Mortal Kombat: Best Versions Of Sub-Zero

While Mortal Kombat is known for having characters like Liu Kang, Johnny Cage, or Raiden as the main characters, Sub-Zero and Scorpion are often the franchise's poster children. Sub-Zero has appealed to many due to his ninja-like appearance and cryomancy abilities as a member of the Liu Kuei clan of assassins.

There are multiple ways characters can be judged: gameplay, design, and storytelling. Sub-Zero has seen a lot of variations over the years since his debut in 1992, with different twists on his combat style, overall design, and even different people behind the blue mask to make Sub-Zero into a complex character who has appeared in every mainline Mortal Kombat game and movie.

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Updated September 28, 2024, by Melody MacReady: With Mortal Kombat 1 starting its second year of content with the Khaos Reigns expansion, Sub-Zero is continuing to get more time to shine. Fans will get to see Bi-Han transform into Noob Saibot, a fate that seems inevitable in every timeline.

Whether it is Bi-Han or Kuai Liang, Sub-Zero remains a fan-favorite and there are so many variations of both characters wearing the mantle. This is thanks to Mortal Kombat having some of the most interesting, if a bit convoluted, lore featuring alternate timelines and universes that allow for the developers to make bold steps in new directions.

9 Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe

Sub-Zero Could Take On The Justice League's Best

Storywise, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe is more focused on getting characters like Sub-Zero to fight famous DC heroes like Batman than character development. This results in all characters getting little to no development, but Sub-Zero's performance by Jim Miller was a good one, leading to him, as well as his design, returning to Mortal Kombat 9.

While it is not everybody's favorite game in the series, Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe does have a few standout characters on the roster and one of them is Sub-Zero. Deadliest at mid-to-close range, his ice powers mix up well with his combo strings that can easily pin the enemy to keep them from countering or parrying.

8 Mortal Kombat 4

Kuai Liang Excelled In The Underrated Sequel

Speed is the key in the often-overlooked Mortal Kombat 4, with characters having the most speed out of most games in the franchise. Sub-Zero features an evolution of the combo system that was first introduced in Mortal Kombat 3, which, combined with the even faster pace of Mortal Kombat 4, makes him one of the toughest opponents to face and one of the best to control.

Mortal Kombat 4 also introduced the concept of wielding weapons in the series. Unfortunately, the weapon system is often a point of criticism, since the weapons are awkward to use and are taken away with only one hit, making them feel useless. Also, Sub-Zero's design was downgraded from Mortal Kombat 3, featuring a more generic appearance.

7 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Kuai Liang's Introduction To The Franchise

After the original Sub-Zero died and became Noob Saibot, his younger brother, Kuai Liang, took up the mantle in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. This marked the first time Sub-Zero's look was given an overhaul with a now signature red scar for Kuai Liang and the lack of a mask and cowl, which, combined with the then-new combo system, improved led to an iconic reinvention of the character.

The third Mortal Kombat game added all-new ice abilities to Sub-Zero's arsenal, including an Ice Shower attack and the debut of the Ice Klone ability that has been a staple ever since. Kuai Liang would go on to become the most prolific Sub-Zero, being featured in many Mortal Kombat games as a fan-favorite character and leader of the Lin Kuei.

6 Mortal Kombat (2011)

Both Brothers Get The Chance To Shine

Since the story retells the original Mortal Kombat trilogy in Mortal Kombat (2011), players are reintroduced to Bi-Han in the first third, follow his brother Kuai Liang in the second, and thanks to it being an altered timeline, Kuai Liang becomes a superpowered cyborg in the final. It adds to what is already a beloved story in the franchise.

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By  Melody MacReady

With Mortal Kombat 9, Netherrealm Studios was able to develop and expand upon the brothers, fleshing out why they become enemies in opposing factions. It also shows quite the difference between the two even if they play identically. Kuai Liang proves more honorable than his corrupted brother, even when he becomes Cyber Sub-Zero.

