History MythologyGag / MortalKombat1

** Sub-Zero and Nitara have their default costumes from ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Deadly Alliance]]'' while Scorpion gets his skull-headed alternate design from the same game.

* Some intros mention that Rain's replacement as Outworld's High Mage is named Dorfen. The name is anagram of "Forden," which is a reference to longtime MK composer Dan Forden. Also a reference to Noob's Dorfen- an arena from ''3''.

* An intro between Liu Kang and Tanya contain [[StealthPun Stealth Puns]] references to the creators of the franchise:

* Kano is modelled after his ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1992'' self, and his Fatality is his klassic "Heart Rip" Fatality from that game.
* Sonya's default appearance is also modeled after her '92 self, with her Fatality being her klassic "Kiss of Death" Fatality from that game. She also has an unlockable outfit based on her ''VideoGame/MortalKombat3'' appearance.

** She utilizes a [[OffWithHisHead head-removing uppercut]] similar to Johnny's klassic Fatality from ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1992''. She does this for both her Fatality and one of her Brutalities.

* Shang Tsung's old man disguise in the prologue of Story Mode is a play on his original elderly appearance in the first game.
* Johnny Cage has fought Goro during the cut scenes of several chapters, referencing their rivalry since ''Film/MortalKombatTheMovie''.

** After his wife leaves him, Johnny mutters to himself "How do you like that, Mr. A-List?", the same words Jax said to him after beating him in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9''. It's also the name of the chapter where this reference takes place.

** In the [[ComicBook/{{MortalKombat}} comic book prequel]] to the first ''Mortal Kombat'', Johnny Cage's profile refers to him being divorced from a woman named Cindy Ford. Despite the questionable canonicity of the comic book material, a similar event does happen in Cage's chapter.

** During the dinner, Raiden asks Liu Kang what he sees in Johnny Cage, to which he responds "He is a hero, though he may not yet know it." This is the same answer Liu Kang himself got from Lord Raiden [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 in the previous timeline.]]

** Shang Tsung having Quan Chi as his Kameo character is yet another reference to ''Deadly Alliance''.

** When Liu Kang explains to Titan Kitana about other Keepers of Time, he brought up [[WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsSnowBlind Kano as an example]].

** If your character happens to face the Guard of Thunder (a Li Mei/Raiden fusion), she has a chance of saying "No mercy will be shown, no quarter given." This is a mirror of Dark Raiden's speech towards Netherrealm emperors Liu Kang and Kitana in TheStinger of ''X''.

* An intro between Liu Kang and Kenshi has the latter name-dropping Suchin, Kenshi's lover in [[VideoGame/MortalKombatX the NRS rebooted timelime]], first mentioned in the ''X'' comic book.

* An intro between Ashrah and Smoke has her mentioning that another demon is an enenra, which possessed Smoke in another timeline and granted him his paranormal abilities.
* Upon seeing Reptile turn invisible in the story, Johnny compares him to former GuestFighter Predator. Funny enough, in one of their intros against each other, Johnny references showing Reptile [[Film/{{Predator}} the first movie]], only for Reptile to [[TooSpicyForYogSothoth be scared shitless watching it]].

* Kung Lao flirts with Ashrah in one intro, which gets referenced in a second that calls back to ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'' and humorously puts the shoe on the other foot.

* In an intro between Scorpion and Baraka, Baraka mentions his martial arts style was taught to him by Asgaarth, the Edenian bird man from ''[[WesternAnimation/MortalKombatDefendersOfTheRealm Defenders of The Realm]]''.

-->'''Shang Tsung''': I had hoped out alliance would be more... ''deadly''.\\
'''Quan Chi''': All in good time, Shang Tsung.
* One Liu Kang mirror match intro has the other Liu Kang mention that [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker an evil clown]] tricked him into taking his lover Kitana's life, referencing the events of ''Injustice: Gods Among Us''.
-->'''Liu Kang 1''': What happened to your Kitana?\\
'''Liu Kang 2''': [[VideoGame/InjusticeGodsAmongUs An evil clown tricked me into taking her life.]]

** After his wife leaves him, Johnny mutters to himself "How do you like that, Mr. A-List?" The same words Jax said to him after beating him in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9''.

* An intro between Ashrah and Smoke has the latter say his pre-battle quote from ''9''. This line was also used for his reveal in the "Official Lin Kuei Trailer".

* One of Geras's Brutalities involves him creating a large hammer and repeatedly smashing it into his opponent's skull until it bursts. This is what Shao Kahn did to him in ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat11 Aftermath]]''.

* The first part of Baraka's "Split Decision" Fatality is a rendition of his klassic "Blade Lift" Fatality from ''[=MK2=]'', where he stabs the opponent through the gut with his blades and hoists them into the air.
* Kitana's "Last Kiss" Fatality is the latest rendition of her recurring "Kiss of Death" Fatality from ''[=MK2=]'', where she kisses the opponent before the opponent dies painfully. Whereas the opponent exploded in previous versions (more often than not after their body proportions were altered in some way), here the opponent melts from within.

