Mortal Kombat 11 Characters That Shouldn't Return in MK 12

Nov 27, 2023

With the next Mortal Kombat on the horizon, some of Mortal Kombat 11's lackluster fighters would be better off not making it into the next game.

Mortal Kombat 11 featured a slew of newcomers to its roster by the time of its final Ultimate edition, but not all of them have been well-received by fans of the series. While the plethora of guest characters have been a major selling point for the title, the original characters that were introduced ended up paling in comparison to the classic fighters. Even some long awaited returning characters turned out to be disappointments for fans in the end. With the next Mortal Kombat apparently set to once again reboot the franchise, several fighters from the roster of Mortal Kombat 11 likely won't make the cut.

There was a greater emphasis placed on story in Mortal Kombat 11 compared to some other modern fighting games, but the characters central to this aspect of the game have become less than fan favorites. Cetrion, Kollector, and Geras all made their debuts in the game, but their support from fans comes nowhere near that of the franchise regulars. Whether it be their relatively generic designs, or just the fact that they fail to stick out from the already impressive Mortal Kombat 11 roster, the newcomers would all need to massively shake it up to rise to the top of the next entry.

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It might seem harsh to part with several characters after only one appearance, but NetherRealm is no stranger to leaving fighters behind. The disappearance of the experimental Ferra/Torr shows that the studio will move on from a concept that isn't working. Fighters like Takeda Takahashi and Kung Jin might be more worthwhile than Cetrion or Kollector in any form. With the time theme of the new Mortal Kombat game becoming more apparent, it's likely Geras will return. Without an update to make him more memorable, however, he’ll probably remain a controversial character.

While many new fighters that made their debut in Mortal Kombat 11 became fan favorites, those were essentially all guest characters from third party franchises. Due to the trouble associated with the licensed nature of the guest fighters, almost all of them are unlikely to return and bound to be replaced by new guest characters for Mortal Kombat 12. This is unfortunate for fans of these guests, but some players would rather Mortal Kombat focus on emphasizing the original characters instead of relying on outside talent. The cool factor of pitting Robocop up against the Terminator is undeniable, but the identity of Mortal Kombat is more than just big names.

To truly offer a stacked roster that fans will love in Mortal Kombat 12, some of the disappointing kombatants from the most recent entry shouldn't make the trip. Characters like Kotal Kahn and Erron Black have already had two games to capture the same level of fan attention as their predecessors, instead seeming consistently undercooked in their execution. Furthermore, while many old school Mortal Kombat fans likely awaited the return of the classic fighter Frost, her totally re-imagined incarnation in Mortal Kombat 11 proved to be divisive.

Despite the fact that the Mortal Kombat 11 roster turned out to be a slight disappointment in terms of newcomers and re-imaginings, the love fans have for their classic favorites still overshadows these creative detours. The return of fan favorites like Ermac and Reptile would be welcome, and legacy side characters such as Kintaro and Motaro already come with plenty of room for experimentation. By focusing on bringing the best out of the classic favorites of Mortal Kombat's cast and their descendants, NetherRealm Studios can offer a truly streamlined experience in the upcoming reboot.

The next Mortal Kombat is in development.

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Cameron Lucas is a video game writer with a passion for recognizing those who bring their wildest visions to life. After years of perfecting his craft, he has developed the knowledge to create truly engaging and memorable experiences for several media platforms.With experience in design and programming, Cameron has a deeper understanding of many facets of the industry. That's why his takes can be relied on for their well-informed quality. With his background, he knows he can provide a unique and valuable perspective to any team.When it comes to working with others, he's a true collaborator who's always down to brainstorm new ideas and approaches. Whether it's discussing what goes into crafting complex game mechanics or weaving captivating storylines, he's up for any challenge that comes his way.So, if you're looking for someone who is dedicated, creative, and slightly quirky with a penchant for snark, then look no further.