Top 7 Mortal Kombat Characters of All Time

Hardly any fighting game series comes close to Mortal Kombat in terms of influence and popularity. The original Mortal Kombat game debuted in 1992 with a cast of seven playable characters, all with their own distinct fighting styles.

NetherRealm Studios, the creator of the billion dollar Mortal Kombat franchise, created a rich backstory, a cast of memorable characters, and, of course, bloody fatalities. The whole series now has over 70 playable characters, including several crossovers with other games such as God of War's Kratos and the Xenomorph from Alien.

Many experts believe the interesting characters of the Mortal Kombat franchise and their impressive storylines are part of what kept the series going for over 20 years. But, which of the Mortal Kombat characters stand out to you? Which is your favorite? We discuss our picks for the top seven characters in the game franchise below.

Shang Tsung

Being one of the original characters in Mortal Kombat, Shang Tsung is also one of the most memorable villains and probably the best character in Mortal Kombat. After being exiled to Earthrealm, the renowned sorcerer Shang Tsung traveled to Outworld. He has the ability to transform into his victims and is a profound sorcerer who preys on souls.

Seasoned Mortal Kombat players knew to be afraid of Shang Tsung, the first primary adversary in the game. Since he took over the Mortal Kombat tournament, his champion Goro has gone unbeaten for an extremely long period. In truth, no villain in the Mortal Kombat franchise compares to Shang Tsung.

Even though Shao Kahn possesses more physical might, Shang Tsung possesses the souls of champions who have died on his side. In the first game, he was almost impossible to beat since his main goal was to make players give up their quarters.

Liu Kang

Among the greatest fighters in MK of all time, Liu Kang stands head and shoulders above the crowd. He defeated formidable foes including Goro, Shinnok, Shao Kahn, and Shang Tsung in the early games. Additionally, he and Raiden have had their share of clashes.

Although his superior ability was on full display in these encounters, he continued to get stronger throughout the Mortal Kombat series. There must be a hero in every narrative, and Liu Kang, "The Fire God" does such an outstanding job in that regard. Ed Boon, one of Mortal Kombat’s co-creators, referred to Liu Kang as a character who “embodies the spirit of a true warrior.”

It should be noted that he owns one of the most notable fatalities ever. He stands as a contender of being the best character in Mortal Kombat. Don’t forget he devours his enemy after turning into a dragon. The craziness of Mortal Kombat is well embodied by Liu Kang's famed bicycle kick and fireball.

Raiden

Along with two other characters, Raiden has been in every single installment of the series, making him one of the original combatants from the beginning. He safeguards Earthrealm as the Eternal God of Thunder.

Has any other fictional figure undergone more evolution than Thunder God? From his role as a minor antagonist in the first game to his reimagining in Mortal Kombat 2 and subsequent games as the series' guardian of the Earthrealm, the electrifying fighter has gone through a lot of character development. Although he has dabbled in evil from time to time, the game franchise has always wanted him to remain good.

Commenting on the character of Raiden, MK co-creator John Tobias said: “Raiden represents the balance of power and wisdom.” His installment in "Injustice" fighting game series from DC Comics is also noteworthy; he is one among just three Mortal Kombat characters to do so.

Johnny Cage

Legendary martial arts actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is the inspiration behind Johnny Cage's comedic role. His role is specifically inspired by Van Damme's portrayal of Frank Dux in Bloodsport (1988).

He occasionally provides comedic relief. In an updated timeline, he is featured as Sonya Blade lover and they have a daughter named Cassie Cage who is one of the series breakout stars. How he managed to land Sonya Blade is really impressive. Johnny Cage has established himself as a mainstay of the series, making appearances outside of the franchise in several mediums.

Among the menacing characters in the series, Johnny Cage stands out for his magnetic presence and proud demeanor. If he didn't mess his enemies with his words and fists which mysteriously uppercuts his opponent's skull three times, MK wouldn't be the same.

Sonya Blade

Without a doubt, this list would not be complete without Mortal Kombat's first female character. Sonya Blade was one of the original Mortal Kombat characters. The creators first considered having her play the role of a male character named Kurtis Stryker, but ultimately decided that she would be a bigger hit if she was female.

Among Sonya Blade's signature moves are energy rings, cartwheels, and the ethereal kiss of death she blows. She is also a member of the Special Forces with a no-nonsense yet impetuous disposition. Despite her reputation as one of the show's more brutal characters, she has shown her gentler side in interactions with Cassie, her daughter.

Sonya keeps going even though a lot of other dangerous ladies have come and gone. She is perhaps Mortal Kombat's most iconic female character.

Mileena

Mileena was created by Shang Tsung from a hybrid of Kitana and a Tarkatan. She resembles the Edenian Princess with the exception of the fangs she has for mouth. Half of her life was defined by her eternal animosity for her half-sister Kitana. Despite the fact that Mileena is first obsessed by this competition, she matures tremendously over time and even manages to exceed Kitana’s prominence on occasions.

Mileena is not just a lethal weapon. When Mileena battles she reveals an unrestrained and primal side to her, both in body and spirit. Despite her outward appearance, she is one of the most adored Mortal Kombat characters. And she has some of the most brutal and iconic fatalities. In summary, Mortal Kombat is exemplified by Mileena's savagery.

Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero’s storyline in the Mortal Kombat universe is complex due to the fact that Sub-Zero is a shared identity between two brothers—Kuai Liang and Bi-Han. In the first installment, Bi-Han played the role of the original Sub-Zero and killed Scorpion. After his death, he assumed the form of Noob Saibot, the zombie warrior.

Fun fact: Noob Saibot's name is derived from the surnames of Mortal Kombat creators Ed Boon and John Tobias spelled backwards. Moving on, Bi-Han's little brother Kuai Liang became a hero in subsequent episodes as he assumed the role of Sub-Zero. It was common for Sub-Zero to use weapons constructed of solid ice in his devastating combinations, since his ice abilities were sufficient to freeze opponents in one place.

Then there were his fatalities, in which he would freeze and hammer his enemies to bits with his cold fists. Whether it's Bi-Han or Kuai Liang donning the blue mask, Sub-Zero has always been one of the best Mortal Kombat characters.

Worthy Mentions

While these names didn't make our list of the seven Mortal Kombat best characters, they have made long lasting impressions on the hearts of passionate gamers. They are simply put, fans favorites.

Kitana
Scorpion
Kenshi
Kung Lao
Ermac
Kabal
Erron Black
Sindel
Baraka
Jax Briggs

Meanwhile, while Mortal Kombat remains a game with a cult following among gamers worldwide, we understand that you may want to try some different forms of gaming every now and then. If you are looking for a different way to have fun and probably even win some money while at it as a gamer, we recommend that you try out online sports betting.

According to MightyTips Hungary tipster and betting expert, Aladar Kollar, many gamers are now turning to sports betting in their free time because both activities are similar. If you also want to do the same, you can start by reading the latest Hungarian bookmakers review so that you can discover and sign up with a bookmaker that can give you an excellent betting experience.

Final Thoughts

Asking ‘‘who is the best Mortal Kombat character?’’ is one of the easiest ways to start an unending argument among Mortal Kombat loyal gamers. The fact remains that these characters have their strengths and flaws, and hence are unique in their own way. However, when considering gameplay effectiveness, character design, evolution over time, signature moves and fatalities, and impact on the franchise, the characters above can be considered as the best in the game franchise.