* Some of Sub-Zero's combat strings have him create an ice mace in the shape of a skull and spine, using them in a way almost identical to his ''[=MK9=]'' Fatality, "Spinal Smash".

** After Johnny expresses interest in adapting Peacemaker's life story, Peacemaker floats the idea of [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall making it a streaming series.]]

*** She autographs a picture of herself as part of her Fatal Blow and victory animation, a reference to Johnny's Friendship in ''2'' and ''Trilogy''.

* Kameo Sub-Zero's outfit is simply a palette swap of Kameo Scorpion's, as was tradition in the klassic games. The shade of blue in his outfit is closer to Sub-Zero's ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologies Mythologies]]'' appearance, however. His Fatality is his klassic "Spine Rip" Fatality, with extra flair in the form of freezing the opponent's neck before ripping off their head.

* Ermac has a Brutality that's based on his "Telekinetic Slams" Fatality in ''[=UMK3=]'', where he telekinetically lifts the opponent up and repeated slams them into the ground until they explode.

* Smoke's backstory is much like Scorpion's original as the last member of a group killed by the Lin Kuei, though Smoke's differs in that he was taken in as penance for the deaths. Smoke was originally a PaletteSwap MovesetClone of Scorpion back in ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII''.

*** Janet Cage, the Johnny Cage DistaffCounterpart, wears a gender-flipped version of Johnny's trademark appearance from ''2'' to ''4''; the more feminine aspects of this outfit appear to be based on Sonya's ''[=MK3=]'' attire. The red in her attire is not only there to show that she's evil, but also to reference Johnny's usual Player 2 palette colors for the klassic games. A GoodCounterpart (complete with a blue palette) is also present for the Goro-Shao cutscene fight, a would later become a DLC Kameo Fighter.

** She has the same Shadow abilities of Johnny's previous counterparts, green glow and all.[[note]]The New Era Johnny Cage can still use Shadow Kick, but he doesn't have the Shadow power coursing through his veins as in previous timelines. As such, the trail on his Shadow Kick is more indicative of kinetic force than a special power.[[/note]] This also means that she can use the Forceball special move.

** The fusions your selected character fights across the chapter:

** Jax has a Brutality that ends with him ripping the opponent's arms off, based on his klassic "Arm Rip" Fatality from ''2''.

* Kameo Sub-Zero's outfit is simply a palette swap of Kameo Scorpion's, as was tradition in the klassic games. His Fatality is his klassic "Spine Rip" Fatality, with extra flair in the form of freezing the opponent's neck before ripping off their head.

** She has a bob hairstyle, which is similar to the style Tanya used in previous timelines. Both of them being members of the Umgadi in this timeline notwithstanding, Khameleon could also use Tanya's abilities in ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatArmageddon Armageddon]]''.
* Janet Cage, the DistaffCounterpart of Johnny Cage from another timeline, utilises a [[OffWithHisHead head removing uppercut]] similar to his klassic fatality from ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1992''.

* Peacemaker's reveal trailer opens with him doing his goofy dance from the opening of [[Series/{{Peacemaker}} his TV show]], which also shows up in one of his victory animations.

** His "Krash and Burn" Fatality, this time demonstrated via the Creator/JeanClaudeVanDamme skin in the JCVD trailer, has him kicking his opponent through a car windshield, cutting them in half with the car door, and then making it drive away with a key fob that shouts "TOASTY!"

* One of Invasion Mode's missions in Chapter 1 is named "Look to La Luna" and you fight Reptile in it. The title is a reference to one of the clues Reptile dropped in the very first game.

* When Raiden is selected when the Johnny Cage announcer option is equipped, Johnny can call him "Kidd Thunder," a reference to the original Raiden's "favorite nephew" seen in his Friendship in ''[=MK2=]'', ''Trilogy'' and ''[=MK11=]''.

*** "Red Dragon," a Liu Kang/Kano fusion. While seemingly random, it actually references Quan Chi's ''Deadly Alliance'' ending, where Liu Kang's soul ends up inhabitating Kano's then-slain body. It's also a reference to the Black Dragon's sworn enemy clan, the Red Dragon.

-->'''Kung Lao''': ''What did you do with [[Film/JennifersBody Jen's body]]?''
-->'''Nitara''': ''Poor Kung Lao. You'll never see her again.''

-->'''Liu Kang''': ''The Umgadi's vigilance is a [[Creator/EdBoon boon]] to Outworld.''
-->'''Tanya''': ''Do you say that [[Creator/JohnTobias to bias]] me in your favor?''

