10 Most Popular Mortal Kombat Characters

Mortal Kombat has been the most popular western fighting game franchise since its debut in 1992. Developed originally by Midway Games, the franchise has been released by Netherrealm Studios since 2011.

As of the release of 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11, there have been eleven main series games (including 2008’s Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe) as well as a selection of updated version and spin-off titles.

The franchise is notable for its violence in comparison to other mainstream fighting game franchises like Street Fighter and Tekken, with characters able to dismember and kill each other in devastating ‘Fatalities’ and ‘Brutalities’. Despite this, many of the characters in Mortal Kombat continue to return time and time again for each new entry.

Mortal Kombat has 78 original characters playable through the different iterations of the franchise, as well as 11 guest characters and 11 DC characters playable in Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe. Fans have many characters which they have grown attached too over the almost 30 year history of the franchise. But as with every franchise, certain characters are more beloved than their counterparts.

Which Mortal Kombat characters reign supreme in the eyes of the fans among the host of Elder Gods and palette swapped Ninjas on offer?

First Appearance: Mortal Kombat

The Thunder God of Earthrealm, Raiden acts as the protector of Earthrealm on behalf of the Elder Gods. He has appeared in all games of the franchise except for Mortal Kombat 3; however he was later added to the updated compilation: Mortal Kombat Trilogy. Raiden is often central to the plot of the games and his unique thunder powers make him popular with fans.

It was Raiden who assigned Liu Kang the title of Champion of Earthrealm, having him participate in the first Mortal Kombat so as to halt the invasion by Outworld. He is often seen as the leader of Earthrealms heroes, gathering up the other defenders to protect them from the threats of the other realms.

Raiden is responsible for the creation of the rebooted timeline, as it is he who sends a message back through time after Shao Kahn wins the battle of Armageddon in the 2006 game Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.

Raiden has been a consistent draw to fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise since its inception, with him often being a powerful force on the roster of the games. His powerful electric attacks stand out as well as moves like his ‘Torpedo’, in which Raiden flies horizontally across the screen, slamming his opponent into the wall. The stoic thunder god often brings fans back time and again.