Some of the worst characters start to come in after Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.  Somehow, Midway just kept missing their stride. For every great new character, there were three bads ones after. Starting with MK4 these new characters were either copy cats of older ones or just plain, boring, and generic with no personality to them. Even the latest MK games have new characters that just don’t feel right and suffer from the same problems from 20 years ago. I break down my ten least favorite characters in order.

10

Hsu is probably the worst fighter for the Black Dragon clan. He’s too much like a Kano meets M.Bison rip-off. His moves are lame and he even has a cybernetic heart like Kano. Something about his bald head, mustache, and stupid beret just make me shake my head. Even his back story isn’t interesting with him just trying to invade the Special Forces and destroy their base, yawn.

9

Take a skeleton and make his moves graveyard jokes and you have Havik. One of the worst characters in Deception he just looks generic and his moves are so lame. I mean, he even has two useless taunts for crying out loud and then his projectile attacks are just boring. He’s from the Chaos Realm and just wants utter chaos to ensue, not very interesting. Thankfully he was short-lived and hasn’t returned.

8

A fat disgusting drunken master. Doesn’t feel like Mortal Kombat, sorry. He’s returned three times already and while he was a bit more refined in MKX he’s just not interesting. He was one of the main characters in Deception, but he’s not a fun character to fight with. He has short combos, very little reach, and he just looks so generic.

7

Reiko was one of the worst characters to appear in MK4 and not only does he just look like Space Ghost’s brother, but his attacks are incredibly basic and boring. Shurikens, teleports…kickflips? C’mon now! He only returned in Armageddon because he had to. He’s literally just one of Shinnok’s pawns and the story goes about as far as that.

6

One of many bad characters to turn up in MK4, Kai just felt like Liu-Kang mixed with Jax. He’s literally a clone of Liu-Kang and Kung Lao only because he joined the White Lotus Society. Really Midway? Couldn’t come up with anything more original? He’s so boring to play as and to look at.

5

Another clone that appeared in MK4, I mean what was Midway thinking. Were they really that stuck? Jarek is a clone of Kano and even has most of his moves just performed differently. His Fatalities in MK4 were exactly copied from Kano…just put Kano back in!

4

Dairou not only looks stupid with that five-head, but he doesn’t feel like an MK character. His special moves are as generic as can be with Tombstone Drop and Iron Leg? What was Midway thinking? He’s just a murderer who enjoys murdering so he joins the Chaos Realm and wants to murder the leader of the Order Realm, Hotaru. Next.

3

Midway always tries to make some main character for their games but they always fail in making them interesting (even to this day) and Taven and Daegon are no exception. They just had to have new characters in Armageddon which was already the 3D MK Trilogy, but Taven is basically a character that looks like something out of Fable and is literally one of the most generic looking characters in any fighting game period. His special moves are “god-like” and his combos are boring.

2

Daegon, the evil Taven. He looks like some sort of Disney pirate and is more boring than Taven. At least Taven has slightly interesting special moves. Both of these brother’s stories are literally tied to this game and have never even been mentioned outside of the occasional quip from fighters in later games.

1

Oh boy, where do I begin? Take a special move from all of MK’s most famous characters and stick them on an old Chinese dude who looks like Confucious and you are another lame lead. Shujinko is not only annoying to listen to throughout the Konquest mode in Deception, but he’s a generic old guy! He literally has the same moves as other characters…what’s the point?! His backstory was created for Deception, but he’s uninteresting and completely void of anything unique like the MK characters we love today. Long white beard and hair, long boring robes, has a young voice actor trying to sound like an old dude with COPD. I hated Shujinko as a kid when Deception first came out, and I can’t stand him now. He is the epitome of laziness from Midway and the constant use of Asian stereotypes get old. It just comes to show that their ability to make new characters like it was nobody’s business vanished after UMK3. There are a few good ones in each game, but at what cost? 8 new characters with only 3 being really good or halfway decent? There’s a reason why MK9 only had characters from MK4 and back and only the ones that were super popular.

10

Yeah, I was one of the ones who liked Drahmin. He looked and felt just like a classic MK character and for some reason he never returned. His Oni mask plus the fact that flies are buzzing around and he has a club for an arm? Something about how mysterious he was and his disgusting disturbing look set him apart from most new characters to this date.

