10 Video Game Characters Who First Appeared Sooner Than You Think

8. Noob Saibot - Mortal Kombat (1992)

Mortal Kombat's cult fave character Noob Saibot started out as a bit of a joke, his name a mash-up of the reversed surnames of the franchise's co-creators Ed Boon and John Tobias.

The character is largely accepted to have made his debut in Mortal Kombat II as a non-playable enemy who the player can battle in Goro's Lair's after winning 50 concurrent matches.

Noob's solid black appearance lent him an air of mystery that, in conjunction with his ridiculous moniker, made him popular with fans to the extent that he developed an extensive backstory and distinct aesthetic in future games.

But 2004's Mortal Kombat: Deception confirmed that Noob had actually been part of the series since the very beginning, revealing that he was actually the original Sub-Zero aka Bi-Han, who was killed by Scorpion.

For future games, the Sub-Zero mantle went to Noob's younger brother Kuai Liang, while Noob forged out an identity in his own right.

If you don't pay much attention to the wider Mortal Kombat lore - and let's be honest, most of us don't - this is a mind-blowing realisation.