Shao Kahn

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Shao Kahn
Mortal Kombat character
Shao Kahn by John Tobias
First gameMortal Kombat II (1993)
Created byEd Boon
John Tobias
Designed byJohn Tobias
Portrayed by
Various
Voiced by
Various
Motion captureBrian Glynn (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT, MKA)
Jordan Brun (MKvsDCU)
Stephan Scalabrino (MK11)
In-universe information
WeaponWar hammer

Shao Kahn is a fictional character in the

boss of Mortal Kombat II (1993), Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and its updates, and the 2011 reboot, as well as the action-adventure spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005). An amalgam of Shao Kahn and DC Comics villain Darkseid also appears as the main antagonist and final boss of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (2008) under the name Dark Kahn. A younger persona known as General Shao appears in Mortal Kombat 1
(2023).

Shao Kahn is one of the most celebrated villains in video games. Noted as a difficult boss, he has received praise for his design, in-game abilities, and mannerisms, particularly his mocking and taunting of players. The character has appeared in various media outside of the games, including as the main villain of the film Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997).

Character design and gameplay

An unmasked Shao Kahn in the Mortal Kombat II comic book by John Tobias

Shao Kahn was inspired by the

Baraka, since everyone from Outworld was originally supposed to be of Baraka's race.[4]
The idea of all inhabitants of Outworld being Tarkatan was later dropped. His identity has only appeared in Shaolin Monks and Mortal Kombat 11; with the latter revealing an inhuman, but not monstrous, face.

In MKII, Kahn was digitally resized to a taller height to make him tower over the playable characters, and was played by actor and bodybuilder Brian Glynn.

Kabal
not being able to wear a trenchcoat in Mortal Kombat 3, was that loose flowing clothing took up memory.

Shao Kahn originated as an unplayable boss character in MKII. He is fought as a boss (in most cases, the final boss) in most of his appearances, but became a player character for the first time in the home ports of MK3 as an unlockable character. He would also be playable in the home ports of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, the GameCube and PlayStation Portable versions of Mortal Kombat: Deception, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Shao Kahn also appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat 11 via DLC. In Mortal Kombat (2011), Shao Kahn is once again a non-playable boss. He is also the final boss in the beat 'em up spin-off, Shaolin Monks.

Shao Kahn's special moves consist mainly of powerful shoulder barges, magical projectiles, and attacks with his signature giant maul, the "Wrath Hammer". In some of his appearances as a boss, blocking Kahn's attacks will stun the player. Since his debut, his signature tactic has been taunting players before, during, and after rounds with such statements as "Bow to me!", "Feel the power of Shao Kahn!", and "It's official, you suck!"

Appearances

Mortal Kombat games

Shao Kahn first appears as the final boss of

Sindel so Shao can use her to mount another invasion of Earthrealm. Ignoring the Mortal Kombat's rules, Shao steals billions of souls from Earthrealm to empower himself and merge it with Outworld as well as sends extermination squads to kill Raiden
's chosen warriors, only to be defeated by Liu Kang once more.

Shao makes a cameo appearance in

Blaze
and seize his godlike power.

Shao Kahn appears as a playable character in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. After Raiden and Superman inadvertently fuse Shao Kahn and Darkseid into Dark Kahn, the former pair unite warriors from their respective dimensions to stop and separate them, with Shao being trapped in Superman's universe and imprisoned in the Phantom Zone.

Shao Kahn appears as a playable character in and the final boss of Mortal Kombat (2011). After successfully obtaining Blaze's power, he attempts to kill Raiden until the latter sends a message back to his past self to avert the events of Armageddon. In the subsequently altered timeline, when Shao mounts his invasion of Earthrealm while ignoring Mortal Kombat's rules, the enraged Elder Gods empower Raiden, allowing him to kill Shao.

A past version of Shao appears as a playable character in

Kotal Kahn and rebuild Outworld's forces until he is defeated by Kitana.[8][9] In the DLC storyline expansion Aftermath, Shang Tsung reunites Shao and Sindel to help him steal Kronika's Crown of Souls.[10] The tyrants betray Earthrealm and Outworld's forces and assist Shang Tsung in assaulting Kronika's keep until they are betrayed in turn by him.[11][12]

A new incarnation of Shao named General Shao appears as a playable character in

Quan Chi help him mount a rebellion against her, only to be foiled by her and Liu Kang.[14] Following this, Shao is arrested and replaced by Kitana, though he later escapes prison and rallies followers to help him rebel against Outworld's royalty and tame Onaga for use in his plans.[15]

Other media

Reception

Shao Kahn was nominated in

Complex ranked Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat II as the "coolest" boss in fighting game history in 2012, stating that "in the history of fighting games, no boss has ever been cooler or more exciting to lose against."[26] The GamesRadar staff described Shao Kahn as the best villain in video games, stating that "There are plenty of bad guys in the Mortal Kombat games, but the Emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn, takes the wickedness cake."[27]

In UGO's 2012 list of the top Mortal Kombat characters, Shao Kahn placed sixteenth.[28] In their retrospection listing of MK characters, UGO stated most favorite thing about him was the fact that "his speaking voice is the voice of the announcer heard throughout the series."[29] Complex placed him seventh on her 2013 list of most brutal fighters in Mortal Kombat, adding that "he was brutal not only in his strength but his cunning, too."[30] On the other hand, GamesRadar felt that Shao Kahn was more anticlimactic when compared to the subboss Kintaro as he viewed Kintaro as a more menacing character in contrast to the Emperor who was compared with He-Man in a negative fashion in terms of design.[31] When a mask of Shao Kahn was made for sale, Game Informer noticed that it was one of the few times people had the chance to see boss' true face, comparing him to a Star Trek alien.[32]

