For nearly 30 years, the iconic Mortal Kombat franchise has thrilled gamers and upset parents worldwide as fighters from different dimensions confront one another in a no-holds barred martial arts tournament for the fate of their worlds. With lethal force only permitted but widely encouraged, the best selling fighting game series has introduced an ever-expanding roster of warriors from warring dimensions, often with deliriously gory results across the franchise's eleven installments.
From mystical martials and robotic ninjas to otherworldly emperors and the gods themselves, Mortal Kombat has introduced dozens of memorable characters into the fray. But while every player has their own favorite character from Liu Kang to Scorpion, each character's respective backstory and incredible abilities have led to vastly different combat strength. And while fan-favorite characters like Johnny Cage and Sonya Blade have their own impressive martial arts training and special moves to stand toe-to-toe against some of the franchise's mightiest warriors, they lack the raw power to be ranked as equals among the strongest champions in the fighting game series.
Check out the video below for a comprehensive ranking of the ten most powerful fighters in the Mortal Kombat franchise and a rundown of their respective feats in the popular fighting game series.
From Kung Lao and his extensive Shaolin training to the vast powers of NetherRealm at Shao Kahn's disposal, the Mortal Kombat franchise has plenty of fighters that can make the heavens themselves tremble. And with time travel figuring more prominently into the franchise's narrative, the mightiest warriors across all of time and space in EarthRealm and NetherRealm can fight alongside established veteran champions and more recently introduced characters as the franchise moves closer to its 30th anniversary in 2022.
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Developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Mortal Kombat 11 is available now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows and Google Stadia.