Characters That Were Cut From Mortal Kombat 11 And Nobody Noticed
Mortal Kombat 11 is upon us, and anticipation couldn't be higher. Fans of the franchise have anxiously awaited the release of the latest installment since its announcement in 2018. Mortal Kombat X brought with it a few new characters who the fanbase quickly took to. Some even became immediate fan favorites, like Cassie Cage. Some of these new characters will be making a return, some voiced by celebrities like Ronda Rousey. But just because certain fighters were included in Mortal Kombat X or previous installments, that didn't necessarily guarantee them a spot in the newest title.
Fans of Mortal Kombat 11 have been speculating over what the final roster might look like. Most fan favorites who have been a part of the Mortal Kombat world since its inception were generally considered safe, but not everyone made the cut for the latest installment. We're left to hope that NetherRealm will bring at least some of these characters back for future DLC. The official roster on the Mortal Kombat site has left a few spots locked as special content, but the lineup for the core game has been revealed, and these are the characters who we sadly won't be playing any time soon.
Ermac
Ermac is a playable character who first appeared in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Affectionately referred to as "Mac" by Johnny Cage, Ermac represents a unique fighter. Within his body reside many of the souls of those who perished in Outworld's war. Ermac often refers to himself as "we" because of the sheer number of personages living within him. And because of his many souls, he also possessed many abilities like telekinesis and teleportation. These special abilities made him a favorite pick for players everywhere.
Ermac has been a regular in the franchise since his debut and has appeared in 12 different releases in the franchise, from games to comics to mobile games. Needless to say, fans of the series are well acquainted with this character and his many souls. Because of this, players may be surprised to find that Ermac won't be appearing as part of the core cast of fighters in Mortal Kombat 11. We can only hope that all of Ermac's souls will be present in some incarnation of this new Mortal Kombat installment.
Ferra and Torr
One of the newest additions to the Mortal Kombat stable is actually a two-for-one deal. Ferra and Torr were first introduced in Mortal Kombat X as an odd couple fighting pair. While Ferra is small and agile, Torr is large and deals massive amounts of damage using his brute force. Together, the two form a symbiotic relationship somewhat reminiscent of a Big Daddy and Little Sister from BioShock. Ferra is able to catch her unsuspecting prey off guard with her quick and precise attacks, making her a force to be reckoned with all on her own. But combined with the sheer size of Torr, who can use his strength to reduce any opponent to dust, the two are formidable.
With the release of the fighting roster for Mortal Kombat 11, fans may not have noticed that the deadly duo of Ferra and Torr are mysteriously absent. Because they haven't been staples of the franchise from the very beginning, it isn't likely that their fanbase is nearly as big as a character like Johnny Cage, but their absence is still surprising. Their humorous dialogue and unique gameplay potential may see them as a future DLC option. One can only hope.
Kenshi
The Mortal Kombat games have no shortage of characters who have turned their physical weaknesses into strengths. This is where Kenshi Takahashi comes in. Even though Kenshi is unable to see, this fighter can utilize other senses and abilities to become a deadly killing machine when push comes to shove. First appearing in Ultimate Mortal Kombat in 2007, Kenshi often wields his sword Sento, which is imbued with the spirits of warrior kings from his line. Because of this, Kenshi is guided by these warrior kings during his fights. His lack of sight doesn't do much to slow him down, as he can detect those around him by utilizing his heightened senses and the guidance of Sento. Even a well-trained assassin like Sub-Zero has a hard time hiding from Kenshi in a battle.
In addition to his unique abilities, Kenshi is one of the many Mortal Kombat fighters who have started a new generation of characters. Takeda Takahashi is the son of Kenshi and Suchin. Though his mother died when he was still relatively young, Takeda has become a fierce competitor and another well-loved character of the franchise. Unfortunately, both Kenshi and Takeda are missing from the Mortal Kombat 11 fighting roster.
Kung Jin
Kung Lao has been a favorite fighter for fans of the Mortal Kombat franchise since his first appearance in Mortal Kombat 2. Because of this, it only makes sense that we'd get more back story for him in the later games. In Mortal Kombat X, Kung Jin was introduced as Kung Lao's cousin. Jin, a thief turned honorable fighter, made a big impression in his short-lived debut appearance. His ego and attitude helped him to stick out among the other fighters of the series. His proclivity toward a bow and arrow were an added bonus to the fighter's already long list of desirable attributes.
Even though Kung Jin only appeared in Mortal Kombat X, it might come as a surprise to some fans that he won't be appearing in the core Mortal Kombat 11 game as a playable character. There have been talks of Jin having a cameo in the latest installment, but given the positive reception he received in Mortal Kombat X, it's unusual that he didn't return. Though players will have another Shaolin Monk to play in the form of Jin's cousin Kung Lao, Jin's unique abilities and snarky banter will be missed.
Mileena
If there's one Mortal Kombat fighter who has a massive chip on their shoulder about their origins, it's genetic experiment Mileena. Created as a clone of Kitana using Shang Tsung's sorcery, Mileena has no love for her "sister." Of course, the bitterness that Mileena feels isn't helped by her twisted and distorted face. Because of the Tarkatan DNA inside of her, her face is dominated by a set of razor sharp teeth. And while this may be distracting for many of her opponents, Mileena uses it to her advantage. Using a combination of strength, agility, and her unique hybrid powers, Mileena has been a favorite of players since her debut in Mortal Kombat 2. Her fierce fighting style and somewhat unbalanced sanity makes her dangerous, unpredictable, and lethal.
Though Mileena's "sister" Kitana will be appearing in Mortal Kombat 11, the insane and toothier version of the fighter is nowhere to be seen in the new installment. Given how long Mileena has been a staple of the franchise, it doesn't seem likely that her story ends with Mortal Kombat X. Her exclusion from the core version of the latest title may only be temporary, with developers saving her for special DLC purposes. But even if Mileena is ultimately absent from Mortal Kombat 11, we can't imagine she's gone forever.
Quan Chi
Of the many antagonists found throughout the Mortal Kombat franchise, Quan Chi is one of the most well known. His lack of loyalty to anyone but himself has earned Quan Chi many enemies through the course of the series. Since his appearance in Mortal Kombat 4, players have found themselves stuck in a love-hate relationship with the necromancer. On the one hand, Quan Chi is incredibly powerful, and when reaching his full potential, is nearly unstoppable. But on the other hand, his villainous deeds and untrustworthiness make him an acquired taste at best.
As possibly the most powerful sorcerer in the Mortal Kombat games, it's unfortunate that Quan Chi won't be appearing in the main game for Mortal Kombat 11. Though his absence means there will be a different antagonist to focus on more fully, long-time fans of the franchise will be sad to learn of his exclusion. Given his interesting backstory and characteristics, there will be a lot of missed opportunity for character development for the sorcerer in this new title.
Reptile
Reptile has been a staple character in the Mortal Kombat series from the very beginning. Though he was a secret character in Mortal Kombat 1, he has appeared in more games than many of the characters on the new title's roster. Reptile often changes his character design, sometimes appearing in a human guise and other times adopting a true reptilian form. No matter how different his character design is, he can always be spotted by his signature green color scheme and otherworldly movements.
As a character who is always subservient to someone else and simply striving to restore his home world to its former glory, it's oddly fitting that he wouldn't appear in the initial release of Mortal Kombat 11 in favor of possibly enriching the DLC. Reptile's fanaticism towards achieving his ultimate goal of finding the last of his race makes him a unique character in that he doesn't strive for power. Despite this, he is a powerful fighter that players have grown to love. His exclusion from Mortal Kombat 11 will most likely not mean an end to his character altogether. The important role he's played in the franchise throughout the years suggests he will return. But it is possible we won't be seeing him again for quite some time.
Shinnok
Shinnok is arguably the most feared and evil being in all of the Mortal Kombat games. Though he isn't part of the core group who have been with the series since the very beginning, he has made his lasting impression since his debut in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero. Shinnok has mastered cunning and sorcery. His skills far outmatch the other sorcerers in the games, and he poses a great threat to all of the other fighters because of the boundless evil he embodies. Shinnok has been a favorite villain of Mortal Kombat fans for as long as he's been around.
While many of the other long-term staples of the franchise may be appearing in DLC as playable characters, it's possible that Shinnok will actually be absent from this game altogether in a playable capacity. Though he makes a cameo in Mortal Kombat 11, Shinnok was the main focus of Mortal Kombat X, and as such, may have had his big moment in the spotlight in that installment. While Shinnok will almost certainly appear in future Mortal Kombat games on a larger scale, the likelihood of getting him as a genuine playable character in MK11 is looking slim. Players can only hope that he'll make a surprise comeback in the near future.
Takeda
Takeda Takahashi is another one of the affectionately fan-labeled "Kombat Kids" of the Mortal Kombat series. With Kenshi as his father and Suchin as his mother, Takeda was destined to join the ranks of the Mortal Kombat roster of combatants. Unlike Cassie Cage and Jacqui Briggs, however, Takeda was not necessarily "born into" the Mortal Kombat world. Kenshi didn't actually know of Takeda's existence for many years, as his mother Suchin kept it a secret from him. But when Suchin gave her life to save her son, Takeda and Kenshi's paths became tied together.
