Wikipedia

Shao Kahn

Shao Kahnis a fictional character and one of the mainantagonistsof theMortal Kombatfighting gamefranchise byMidway GamesandNetherRealm Studios.Depicted asemperorof the fictional realmOutworld,he is one of the franchise's primary villains. Feared for his immense strength, which he complements with a large hammer, and knowledge ofblack magic,Shao Kahn seeks conquest of all therealms,including Earth. He serves as the main antagonist finalbossofMortal Kombat II(1993),Mortal Kombat 3(1995) and its updates, and the2011 reboot,as well as theaction-adventurespin-offMortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks(2005). An amalgam of Shao Kahn andDC ComicsvillainDarkseidalso appears as the main antagonist and final boss ofMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe(2008) under the nameDark Kahn.A younger persona known asGeneral Shaoappears inMortal Kombat 1(2023).

Shao Kahn
Mortal Kombatcharacter
Shao Kahn byJohn 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 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 filmMortal Kombat Annihilation(1997).

Character design and gameplay

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An unmasked Shao Kahn in theMortal Kombat IIcomic book byJohn Tobias

Shao Kahn was inspired by theStar Warsvillain,Darth Vader,where the audience knew that there was an emperor ruling the universe, but knew nothing else about him, creating a desire in the viewer to want to know more. Tobias had something very similar withShang Tsungand Shao Kahn, and for him that came from the feeling he had as a child when he learned more about what made theStar Warsuniverse tick inEmpire Strikes Back.Tobias wanted gamers to have that same feeling.[2]Kahn's attire forMortal Kombat IIwas developed by Mark Runion.[3]Kahn started out unmasked and with large gnashing teeth similar toBaraka,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 inShaolin MonksandMortal Kombat 11;with the latter revealing an inhuman, but not monstrous, face.

InMKII,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.[5]Glynn considered Shao Kahn as a positive experience, recalling his time with John Parish (Jax) who recommended him for the role Kahn. During the audition, artist John Tobias requested him to expose his chest which resulted in his quick inclusion in the game as the actor did not have to perform martial arts. Glynn's portrayal of Kahn was popular with the Midway staff to the point they requested his help with other projects.[6]In many official depictions of Shao Kahn made byMidway,he is shown wearing a cape, though he never wore one in his original digitized appearances.Mortal Kombat: Deceptionwas the first time in which he wore the cape in-game.Mortal Kombatsound designer Dan Forden explained that the reason for Kahn not wearing the cape in earlier games, in addition toKabalnot being able to wear a trenchcoat inMortal Kombat 3,was that loose flowing clothing took up memory.

Shao Kahn originated as an unplayable boss character inMKII.He is fought as a boss (in most cases, the final boss) in most of his appearances, but became aplayer characterfor the first time in the home ports ofMK3as an unlockable character. He would also be playable in the home ports ofUltimate Mortal Kombat 3,Mortal Kombat Trilogy,theGameCubeandPlayStation Portableversions ofMortal Kombat: Deception,Mortal Kombat: ArmageddonandMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.Shao Kahn also appears as a playable character inMortal Kombat 11via DLC. InMortal Kombat(2011), Shao Kahn is once again a non-playable boss. He is also the final boss in thebeat 'em upspin-off,Shaolin Monks.

Shao Kahn's special moves consist mainly of powerful shoulder barges, magical projectiles, and attacks with his signature giantmaul,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

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Mortal Kombatgames

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Shao Kahn first appears as the final boss ofMortal Kombat IIandMortal Kombat 3.In the former, he invokes a rematch against Earthrealm and faces them in Mortal Kombat to facilitate an invasion of Earthrealm, only to be defeated and foiled byLiu Kang.In the latter game,Shang Tsungresurrects QueenSindelso 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 killRaiden's chosen warriors, only to be defeated by Liu Kang once more.

Shao makes a cameo appearance inMortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance,in which he is seemingly killed by the titular Deadly Alliance. InMortal Kombat: Deception,in which he appears as a playable character in theGameCubeversion, it is revealed the Deadly Alliance killed a decoy while the real Shao set out to reclaim his empire fromOnaga.InMortal Kombat: Armageddon,in which he also appears as a playable character, he succeeded in defeating Onaga before forming a fragile alliance with him and the Deadly Alliance to defeatBlazeand seize his godlike power.