9

I loved his gas mask and his Flash inspired moves. The fact that he’s a burn victim and having those sword hooks was just awesome. His spin move is a series signature classic and it never gets old.

8

A joke turned into such an awesome character. He stood out from other ninjas due to him being all black and his teleport moves really stuck out. He was a tough character to beat and play as and his various iterations over the years have always made him a favorite. His back story isn’t much, but he’s just such a versatile characters aesthetically and his combat is just fun.

7

From the hair sweeping idle animation to his weird robot voice clips and even his net move, Cyrax has always been a favorite. He’s not an easy character to play as because of his short combos and small reach, but he’s just so cool. He hasn’t been in a lot of games, but when he is his combat is more refined each time.

6

I didn’t care much for her in MKII, but as she evolved she grew on me more mainly for her looks. Those teeth are just something else and she is a tough character to beat. Her back story is part of the backbone of MK and it’s always evolving and growing. She’s gone through many amazing costume changes and character overhauls. She’s great!

5

Her fans moves and the color blue just sits well with me. As time went on they made her outfit look more ornate and stand out over Jade and Mileena with crowns, silver trimming, and fancier fans. Her moves are classic and she’s a tough character to play against. I love her slight evolution looks wise over the years and her latest form in MK11 just perfects her. She’s just such an awesome and solid character.

4

Baraka is almost a second face for the series. He just looks so damn cool with those razor teeth and blade arms. Each time he’s in a game he looks more and more gruesome and MK11’s just makes him nightmare fuel. Not much of a story, but he’s a powerful character and someone you want to stay away from.

3

Easily one of the best characters created since MK3. Cassie is just such a contrast from other female characters with her flirty sarcastic personality and her combat is so different as well. She’s not a ninja, not a mutant or a hybrid, just a human with a crazy attitude and she’s so entertainment on the screen. She easily has some of the most creative fatalities in the series as well. I hope she sticks around for a long time.

2

 

Well, what did you expect? Sub-Zero and Scorpion are video game classics, not just for the series. Sub-Zero is only below Scorpion because his combat has always been a bit stiff and he’s a harder character to play as. He doesn’t have many special moves and his combos are always short. He also has had some unsettling changes over the years, more so than Scorpion.

1

He was the first character I ever played as and his fatality from MK1 was the first I ever saw. Scorpion is a great beginner’s character, but also has an awesome backstory that is integral to the MK universe. From his spear move, his voice, and his amazing ninja costume variations have always made him a character to constantly look forward too. He gets so much love from the MK team and is usually the first character to ever get made for a new game.

 

For 25 years I’ve been actively playing Mortal Kombat and I feel it’s time I break down every character to celebrate the release of Mortal Kombat 11. The only characters included are ones that have been in at least two Mortal Kombat fighting games as am making a separate series on characters that only appeared in one MK game. It’s kind of hard to put them in a piece about evolution when they only appeared once. Many characters haven’t made a return despite fan outcries, but the series is always surprising us.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Something about Jonny’s original appearance just appeals to me. Maybe it’s Daniel Pesina’s actual digitized self on screen. He looks cool, and all his moves just have so much character. Maybe it’s Pesina’s hair and the original pants and belt that do it for me. I also love his victory pose where he puts on his sunglasses. He was pompous back then and really looked the part. I felt the whole character was forced in later versions of the game.

Combat – Why? – I never really cared much for playing as Cage in earlier games, but in MK11 they really phoned it home as he feels like a cocky martial arts movie star with his various animations, victory poses, and overall attitude. MKX was when they started grasping his character more and MK11 is just flourished. The tattoo on his chest, the belt with his own name, and while his older self is wiser, his younger self he runs into just takes the cake. I literally laughed it up when he made his stupid remarks during cut scenes. That was the Johnny Cage I always managed since 1992.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kano has been a character that’s come and gone over the years and he’s not a huge hit with most fans. MK3 Kano just looked meaner and the red outfit and more sinister look are what I always imagine Kano as. MK: Deadly Alliance Kano was really weird as he had hair and the exaggerated amount of hair on his body just seemed odd to me. That strap over his chest with the jewel and the way his eye looks in MK3 is just so striking.

