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Memorable characters were always the heart of Mortal Kombat. Sure, the fighting mechanics are engaging and the lore behind the eponymous tournament is goofy fun, but it’s the ever-expanding roster of bloodthirsty martial artists that keeps us coming back for more. And while the franchise appeared to have peaked back in 2006 with the release of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and its 62 playable characters, the series soon found a way to reinvent itself with the rise of online distribution and clever licensing deals.
From Mortal Kombat 9 onwards, the games began to offer players a chance to expand the main kast through downloadable characters from other franchises. Since then, the presence of licensed fighters has become part of MK’s identity, with players speculating about which iconic characters will show up next and rushing to recreate famous match-ups like children playing with inter-dimensional action figures.
And with the series celebrating its thirtieth anniversary, we’ve decided to come up with a list honoring six of the best DLC fighters in Mortal Kombat! After all, not all kombatants are created equal, and some characters are better suited than others when it comes to interactive carnage.
In order to keep things brief, we’ll only be featuring licensed fighters on this list, but rest assured that we also appreciate the series’ original characters. However, if you think we missed an important one, don’t forget to comment below with your own favorite fighters.
Now, onto the list…
6. Freddy Krueger (Mortal Kombat 2011)
Out of all the slasher villains that NetherRealm Studios could have conjured up for the 9th entry in the Mortal Kombat series, the child-killing Freddy Krueger was certainly an odd choice. That being said, this iconic dream demon actually started the trend of adding non-gaming characters to the series, being the first DLC fighter to come out of a horror movie franchise.
This fighter comes with a couple of caveats, as Freddy’s design had to be tweaked in order to make him more symmetrical and rights issued meant that developers had to use Jackie Earle Hayley’s likeness instead of fan favorite Robert Englund (though Englund still voices Freddy), but it’s still fun to see the character execute fatalities inspired by his iconic kills.
5. The Joker (Mortal Kombat XI)
While he’s one of the most famous killer clowns in popular culture, Joker’s status as a merchandise-selling cog in DC’s comic-book machine means that we rarely see the character fully embrace his psychotic bloodlust. Luckily for fans, the villain’s appearance in MKXI was a rare exception, with the game’s M-rating allowing the Clown Prince of Crime to finally let loose.
Not only does the Joker’s exaggerated demeanor and playful design fit right in with the series’ aesthetics, but the added violence here also makes him more fun to control than in T-rated games like Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe and the Injustice series. Plus, you can even dress him up like Cesar Romero!
4. The Predator (Mortal Kombat X)
It makes a lot of in-universe sense that the galaxy’s most dangerous hunters would volunteer for a tournament that aims to pit the realm’s most bloodthirsty killers against each other. While this spot could have easily gone to the equally iconic Xenomorph, the Predator beats H.R. Giger’s nightmarish creation because his iconic design didn’t have to be adjusted for the game!
Taking advantage of the Yautja’s penchant for brutal bloodshed and exaggerated finishing moves (as well as their Reptile-like camouflage abilities), this cross-over was a match made in fighting game heaven. It’s even more appropriate when you remember that the first MK was supposed to star Jean-Claude Van Damme, who was also meant to play the original Predator!
3. Shang Tsung / Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat XI)
The latest entry in the Mortal Kombat series boasts plenty of A-listers in its DLC, but while Robocop and Terminator are undeniable classics (especially if you’re trying to re-enact the lyrics to Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny), you’ve got to hand it to NetherRealm Studios for taking the old-school approach and bringing Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa back as Shang Tsung!
While the character himself technically isn’t licensed, Tagawa’s likeness certainly is, and his addition to the roster serves as a heartfelt acknowledgement of his iconic performance in Paul W.S. Anderson’s ridiculously fun cinematic adaptation of the franchise. It’s just too bad that Shang doesn’t come with a Lo Pan skin, as John Carpenter’s villain was the original inspiration for MK’s soul-stealing antagonist.
2. Jason Voorhees (Mortal Kombat X)
My personal preference for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise means that I want to give this spot to Leatherface, but since the chainsaw-wielding cannibal is more of a product of his toxic environment than a true cold-blooded killer, Jason Voorhees is clearly a better fit for the bloody world of Mortal Kombat!
Releasing over a year before Gun Media’s adaptation of the Friday the 13th franchise, this bit of DLC was actually Jason’s first official appearance in videogames since his days on the NES, making it one hell of a fun comeback after so many years absent from simulated homicide. You even get to use plenty of movie-inspired fatalities, including a silly nod to the sleeping bag kill!
1. Spawn (Mortal Kombat XI)
Comic-book fans have been clamoring for a faithful Spawn adaptation for decades now, and while Todd McFarlane is still promising a proper comeback for the character, NetherRealm beat him to the punch with their unexpected inclusion of Hell’s favorite soldier in Mortal Kombat XI.
Boasting hellish powers and a knack for hyper-violent feats of supernatural strength, Spawn is a perfect match for the tournament, beating out other reluctant fighters like Rambo and Robocop with his hellish abilities and design. And the best part? He’s once again voiced by the legendary Keith David, who brought the character to life in HBO’s extremely underrated Spawn the Animated Series.