The Unseen Depths of Sub-Zero's Epic Journey in Mortal Kombat 1's Revamped Universe

Fans are counting down the days until the release of the next Mortal Kombat game, which marks a fresh start for the franchise. In the aftermath of the previous game's DLC, where Fire God Liu Kang emerged victorious over Kronika and Shang Tsung, he obtains the powerful Hourglass. This magical device grants Liu Kang the ability to manipulate space and time. Faced with the devastation caused by previous battles, Liu Kang decides to utilize the Hourglass to create a brand new universe, one where his friends are alive and where peace thrives. This is the backdrop for Mortal Kombat 1.

Mortal Kombat 1 will transport players back to the origins of the series, before the first Mortal Kombat tournament. Familiar names, faces, and settings will be present, but with significant changes to their backstories. One notable character undergoing transformation is Sub-Zero, although certain important life events may still remain consistent with the new timeline.

What Sub-Zero's Canon Events Could Be In Mortal Kombat 1

In the original Mortal Kombat timeline, there are two individuals who assume the persona of Sub-Zero. The first is Bi-Han, the original Sub-Zero and a member of the Lin Kuei clan. Before the original trilogy events, Quan Chi manipulates Bi-Han to hunt down and eliminate Scorpion, while simultaneously disguising as him to massacre the Shirai Ryu clan. Scorpion returns as a supernatural specter and puts an end to Bi-Han's life in the first Mortal Kombat tournament. After Bi-Han's demise, his brother Kuai Liang takes on the mantle of Sub-Zero and aligns himself with Raiden's Earthrealm warriors. Meanwhile, the Lin Kuei warrior Smoke is abducted and transformed into a cyborg by Shao Kahn's forces.

In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Kuai Liang's Sub-Zero assumes leadership of the Lin Kuei and mentors a disciple named Frost. Mortal Kombat: Deception introduces Noob Saibot as a prominent character. Sub-Zero eventually discovers that Noob Saibot is actually his resurrected brother Bi-Han, now serving as a revenant under the command of Quan Chi.

Possible Canon Events

Sub-Zero Being a Mantle

Connections to the Lin Kuei

Bi-Han's death at the hand of Scorpion

Connections to Noob Saibot

The First Mortal Kombat Tournament Events

In Mortal Kombat 2011, Raiden alters the timeline by sending a message to his past self, transporting the franchise back to the first Mortal Kombat tournament. Initially, Sub-Zero's story closely mirrors the original timeline, with Scorpion killing Bi-Han and Kuai Liang taking on the Sub-Zero persona. However, events take a different turn from here. Instead of Smoke, it is Sub-Zero who is transformed into a cyborg, and Noob Saibot appears shortly after the tournament, only to be swiftly defeated by Sub-Zero. The game ends with Sindel killing Sub-Zero, sending him to the Netherrealm. In Mortal Kombat X, Raiden resurrects Kuai Liang, and he ultimately becomes the grandmaster of the Lin Kuei.

In the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1, it appears that a similar pattern is unfolding with a new version of Sub-Zero, although significant changes are in place. This iteration of Sub-Zero is still Bi-Han, and his brother is now Scorpion. Although Kuai Liang has not been featured in the game's marketing so far, Bi-Han's fate may still be in jeopardy. In all previous timelines, Scorpion has killed Bi-Han, and this may be the canonical event in Mortal Kombat 1, presenting an even more tragic twist as they are now brothers.

Mortal Kombat 1 releases on September 19 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.