Combat – Why? – Kano was nothing really special in the 2D era with only his laser eye and cannonball move is what sets him apart from other characters. He was mostly forgettable in the second generation MK games and in MKX they really made him feel different. His butterfly knives and overall combat was more dirty and cheap and felt right with his character. MK11 hit it home and actually made me enjoy playing as Kano as his combat felt at home with his personality.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Goro has always been a favorite of mine and he hasn’t appeared as an opponent or playable character in many games. When he returned in MKX I flipped. He looked so great and the detailing on his skin and face were amazing!

Combat – Why? – He was decent to play in Deception and Armageddon, but he felt more like an evolved MK1 Goro in MKX. His grabs, throws, and fireballs are just so cool to use and his signature teleport stomp is amazing. He’s not a very tough character in MKX because of how slow he is, but he’s a lot of fun to play as.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Liu Kang’s longer hair and overall solid build just made him more formidable in MK3. He was actually one of the characters I was always afraid of going against because of how fast he was and his precise looking punches and kicks. The color of his pants and headband was minimal but very deadly.

Combat – Why? – MK3 sped up his moves and gave him some of the longest and deadly combos in the game, but in Deadly Alliance and Deception he just felt average. Midway concentrated more on his nunchucks rather than his fast start and stop animations and he was mostly forgettable. MKX is where he really felt more like he did in MK3 and his signature bicycle kick and dive kick felt more like the original and his combos were insane.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – It’s the sexiest version of her, for one, and I liked how they made her hair longer and her legs look longer. Sonya was always a kicker to me visually and the last iteration to get her right was MK3 and her worst version was Deadly Alliance, let’s not even talk about that one. She always just has this tougher demeanor about her as I felt  Sonya was always cocky, kind of like Johnny Cage, but also pushed herself beyond her limits. I also prefer headband-less Sonya.

Combat – Why? – She uses her legs a lot on MK9 and that’s how I always imagined her. Her leg grabs reach far and she super fast with the kicks. I felt she was pretty forgettable after MK4, but they brought her back and made her more true to her original form and I enjoyed playing as Sonya again.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Raiden received a lot of iterations over the years and MKX just seemed to bring him together perfectly. His hat is my favorite version as I love the open slats and his robes are just the right mix of old and newer Raiden. He feels more God-like and majestic in this version and just has a dominating presence that he was sort of lacking up until now.

Combat – Why? – I loved the addition of his staff in Deadly Alliance and that was always the best part about Raiden – his reach. The combos you could pull of with his staff were some of the best in the series and in MKX they fully embraced it. He had long-reaching combos and great pop-up moves and his signature torpedo strike and various lightning moves were so varied in the game that I enjoyed playing as Raiden.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Sub-Zero’s outfits have varied more drastically than almost any other character in the series, but MKX gave his classic outfit a more sinister and evil look that made him look aged and worn out. I prefer the classic ninja look of Sub-Zero, but the detailing on his mask and Gi just make him look less like a typical ninja and something more evolved.

Combat – Why? – MK9 made Sub-Zero feel like his classic self and made him faster. Sub-Zero has always been about strategic close combat with few special moves, he was always an advanced character. He was sped up on MK9 and the ability to string together combos better with his ice moves is what sold it for me.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Scorpion hasn’t changed much over the last 20 years, not as much as Sub-Zero. He’s kept his yellow Gi for the most part with just small changes mainly in his mask and the way he uses his spear. He went from the spear coming out of his hand to being tied to a chain. However, in MKX they nailed the classic costume feel and made him look darker and more sinister just like Sub-Zero. It’s by far the best iteration of him.

Combat – Why? – Scorpion has always been the opposite of  Sub-Zero, someone for beginners to use as he has basic combos, a lot of special moves, and a lot of moves that get him out of harm’s way fast or stun your opponent. He’s also one of the cheapest characters which were most apparent in MK9. He felt more balanced in MKX and even an advanced player could only really fully utilize him without button mashing. Scorpion’s also always felt more light and floaty than Sub-Zero with a longer range and he felt more punchy and grounded in MKX.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kung Lao has always looked the same to me and has never really changed. His stand out feature is his razor hat, but in MKX they made his outfit more appealing and ornate and he just popped out to me more.

