses on quality presentation, be it the voice acting, the music and soundtrack, the graphics, or the animations. Everything has always been top-notch, which has made the series a pop culture phenomenon.
With a new game on the horizon, it's time to talk special moves. One of the biggest parts of the Mortal Kombat experience, and what makes it so memorable, is the special moves. They're violent, effective, and leave a lasting impact. Each character has their own, and obviously some of these have become a series staple. Certain iconic moves have been a part of nearly every game and spin-off in the series, becoming synonymous with Mortal Kombat itself.
6 Sonya Blade - Leg Grab
Sonya has been a series staple since the original Mortal Kombat game. One of her most iconic moves has been her leg grab, which represents her training as a member of the special forces. While this move has been repackaged as Krazy Legs in recent times, and sadly was left out of Mortal Kombat 11, Sonya's leg grab is iconic and encapsulates Sonya as a character perfectly.
Sonya Blade's Leg Grab was in the earlier Mortal Kombat movie as well, and featured as a fatality with a leg rip in Mortal Kombat 4. The leg grab can be used in combos, as well as to quickly punish opponents for whiffing as it helps quickly close space. The leg grab in some iterations also lets Sonya reposition the enemy making it quite the move.
5 Kabal: Nomad Dash
Kabal has had his Nomad Dash since Mortal Kombat 3, and it has been one of the best moves in the entire series ever since. The former Black Dragon man, known for his speed and agility, makes it known with this move. He essentially dashes across the screen to catch enemies unaware and daze them.
Kabal hasn't ever been too important in the story of the games, but he's always been a popular Kombatant, partly due to the Nomad Dash. This move can be used to punish opponents who aren't paying attention, test their reactions, start combos, and most importantly, extend basic strings into longer combos. The move has had multiple variations and tweaks to it. More skilled players can even cancel it to keep the mind games going. It's a powerful move that also fits Kabal and has its own unique visuals.
4 Sindel: Scream
Sindel's Scream or Banshee Scream is one of the most creative and fun moves in any fighting game. The Edenian queen has an ultrasonic scream that stuns the opponent, and in some iterations allows players to start their combos. In Mortal Kombat 11, using the scream as a punishing tool could lead to a vicious Krushing Blow as well.
An instantly recognizable move, the Banshee Scream is not only devastating, it meshes well with Sindel as a character. Once a benevolent queen, she has turned into Machiavellian killer. As Shao Kahn's partner, Sindel is ruthless, and her vocal cords show it.
3 Johnny Cage: Nut Punch
If ever a special move has been emblematic of the character that uses it, it is Johnny Cage and the Nut Punch. Cage even boasts about how effective and powerful the move is, and it has been referenced in various media for years.
As a move itself, it's just a straight-up punch to the enemy's groin, but it is simple and effective. Players often use this move to close out combos, or even just thrown around in neutral. The latest iteration has a Krushing Blow attached to it if it connects as the first move in the match, or if punishes an opponnent.
2 Sub Zero: Ice Ball
This was always going to be number two on the list, and the counterpart is easily number one. Sub Zero is one of the most iconic fighting game characters ever, and his most common special move, the Ice Ball, stands right there with him. This slow, long-range projectile acts as an effective zoning and pressure tool. It can also be used to start off or extend combos.
The Ice ball can be amplified in some of the games to make it faster and stronger, messing up the opponent's reaction timing. The ice ball has been a mainstay of Sub Zero's arsenal for decades. It's a simple move, but it has left a lasting impression.
1 Scorpion: Get Over Here
This move needs no introduction. 'Get Over Here' is one of the most iconic voice lines in the fighting game genre, and the move it is associated with is the same. It is also attached to one of the most popular characters in the franchise, Scorpion.
Get Over Here involves the ninja throwing his spear across the screen, either stunning the enemy or dragging them over to Scorpion. This move has tons of quirks and forms an important part of Scorpion's combos in every game. Not only does Get Over Here have its own brutality, but it also features as part of other Fatalities, Fatal Blows, and other moves Scorpion does.