Mortal Kombat 1 releases on September nineteenth for Xbox Collection X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Change, and although it follows the occasions of Mortal Kombat 11 and Aftermath, it’s successfully a clear slate. It is a new universe with new origin tales, relationships and roles, even when the characters are acquainted. However, there are a couple of faces we’d prefer to see, whether or not it’s iconic legends or underappreciated Kombatants, beginning with…
Sonya Blade
For those who’re going to have a Mortal Kombat title with Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, Scorpion and Johnny Cage – the classics that outlined a complete period of combating video games – then Sonya Blade needs to be there. It will additionally make sense from a story perspective: Sonya sacrificed herself heroically in Mortal Kombat 11 and was absent for many of the story (not counting her youthful, previous self). Bringing her again, particularly in an period of peace when she’s fought for thus lengthy, feels poetic.
Kano
In fact, if you happen to’re going to have Sonya, then there’s no method Kano can’t be current. Other than his enjoyable combating model, which contains knives, lasers and grappling, his character has at all times offered some much-needed humor. The query, now, is how his story intertwines with Sonya’s, if in any respect, and whether or not he’s on the straight and slender or as much as no good within the New Period.
Reptile
It feels much less like we must always ask if Reptile can be in Mortal Kombat 1 and extra like we must always ask, “Which model?” The Saurian has tailored each human and reptilian appearances all through the years, although he’s at all times labored on the behest of Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn. Nonetheless, his invisibility and acid spit helped him stand out amid the opposite ninjas and will make a superb addition to the reboot’s roster.
Ermac
Ermac has had a protracted and storied historical past with the franchise, whether or not it’s being managed by Shao Kahn or working with Kotal Kahn for the betterment of Outworld. His sheer vary of skills has at all times been nice, utilizing teleportation and telekinesis to overwhelm opponents. Once more, how his destiny will play out within the reboot stays to be seen, but when Outworld does turn out to be concerned, it wouldn’t be odd to see him step as much as the plate.
Shao Kahn
It’s unknown if Shao Kahn would come again – we might perhaps see Liu Kang reviving Shang Tsung for laughs, however Shao Kahn? The all-conquering and merciless ruler of Outworld? Given the state of Edenia and its relative peace, he both doesn’t exist in Mortal Kombat 1 or hasn’t invaded it but. However, his standing is iconic, and even when his complete historical past is completely different, it wouldn’t be a Mortal Kombat title with out him.
Goro
Goro was final seen in Mortal Kombat 11 on his throne within the Krypt. The final time we noticed him alive was in Mortal Kombat X, the place he served as a DLC character who wasn’t concerned in the principle story. Given on a regular basis resetting shenanigans, certainly he would seem in some capability, proper? He’s about as iconic as Shang Tsung or Shao Kahn in relation to villains, in any case.
Kenshi
Debuting in Lethal Alliance, Kenshi has at all times been a cool character. A blindfold-wearing fighter with heightened senses who fights on the aspect of excellent and has a sword? Who might resist? His function within the Shirai Ryu, together with his son being skilled by Hanzo Hasashi, and liberating Ermac from Shao Kahn, could also be fully completely different if he ever returned within the reboot. Heck, he could not even be blind anymore. Regardless, we’d prefer to see him return.
Kintaro
If Goro felt shafted post-Mortal Kombat 9, spare a thought for poor Kintaro. He debuted in Mortal Kombat 2 and returned in Deception and Armageddon. Whereas he had an honest function in Mortal Kombat 9, he was defeated by Stryker, of all individuals. Even when he didn’t determine in Mortal Kombat X, his heroic dying within the comedian sequence warrants some resurrection – and reparation – within the reboot.
Kollector
The Kollector was at all times a curious character, utilizing quite a lot of weapons and instruments to dismantle fighters. Nonetheless, regardless of his obsession with, nicely, gathering, he has a creepy vibe that’s virtually considerably endearing. If the foremost villains in Mortal Kombat 1 want a henchman simply operating round, gathering physique elements, Kollector might be an choice, particularly since he solely actually appeared in MK11.
Jax Briggs
Even when he didn’t debut within the first recreation with Sonya and Kano, Jax’s destiny feels intertwined with the 2. Regardless, given the horrors he went by means of in Mortal Kombat X, and his alliance with Kronika in MK11 earlier than returning to the aspect of excellent, it looks like Jax is prepared for a brand new story. In addition to, his model of punching issues with steel arms continues to be interesting.
Jade
Whereas the connection between Mileena and Kitana as sisters has at all times been difficult, Jade’s motives have normally been clearer. She could have been loyal to Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat 9 however at all times cared for Kitana and tried to guard her. On seeing the latter undergo from her actions, Jade sought to make amends, even remarking to Mileena how she was extra of a sister to Kitana. So it’s greater than a bit odd to see Mileena and never Jade reverse Kitana within the reboot. It doesn’t imply she’s fully absent, however her inclusion appears a given.
Motaro
Regardless of being considerably of a boss (albeit not the ultimate boss) in Mortal Kombat 3, Motaro has at all times felt even much less appreciated all through the franchise than Kintaro. He was summarily disposed of by Raiden in Mortal Kombat 9 and hasn’t been seen since. If ever there was a time to convey the Centaurian again and begin with a clear slate, the New Period can be it.
Nightwolf
Even when his character design has had blended opinions all through the franchise’s historical past, Nightwolf did play a central function in Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Not solely did he reject Kronika, however tried to cease Shang Tsung when his deception grew to become clear. To that finish, it looks like he has unfinished enterprise with the sorcerer. The query now’s whether or not he’s common sufficient to get in over everybody else.
Havik
Of the various characters who by no means actually made the soar to the earlier timeline’s video video games (not together with the MKX comics), Havik has at all times felt underappreciated. Hailing from Chaosrealm, he’s an agent of chaos above all else, which performs into his erratic combating model. Who else within the reboot might declare to snap their neck after which again to revive well being? He might be an surprising wild card within the new story.
Kabal
In addition to wanting cool, there are many causes to convey again Kabal. He’s at all times had a enjoyable combating model which mixes speedy assaults and grapples together with his hook swords in superior methods. Even when he was on Kronika’s aspect all through Mortal Kombat 11, his connection to Kano might see him return within the reboot, a method or one other. Whether or not that’s a part of the Black Dragon or with Earthrealm and the aspect of excellent stays to be seen.