Combat – Why? – Just like his looks, he’s always played the same with fast punches and being able to combo off of his various teleport abilities and in MKX they played with him more and made his hat the center of his fighting which I really loved. He felt like old-school Kung Lao with a new flair and thankfully they’ve kept it like that so far.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Reptile has made so many drastic changes over the years it’s insane. He goes from humanoid to complete reptile and back again with every other game. His worst version was MK4 and the most drastic was Deadly Alliance in which he was a full-on reptile. MKX brings him back to the humanoid form but makes his reptile side clash the best. I felt it took forever for the MK team to get him right and he just looks so cool in MKX without not being recognizable from the first game.

Combat – Why? – He feels the lankiest and true to form in MK9. His use of his acid abilities feel like they did in MKII and he has fast close combat combos that do quick damage and you can quickly get away like a reptile.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Honestly, Shang Tsung is one of my least favorite characters in the series and I can’t remember the last time I played him. MK11 Shang Tsung brings back the wise old sorcerer that the first game made him out to be. I never liked the way he looked after the first game he just felt so generic.

Combat – Why? – Being able to morph into every character was what made Shang Tsung unique and seem more powerful than other characters. His fireball combos were also formidable in that game and he was one of the toughest to go against if someone knew how to use him. After MK3 he didn’t really seem appealing after his morph ability disappeared.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Baraka hasn’t been in that many MK games and his costume has always been generic to me. Outside of his MKII costume, he hasn’t changed much outside of making him look more animalistic. His signature arm spikes and his teeth are what make him a fan favorite and they did a great job in MK11 making him look really twisted and mean, and bringing back his MKII costume.

Combat – Why? – MK9 was where Baraka felt similar to his MKII counterpart but a little faster and more punchy. He had short quick combos that used his arm spikes a lot and he had some great pop-up moves and throws.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – MK9 Mileena was not just the sexiest, but they started showing her teeth more and that’s Mileena’s signature feature that sets her apart from Kitana and Jade. She just looked like a succubus, some sort of weird sick creation from Shao Kahn, especially the bandage wrap costume.

Combat – Why? – She was the fastest and most deadly in MKX I felt. A lot of her combos and special moves involved her sais and her teleport kicks and rolls were deadly. She was a close combat character, but in the right hands, she was so quick you didn’t really know what was coming next.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – She looked the best in Deadly Alliance to me because of how closely they got to her original costume but gave it a sexy twist and gave her that long ponytail braid and she just looked majestic rather than a warrior like in later games. I also loved how they really stuck with the color blue for her.

Combat – Why? – For me, Kitana never changed from MKII and most of her combos and her special attacks are all the same. She uses her fans a lot in every game but starting from Deadly Alliance she just got a little faster as the games progressed, but I felt she was fine-tuned in MKX and felt whispy and small and had some deadly quick combos.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Jax is another character who I just didn’t care about. He was another generic feeling character and outside of his arms nothing really stuck out for me. He had a radical design change in Deadly Alliance in which he looked more like a commando and started to hold come character, but it still wasn’t appealing. His older age and overall added details to his look just appealed to me the most in MK11.

Combat – Why? – Jax felt truer to form in MK9 and helped redeem his character after how sub-par he felt in the second generation of MK games. He arms played a big role in combat and it just improved over time, but later games slowed him down a bit.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Sindel was a character I didn’t play as, but she was one of the toughest to beat in MK3. Here hair throw move is what set her apart from others and her ability to levitate. It’s sad she never made it into most games, but she looked amazing in Deception as her purple vampire queen style of clothing was very ornate, she was sexy, and she looked just mean and evil.

Combat – Why? – She was fast and fluid again in MK9 and it felt like the perfect evolution from MK3. Here signature kick combos were back and her hair and loud scream was once again front and center for special moves. She was just so much fun to play as in MK9, but she was definitely an advanced character.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Stryker is one of the least liked characters in the series because he’s just a generic cop and almost felt like last minute filler. He was boring to play as, for me anyway, and required advanced knowledge of his moves. In MK9 they actually took the whole cop thing seriously and made him look like a full on SWAT unit and he just looked cool and formidable.