5 Mortal Kombat 1

The Reboot Has The Edgiest Version Of Sub-Zero

The brothers returned to Mortal Kombat 1 with Liu Kang's new timeline. But in this reality, only Bi-Han inherited the Sub-Zero moniker, while Kuai Liang became Scorpion. Aside from an ill-fitting Batman-like voice, Bi-Han is an interesting Sub-Zero, showcasing an angry man whose lust for freedom leads to him betraying everything the Sub-Zero moniker stood for by aligning with the Deadly Alliance.

In terms of gameplay, Sub-Zero features bits and pieces from his many incarnations of the past. Ice Slide and Ice Spear are fused into one. Unfortunately, his combos are slower and are telegraphical, making his gameplay effective but also the weakest of the newer Sub-Zero incarnations. His attacks are to dodge or block with less damage.

4 Mortal Kombat X

The Lin Kuei Was Rebuilt For The Better By Kuai Liang

Kuai Liang became the only Sub-Zero featured in Mortal Kombat X after Bi-Han was killed in Mortal Kombat 9. As a result, fans got to see the younger brother as Grandmaster of the Lin Kuei, leading them into a brighter future. Not only is he a skilled defender of Earthrealm, but he ended the centuries-long feud between his Lin Kuei and Scorpion's Shirai Ryu.

Sub-Zero was mostly a supporting role, but every time he appeared in the Mortal Kombat X story, he stole the show. Sub-Zero's look is redesigned in every game. Mortal Kombat X embraces a more grounded approach that complements his gameplay, which is some of the fastest and smoothest he's ever had.

3 Mortal Kombat 11

Kuai Liang's Friendship With Scorpion Steals The Show

Pushed to the sidelines of the story yet again in Mortal Kombat 11, Kuai Liang proves to be arguably an even better Sub-Zero than his brother. Not only does Kuai beat Noob Saibot in combat, but his newfound friendship with Scorpion also makes both clans united and stronger than ever before, hence why Kronika considers them a threat to her vision.

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In Mortal Kombat 11, Steve Blum continues to excel with his performance as Sub-Zero, showing more emotion than before when Kronika and Sektor harvest his people for their Cyber Lin Kuei army. Even his gameplay was an improvement, allowing players to create loadouts of his special moves that fit their style, even if certain iconic moves were replaced with new ones.

2 Injustice 2

Had Sub-Zero As One Of The Best DLC Fighters

Even though he was only a DLC character in a game that did not have fatalities or gore, Injustice 2 still did the Lin Kuei Grandmaster justice with Steve Blum returning from Mortal Kombat X as the voice. With his Ice Klone being the ability button, Sub-Zero is arguably at his most overpowered in Injustice 2. His nearly flawless combat that can take on any opponent at any range.

With Injustice 2 featuring some of the most in-depth character customization thanks to the gear system, Kuai Liang can be customized to the player's liking. Whether they prefer the classic mask and cowl design for Sub-Zero or they want to make a wild and fantastical design, anything is valid.

1 Mortal Kombat (2021)

Joe Taslim Made Bi-Han Into A Terrifying Villain

• Director: Simon McQuoid
• Release Date: April 23, 2021
• Starring: Lewis Tan, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jessica McNamee, Ludi Lin

Fans are divided on the Mortal Kombat movie from 2021, but most fans agree that Sub-Zero is a highlight. Joe Taslim was a nearly perfect live-action version of Bi-Han, AKA Sub-Zero, thanks to his iconic rivalry with Scorpion and his acting and martial artist skills.

Sub-Zero in the movie is more or less the main antagonist alongside Shang Tsung. The reboot makes it clear that Sub-Zero gladly murdered Scorpion's family and clan, rather than being framed by Quan Chi. He killed Scorpion, removed Jax's arms, and defeated Cole Young. This makes him more intimidating as he hunts the Earthrealm champions like a slasher villain, featuring praised choreography and special effects for the cryomancy.