How the Mortal Kombat Games Can Salvage the Character of Cole Young

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In the scenario where only one primary character is associated with Mortal Kombat, it’s likely to be Liu Kang. However, the 2021 remake film introduces a fresh protagonist under the name Cole Young, portrayed by Lewis Tan.

Regrettably, Cole didn’t win over a lot of fans, despite his unique body armor character trait. However, as he prepares to reappear in the sequel, there are several strategies NetherRealm could employ to improve Cole’s standing among the fan community.

Make Cole a Playable Character

The very simple solution is—make Cole a playable character in the game.

Many Mortal Kombat characters are recognized as icons more for their appearance as digital action figures than for their individual histories. Their striking looks initially captivate fans, while it’s their extraordinary skills that are etched into memory.

It’s not common knowledge that Hanzo Hasashi is a vengeful warrior targeting the Lin Keui, but nearly everyone familiar with video games can identify Scorpion from Mortal Kombat as the yellow-clad ninja known for his catchphrase, “Come here!” or “Get over here!”.

As a dedicated fan, it’s clear that Cole already boasts an intriguing array of abilities with his enchanted body armor and tonfa. It’s all about crafting a character that showcases these skills effectively, and if we manage to do that, he could easily find a spot on the playable roster. This move might just help him win over more fans, leaving them thrilled to see him team up with Liu Kang in action on the silver screen.

Other Franchises Have Done It

To find a prime instance of transforming an unrecognized character into a beloved figure, one need only glance at Marvel Rivals. While it boasts heavyweights such as Iron Man and Captain America, it also introduces less familiar faces from the comics, such as Magik and Squirrel Girl.

Despite fans not necessarily having prior knowledge about them, there’s a strong bond formed with the characters merely because they can be played. Consequently, more individuals are becoming acquainted with Jeff the Land Shark due to this increased exposure.

Contrary to expectations, MultiVersus found success with lesser-known characters in its roster. However, due to the unfortunate cancellation of the game, these characters didn’t have a chance to truly shine, even though many were optimistic that it might recover and continue in the future.

If NetherRealm strongly desired Cole to become popular among players, they might consider making him available at no cost. This could be quite daring, but the benefits could be substantial, such as the chance to introduce a beloved new character that opens up possibilities for merchandise like Cole Young action figures or Cole-themed Fortnite downloadable content.

Mortal Kombat II

Currently, Cole is anticipated to show up in Mortal Kombat II’s follow-up, although it appears that his character’s significance has been reduced to accommodate Karl Urban’s portrayal of Johnny Cage. Joining the new cast are Princess Kitana, Lady Sindel, and Shao Kahn, who reigns over Outworld.

If the movie doesn’t intend to eliminate Cole, there’s plenty of opportunity to build anticipation around him. There are hints that a third Kombat Pack might be coming after KP2 finished with T-1000 DLC. Perhaps it could be then when they introduce a playable version of Cole? The movie release date is still quite distant.

The movie adaptation of Mortal Kombat II will hit theaters on October 24th. Meanwhile, Mortal Kombat I, the video game, can already be played on Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and personal computers.

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2025-03-21 18:43