Experts Rank Every Mortal Kombat Guest Character

Mortal Kombat has never held back from being the controversial arcade fighter. Decades later, the franchise continues to evolve into a cultural phenomenon that transcends the boundaries of gaming. With each installment dropping new fighters, guest appearances from movies, comics and other video games continue to bring fresh blood to the bloodstained arena. From brooding anti-heroes to movie slashers, here’s a nod to every Mortal Kombat guest character  — no bias, just brutal honesty.

1. Conan the Barbarian

Conan from Cimmeria debuted as the second Mortal Kombat 1 guest character premiering in Kombat Pack 2. His sole mission is to annihilate the antagonistic warlord Thulsa Doom to avenge his slain parents and enslavement.

In MK1, Conan is portrayed as an early version of Arnold Schwarzenegger and voiced by Chris Cox. The hulk of a man is a faithful depiction of Robert E. Howard’s pulp narratives — truly a natural Mortal Kombat fit.

Favored by God Crom, the legend’s barbaric aesthetic, raw power, surprising agility and supernatural abilities make him one of the most formidable combatants ever to tread the battlefields. Conan brings superhuman might and brute force to the Mortal Kombat universe, appealing to diverse playstyles. His Kameo attacks, brutal finishers and fatal Cleave Of Doom — ever so often alongside his muscular Aethelean sword — perfectly capture the savage nature of the character actor.

2. Freddy Krueger

From not-so-humble beginnings as a child slayer, the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” villain slashed his way into Mortal Kombat 9 as a vengeful dream demon. Freddy Krueger is the first available guest character on the Mortal Kombat DLC pack. He looks quite the same with his signature striped sweater, fedora hat and razor-sharp clawed gloves.

MK9’s Freddy kills in the dream domain as well as in real life, making him a nemesis of the emperor Shao Kahn over who gets dibs on human souls in the Earthrealm. To his dismay, the Springwood Slasher is yanked into the real world during a fight, where he is savagely beaten. He is determined to kill Shao and find his way back to dreamland, where he’s stronger. His darkly humorous personality, teleportation abilities and extended reach mesh perfectly with Mortal Kombat’s style, creating unique gameplay opportunities.

3. Ghostface

Billy Loomis terrorizes MK1 residents of Earthrealm in his signature stalker persona, Ghostface. He’s a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant, adept with firearms and knives and possesses some uniquely insane stalking prowess. To compensate, he teams up with Kobra and Kira, members of the Black Dragon clan, wreaking havoc on victims.

The trio dress up in the same black robe and ghastly white mask. Their calculating nature, ruthlessness, terrifyingly deceptive mind games, agility and cinematic flair make Ghostface a deadly fighting choice.

4. Homelander

From the hit series The Boys, Homelander appears in Mortal Kombat 1 through a portal opened by Titan Shang Tsung in the Outworld. In an era where superheroes and anti-heroes have blurred the lines between right and wrong, Homelander brings an aura of menace to the franchise that very few can match.

The mightiest of all “Supes,” Homelander’s moral ambiguity and ruthless methods make him an unpredictable and formidable opponent. He is the embodiment of power corrupted by unchecked authority and an insatiable lust for power. His abilities include a range of superhuman moves, from devastating energy blasts to powerful aerial assaults, balancing raw power with calculated precision.

5. John Rambo

Sylvester Stallone’s war veteran made a surprisingly effective Mortal Kombat 11 guest character. Expected to be a gimmick, Rambo turned out to be a tactical nightmare.

MK11 gave him traps, guerrilla warfare tactics, parries and brutal knife work that created space and chaos. Add in Sylvester Stallone’s iconic voice acting and a serious dedication to his cinematic roots, and you’ve got a character that delivered in every way. Rambo’s grit and adaptability make him more than just a novelty.

6. The Joker

No list of Mortal Kombat fighting characters would be complete without The Clown Prince of Crime. The Joker’s smooth transition from Gotham City to the brutal Mortal Kombat 11 battlegrounds is as unexpected as it is electrifying. His range of tools and deadly setups gave him a unique edge.

Welding his infamous persona with the game’s unforgiving nature, The Joker’s unpredictable style and lethal finishing moves inject humor into otherwise grim combat scenarios. His moveset includes a mix of acrobatics, improvised weapons and deceptive maneuvers that leave his opponents reeling. From his manic laughter to his signature weaponized gimmicks, this trickster embodies the unpredictable danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

7. Jason Voorhees

The Friday the 13th slasher brought Jason Voorhees’s unstoppable nature to Mortal Kombat X with a mechanically unique implementation. He has the ability to resurrect once per match, coming back stronger after being defeated. Jason’s walk speed, throws and brutal machete slashes give him a menacing pace that makes you feel the horror — literally — brilliantly capturing the essence of the character who refuses to stay dead.

8. Kratos

Kratos brought his Spartan rage to Mortal Kombat 9 in a PS3-exclusive appearance, making him a formidable opponent without breaking competitive play. With blades swinging, magic abilities that felt straight out of God of War, brutal combos and godly power, Kratos is the true depiction of the ideal MK guest character.

