Im so happy that Sindel was re-retconned and shown how she could be as a good but a bit haughty empress

Honestly, MK1 Mileena is Best Mileena, in terms of character. I kinda outgrown the imperfect Clone, and Mileena being a biological sister of Kitana while being infected by a disease that turns her into a monster gives more depth to the character. Hopefully, she doesn’t turn evil, and D’Vorah should stay the heck away from her. Long live Empress Mileena!

I think Reptile and Baraka got the biggest character glow-ups in MK1. They went from kinda one-note jobber henchmen in past games to sympathetic allies.

NetherRealm did so well in characterizing Johnny, and the MKX-11 version has been a step up, from his relationship with Sonya, to being a father of Cassie. MK1 Johnny may not be the same, but he became a worthy friend of his allies, and I really like his interactions with Kenshi, Ashrah, etc.

One of my favorite things about MK1 was Baraka being a good guy who just got infected. When him and Reptile ran in after hearing a commotion in the Living Forest, I yelled out “MONSTER BROS!” Also very happy that Sindel is now back to how she should be. Great vid bud :)

Ermac is no longer an nrs generic jobber, but an actual fleshed out character. I love that my boy is back.

I agree with this list, a honorable mention has to go to Ermac finally becoming King Jerrod after 10+ years of it being teased. I can see him being a Bishop of sorts helping guide souls to the afterlife and into the living forest and be the one to comfort the love ones of those souls because his was created from the souls of the living forest.

Back then, Tarkatans were Orcs of MK. Nowadays, Tarkatans are tragic mutants. Also, MK1 Baraka is Best Baraka.

Mileena, Baraka, and reptile They had the best reasons Nrs finally gave them a soul

I really do like the way Johnny is portrayed in Mk1. He’s like a mix of both old and young Johnny’s from mk11. At the beginning he seems quite immature but towards the end he becomes more mature and caring. I also like how him and Kenshi went from enemies to best friends at the end.

One thing that I liked about the MK1 story is that characters like Reptile, Baraka, and Mileena final got some good recognition. They’re no longer just jobbers anymore

All I want is for netherrealm to finally make up their mind about Sindel. She gets rewritten basically every second game. Really can't be bothered to care about her anymore.

Honestly, MK1 and 11’s stories are my favorite of the NetherRealm MK video games. Both of them feels so much like movies...no, these games are awesome movies.

Reptile and Baraka were finally done justice. I hope they do it fkr Darrius and Dhraiman.

Personally, my favourites were Mileena, Reptile, and Baraka. Both Reptile and Baraka aren't really jobbers anymore and had more personal development in MK 1 than in the previous timelines. With Mileena, she no longer lives in the shadows as Kitana's clone, and honestly, i love the changes

Do new timelines really count as a retcon, not trying to be pedantic, but usually retconning changes something without explaining or without the characters being aware and thinking that's how it's always been. Liu Kang crafted the timeline based on prior ones and there are references and kameos of previous versions of characters, less a retcon and more of a story choice.

Being a Sindel main, I love what they did to her in Mk1, but I'm tired of her dying every time. Couldn't she Just pass the crown to Mileena em be kept alive? I know she's probably going to ressurect at some point in a few years and after a few games but that's frustrating for someone like me who has been a Sindel main since she came out in mk3.

My favorite retcon is probably baraka, he went from one of the storyless jobbers to being a character you can actually sympathize for because of his situation and how his people are treated. for similar reasons I also like reptile and Mileenas retcons

Honorable mentions: Reptile and Smoke Reptile actually has a compelling story about his people and now has an interest in finding others like him which is better than what we've had for him in years, and smoke being their actual brother and fleshing out his dynamic with kuai liang I find bettet than that enenra backstory they tried to give him. Now with conflict with demons the Enenra can take posses/fight/kill smoke to make for a more interesting story with the new shirai ryu. So much potential, I love it. One critique though is bring back Smoke's long hair. I'm ok with this list, I find all of these characters to be more compelling than in the last timeline, except raiden, he's kinda just old liu kang but we'll see, also, I don't know if Sindel counts since she just seems like her og timeline version. but it is a retcon for her last iteration so I guess it's alright.

This channel deserves more love init since 2019 ❤ he is just a good storyteller and my first place where I was interested in mortal Kombat lore am happy that over the years your content has been flowing and never runs dry😅

