Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection includes an astounding 11 arcade classics for players to experience, but not all of these are fighting games from the gore-filled series. The two most recently revealed games in this collection are often discredited titles in the franchise’s history, criticized for lackluster gameplay. However, one of these titles holds great importance, introducing a classic MK boss fans would come to adore.

The two games revealed at Gamescom 2025 are Mortal Kombat Mythologies Sub-Zero and Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, two forgotten titles that often get negative reactions from fans. Despite their extremely dated gameplay, these titles are infamous classics that branch the series away from classic 2D fighting. In Mythologies‘ case, its heavy emphasis on a story helped create new ideas that still exist today.

Shinnok Appears For The First Time In MK Mythologies: Sub-Zero

The Fallen Elder God Was The Main Villain Of Mortal Kombat’s RPG Spin-Off

While a bit of a spoiler, the character Shinnok makes their debut in Mythologies Sub-Zero, marking the first time the fallen Elder God appeared in Mortal Kombat. This character was featured once again as the final boss of Mortal Kombat 4 and Mortal Kombat X, and is often considered the strongest villain in the series, next to Shao Khan and Onaga.

As the lord of the Netherrealm, Shinnok was banished to the hellscape after trying to betray his fellow Elder Gods once. When sent there, his signature Amulet of power was stripped from him, but it did not stop him from trying to influence events that shape the Mortal Kombat story.

Within the narrative of Mythologies Sub-Zero, Shinnok plays a huge role as the hidden patron Sub-Zero accidentally helps when the cryomancer steals his Amulet from the Temple of Elements. Even with all the RPG elements of this game allowing this Sub-Zero, Bi-Han, to grow incredibly strong, Shinnok is still a deadly opponent that players will smash their controllers trying to beat.

Quan-Chi Also Has Origins In This Controversial Game

Necromancer Of The Netherrealm Begins Their Schemes In An Unlikely Place

In Mythologies Sub-Zero, the original Sub-Zero named Bi-Han is tasked by the Netherrealm sorcerer Quan-Chi to find an “amulet of sentimental value” at the Temple of Elements. Unaware of the item’s true purpose, Sub-Zero passes trials of Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind to get this Amulet.

This marks the first time Quan-Chi appeared before Mortal Kombat 4, much like his master Shinnok. Quan-Chi would later become a fan-favorite fighter for his brutal fatalties, earning him a continuous spot in other games. Quan-Chi was extremely relevant in the plot of Mortal Kombat X, but also plays a prominent role in Mortal Kombat (2011) and Mortal Kombat 1‘s stories.

The plot of Mythologies Sub-Zero revolves around Sub-Zero being deceived by Quan-Chi and having to defeat Shinnok in the Netherrealm before he can escape using the Amulet. This narrative is revealed through digitized live-action cutscenes throughout the game, which can be quite funny for their cheesy acting.

Only hardcore MK fans would remember Mythologies as the place where Shinnok and Quan-Chi debuted, as the RPG title have never been considered a hidden gem. While the progression mechanics are average, the gameplay features Sub-Zero on a 2D plane, having to perform platforming and combat in a 3D space. This creates incredibly frustrating moments, so it’s no wonder fans overlook Shinnok and Quan-Chi’s game of origin.

Other Overlooked Mortal Kombat Characters Featured In Mythologies: Sub-Zero

Netherrealm Icons Weren’t The Only Ones Who Appeared For The First Time

Ironically, Mythologies Sub-Zero was also the origin point of several other characters in Mortal Kombat, albeit more obscure ones. Although players met classic faces like Raiden and Scorpion in the story, their journey across the Temple of Elements and the Netherrealm saw even more fighters appear.

Here are the other two characters who arrived in Mythologies Sub-Zero before any other Mortal Kombat game:

Sareena is a bit of a forgotten character at times, but that hasn’t stopped the Netherrealm demon from becoming popular with veteran MK players. Sareena was the only fighter Sub-Zero spared in Mythologies, landing the killing blow on Quan-Chi later in the game by betraying him. Sareena has since appeared as a Kameo assist in Mortal Kombat 1, and had NPC appearances in other MK story modes.

Meanwhile, Fujin was the brother of Raiden and a difficult boss to beat in Mythologies Sub-Zero. This character has mastery over wind, and has since used that elemental skill to become a full-fledged fighter in other MK games. Fujin was playable in Mortal Kombat 4 alongside Quan-Chi and Shinnok, but would only be playable again in Mortal Kombat 11 through its Aftermath expansion.

While by far from the best game in the series, Mythologies Sub-Zero marks a place in history for several characters that would later become fan-favorites. When Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection releases, you can see for yourself how these fighters came to exist in such a bloody universe of battle.

Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection

Systems

Released

2025

ESRB

Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

Developer(s)

Digital Eclipse

Publisher(s)

Digital Eclipse, Atari, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer

Number of Players

1-2 players

Steam Deck Compatibility

Unknown