We’re hopping back in time as the series undergoes a puzzling yet intriguing reboot. Mortal Kombat 1 – and yes, you read that correctly – will hit the reset button on the timeline we’ve come to know, serving us a fresh take on our favourite characters. Let’s delve into the Mortal Kombat 1 characters that’s been revealed to date.
Related: Weirdest Mortal Kombat Characters of All Time
Mortal Kombat 1 Characters – Full Roster
Let’s rewind a bit. As we uncovered in our previous in-depth guide, Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t just a sequel – it’s a thorough reimagining. We’re scrapping the storylines we’ve followed over recent instalments in favour of a clean slate, and the catalyst is none other than the epic conclusion of Mortal Kombat 11.
Liu Kang, having ascended to his Fire God form with the help of Raiden, vanquished Kronika in Mortal Kombat 11’s final act. Now, he’s got a peaceful new reality in his sights, and resetting the timeline is step one. Enter the principal narrative of Mortal Kombat 1, a fresh tale featuring reimagined versions of the characters we’ve grown to cherish.
Let’s take a look at the confirmed characters for Mortal Kombat 1 so far:
- Liu Kang (Fire God)
- Raiden (Mortal)
- Kung Lao (Probably Great One)
- Kitana (Princess)
- Mileena (Princess)
- Scorpion (Classic)
- Sub-Zero (Classic)
- Shang Tsung (Young)
Interestingly, while Johnny Cage is confirmed for Mortal Kombat 1, he didn’t nab any screen time in the trailer. It leaves us mulling over how the other characters, whose tales aren’t so extraordinary, will fit into Liu Kang’s revamped timeline.
Related: All Street Fighter 6 Female Characters
Mortal Kombat 1 – Liu Kang
Fresh from his triumph in Mortal Kombat 11, Liu Kang is at the zenith of his powers, now having assumed the potent Fire God form. As with all power, it’s the application that matters, and Liu Kang aims for peace, channelling his abilities for the greater good. From the hints teased in the trailer, it appears he sets about resetting the timeline, dreaming of a peaceful reality.
But in the unpredictable universe of Mortal Kombat, things rarely go as planned. Despite Liu Kang’s best intentions, it seems he may not quite get the tranquil reality he’s hoping for.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Raiden
Raiden – the Eternal Thunder God – has long been a mainstay of the Mortal Kombat series. Even those unfamiliar with the gaming universe might recognise him, probably due to his iconic hat or his command over electricity. However, it seems the winds of change are afoot for our electrifying deity in Mortal Kombat 1. We’re introduced to a decidedly more ‘Mortal’ Raiden in the new game, a far cry from his usual omnipotent persona.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Kung Lao
Kung Lao is best known as Liu Kang’s brother-like friend, a formidable fighter, and someone who sees Raiden as a fatherly figure. Over the years, we’ve seen him take on multiple avatars across the different narratives, always bringing a fresh twist to the series. In Mortal Kombat 1, the hints seem to suggest that we might be welcoming the Great Kung Lao to the fray. And, of course, there’s his showdown with Shang Tsung – a landmark moment in Mortal Kombat history that never fails to thrill.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Kitana
It may appear rather simple on the surface, the sibling saga of Kitana and Mileena, but it never fails to captivate us, does it? Princess Kitana, the emblem of virtue, takes her rightful place in the trailer, captivating in her signature blue attire. Although her narrative arc with her sibling is cloaked in mystery at this point, let’s not forget the pivotal role she played in aiding Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat 11’s grand finale. Hats off to the princess.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Mileena
Mileena stands as the polar opposite to Kitana. She’s Kitana’s rather nasty sister, always exuding a touch of malevolence and a good deal of brute force. As a result of Shang Tsung’s rather dodgy genetic meddling, she’s got a bit of a green eye towards Kitana. Underneath her mask, she sports a monstrous set of gnashers that make her a proper terror. Her fatalities are stuff of pub legend, often involving the grisly act of gobbling up her opponents. But here’s the kicker – the trailer depicts a rare serene moment between her and Kitana.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Scorpion
Right, here’s a jolly welcome back to the series’ most legendary lad. Scorpion – who’s cropped up in every game and film of Mortal Kombat – is set to grace MK1 as well. In the classic tale, he’s propelled back to Earth from the pits of hell, all fuelled by a thirst for revenge. We’re in the dark about how his relations with Sub-Zero will pan out in the new game, mind. Still, it seems like they might have to put their little squabble on the back burner for a bit.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Sub-Zero
While Scorpion sports the flames of hell in his peepers, Sub-Zero’s every breath is a blast of icy chill that could quell that blaze. You’re already familiar with his swift and lethal assaults. The intriguing bit about Sub-Zero is his typical portrayal as an unfeeling automaton. Yet, as we’ve glimpsed in the trailer for Mortal Kombat 1, there could be a shift on the horizon. It seems he’s poised to stand, shoulder to shoulder, with his lifelong adversary against Shang Tsung.
Mortal Kombat 1 – Shang Tsung
Shang Tsung, a legendary rascal if there ever was one, is gearing up for another run in Mortal Kombat 1. Those who dabbled with the Aftermath expansion pack will recall things didn’t exactly pan out in his favour. Yet, it appears the new timeline reset hasn’t dashed his spirit. He’s set to spar with Liu Kang again, this time in a more youthful, and arguably mightier, form.
Related: All Street Fighter 6 Male Characters
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Mortal Kombat 1 Release Date?
Mortal Kombat 1 is set to land on the 19th of September, 2023. Following the timeline reset in the 11th game’s finale, we’ll be diving into fresh tales of our well-loved characters. MK1 is currently being forged for the PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. Simultaneous release on all platforms is the plan, with PC gamers able to get their mitts on it through Steam and Epic Games Store.
When Did Mortal Kombat Series Start?
Wind the clock back to 1992, and you’ve got the original Mortal Kombat’s debut. If today we’re talking about MK as one of the top-notch game series ever, the first game truly deserves a tip of the hat. With a roster of seven playable characters – some of whom are making a comeback in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) – the likes of Liu Kang, Raiden, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Johnny Cage, Kano and Sonya Blade all had their start. Not to mention, this game first introduced us to villainous sorts like Shang Tsung and Goro.
Is Mortal Kombat 1 a Remake?
To clear any confusion, Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) isn’t simply a remake. The bods at NetherRealm Studios have confirmed that the new game is a thorough reboot. That means, post the events of the 11th game’s climax, we’re hitting the reset button on the series timeline. Although we’ll be reacquainted with familiar faces, previous game narratives won’t hold much sway. Think of the story kicking off with MK1 as a clean slate.
Author Profile
- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.