Game Informer featured him on their list of gaming's "crappiest" fathers, commenting he due to his misbehaviour with his wife Sindel and his adopted daughter Kitana.[33] The character's incarnation in the 2011 Mortal Kombat has been criticized for how hard it is to defeat him to the point of frustrating gamers;[34][35] that same year, CraveOnline included him on the list of top five "bosses you want to kill but can't".[36] The fight against Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat 3 was also noted for its difficulty; in 2013, Complex ranked it as the 23rd hardest boss battle in video games.[37] Kahn's portrayal in Mortal Kombat 11 was the subject of controversy for him referencing President Donald Trump and his slogan but under the name "Make Outworld Great Again".[38]

Mr. Rogers".[40] Den of Geek was confused by the lack of promotion for Shao Kahn in the film reboot as teases said that Shang Tsung was the actual Outworld Emperor instead, leading to speculations that both characters were combined to for one single antagonist in the film.[41]

References

  1. ^ "'Mortal Kombat 2': Martyn Ford, Desmond Chiam, Ana Thu Nguyen & Damon Herriman Join New Line Sequel". 15 June 2023.
  2. ^ "In Konversation: Mortal Kombat Online vs John Tobias - Part 1". Mortal Kombat Online. 17 September 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Staff (June 1994). "The Minds Behind Mortal Kombat II". GamePro. No. 59. p. 117.
  4. ^ GamePro 58 (May 1994), p.29.
  5. ^ GamePro 59 (June 1994), p.121.
  6. ^ "Celebrity Interview with BRIAN GLYNN aka Shao Khan from "Mortal Kombat 2" - Game On Expo 2017". Youtube. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2019). Mortal Kombat 11. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 2: Timequake (Kotal Kahn).
  8. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2019). Mortal Kombat 11. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 5: Truths Revealed (Jade).
  9. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2019). Mortal Kombat 11. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 7: Coming of Age (Kitana).
  10. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2019). Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 14: Guardian for Life (Sheeva).
  11. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2019). Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 16: Visions of Empire (Sindel & Shao Kahn).
  12. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2019). Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 17: Checkmate (Shang Tsung).
  13. ^ "Game Info". www.mortalkombat.com/.
  14. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2023). Mortal Kombat 1. Warner Bros. Level/area: Chapter 12: Queen's Gambit (Mileena).
  15. ^ NetherRealm Studios (2023). Mortal Kombat 1. Warner Bros. Level/area: Tower Mode.
  16. ^ "POP REVIEW; Heroes in Outworld, Fighting to Save the Earth - New York Times". The New York Times. 1995-09-16. Retrieved 2012-01-05.
  17. ^ Captain Coder. "Shao Kahn Action Figure Gallery". Figure Realm. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  18. ^ Couch, Aaron (2021-06-16). "Animated 'Mortal Kombat Legends' Sequel Arriving This Summer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  19. ^ Bolding, Hunter (April 17, 2023). "MEET THE NEW CHARACTERS OF 'MORTAL KOMBAT 2' [EXCLUSIVE]". That Hashtag Show. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Nintendo Power 70 (March 1995)
  21. ^ Nintendo Power 82 (March 1996)
  22. ^ Nintendo Power 85 (May 1996)
  23. ^ GamesRadar Staff (May 17, 2013). "100 best villains in video games". GamesRadar. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  24. ^ Sullivan, Lucas (14 April 2014). "Hardest fighting game bosses | GamesRadar". Gamesradar.com. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  25. ^ "Bowser voted top of 50 video game villains". Digitalspy.com. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  26. ^ "Shao Khan — 15 Of The Coolest Boss Battles Ever". Complex. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  27. ^ "The best villains in video games | GamesRadar". Gamesradar.com. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  28. ^ UGO Team (2012-02-28). "Top 50 Mortal Kombat Characters - Mortal Kombat". UGO.com. Archived from the original on 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  29. ^ UGO Team (2012-02-28). "Shao Kahn". UGO.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  30. ^ Hanuman Welch, The Most Brutal Fighters In "Mortal Kombat" Archived 2013-12-15 at the Wayback Machine, Complex.com, July 21, 2013.
  31. ^ "Top 7 Minibosses Who Were Better than The Final Boss". GamesRadar. 9 March 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  32. ^ "Shao Kahn Statue Gives a Glimpse Behind the Mask". Game Informer. May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  33. ^ "Gaming's Crappiest Fathers", Game Informer, September 09, 2010
  34. ^ Walton, Mark (2011-04-20). "Mortal Kombat Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
  35. ^ Clements, Ryan (2011-04-19). "Mortal Kombat Review". IGN.com.
  36. ^ Norris, Erik (2011-05-30). "5 Bosses You Want To Kill But Can't". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 2013-06-30. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  37. ^ Elijah Watson, The 50 Hardest Video Game Bosses (And How To Beat Them), Complex.com, July 1, 2013.
  38. ^ "Mortal Kombat 11 has a 'Make Outworld Great Again' Trump reference". Game Revolution. 23 April 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  39. ^ "Shao Kahn Always Wins". VentureBeat. 22 November 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  40. ^ "FILM REVIEW; Based on a Video Game. Need to Know More?". The New York Times. 22 November 1997. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  41. ^ "Is Shao Kahn in the Mortal Kombat Reboot?". Den of Geek. 18 February 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2023.