Starting off with a mere seven playable characters, the Mortal Kombat franchise debuted more than two decades ago in the arcades and has seen much change in the time since.

As a result, it seemed fitting to take a look at the best of the best from over the years, which has brought us to top 10 classical Mortal Kombat Fighters list.

10. Jax

First iteration of Jax wasn’t especially exciting, since the character looked more like a third tier WWE star in tight Lycra pants than a capable kombatant ready to go toe-to-toe with mercenaries and sorcerers alike, The Major returned in MK3 sporting his now iconic bionic arms.

Jax, out of all the characters in the series, is by far the most physical — and dangerous at close range with his signature “Gotcha” grab and backbreaker air-counter serving as two of the most satisfying moves from the original trilogy.

9. Kung Lao

Kung Lao was first introduced in Mortal Kombat II and quickly proved to be more than just the hat-wearing Liu Kang clone some gamers might have pegged at first glance.

Not only has Kung Lao continually played an integral part in the franchise’s rich fiction. He’s also been privy to a number of entertaining moves, not to mention iconic finishers.

8. Baraka

Despite Outworld’s reputation as a realm full of danger and mysterious enemies, many of the characters from that side of the portal were disappointingly human-looking.

Baraka was definitely the weirdest entry in the Mortal Kombat canon (at least up until the inclusion of cyber-ninjas in Mortal Kombat 3).

However, what the mutant lacked in good looks, he easily made up for with satisfying moves (like the shredder and blade spark).

7. Sonya Blade

While not nearly as unique as some of the other kombatants on the list, Sonya Blade is integral to some of the more interesting story-threads in the Mortal Kombat universe.

The first female character to grace the Mortal Kombat game universe, Sonya had no trouble getting many adolescent boys hot under the collar – exemplified in her iconic Kiss of Death fatality.

6. Raiden

Late-to-the-game fans of the Thunder God may not remember that in the original Mortal Kombat, Raiden was a self-centered jerk that, in his non-canon ending, invited other Gods to participate in the tournament — resulting in the end of the world.

As Boon and Co. fleshed out the story for MK II, Raiden was rebranded as the protector of the Earth Realm — a role that has played a major part in the canon story going forward.

The starring role, coupled with fun moves as well as a set of shocking fatalities, solidified Raiden’s place as one of the most memorable kombatants in the series.

5. Shang Tsung

Following the four-armed dragon hybrid Goro, Shang Tsung might have felt like an afterthought in Mortal Kombat — until he transformed into a previously defeated kombatant, stealing all of their signature moves.

The choice to give players access to the character as well as his ability to transform in Mortal Kombat II was a bold move.

Despite Shang Tsung’s limited arsenal of unique special attacks, the character still provides experienced players with a stylish way to dispatch opponents.

4. Mileena

Mileena and Kitana entered the tournament in Mortal Kombat II, doubling the amount of female fighters in the series (since Sonya was tied-up at the time).

Kitana’s fan attacks top Mileena’s reliance on the more traditional ninja-sais but what the purple-clad kombatant lacks in moves, she makes up for in disturbing style.

Throughout the series, the developers have reveled in Mileena’s Tarkatan/Human pedigree — creating one of the most disgusting-yet alluring fighting-game characters ever created, as exemplified in her upcoming/creepy Mortal Kombat fatality.

3. Smoke

Smoke debuted as a hidden fighter in Mortal Kombat II but it wasn’t until he returned as a Lin Kuei cyborg, not to mention the series’ first post-release unlockable fighter, that the character emerged as an iconic MK staple.

Many players will easily recall the satisfaction, and ease, of pulling off the character’s teleport uppercut, harpoon, roundhouse combo in their local arcade.

Smoke has gone through a number of questionable transformations in subsequent installments but, no matter what Boon and Co. do to the character, it’ll be hard to unseat Cyber Smoke as one of MK’s best.

2. Sub-Zero

Despite the fact the original Sub-Zero was killed at the hands of Scorpion in the first Mortal Kombat game, his younger brother took up his mantle, aiding in establishing Sub-Zero as one of the most exciting characters in the franchise.

Even though the character has undergone numerous physical transformations, he’s always been a consistent and worthy leading-man in the series — and utilizing his cryomancer abilities in kombat never gets old.

Not to mention, Sub-Zero remains an anti-censorship staple, with a near two-decade long legacy of not just facing off against Outworld threats, but outraged parent groups as well – as a result of the character’s infamous Spine Rip fatality.

1. Scorpion

Throughout the years, the Mortal Kombat franchise has never suffered from a shortage of ninja assassins.

Subsequently, it’s easy to forget that originally Scorpion was nothing more than a color variant of Sub-Zero.

However, despite his humble beginnings, Scorpion has not only become the most recognizable character in the series — he also sports some of the most iconic attacks as well as fatalities. 

Throughout the nine Mortal Kombat installments, the character has offered some of the most engaging story chapters in the overarching canon.

(source:gamerant.com)