10 Best Mortal Kombat Villains EVER

When NetherRealm Studios announced an expansion for MK11, some gamers were worried it would just be more of the same.

But not only did MK11 Aftermath reward players with more playable characters and a new campaign, the developers brought back the series' original adversary, Shang Tsung. In his ten thousand years of living, the wicked warlock seems to have accumulated every devious trait one person can have. He's conniving, smug, duplicitous, ruthless, psychotic, and egomaniacal.

He could come across as a dull character if he wasn't also calm, charismatic, articulate, and composed. And when Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa was brought back to portray the soul-stealing sorcerer in MK11, it made players realise why Shang Tsung is the best villain in the series.

Tagawa is so delightfully smarmy with every word he utters, you can't help but be won over by his performance. He plays up the camp just the right amount without turning the character into a pantomime villain. Even though he is theatrical, the player will still perceive him as genuine threat.

Despite meeting his maker in Aftermath's conclusion, death has little meaning in the series and fans will be eager to see Shang Tsung return in future instalments.