Combat – Why? – He was actually fun to play as in MK9. His baton was center stage and he had some awesome CQC combos and his fatalities and added stun gun were just awesome. I played him quite a bit in MK9 and I feel like Netherrealm really redeemed his character all the way here.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Cyrax is not in many games and when he returned in Deadly Alliance I flipped. He’s one of my favorite characters and he just looked so badass in DA with his long cable dreads and his metal mask just made him look really scary (as a kid) as I was afraid of Sektor and Cyrax growing, but still thought they were cool.

Combat – Why? – His fast punches and quick jabbing combos came back in MK9 and he just felt fully realized here. I love his sounds he makes when he’s hit, and his fatalities are just some of the best. His chest saw, net, and bombs are what make him unique and he is always going be my top 10 favorite characters.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Smoke has changed so much over the years he’s not even the same character. He went from a cyborg to a ninja to a spirit and who knows next. I like his human ninja form in MK9 even though it was a drastic departure from previous games. I feel like it fit his character the most and his long white hair looked like smoke as well.

Combat – Why? – The tie-in with Noob Saibot made him unique and he seemed like a mysterious deadly fighter and switching back and forth between the two made him one of the most unique fighters in the entire series. Doing deadly combos and their fatalities just looked awesome.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Sektor seems to be one of the least loved characters as he’s only been in two standalone MK games. He didn’t make a real return for 16 years in MK9. He looked great in that game and I loved how his mask jetted down from his jaw really set him apart from Cyrax.

Combat – Why? – He fast-paced teleports and missile combos made a return and he’s one of the toughest characters to face in MK3 and MK9. He is faster than Cyrax and longer ranged thanks to teleporting and he felt fine tuned just right in this game.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Nightwolf hasn’t been in many games, less so than most original characters, and in MK9 his American Indian attire just looked right and had so much more detail than in MK3. I didn’t care much for him in earlier games.

Combat – Why? – Nightwolf was one of my favorite characters in Deception because his Tomahawk combos were insane. Nightwolf flipping them around into long combos just devastated opponents and his fatalities were amazing. He plays well in later games, but you can’t forget those Tomahawk combos.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kabal hasn’t really changed in looks much, but something about his original costume always sticks with me. I was fascinated with his whole look as a kid and that mask has never been topped.

Combat – Why? – He was forgettable in Deception, and MK9 made him feel almost identical to MK3, but in MK11 they made him feel heavier, punchier, and his hook blades really set him apart from most fighters. He just feels so good play as in MK11.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Sheeva is a female  Goro and she looks the most like it in MK9. Her bikini outfit is smaller than ever, but the addition of the head spike changes and detailing in her skin patterns is what makes this version the best. I didn’t care for her big mohawk in Armageddon and her whole outfit just didn’t suit her.

Combat – Why? – She isn’t in many games and she felt the best in MK9. Her teleport stomp, throws, and massive punch combos felt piggybacked off of MK3 where she is still one of the toughest characters to fight against in the series.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Motaro has to be the least used character in the MK universe. He changed so drastically in the few games he was in. In MK3 he’s so memorable as a centaur hybrid beast with teleports, projectiles, and devastating punches. He was almost harder than Shao Kahn! In Armageddon, they practically chopped him back legs off because of the engine at the time couldn’t support his four legs and we never saw him again after that.

