Mortal Kombat Characters Likely to Appear in Injustice 3

NetherRealm Studios has established a remarkable tradition of incorporating guest characters from external franchises into their fighting games over the past 14 years. This practice began in 2011 with Mortal Kombat featuring iconic figures such as God of War's Kratos and A Nightmare on Elm Street's Freddy Krueger. Since then, every subsequent Mortal Kombat and Injustice title has included at least one downloadable content fighter from different universes, creating exciting crossover opportunities for players worldwide.

The Injustice series initiated its guest character tradition with Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, marking a significant moment in crossover fighting game history. As NetherRealm potentially prepares to develop Injustice 3 following the release of Mortal Kombat 1: Definitive Edition, the studio appears likely to continue this successful pattern of featuring Mortal Kombat characters as downloadable content in the superhero fighting franchise.

Historical Precedent of Mortal Kombat Crossovers

Injustice: Gods Among Us launched in 2013 with a Season Pass system that allowed players to access all future downloadable fighters upon their official release. While the first two downloadable content fighters were Lobo and Batgirl, Scorpion's introduction as the third downloadable fighter represented a groundbreaking moment as the first guest fighter from an alternate franchise in the Injustice series. Interestingly, Scorpion's appearance wasn't directly imported from Mortal Kombat but featured a completely new design created by renowned comic book artist Jim Lee, who served as DC Comics Co-Publisher at the time. Despite the visual redesign, Scorpion maintained his iconic kunai weapon, fiery powers, and sword combat style, though he couldn't perform his signature fatalities from the Mortal Kombat series.

Scorpion's inclusion proved exceptionally successful commercially, with Hanzo Hasashi becoming the most downloaded downloadable fighter in Injustice: Gods Among Us. This success encouraged NetherRealm to expand the concept further in Injustice 2, where they included not one but two Mortal Kombat guest characters as downloadable fighters. The first Fighter Pack introduced Kuai Liang Sub-Zero alongside Red Hood and Starfire, while the second Fighter Pack featured Raiden alongside Black Manta and Dark Horse Comics' Hellboy. Both Sub-Zero and Raiden received distinctive visual redesigns from Jim Lee, maintaining the tradition established with Scorpion's appearance.

Potential Mortal Kombat Characters for Injustice 3

Given that every prior Mortal Kombat guest character in the Injustice series originated from the original 1992 Mortal Kombat arcade roster, NetherRealm will likely continue this pattern by featuring remaining members from that iconic lineup in Injustice 3. The most prominent candidate appears to be Liu Kang, the chosen one who has served as the primary protagonist throughout most Mortal Kombat narratives. Liu Kang's significance has grown exponentially in recent years, particularly since he became the literal creator of Mortal Kombat 1's modern timeline. His current status as Titan and God of Fire and Thunder provides narrative justification for his potential appearance in the Injustice universe, possibly through portal creation similar to his actions in Mortal Kombat 1's Khaos Reigns downloadable content.

Following the pattern established across previous installments—where Injustice featured one Mortal Kombat character and Injustice 2 featured two—NetherRealm might expand to three Mortal Kombat guest fighters in Injustice 3. If Liu Kang represents the first candidate, Johnny Cage emerges as a strong second possibility. The Hollywood star has gained renewed prominence through his significant roles in Mortal Kombat 1 and the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 film starring Karl Urban. Johnny Cage's flamboyant personality and unique fighting style would translate exceptionally well to the Injustice gameplay mechanics while providing comic relief amidst the typically serious superhero narrative.

For a potential third Mortal Kombat representative, the four-armed Shokan prince Goro presents an intriguing option. As the sub-boss of the original 1992 Mortal Kombat, Goro has maintained his status as one of the franchise's most iconic antagonists, appearing in both the 1995 and 2021 Mortal Kombat films alongside numerous game appearances. Goro's unique physiology and fighting style would introduce fascinating gameplay variety to Injustice 3, particularly since few prominent DC Comics characters possess four arms. His brute strength and distinctive combat approach would create fresh strategic possibilities within the game's mechanics.

Gameplay and Narrative Integration Considerations

The successful integration of Mortal Kombat characters into the Injustice universe requires careful attention to both gameplay balance and narrative coherence. Previous guest characters have demonstrated that while their core fighting styles remain recognizable, adaptations must be made to fit the Injustice combat system. For instance, fatal moves characteristic of Mortal Kombat gameplay typically undergo modification to align with the less graphic nature of the Injustice series. Additionally, narrative explanations for these cross-universe appearances have evolved in sophistication, with recent Mortal Kombat storylines involving multiversal travel providing plausible justification for character migrations between franchises.

NetherRealm's approach to character design for guest fighters has consistently involved creative reinterpretation rather than direct porting. The Jim Lee-designed versions of Scorpion, Sub-Zero, and Raiden demonstrated how Mortal Kombat characters can be visually adapted to better complement the aesthetic of the DC Universe while maintaining their essential identities. This design philosophy likely will continue with any future Mortal Kombat inclusions, potentially involving different artists but maintaining the principle of thoughtful visual integration.

Conclusion

The tradition of incorporating Mortal Kombat characters into the Injustice series has proven commercially successful and creatively rewarding for NetherRealm Studios. As development potentially advances toward Injustice 3, the pattern suggests increasing numbers of Mortal Kombat guest fighters with each installment. Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, and Goro represent compelling candidates based on their historical significance, current relevance, and potential for interesting gameplay integration. Their inclusion would honor the legacy of crossover collaborations while introducing fresh dynamics to the Injustice fighting experience. As NetherRealm continues to bridge its two flagship fighting franchises, players can anticipate increasingly innovative character exchanges that enrich both game universes while delivering the high-quality combat experiences for which the studio has become renowned.