Mortal Kombat 1: Every Character Ranked Worst To Best

1. Johnny Cage

mortal kombat scorpion kameo
NetherRealm Studios

Johnny Cage may be brash and cocky, but that doesn't change the fact the Hollywood star is a gifted martial artists. And in Mortal Kombat 1, he might be the best.

In terms of gameplay, Cage has all the classic moves, save for the energy ball. Because of the smooth controls, performing the Shadow Kick or the crotch-shot has never been this satisfying.

But what makes the Ninja Mime performer more than an all-rounder is how magnificent his move-set is, when combined with Kameos. By tagging in his teammate at the right time, JC can decimate his rival in a heartbeat.

And just to show off, Cage is the only competitor with a Hype Meter. By taunting and spamming Specials, the shade-sporting celeb can fill this gauge up. When it's full, he can cancel his opponent's moves with his own, giving him a unique advantage in battle.

To top it all off, the Van Damme-inspired fighter has never been this entertaining. Whether he's brainstorming a Cage Cinematic Universe or flirting with Edenian royalty, it's obvious his voice actor, Andrew Bowen, is having a ball.

Because Johnny Cage has played a central role in the last three main entries, the developers could've exhausted their best ideas with this entry. Instead, Cage has never been better, not just as a fighter, but in every regard.

Contributor

James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows