10 Iconic Mortal Kombat Characters Who Deserved a Legendary Spotlight
Reflecting on the Kameo system in Mortal Kombat 1, this article delves into the deserving characters who should have been included in the game's full roster
Highlights
Mortal Kombat 1 has a diverse roster of fighters that appeals to both new and long-time fans, offering plenty of variety and experimentation.
However, it is peculiar that some iconic characters like Kano, Jax, Sonya, Cyrax, and Sektor are exclusively part of Mortal Kombat 1's Kameo roster, given the game's intention to honor the franchise's 30-year history. Similarly, Goro, a well-known character in the series, is also limited to being a Kameo Fighter in Mortal Kombat 1, despite his significance and the potential for more "heavy" characters in the game. Additionally, although Sareena consistently appears in the story mode, she also only exists as a Kameo fighter.
A fighting game's success hinges on its roster. Flashy animations and satisfying mechanics can only go so far if fans don't connect with the selection of fighters. Fortunately, Mortal Kombat 1 does a good job in this aspect. Its roster includes both well-known and lesser-known characters from the franchise, providing fans with a diverse range of options.
However, Mortal Kombat 1 does have some balancing issues at the moment. The current meta dictates that players will frequently encounter Raiden, Smoke, or Scorpion in online matches. Despite this, the roster itself offers a good mix of iconic characters and those from the 3D-era, giving both new and longtime fans plenty of opportunities for experimentation.
Nevertheless, due to the roster's diversity, some staple characters from the franchise have been placed in the reboot's new Kameo Fighter system instead of having a full spot on the roster. This has caused some disappointment as some characters truly deserved a prominent place.
Mortal Kombat 1 Kameos That Should Have Made It on the Full Roster
The absence of Kano, Jax, and Sonya from Mortal Kombat 1's main roster is a noticeable oversight. Despite their inclusion in the Kameo roster, these characters are completely ignored in the game's storyline. Considering the game's intention to celebrate the franchise's 30-year history, it is peculiar that Kano and Sonya, who were original members of the 1992 MK roster, are not featured in the game to their fullest extent.
Additionally, Cyrax and Sektor, two cyber ninjas who first made their appearance in Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995, also deserved a place on Mortal Kombat 1's main roster. Although they are mentioned in the story mode, their revamped forms are never shown. It would have been enjoyable to witness Cyrax and Sektor with updated human appearances, similar to Smoke's successful transformation. Unfortunately, in Mortal Kombat 1's Kameo roster, they are relegated to their classic cyber looks.
Goro, a prominent character in the Mortal Kombat franchise since its inception in 1992, has a limited role in Mortal Kombat 1's story mode as a Kameo Fighter. Despite his status as an iconic element of the series, it is surprising that Goro did not make it onto the main roster for Mortal Kombat 1, especially considering the need for more "heavy" characters.
Similarly, Sareena, a demon working for Quan Chi, consistently appears in Mortal Kombat 1's story mode but is only included in the Kameo roster. While her moveset has made her popular, her absence from the full roster feels like a missed opportunity.
Mortal Kombat 1 is available now for PC, PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.
