History VideoGame / MortalKombatMythologiesSubZero

''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' is a GaidenGame BeatEmUp in the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' franchise, developed by Midway Games and released in 1997 for USA and in 1998 for Europe. Canonically, it is a {{prequel}} set before those of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1 the first game]] and, by proxy, ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9''.

Framed as an opportunity to better-explore the Lin Kuei clan and Outworld, it featured (for the time) impressive visuals and FullMotionVideo cutscenes. Sub-Zero begins with a limited moveset but unlocks new ice-based attacks as you progress. However, the ''Mortal Kombat'' controls didn't translate well to the [[PlatformHell platforming sections]], obstacle courses or enemy swarms, and ''Mythologies'' was written off as a Mulligan. Presumably we would've had more character-focused standalone games had this been a hit, but the unpopularity of this game and the even-more obnoxious ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombatSpecialForces Special Forces]]'' sort of put a damper on that idea.

It was followed by ''Special Forces'' and ''VideoGame/MortalKombatShaolinMonks''. Despite being mostly-forgotten, this game plugs a few holes in the backstory to ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'', and also helps explain how Sub-Zero started on the path to becoming Noob Saibot. For more, see [[DevelopersForesight/MortalKombat the series' Developers' Foresight page]] and [[ShoutOut/MortalKombat its Shout Out page]]

As the name implies, it stars EnsembleDarkhorse Sub-Zero in his quest to stop EvilSorcerer Quan Chi]], who wants to retrieve an amulet to would revive the GodOfEvil Shinnok. It also provided (and {{retcon}}ned) origin stories for characters who would appear in later {{Fighting Game}}s, such as the aforementioned Sub-Zero, Quan Chi, and Shinnok, as well as Sub-Zero's rival Scorpion, the wind god Fujin, and the demon [[AmazonBrigade amazons]] Sareena, Kia and Jataaka. Of course Raiden makes an obligatory appearance.

''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' is a GaidenGame BeatEmUp ib the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' franchise, developed by Midway Games and released in 1997 for USA and in 1998 for Europe. Canonically, the events of this game are set before those of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1 the first game]] (and, by proxy, ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'').

As the name implies, it features EnsembleDarkhorse Sub-Zero in his quest to stop EvilSorcerer Quan Chi]], who wants to retrieve an amulet to would revive the GodOfEvil Shinnok. It also provided (and {{retcon}}ned) origin stories for characters who would appear in later {{Fighting Game}}s, such as the aforementioned Sub-Zero, Quan Chi, and Shinnok, as well as Sub-Zero's rival Scorpion, the wind god Fujin, and the demon [[AmazonBrigade amazons]] Sareena, Kia and Jataaka. Of course Raiden makes an obligatory appearance.

It was followed by ''Special Forces'' and ''VideoGame/MortalKombatShaolinMonks''. Despite being mostly-forgotten, this game plugs a few holes in the backstory to ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'', and also helps explain how Sub-Zero started on the path to becoming Noob Saibot.

!!See also:
* [[DevelopersForesight/MortalKombat the franchise's Developers' Foresight page]]
* [[ShoutOut/MortalKombat the franchise's Shout Out page]]
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!The game provides examples of:

''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' is a BeatEmUp {{Spinoff}} of the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' FightingGame series, developed by Midway Games and released in 1997 for USA and in 1998 for Europe. Canonically, the events of this game are set before those of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat1 the first game]] (and, by proxy, ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'').

As the name implies, it features [[AnIcePerson Sub-Zero]] in his quest to stop [[EvilSorcerer Quan Chi]], who wants to retrieve an [[MacGuffin amulet]] which would revive [[GodOfEvil Shinnok]]. It also introduced (and {{retcon}}ned) several characters who would later appear in FightingGame installments such as the aforementioned Sub-Zero, Quan Chi, and Shinnok as well as Sub-Zero's rival [[KillItWithFire Scorpion]], Sub-Zero's clan Lin Kuei, and [[AmazonBrigade the demonnesses Sareena, Kia and Jataaka]]. Other characters which are featured in the game are {{Physical God}}s [[ShockAndAwe Raiden]] and [[BlowYouAway Fujin]].

This game explained a lot of the backstory in the ''Mortal Kombat'' universe, such as the Scorpion/Sub-Zero rivalry, the events which led to ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'' onward, and how Sub-Zero started on the path to [[spoiler:becoming Noob Saibot]].

{{Spinoff}}-wise, it's followed by ''VideoGame/MortalKombatSpecialForces'' and ''VideoGame/MortalKombatShaolinMonks''.

* OneWingedAngel: Shinnok after you take his amulet.

''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' is a BeatEmUp {{Spinoff}} of the ''Franchise/MortalKombat'' FightingGame series, developed by Midway Games and released in 1997 for USA and in 1998 for Europe. Canonically, the events of this game are set before those of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat the first game]]. (And, by proxy, ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'')

This game explained a lot of the backstory in the MortalKombat universe, such as the Scorpion/Sub-Zero rivalry, the events which led to ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'' onward, and how Sub-Zero started on the path to [[spoiler: becoming Noob Saibot]].