Combat – Why? – Do we really need to talk about his appearance in Armageddon? Easily one of the worst characters in that game he was so forgettable. In MK3 he literally knocked players across the screen and that head rip fatality was just awesome. He looked so fierce and powerful and felt like it too.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Shao Kahn is one of the characters that’s changed the least visually over the years. In the few games, he did appear he always had his signature helmet and bone and leather armor to varying degrees. He’s always been a strong character with massive muscles and a slow lumbering pace. In MK11 they actually added some more detail to his skin and his helmet is just amazing. I never really cared for the look of Shao Kahn, but they did a great job in MK11

Combat – Why? – Shao Kahn has also played the same throughout every game and in MK11 they finally nerfed him and made him more enjoyable to play against and use. He’s still slow and lumbering, but his hammer moves really pack a massive punch in MK11 and he just reminds me of a king torturing someone with every move. He’s super powerful to look at in motion.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Ermac was literally named after “Error Macro” during the development of UMK3 and is just a palette swap of the other ninjas with unique moves. The top corners of Ermac’s mask looked like mandibles to me and I always thought he was a bug ninja as a kid. Ermac never really impressed me in earlier games, but they really changed him drastically with Deception and he looked the best in MK9 feeling like an evil sorcerer with an Arabian Nights feel to him. The bandages around his head and glowing eyes really show it’s just an embodiment of souls.

Combat – Why? – His telekinetic slams are what make him unique and MK9 did this the best as he’s a long distance character and his slam combos really pack a punch. He’s one of the harder characters to beat in MK9 and it shows in the hands of an advanced player.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Noob changed quite a bit over the years but was always the black ninja in the game. He teamed up with Smoke in Deception and later became his own thing again. MK11 made him look more like a grim reaper which is a really neat idea and a way to finally make him something other than a palette swap like they did with Ermac and Reptile. It took 20 years to do this, but Noob just looks so awesome in MK11 and his shadow looks like his original self which is so cool.

Combat – Why? – Noob always had teleport moves and was able to disable the player and that made him unique. He was fast and was one of the toughest characters in UMK3, but in MK11 they fully embraced the added abilities Smoke gave him in Deception and now his shadow character is fully realized here. He’s one of the coolest characters in the series and I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Rain really departed from the palette swap in Deception, but he looked like Aladdin and fans weren’t too happy. In MK9 he retained the flowy purple robes but looked more like a ninja and he has his own unique look.

Combat – Why? – He’s only been in three games, so the latest is obviously the best here. In MK9 he was a DLC character, but he actually utilized his water abilities well here and he felt like an elemental ninja. He was a great medium-distant character with some awesome combos with lightning. However,  I still feel he needs work as he’s still one of the most forgettable characters in the series.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually 

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kintaro is one of the least used characters in the series and in Armageddon, they gave him a weird braid and in MK9 he just looked off with the earring and weirdly shaped head, he looked too much like a tiger. His original form has always been best and it’s sad he isn’t as loved as much as Goro.

Combat – Why? – MK9 made him feel like he did in MKII, but just improved with some heavy combos and all his projectiles and pounds are back. He was forgettable in Armageddon, but here is where Kintaro is best experienced. He feels less like a Goro clone and more like his own character.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kai looked very generic and boring, as did most of MK4’s new characters, but in Armageddon, he actually stood out from other characters with his beard and long dreads. Still not amazing, but at least I remember what Kai looks like here more than MK4.

Combat – Why? – He’s only been in two games, but Armageddon opened his arsenal up a bit and felt like a mix between Kung Lao and Liu Kang as he was trained by them, so there are various fireballs, kicks, and combos taken from both his masters.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Jarek just looked stupidly lame in MK4 and was probably my least favorite character in that entire game. He was a Black Dragon member but played too much like Kano. In Armageddon, he is still generic looking but had a little more effort put into his looks.

Combat – Why? – Rather than being a Kano clone he used rope moves in Armageddon but was still a terrible character and I don’t see how they can redeem him. Even his two move sets were copied and pasted from other characters.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Quan-Chi never really changed much over the years, and he was always a character I felt indifferent about. He was tough to beat, and his sorcery moves didn’t sit well with me. He was also just plain to look at and nothing to really set him apart. In MKX I felt like they did the best job with his tattoos and made him armor just right and he felt fully realized here.

Combat – Why? – His combat was fairly forgettable in MK4, but later games honed it in and MKX felt the best. He felt more evil and mischievous with great uses of his souls and skulls moves.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Reiko doesn’t look good in either of the games he was in, but in the MK4 he felt different from other characters and he just looks incredibly lame in Armageddon. He has face paint and white eyes and that’s pretty much it. One of the worst characters in the entire series.

