Mortal Kombat 1: Every Character Ranked Worst To Best

Being the embodiment of evil, Shang Tsung usually doesn't have much opportunity to grow as a character. But in this Story Mode, the wicked warlock has been reinvented tremendously, allowing players to see see several new sides to him.

Because of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's scene-stealing performance as Shang Tsung in MK11, it was a shame he didn't reprise the role for MK1. Luckily, Alan Lee is a worthy replacement, flawlessly capturing the sinister sorcerer's commanding presence and arrogance.

And since he serves as the central antagonist yet again, Shang Tsung was always going to be among MK1's big guns. His fireball launches in three directions, which is a nightmare to avoid. If his opponent gets caught in the crossfire, the remaining fireballs can keep them in the air, letting the maniacal magician continue his assault.

Being a shapeshifter, Shang can switch from from his youthful form to an elderly persona. Because these versions have different attacks, Shang works as two characters in one.

Young Shang has a varied range of lethal kicks, while his older counterpart can initiate some stellar combos. By switching from one to the other in mid-attack, Shang Tsung can conjure a myriad of brutal takedowns.