The Mortal Kombat series has an illustrious history of featuring different sets of characters from various backgrounds, and Mortal Kombat 1, or MK 1 as lovingly called, is no different. The latest entry in the long-running fighting game series by NetherRealm Studios brings a brand-new take to the series. It also features many new and returning cast of characters. So, if you plan on playing the game, here are all the Mortal Kombat 1 characters and Kameo fighters you should know about.
All Mortal Kombat 1 Characters
The Mortal Kombat roster has a total of 23 characters. Most of these characters return after years of absence, while some are the series staple from day one. So if you want to play the game but not the DLC, here are all the Mortal Kombat characters from the main game:
- Ashrah: Returning from Mortal Kombat Armageddon, Ashrah is a Netherrealm demon returning to the franchise after 16 years.
- Baraka: The Tarkatan warrior known for being one of the antagonists in the original Mortal Kombat timeline has once again returned as one of the playable characters in MK 1.
- Geras: One of the timekeepers introduced in Mortal Kombat 11, Geras returns as one of the playable characters. He now serves Fire-God Liu Kang.
- Havik: Havik is a warrior of the chaos realm who returns to the franchise after Mortal Kombat Armageddon.
- Johnny Cage: The loud-mouthed Hollywood Superstar is again back in the game—this time, entirely as a bachelor and one of the Earthrealm warriors.
- Kenshi: One of the supporting characters in the story mode and one of the playable characters, the blind swordsman, is also back in the brand-new MK1, joining the list of playable character roster. This time, we get a look at a brand-new backstory for him.
- Kung Lao: One of the Shaolin Monks and a friend of Liu Kang in the original timeline, Kung Lao is one of the four warriors of Earthrealm.
- Kitana: One of the two daughters of the ruler of Outerworld, Kitana has once again returned to Mortal Kombat 1.
- Li Mei: Another returning character from Mortal Kombat 1, Li Mei is the first constable of the Sun Do police force of Ourterworld.
- Liu Kang: Previously a Shaolin Monk, Liu Kang now serves as the timekeeper and is the current fire god protecting Earthrealm in the new timeline.
- Mileena: Another daughter of the ruler of the Outerworld, Mileena is the successor to the throne and has a condition where she becomes feral and a fellow Tarkatan.
- Nitara: A vampire from the Vaeternus realm, Nitara returns to the series after her appearance in Mortal Kombat Armageddon. She now sports the likeness of the Hollywood superstar Megan Fox.
- Raiden: Originally the lightning god and the protector of Earthrealm, Raiden is now one of the Shaolin Monks, a warrior of Earthrealm, and a close friend of Kung Lao in the current timeline.
- Rain: One of the conspirators in the Outerworld, Rain has returned to the game after appearing as one of the DLC characters in MK 11. This time, he is a playable character in the base roster.
- Reiko: Reiko is another returning character from Mortal Kombat Armageddon and one of the warriors conspiring against Outerworld.
- Reptile: Returning to the game after Mortal Kombat X, Reptile is one of the characters helping Earthrealm warriors stop the conspirators of Outerworld, becoming a good guy this time.
- Scorpion: The series staple and the mascot of NetherRealm Studios, Scorpion returns to the game, this time not as an undead ghoul but as the Lin Kuei grandmaster—this one’s Kuai Liang and not Hanzo Hasashi.
- Shang Tsung: A pre-order character this time, Shang Tsung is the main conspirator trying to put the world in chaos and become the grand ruler.
- General Shao: A conspirator in the Outerworld, Shao Kahn is the general of the Outerworld forces. In the original timeline, he was the tyrannical ruler of the Outerworld and is equal parts evil in this timeline.
- Sindel: The current ruler of the Outerworld after her husband, King Jerrod’s death. She is not evil this time and is still scary to fight against.
- Smoke: One of the Lin Kuei assassins and a confidant of Kuai Liang, Smoke once again returned as a playable character in-game.
- Sub-Zero: The brother of Kuai Liang, Bi-Han, is one of the warriors of the Lin Kuei clan. This is the same character who eventually becomes the wraith Noob Saibot.
- Tanya: The leader of the Umgadi in the Outerworld, Tanya returns to Mortal Kombat 1 as a playable character in the base roster.
