Skip To...
Mortal Kombat 1 is looking to be one of the best games the franchise has seen in years. Fans are eating up each trailer released, and the latest shines a light on the ninjas. The ninjas, including the Lin Kuei, have been a major part of the franchise since the beginning. Some characters, such as Scorpion and Sub-Zero, have become icons in their own right. Other Mortal Kombat ninjas haven’t been as celebrated as they should be. For many fans, the franchise has thrown some of their favorite ninja characters to the wayside. The latest game looks to rectify that, and here are some ninjas fans are most eager to take into Kombat.
5. Reptile
Reptile is a character that appeared as a secret character in the original game. The green ninja was a color-swapped version of Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Over time, however, he has taken on a much different appearance and has become a fan-favorite character. First playable in Mortal Kombat II, Reptile is an Outworld servant with undying loyalty to Shang Tsung. The character has changed drastically over the years. He is most famously seen as a reptilian/human hybrid with an unquenchable thirst for bloodshed. Reptile was last playable in MKX, having only been a cameo in MK11.
4. Ermac
Ermac’s origins are fascinating. For years, his existence was merely a rumor. In the code for the original game, fans saw the name ERMAC. They believed a character with that name was a secret character, just like Reptile. For years, players pumped quarters into the arcade machine trying to unlock him. In reality, ERMAC stood for Error Macro, and there was no character. This changed with Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, where the character officially debuted. Ermac started as yet another color swap of other Mortal Kombat ninjas. He has since taken on his unique appearance. Ermac is a collection of souls that were killed in Outworld. He is capable of telekinesis and teleportation between realms. This fan-favorite character was last playable in MKX.
3. Jade
It is no secret that the women of Mortal Kombat are tough as nails. This is extremely evident when looking at characters such as Jade. First appearing as a secret character in Mortal Kombat II, Jade made her first playable appearance in Ultimate MK3. The character is shown to be a loyal ally and bodyguard to Princess Kitana and frequently appears alongside her. Jade is best known for her weapons of a staff and razor-edged boomerangs. Jade is always an excellent choice for those who want fast-paced fighting with an emphasis on slicing and dicing. Jade was last playable in Mortal Kombat 11.
2. Frost
As showcased in the recent Lin Kuei Mortal Kombat 1 trailer, Frost is another female character that demands respect. Despite being an ice-based character in the same clan, Frost is far more than a gender-swapped Sub-Zero. First appearing in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Frost is an arrogant yet skillful warrior. Frost was introduced as an apprentice to Sub-Zero, who eventually caught to replace him as grandmaster of the Lin Kuei. The character has plenty of ice-based attacks that differ from Sub-Zero’s, giving her a unique play style that follows her to each game. Frost did appear as an unlockable character in the last game, although she was a cyborg. This makes her the first female cyborg in the series. It looks like Frost will once again be human in MK1.
1. Smoke
When it comes to legendary Mortal Kombat ninjas, Smoke is just under Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Appearing as a secret character in Mortal Kombat 2, he made his playable debut as a cyborg in Mortal Kombat 3. Smoke is a member of the Lin Kuei whose tortured soul is trapped in the body of a cyborg. Like so many ninjas, Smoke was originally a color-swapped Scorpion. Smoke excels in stealth and speed. Like Jade, Smoke is an excellent choice for players who want to be quick on their feet. As his name suggests, he uses smoke-based attacks that lead to sneak attacks on opponents. Players who master Smoke’s abilities can catch their enemies off-guard. Ahead of his return in Mortal Kombat 1, Smoke last appeared as a playable character in Mortal Kombat 9.