* FalseInnocenceTrick: If Sub-Zero decides to spare Hanzo!Scorpion in the first level, while imprisoned in the Netherrealm, he will meet [[spoiler:Shinnok]] in his prison cell, instead of Wraith!Scorpion. He claims that he's an unjustly imprisoned soul like Sub-Zero and notes that he's playing Raiden's "game" for the time being. His manipulation of Sub-Zero indirectly helps [[spoiler:his own escape from the Netherrealm]] [[VideoGame/MortalKombat4 several years later]].

* NintendoHard: Earth God and Prison Guard/Warden fight? Hope you can use Sub-Zero's Slide move.

* SuperDrowningSkills: Sub-Zero can't swim, as the water puzzle shows.

* FullMotionVideo: In the PS1 version, complete with [[LargeHam Large Hams]] in every {{cutscene}}, as well as HilariousOuttakes [[CreativeClosingCredits after the credits]].

''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' is a BeatEmUp {{Spinoff}} of the ''MortalKombat'' FightingGame series, developed by Midway Games and released in 1997 for USA and in 1998 for Europe. Canonically, the events of this game are set before those of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat the first game]]. (And, by proxy, ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'')

* InsistentTerminology: Quan Chi's use of the word "ninja" to refer to Sub-Zero, a Lin Kuei, specifically done as a form of mockery once he sees how it annoys him.
** To elaborate, the ninja originated from a member of the Lin Kuei who escaped to Japan and took manyy of the group's secrets with him. Sub Zero and the other Lin Kuei are pissed that what they consider a group of posers and thieves have more renown then they do.

* VideoGameCaringPotential: If you spare Sareena, [[spoiler: she'll have a HeelFaceTurn and help Sub-Zero in the battle with Quan Chi]].

** To elaborate, ninja originated from a member of the Lin Kuei who escaped to Japan and took my of the group's secrets with him. Sub Zero and the other Lin Kuei are pissed that what they consider a group of posers and thieves have more renown then they do.

* BerserkButton: Sub-Zero does not take kindly to being called a ninja by Quan Chi, he is Lin Kuei and that Scorpion (Who he just killed) was a ninja

* InsistentTerminology: Quan Chi's use of the word "ninja" to refer to Sub-Zero, a Lin Kuei, specifically done as a form of mockery once he sees it annoys him.

* FullMotionVideo: In the PS1 version, complete with LargeHams in every {{cutscene}}, as well as HilariousOuttakes [[CreativeClosingCredits after the credits]].

* NintendoHard: Earth God and Prison Guard/Warden fight? hope you can use Sub-Zero's Slide move.

* RPGElements: A small inventory. Sub-Zero can carry a determinate amount of items, and if he fills it, he needs to use or drop something in order to take the new item. This includes keys.
* SmashingHallwayTrapsOfDoom

* FalseInnocenceTrick: If Sub-Zero decides to spare Hanzo!Scorpion in the first level, while imprisoned in the Netherrealm, he will meet [[spoiler:Shinnok]] in his prison cell, instead of Wraith!Scorpion. He claims that he's an unjustly imprisoned soul like Sub-Zero and notes that he's playing Raiden's "game" for the time being. His manipulation of Sub-Zero indirectly helps [[spoiler:Shinnok's escape from the Netherrealm several years later]].

* GuideDangIt: In order to win against Fujin, you have to duck behind a short wall as he goes [[TakingYouWithMe kamikaze]]. The final battle with Shinnok is even worse, since it involves a slide and stun combination that must be timed ''perfectly''.

''Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero'' is a BeatEmUp {{Spinoff}} of the ''MortalKombat'' FightingGame series, developed by Midway Games and released in 1997 for USA and in 1998 for Europe. Canonically, the events of this game are set before those of [[VideoGame/MortalKombat the first game]]. (And, by proxy, ''MortalKombat9'')

* GuideDangIt: So ''that's'' how you defeat Fujin! The final battle with Shinnok is even worse.

* NotSoFastBucko: Huzzah! You've acquired the amulet! ...Only five levels in? Sorry guys, completion doesn't come that quickly.

* FalseInnocenceTrick: Sub-Zero ([[VideoGame/MortalKombat the elder brother]]), while imprisoned in the Netherrealm, will meet (if he decides to spare Scorpion--then Hanzo Hasashi--in the first level instead of killing him; the latter of which is canon for [[MortalKombat the series]]) [[spoiler:Shinnok]] ([[spoiler:the BigBad of this game and [[VideoGame/MortalKombat4 the fourth one]]]]) in his prison cell (instead of the now-[[TheUndead Wraith]] Scorpion). [[spoiler:Shinnok]] claims that he's an unjustly imprisoned soul like Sub-Zero and notes that he's playing [[BigGood Raiden's]] "game" for the time being. His manipulation of Sub-Zero indirectly helps [[spoiler:himself escape from the Netherrealm several years down the road]].