All MK1 DLC Characters
Like previous games, Mortal Kombat 1 also features various post-game playable DLC characters. Currently, only one season pass is out, while there is a possibility of two more season passes containing more playable characters. The current list of DLC characters featured in MK 1 are:
- Ermac: A DLC character of the game, Ermac, was created by Quan Chi in the Living Forest and serves as one of the antagonists in the game. In the main story, King Jerrod takes over Ermac’s body.
- Takeda: The son of Kenshi, in the original timeline, returns to the game as a DLC character. In the new timeline, Takeda is Kenshi’s cousin.
- Homelander: The final DLC character of season 1 pass of Mortal Kombat 1, Homelander is a psychopath superhero from the popular TV show/Comic-book series The Boys. He resembles the likeness of the Homelander actor Anthony Starr for the DLC appearance, though not his voice.
- Omni-Man: A Viltrum warrior, Omni-Man is the second guest character joining Mortal Kombat 1 as a DLC character. He appears in the comic book Invincible and its TV adaptation. JK Simmons reprises his role of voicing the character from the TV show.
- Quan Chi: An Outerworld sorcerer, Quan Chi is one of the main antagonists of Mortal Kombat 1, originally appearing in the main story.
All Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo Characters
In Mortal Kombat 1, players also choose between a roster of characters known as Kameos. The Kameo system allows them to perform combos and unique skills against opponents. It works similar to an assist system in most fighting games. As of now, here is the list of all Mortal Kombat 1 Kameo characters:
- Cyrax: Cyrax is a cybernetic Ninja who appears in Mortal Kombat 1 as a Kameo fighter. Cyrax was last playable in Mortal Kombat 9.
- Darrius: Last seen in Mortal Kombat Deception, Darrius is a fighter from the Realm of Order who appears as a Kameo fighter.
- Frost: A Lin Kuei warrior, Frost returns to Mortal Kombat 1 in her classic appearance, not as a playable character but as a Kameo fighter.
- Goro: A four-handed warrior, Goro is powerful, returning to Mortal Kombat 1 as a Kameo fighter.
- Jax Briggs: An FBI agent, Jax Briggs forms the Outer World Investigation Agency alongside Kenshi. He returns to MK1 as a Kameo fighter.
- Kano: Kano doesn’t have a fleshed-out storyline because he doesn’t technically exist in the new timeline. However, he appears in the game as a Kameo fighter.
- Kung Lao: Kung Lao also appears as a Kameo fighter in-game, using Wushu as his fighting style.
- Motaro: A warrior serving under General Shao, Motaro appears in-game as one of the Kameo fighters.
- Sareena: A demon, Sareena, reappears in the main game as one of the Kameo fighters.
- Scorpion: The Hanzo Hasashi Scorpion returns in Mortal Kombat 1, but now as a Kameo character.
- Sektor: Another Cyberninja, Sektor also returns to MK1 as a Kameo fighter.
- Shujinko: A Shaolin warrior, Shujinko returns to Mortal Kombat 1 as a Kameo fighter.
- Sonya Blade: One of the series staple characters, this time appears in MK1 as a Kameo fighter. She sports her classic outfit this time around.
- Stryker: An Earthrealm defender in the original timeline, Stryker appears in Mortal Kombat 1 as a Kameo fighter.
- Sub-Zero: The brother of Kuai Liang, Bi-Han, is one of the warriors of the Lin Kuei clan. This is the same character who eventually becomes the wraith Noob Saibot.
All MK1 DLC Kameo Characters
Like the main roster additions, Kameos gets added to Mortal Kombat 1 as DLC. Here is the list of all the currently available DLC Kameo Fighters in MK 1:
- Tremor: A warrior ninja with a hardened body, Tremeor joined MK 1 as the first DLC Kameo fighter.
- Janet Cage: A gender-bent female version of Johnny Cage from a different timeline, Janet Cage is one of the available Kameo fighters in Mortal Kombat 1 as a DLC.
- Mavedo: A crime lord who first appeared in Deadly Alliance, Mavedo returned to the franchise with Mortal Kombat 1 as a DLC Kameo fighter.
- Khameleon: Originally a secret character in the Nintendo 64 version of the MK trilogy, Khameleon returned to the franchise as a DLC Kameo fighter.
- Ferra: One half of Ferra and Torr, Ferra appears in Mortal Kombat 1 as a Kameo fighter.
And these are all the Mortal Kombat 1 characters you should know about. Each has a unique move-set thereby giving you different ways to defeat your opponent. So which is our favorite fighter? Let us know in the comments below!
