Unveiling the Shocking Truth: How Mortal Kombat 1 Skillfully Conceals the Explosive MK11 Sindel Retcon

With a history spanning over three decades, the Mortal Kombat franchise has built a passionate fan base. Every fan has their own favorite character, whether it's the iconic Sub-Zero and Scorpion, lesser-known fighters, or those with fleeting appearances. This strong attachment to the characters intensifies over time, making even the smallest changes to them potentially harmful. However, reboots like Mortal Kombat 1 offer a chance to rectify any previous missteps.

The Mortal Kombat series is not unfamiliar with retcons. Throughout its existence, characters have undergone alterations to their backstories, appearances, and even their entire identities. Although less frequent in NetherRealm's newer Mortal Kombat universe, these changes still occur. One of the most glaring examples is Sindel's retcon in Mortal Kombat 11.

How Mortal Kombat 1 Will Avoid the Controversy Surrounding Sindel

In the original Mortal Kombat storyline, Sindel is a captive of the wicked Outworld emperor, Shao Kahn, without any knowledge of her past. Through mysterious visions, she learns that she was once married to King Jerrod and they had a daughter named Kitana. However, during a Mortal Kombat tournament, Shao Kahn kills Jerrod and claims his realm, Edenia. At the same time, Shao Kahn takes Kitana as his own daughter and manipulates Sindel into becoming his wife. Eventually, Sindel breaks free from Shao Kahn's control and defeats him, ultimately saving Earthrealm.

In the Mortal Kombat 2011 reboot, when Raiden resets the timeline, Sindel's whereabouts are unknown. It is strongly suggested that she had sacrificed herself long ago to protect Earthrealm by casting a powerful spell that prevented Shao Kahn from invading. However, Shao Kahn enlists Quan Chi to resurrect Sindel and enhances her strength by using a portion of Shang Tsung's soul to manipulate her. Under Quan Chi's influence, Sindel joins forces with Shao Kahn and defeats many of Earthrealm's warriors until she is eventually defeated by Nightwolf. Following her defeat, Sindel remains an undead revenant for the duration of this timeline, assisting Shinnok in his fight against Earthrealm.

In Mortal Kombat 11's Aftermath DLC, Sindel's character undergoes significant changes. Initially, she claims that she had been controlled by Quan Chi, but later, she betrays Kitana and admits to her evil intentions all along, including killing Jerrod. This sudden twist not only creates plot holes and inconsistency but also feels out of place for Sindel's established character. Fans were unhappy with this retcon, but now there is a chance for redemption with the upcoming Mortal Kombat 1 reboot. It remains uncertain if Sindel will appear in this reboot, but if she does, it is likely that she will be portrayed in a completely new way. Ultimately, the retcon from Mortal Kombat 11 is no longer relevant.

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