Combat – Why? – His star throw special move and his spiked club were different in Armageddon, but not by much. He’s only marginally better to play as in Armageddon since he got a little attention to his evolution process.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Fujin was another generic character from MK4, as he was a copy of Raiden in terms of character design. He was another elder god who used the power of wind and just didn’t really hit home. He was all white and had a long braid and that’s about it. At least in Armageddon, he looked a little more godlike.

Combat – Why? – Armageddon Fujin used a lot of long air combos, his whirlwind moves were great, and he actually felt less generic here. I hope to see him in future games as I’m sure he could really be something great.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – She just looked really sexy and I liked her ponytail in this game. For some reason, she looks better in the leotard over the leather and animal skins in later games. I really didn’t like her long hair in Deception, but MKX did a great job with her, I just liked the way she looked best in MK4.

Combat – Why? – She’s not in many games, and as a DLC character in MKX, she was warmly welcomed. Her fast kicks are what set her apart from most characters and the use of her boomerang makes for fast deadly combos.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Shinnok never really sat well with me. He looked generic and somewhat goofy with his pointed hat, and it looked even goofier in Armageddon. He’s not in many games, but his return in MKX corrected all of these issues. He looks like an evil sorcerer and his robes and decorations show it. He actually looks quite unique here.

Combat – Why? – Using bones, claws, and various “graveyard” moves are what sets Shinnok apart from most characters and Quan-Chi especially. He is a great medium-long range character in MKX and I actually enjoyed playing as him here. He just feels more refined and unique.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? –  Blaze was just a hidden character in Deadly Alliance and not much attention was given to him. He was interesting and different than any other character, but fairly simple in design. He then became the main boss in Armageddon somehow and was this lumber fire giant that looked pretty bad-ass. I wish he would return to later games.

Combat – Why? – He went from a wimpy small character to something in the likes of Goro or Kintaro in Armageddon. He had a small arsenal of moves, but they were powerful and pretty neat to see. He’s one of the stranger characters in the series I really want to see him return.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – It’s was exciting to see Frost return in MK11 as she’s a long time favorite for fans, but I didn’t like her cybernetic look. I prefer her ninja look in Deadly Alliance and her spiked hair.

Combat – Why? – Her combat was always too familiar to Sub-Zero’s, she just had a shorter range, but in MK11 they gave her a unique feel and made her moves her own. She no longer feels like a Sub-Zero clone.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Bo’ Rai Cho has never really been a good character to me, he was one of my least favorites in the second generation MK games, but he redeems himself more in MKX. He looks less like a fat pig and more like a retired drunken master. He robes are a little aged, he looks weathered, and just more respectable in MKX.

Combat – Why? – He played nearly identical in the second generation MK games, but in MKX he had his own grounded combat. He was a more drunken master like and less homeless bum. He still farts and spits out liquor, but it’s just a little more refined and less obnoxious here.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kenshi hasn’t changed much over the years, but in MK9 they stuck close to the blind Samurai look the most. The sash across his chest and his blindfold are signatures look for Kenshi.

Combat – Why? – I felt in MK9 he really used his abilities the best and his telekinetic powers were quick and fast. They slowed him down a bit in MKX, but he was one of the toughest characters in MK9 to play against. He could do fast long range combo with telekinetic pushes, sword swipes, and sweeps.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Li Mei is one of my personal favorite characters and she’s not only gorgeous in Deception, but I love her alternate outfit. She looked way too basic in Deadly Alliance with just simple robes and it didn’t set her apart from other characters really. I can’t wait to see her again in future titles.

Combat – Why? – Her combat was more advanced in Deception and she felt more refined. The use of her sword and kicks and flips made her feel like a gypsy and she is sadly forgotten in the MK universe.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Khameleon is one of the most unknown characters in the series, most casual MK fans have never heard of her. She’s a female Shang Tsung whose a ninja is a good way to describe her. She can morph into all the female ninjas and only appear in two games. However, her Armageddon version sets her apart from the Jade palette swap she had in MK Trilogy. She looks great and I loved her in that version and wish she would appear in more games.