Shao Kahn appears as a playable character in and the final boss ofMortal 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 ofArmageddon.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 inMortal Kombat 11(MK11). After being brought to the present byKronikaand promised a timeline without Raiden, he agrees to work for her.[7]Amidst this, he attempts to retake his throne fromKotal Kahnand rebuild Outworld's forces until he is defeated byKitana.[8][9]In the DLC storyline expansionAftermath,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 namedGeneral Shaoappears as a playable character inMortal Kombat 1(MK1).[13]After Fire God Liu Kang creates a second new timeline, Shao was born a sickly child into a proud military family before his father molded him into the perfect soldier. By the present, Shao became commander of Outworld's armies and a staunch Outworld patriot. Believing Outworld should conquer Earthrealm, he openly disagrees with Empress Sindel's policies, but makes no move against her until Shang Tsung andQuan Chihelp him mount a rebellion against her, only to be foiled by her and Liu Kang.[14]Following this, Shao is arrested and replaced byKitana,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

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Shao Kahn appears in theMortal Kombatcomic bookminiseriesBlood & ThunderandBattlewave.In the latter, he kidnapsSonya Bladeand brainwashes her into marrying him to weaken the barrier between Outworld and Earthrealm so he can easily seize the latter.

Shao Kahn, referred to simply as the "Emperor", makes a cameo appearance inMortal Kombat(1995) via special effects, voiced byFrank Welker.Shao would later appear inMortal Kombat Annihilation,portrayed byBrian Thompson.For this appearance, he is depicted as Raiden's brother and son ofShinnok.

Shao Kahn appears inMortal Kombat: Live Tour,played by Jeffrey D. Harris[16]and Ted Nordblum.

Shao Khan received an action figure from Toy Island as part of theirMortal Kombat Trilogyseries.[17]

Shao Kahn appears in theMortal Kombat Kard Game.

Shao Kahn appears inMortal Kombat: Conquest,portrayed byJeffrey Meek.For this appearance, he serves as the mediator of the Mortal Kombat tournaments.

Shao Kahn appears inMortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm,voiced byJohn Vernon.

Shao Kahn appears as a playable character inMortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.After Raiden andSupermaninadvertently fuse Shao Kahn andDarkseidintoDark 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 thePhantom Zone.

Shao Kahn appears in theMortal Kombat: Legacytwo-part episode "Kitana & Mileena", portrayed byAleks Paunovic.This version truly loved Sindel and Kitana and created Mileena to have someone who would reciprocate his feelings.

Shao Kahn appears inMortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's RevengeandMortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms,voiced byFred Tatasciore.[18]

Shao Kahn is set to appear inMortal Kombat 2,portrayed byMartyn Ford.[19]

Reception

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Shao Kahn was nominated inNintendo PowerAwards '94[20]and '95[21]in the category "Worst Villain" (actually honoring the top video-game villains) of the year, coming second place in 1995.[22]GamesRadarpraised Shao Kahn's role as an antagonist, putting him in their 2013 list of the best villains in video game history at number 24,[23]and including him among the 12 most unfair gaming bosses in 2014.[24]Guinness World Records Gamer's Editionlisted Shao Kahn as 41st in their list of "top 50 video game villains".[25]Complexranked Shao Kahn fromMortal Kombat IIas 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]TheGamesRadarstaff 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]

InUGO's 2012 list of the topMortal Kombatcharacters, Shao Kahn placed sixteenth.[28]In their retrospection listing ofMKcharacters, UGO stated most favorite thing about him was the fact that "his speaking voice is the voice of theannouncerheard throughout the series. "[29]Complexplaced him seventh on her 2013 list of most brutal fighters inMortal 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 Informernoticed that it was one of the few times people had the chance to see boss' true face, comparing him to aStar Trekalien.[32]

Game Informerfeatured 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 2011Mortal Kombathas been criticized for how hard it is to defeat him to the point of frustrating gamers;[34][35]that same year,CraveOnlineincluded him on the list of top five "bosses you want to kill but can't".[36]The fight against Shao Kahn inMortal Kombat 3was also noted for its difficulty; in 2013,Complexranked it as the 23rd hardest boss battle in video games.[37]Kahn's portrayal inMortal Kombat 11was the subject of controversy for him referencing PresidentDonald Trumpand his slogan but under the name "Make Outworld Great Again".[38]