9. Leatherface

The only fully human slasher guest character, Leatherface, wields a chainsaw like a maniac in MKX. The cannibalistic serial killer from “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is a natural fit — thanks to his gruesome aesthetic. The horror element is on-brand. His butcher background, savage tactics and Fatalities capture the character’s disturbing essence.

10. Omni-Man

Also known as Nolan, Omni-Man stormed MK1 with flying grabs, invincible pressure tools and next-level brutality following an invitation from Titan Shang Tsung. Omni-Man’s character is complex, combining the qualities of a super-powered enforcer tarnished by dark undertones of betrayal and ambition. Borrowing moves straight from Invincible — like the infamous Trained Killer and Like Putty signature fatalities — he’s the kind of character who doesn’t just win rounds — he humiliates, too.

11. Peacemaker

While he may not have the same long-standing history as other icons on this list, Peacemaker’s entry into Mortal Kombat is a refreshing addition to the pantheon. Peacemaker’s move from his stand-alone adventures to the brutal arenas of Mortal Kombat has been met with enthusiastic approval.

John Cena’s portrayal of the ultraviolent “hero” from The Suicide Squad and HBO’s Peacemaker series translated perfectly into MK1’s Outworld. Cena lends both his likeness and voice to the character, making the guest character super authentic. Peacemaker’s fatalities — including one where he dances over his opponent’s body to his theme song — perfectly capture the guest actor’s disturbing mix of violence and humor.

12. Robocop

RoboCop’s arrival in MK11 is a nostalgic treat for 80s action fans. Complete with Peter Weller returning to voice the character, Robocop’s skill set emphasizes precision, strength and a tactical approach to combat. His combination of mechanical power and human intuition allows him to deliver devastating blows, even without his Auto 9. The cyborg cop is a quintessential nod to retro and modern fighter fans, bridging the gap between futuristic technology and heroism.

13. Spawn

Todd McFarlane’s hellspawn anti-hero deserves a spot among Mortal Kombat guest characters — and rightfully so. Spawn was one of the most requested guests, most citing he has a mystique that perfectly complements the dark Mortal Kombat universe.

Spawn looked and played like a dream in MK11, with Keith David returning to voice the character. With his supernatural abilities, chains and iconic cape, Spawn delivers flashy combos, chain grabs and stylish projectile work that are lethal to victims. His intro quotes and fatalities were chef’s kiss material. If you weren’t a Spawn fan before MK11, you’ll probably become one should you choose to play him.

14. Predator

As one of the most formidable video game additions, Predator’s presence brings a primal, almost otherworldly intensity to the game. Originally from the sci-fi horror series, this evolved alien is hailed for its advanced weaponry, stealth tactics and unparalleled tracking abilities. His fearsome appearance and methodical approach ensure every encounter with him is charged with tension and raw aggression.

Predator’s moveset is built around the concept of the hunt. His attacks are calculated and relentless, using a combination of high-tech gadgets and primal ferocity. Whether he’s launching a spear attack or using cloaking devices to confuse his opponents, Predator’s fighting style is both innovative and brutally effective. A constant reminder that sometimes the most dangerous fighter is the one who hunts you down methodically.

15. T-1000

The liquid metal cybernetic antagonist from the Terminator series made its first appearance in MK1 as the last available Kombat Pack 2 guest character. The shapeshifting liquid-metal machine is a ruthless killer whose sole mission is to eliminate targets. T-1000’s ability to imitate appearances, mould into bladed weapons on will, extensive knowledge of firearms and vehicles and Robert Patrick’s likeness, lean into what makes the character a genre-defining fighter.

16. Terminator

Few characters can claim the same legendary status as the Terminator. With a legacy built on decades of blockbuster films, the Terminator is a perfect example of how cinematic power meets gaming innovation. Arnie’s likeness elevates the experience, and the in-game design is a match for both lore and competitive needs.

As one of the standout Mortal Kombat 11 guest characters, the Terminator’s moves emphasize precision and raw power. His robotic efficiency translates into devastating combos and bone-crushing fatalities. Players can utilize his endoskeleton strength to overpower even the most skilled opponents — a testament to the unstoppable nature of this character.

17. Alien

When it comes to truly terrifying guest characters, few can match the sheer horror and unpredictability of Alien. Inspired by one of the scariest classic sci-fi horror franchises, his adaptation for MKX was a masterful blend of science fiction and brutal martial artistry.

The Xenomorph, with its otherworldly design, deadly biology and inherited traits from a Tarkatan patrol leader, gives the creature a spine-chilling twist. Every aspect of Alien — from its slithering movements to its acid-blood attacks — is designed to unsettle and overwhelm opponents. Here’s to one of the most uniquely terrifying entries in the Mortal Kombat DLC library.

The Legacy Goes On

Mortal Kombat’s guest characters have evolved from novelty additions to essential parts of the franchise’s identity. These crossover fighters push boundaries while paying homage to the characters and properties that share its DNA. As Mortal Kombat continues to evolve, these guest appearances have become some of the most anticipated reveals for each new installment, proving that sometimes the most exciting kombatants are the ones we never expected to see in the tournament.