--> '''Omni-Man''': ''Perhaps I'll keep you and your daughters as pets.''
--> '''Sindel''': ''Pets? For that, you... will die!''

* The pre-kombat dialogue between Shang Tsung and Quan Chi contains a reference to VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance:
-->'''Shang Tsung''': I had hoped out alliance would be more... ''deadly''.
-->'''Quan Chi''': All in good time, Shang Tsung.

* Quitalities this time involve a character killing themselves, which essentially feels like the return of the [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception Hara-Kiri]].

[[folder:Kameo fighters]]
* Kano is modelled after his ''VideoGame/MortalKombat1992'' self, and his Fatality is his klassic "Heart Rip" Fatality from that game.
* Sonya's default appearance is also modeled after her '92 self, with her Fatality being her klassic "Kiss of Death" Fatality from that game. She also has an unlockable outfit based on her ''VideoGame/MortalKombat3'' appearance.
* Jax has two skins, the default being his ''VideoGame/MortalKombatII'' self and an unlockable being his iconic cybernetic-armed appearance from ''[=MK3=]''. His Fatality is his "Big Foot" Fatality from ''3''.
** Jax has a Brutality that ends with him ripping the opponent's arms off, based on his klassic "Arm Rip" Fatality from ''2''.
* Kameo Scorpion is based on his ''[=MK2=]'' design. He also uses the ''2'' iteration of his "Toasty!" Fatality, complete with the victim exploding into far more femurs and ribs (including an entire intact ribcage) than there are in the human body.
* Kameo Sub-Zero's outfit is simply a palette swap of Kameo Scorpion's, as was tradition in the klassic games. His Fatality is his klassic "Spine Rip" Fatality, with extra flair in the form of freezing the opponent's neck before ripping off their head.
* Stryker is modelled after his ''[=MK3=]'' self. His Fatality is, likewise, his "Safety Vest" Fatality from that game.
** His grab involves him blinding the opponent with a flashlight and using a taser, much like his [[VideoGame/MortalKombat9 X-Ray Move]].
* Cyrax, Sektor and [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeadlyAlliance Frost]] were introduced in the "Lin Kuei" trailer, which is fitting, considering all of them were members of the clan in previous timelines.
** Frost is even based on her ''Deadly Alliance'' version rather than her [[CyberneticsEatYourSoul cyberized]] version from ''11'', although her outfit reuses the aforementioned ''[=MK2=]'' "ninja" palette swap rather than her ''Deadly Alliance'' outfit (sans the hood so you can see her [[AnimeHair trademark hair]]). Her part in a Fatal Blow is derived from Kitana's Fatal Blow from ''11''.
** Cyrax is based on his ''3'' design. His Fatality is Smoke's "Armageddon" Fatality from that game, which Cyrax later used in ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat4 Mortal Kombat Gold]]''.
** Sektor is based on his ''3'' design. His Fatality is his "Kompactor" Fatality from that game, and one of his Brutalities is based on his "Flamethrower" Fatality from the same game.
* [[VideoGame/MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero Sareena]] is here, and we get to see her demon form for the first time. She also uses a set of dual sickles in this game, similar to her use of the sickle-like kama in ''Mythologies''. The sickles could also possibly be a nod to the original Sub-Zero's new weapon of choice as Noob Saibot in ''11''. It is also possibly a reference to the Brotherhood of Shadow's weapon of choice in ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatShaolinMonks Shaolin Monks]]''.
* Goro's portion of the Fatal Blow has him ripping off the muscles of the opponent's arms. The X-Ray is very reminiscent of when he rips off Jax’s arms in ''WesternAnimation/MortalKombatLegendsScorpionsRevenge''.
* [[VideoGame/MortalKombatDeception Darrius]]'s Fatality is a rendition of his "Arms Bash" Fatality in ''Deception'', where he rips the opponent's arms off before using them to knock the opponent's head off. While it took three hits to accomplish this in the original version, it only takes two here.
* Motaro has all of his ''[=MK3=]'' boss moveset utilized (teleportation, neck grab, tail projectiles and projectile immunity).
* Shujinko has his DittoFighter schtick by copying the opponent's special moves.
* [[VideoGame/MortalKombatSpecialForces Tremor]] has his "ninja palette swap" appearance from ''Special Forces'' and ''9'' cobbled with his organic "rock man" look from ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatX X]]''. Keeping in line with the other "ninja palette swap" fighters, his outfit here uses the ''2'' design instead of the ''[=UMK3=]'' design he originally had.
** His three variations from ''X'' (Aftershock, Crystalline and Metallic) are present in the form of a StanceSystem that gives him access to different moves, such as Metallic granting him lava-based moves and Crystalline giving him the ability to craft crystal armor for his partner.
** His Fatality, where he produces a rolling rock ball, is based on one of his Brutalities from ''X''.
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