Takeda Takahashi is a relatively new combatant on the Mortal Kombat scene, only making his first appearance in Mortal Kombat X. And while he has a cameo in the latest installment of the fighting franchise, Takeda will be absent as a playable character. Because of his relative newness in the MK universe, it's possible many long-term fans of the series won't even notice his exclusion. With the sheer number of exciting playable characters in the lineup for the newest title, developers may have felt like Takeda would have been white noise. But with the positive fan reception he received in his debut game, it is a bit disheartening to miss out on further development for him.
Nightwolf
Nightwolf was introduced in Mortal Kombat 3 as a playable character and has left a lasting impression ever since. As one of the most recognizable Native American video game characters in an industry seriously lacking in representation of indigenous peoples, Nightwolf stood out among the roster of MK fighters. Fighting strictly on the side of good, Nightwolf utilizes his spirituality to help aid him in his battles.
Because Nightwolf was only seen as an NPC in Mortal Kombat X, rather than a playable character, it shouldn't have come as much of a surprise that the fighter would be absent from the latest installment. But because of the positive impact he's had on the fandom for both his physical prowess and the marginalized group he represents, it's a pity we won't be seeing him again soon. The bows and arrows he was able to conjure using his shamanic abilities were more than useful in a fight.
Sheeva
Like many of the other characters excluded from active duty in Mortal Kombat 11, Sheeva makes a cameo in the game. Because Sheeva has been a mainstay of the franchise since MK3, it is unclear why she wouldn't be included as a fighter in the newest title. In almost every installment she's appeared in, Sheeva has been a playable character, only once appearing as solely a boss instead.
Like the other four-armed members of her race, Sheeva possesses brute strength and impressive physical prowess. Her common fighting tactics include her ability to teleport stomp and summon fireballs. But unlike Goro and Kintaro, who are also of the Shokan race, Sheeva can utilize her stomping abilities without having to first teleport, giving her a leg up on her fellow bruisers. Though she'll be making a cameo in MK11, we can only hope Sheeva will later be introduced as a playable character.
Sindel
Making her debut in Mortal Kombat 3, Sindel has long been a complex character in the fighting franchise. One of the first evil characters to ultimately turn good, Sindel does not have the characteristic snark and light manner about her that many of the other fighters possess. Because Sindel is royalty and mother to Kitana, she has long been a target for the rulers of the MK universe.
Despite her long-time appearances in the franchise, Sindel only had a cameo in MKX, in favor of Kitana who played a prominent role. But unlike Kitana, who has returned as a playable character in MK11, Sindel will be sadly absent from the new title. This exclusion is unfortunate for players who were looking forward to screaming the skin off of their opponents. There's always the possibility that her character is being saved for more important future content. With her memorable finishers and unique presence in the franchise, Sindel is likely to come back in some capacity.
Smoke
Like Reptile, Smoke was originally a secret character in the Mortal Kombat universe, appearing suddenly to offer players clues on how to find him, before disappearing once more. In his early iterations, Smoke was just a palette swap of the other ninjas in the game. But his super speed and ability to teleport make him a favorite pick for many gamers. Though Smoke's character has gone back and forth between cyborg incarnations and human appearances, the trademark smoke surrounding him has always been his distinguishing feature.
In Mortal Kombat X, Smoke appeared in two capacities: as an NPC and as a triborg variation. Because he wasn't seen in a fully playable form, it may not be a surprise to many fans that he won't be appearing in MK11. If the trend of the developers is followed, many of the characters that appear in non-playable forms in later games seem to be eventually fazed out in favor of the newer fighters. But even with his exclusion from the latest title, his staying power in the franchise suggests we haven't quite seen the end of him.
Stryker
Stryker has long been a unique player in the Mortal Kombat series. Being one of the most "mortal" fighters players can control, his abilities stand out as uniquely earthly. Stryker is a cop who uses his gun, baton, taser, and grenades in battle. While this may seem relatively boring when compared to super speed and teleportation, his weapons do give him a distinct range that most of the combatants don't possess. His character has also undergone significant design changes throughout his life in the series. Stryker has gone from a disheveled cop to something much more serious and intimidating.
Though Stryker appeared as a playable character in Mortal Kombat (2011), he was only seen as an NPC in Mortal Kombat X. Like Smoke and other fighters who didn't serve as playable characters in MKX, Stryker has been left out of the fighting roster for MK11 altogether. But like the other characters who didn't quite make the final cut, we'll more than likely see Stryker again in some capacity. Even if that capacity isn't necessarily as a playable character.