VentureBeatfound Shao Khan highly difficult to defeat in most of his appearances, resulting in the need for the player to come up with strategies need to kill the boss.[39]The New York Timespanned Shao Kahn's characterization alongside his army fromMortal Kombat Annihilationfor making "Saddam Husseinlook likeMr. Rogers".[40]Den of Geekwas 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

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  1. ^"'Mortal Kombat 2': Martyn Ford, Desmond Chiam, Ana Thu Nguyen & Damon Herriman Join New Line Sequel ".15 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 15 June 2023.Retrieved15 June2023.
  2. ^"In Konversation: Mortal Kombat Online vs John Tobias - Part 1".Mortal Kombat Online.17 September 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 22 June 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
  3. ^Staff (June 1994). "The Minds Behind Mortal Kombat II".GamePro.No. 59. p. 117.
  4. ^GamePro58 (May 1994), p.29.
  5. ^GamePro59 (June 1994), p.121.
  6. ^"Celebrity Interview with BRIAN GLYNN aka Shao Khan from" Mortal Kombat 2 "- Game On Expo 2017".Youtube.11 January 2018.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 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/.Archivedfrom the original on 2023-06-30.Retrieved2023-09-16.
  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.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-06-20.Retrieved2012-01-05.
  17. ^Captain Coder."Shao Kahn Action Figure Gallery".Figure Realm.Archivedfrom the original on 2012-04-02.Retrieved2013-07-20.
  18. ^Couch, Aaron (2021-06-16)."Animated 'Mortal Kombat Legends' Sequel Arriving This Summer (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-06-16.Retrieved2021-06-16.
  19. ^Bolding, Hunter (April 17, 2023)."MEET THE NEW CHARACTERS OF 'MORTAL KOMBAT 2' [EXCLUSIVE]".That Hashtag Show.Archivedfrom the original on April 17, 2023.RetrievedApril 18,2023.
  20. ^Nintendo Power70 (March 1995)
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  22. ^Nintendo Power85 (May 1996)
  23. ^GamesRadar Staff (May 17, 2013)."100 best villains in video games".GamesRadar.Archivedfrom the original on June 24, 2013.RetrievedJune 21,2013.
  24. ^Sullivan, Lucas (14 April 2014)."Hardest fighting game bosses | GamesRadar".Gamesradar.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-12-11.Retrieved2022-01-11.
  25. ^"Bowser voted top of 50 video game villains".Digitalspy.com. 2013-01-24.Archivedfrom the original on 2021-10-19.Retrieved2022-01-11.
  26. ^"Shao Khan — 15 Of The Coolest Boss Battles Ever".Complex. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-10-29.Retrieved2013-07-20.
  27. ^"The best villains in video games | GamesRadar".Gamesradar.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2018-11-26.Retrieved2022-01-11.
  28. ^UGO Team (2012-02-28)."Top 50 Mortal Kombat Characters - Mortal Kombat".UGO.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-29.Retrieved2012-03-15.
  29. ^UGO Team (2012-02-28)."Shao Kahn".UGO.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-03-16.Retrieved2013-07-20.
  30. ^Hanuman Welch,The Most Brutal Fighters In "Mortal Kombat"Archived2013-12-15 at theWayback Machine,Complex.com, July 21, 2013.
  31. ^"Top 7 Minibosses Who Were Better than The Final Boss".GamesRadar.9 March 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
  32. ^"Shao Kahn Statue Gives a Glimpse Behind the Mask".Game Informer.May 22, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon June 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
  33. ^"Gaming's Crappiest Fathers"Archived2010-09-12 at theWayback Machine,Game Informer,September 09, 2010
  34. ^Walton, Mark (2011-04-20)."Mortal Kombat Review".GameSpot.Archivedfrom the original on 2011-06-30.Retrieved2011-07-07.
  35. ^Clements, Ryan (2011-04-19)."Mortal Kombat Review".IGN.com.Archivedfrom the original on 2011-04-19.Retrieved2011-09-17.
  36. ^Norris, Erik (2011-05-30)."5 Bosses You Want To Kill But Can't".CraveOnline. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-06-30.Retrieved2013-07-20.
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  39. ^"Shao Kahn Always Wins".VentureBeat.22 November 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
  40. ^"FILM REVIEW; Based on a Video Game. Need to Know More?".The New York Times.22 November 1997.Archivedfrom the original on 21 June 2023.RetrievedJune 21,2023.
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