Combat – Why? – While she could morph into all the female ninjas in Trilogy, I feel she had her own presence in Armageddon despite having various moves from other female ninjas. She looked unique and was a “best-of” characters for fans of the female ninjas.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Sareena is one of the few underdogs of MK and she hasn’t really been in much even cameo wise. She looks pretty much the same in the three games she’s in, but I felt she looked the best in Armageddon due to just being updated and touched up, but it’s not much different from her past versions.

Combat – Why? – She was only really playable in a GBA game so Armageddon is just the best version by default. It doesn’t do her character justice, but she’s fun to play as and is a character that makes me want to pop in Armageddon a couple times a year and remember just how much I miss her.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Meat just looks so gross in Armageddon! The bubbling blood and dripping meat juices just make him the grossest character in MK and one of my favorites to play as.

Combat – Why? – In MK4 he really didn’t have much going for him, but in Armageddon, he gets a slightly better treatment with the use of his meat cleavers. He’s just a silly character to play as and I wish he’d make a comeback even as a cameo.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Moloch has only been in two games and in MK: DA he wasn’t even playable. Be able to get my hands on Moloch was pretty exciting when Armageddon launched and he plays like a creep. Low to the ground, uses an iron ball and has some mean punches. It’s not the update he truly deserved, but he looks great.

Combat – Why? – Low punches, the iron ball, and his overall stature and power make him fun to fight as in Armageddon. He was a pain to beat in MK: DA, but we never got to play as him.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – For some odd reason, and I may be the only one who thinks this, but MK11 Skarlet reminds me of a character from Battlefield V. She has the Arabian Nights look to her that just doesn’t sit well with me. In MK9 she was not only sexy, but she looked like she was made from blood.

Combat – Why? – Her knew blood scythe is just badass in MK11 and all her blood powers just seem more refined and less like a red Rain or Reptile clone. She was fun in MK9, probably one of the best original characters in the entire series, but she plays so much better in MK11.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Kotal hasn’t changed much from MKX, but I love the more Incan inspired armor with more metal and ornaments. He looked rather plain in MKX. He also grew on me more in MK11 as I didn’t care for him much before.

Combat – Why? – His combat is very similar in both games, but in MK11 he feels a bit heavier and his sword is just so badass. I love that thing! He also has better special moves and Fatalities this time around.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Erron was another MKX character I didn’t really care for, he was just a generic cowboy with some cool fatalities, but in MK11 they pretty much owned that and pushed his cowboy aesthetic further so now he looks like a cowboy ninja. Not much of a departure from X but still cool.

Combat – Why? – The centering of his specials around his rifle is great in MK11. In MKX he felt too much like Stryker mixed with Kabal. I like his slower more advanced approach to combat in MK11.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – She’s a favorite among fans and brings back the grossness in MK seen in characters like Meat, Havik, and Drahmin. She’s an insect that looks menacing and like something you want to stay away from. She’s just looking grosser in MK11 despite looking almost exactly the same. There’s more detail in her skin and her face has changed to look just disgusting.

Combat – Why? – She’s more refined in MK11 as in MKX I felt she just didn’t pack quite enough of a punch. She uses her bugs and legs more in MK11 and it adds a layer of depth with her jabs that weren’t seen in MKX.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Cassie Cage is by far my favorite character from MKX and one of my top ten favorites. She’s the first female character to be less serious and is sarcastic and overall flirty and fun. Her military outfit and sunglasses in MKX were not only super sexy but helped push that playful not so serious attitude including the bubble gum popping.

Combat – Why? – Naturally, she was improved upon in MKX with lots of flips, cartwheels, and overall a gymnastic style combat form. Her better use of her double pistols is great and she’s still one of the best new characters to grace MK in years.

First Appearance

Favorite Version – Visually

Favorite Version – Combat

Visually – Why? – Jacqui just looks more badass in MK11 and I love the changes they did to her face. She looks more like Jax and more hardened. Her new short dreads set her apart from hair like Cyrax and Sektor and she just looks super unique with a cyborg-style body.

Combat – Why? – MK11 uses her legs more instead of quick jabs with her arms and she also relies less on her arm guns. I feel she’s so much more limber and less like a wrestler in MK11.