Li mei was done AMAZING in this game and I hope she returns in one of the future games. And speaking of retcons, I hate how the entire community was sooooo mad that Sindel was evil again in MK11 ( *which is understandable and all* ) but nobody is talking about how NRS terribly retconed Kitana and Mileena's backstory in MK9. In the true OG story ( *before MK9 was released* ), Mileena was cloned from Kitana when Kitana was just a baby ( *probably when she couldn't even open her eyes* ) and when it's been a while after Shao destroyed and conquered Edenia and merged it with Outworld so that when one day *IF* Kitana resents Shao after finding about the truth he might still have Mileena by his side. Hence, the two sisters were raised together. And in the public eye of Outworld, Kitana and Mileena were Shao's perfect daughters who will one day inherit his rule ( *Mileena was probably not seen as "perfect" because she might've been rumored constantly by the public as to why she always wears a mask and what she is hiding unlike her sister Kitana* ). But little did the public know, that Shao's "perfect daughters" are trained secret killers, assassinating anyone who is a threat to Shao's rule. And that my friends is the whole reason why Kitana and Mileena are ninjas. And after 10,000 years Kitana learns the truth about everything. About Edenia, Shao, Mileena, her biological family EVERYTHING. So she resented Shao and Mileena and a jealous Mileena hated Kitana even more for that and that's how the sisters became enemies. Mileena was probably still oblivious to the vicious and treasonous things Shao did to Kitana because she could only see how powerful Shao is and not see the pain that Shao inflicted on Kitana. But unfortunately in MK9 they freakin changed that to only Kitana being raised as one of Shao's personal top assassins. And after 10,000 years she discovers the creation of her clone sister Mileena in the flesh pits and the rest of the truth about her entire life was a lie. And the rest we know about how Mileena was all "LeT's bE a fAMilEeEe 👹😈" and Kitana simply gave her a beat down and disliked her. And because of *THIS* , the entire community was all "Kitana should've accepted Mileena and be a family 😢" like *SHUT UP* , Mileena didn't care about Kitana and was about to eat her whole with that "LetTuCE Be a fAMilEeEe 👹😈" and y'all want Kitana to JUST accept her💀💀!!??. And because of this retcon some Mileena fans probably dislike or hate Kitana. The sisters' MK1 story is good so far, honestly.

One thing that kinda bothers me about this new timeline is General Shao. So Liu Kang nerfed Shang Tsung, hoping that he wouldnt become a threat in this new timeline. And yet he allowed Shao Khan to become a top general in Sindel's army, to the point where he was plotting against Sindel, looking to take the throne of Outworld from her. Which wouldv've put him back in the same position in the original timeline. Yeah, Liu Kang really didn't think that one through did he

Positive for me: Baraka, Shang, Bi Han(?), Kenshi, Sindel, Reptile (just for adding depth)

Honestly, Liu didnt do too bad if a Job with his universe.

One of my problems with Raidens retcons, is just the lack of fuijin to tell his story. Also that the elder gods are completely non existent in this time line feels so odd

I think Reptile should have taken first place. We pretty much never had any ideas on what his race was like before. Here in MK1, not only we get to know about the character and what makes him stand out, narrative wise.

I'm hoping we get new characters in mortal Kombat 2, but what do you guys think?

5. I seriously hope that the expanded Story Mode will actually give the answer as to what happened the night King Jarrod was assassinated and why the Umgadi used Li Mei as a scapegoat for the death of their king. 4. Still not a fan or Mileena's Predator mouth, and I will admit that I wish that they kept her original background of her being an experience created using Kitana's DNA and the DNA of Tarkatan, I will say that Mileena is finally getting the recognition she rightfully deserved. 3. Me personally, I'm not a fan of this new version of Raiden. I prefer his role in MK9 and MKX, as we saw him slowly descend into madness in order to protect Earthrealm. Mortal Raiden is a tad goody-two-shoes for my taste. He suffers from the same problem I've always had with Liu Kang prior to when he became the new God of Fire. 2. Much like Mileena, I wish Baraka wasn't infected with a diseases that made him a Tarkatan, but at the same time I am glad that Baraka finally got the respect he rightfully deserved and wasn't reduced to being a jobber. (The same thing applies to Reptile and how he was portrayed in MK1.) 1. I've said this about Mortal Kombat 11, but that game annoyed me to no end due to the amount of retcons that ultimately bastardized so many characters. I, to this day, still don't understand why NetherRealm thought it was a smart idea to turn Sindel in that game into a tragic figure to a golddigger. And it was made even worse due to how MK9 established that version of Sindel was virtually the same version of the Queen of Edenia from the Original Timeline. Thank God this version of Sindel is not the cruel witch that MK11 was.

Never knew Richard Epcar retired from Raiden 😞 how unfortunate. He's still my fav version.

Another interesting Topic would be 5 "Fusion" characters of the last chapter you would like to know more about in terms of Lore. And possibly 5 Fusion characters you would like to see NRS hasn't done in the last chapter.

As a Reptile main its so nice to FINALLY have him be important and respected again. I love his moveset and design and the shapeshifting was a great middle ground. So cool seeing him not be a henchman that exists to solely be fight filler and get his own freakin story chapter for once.

Reptiles Repcon is my favorite tbh, he’s more or so the chosen one from his race since he’s the only one that can shapeshift which is cool asf, and he’s now someone you can sympathize with as a genuine ally

I do like the MK1 version of Sindel but i also liked the MK11 version of her too. The whole garbage they originally did with here was annoying to me. Ruthless evil Sindel just seemed so much better not really sorry if you dont like that opinion

the new Mileena is ok, not bad at all but the former Mileena as a villain was perfection

The MK1 version of Sindel is sooooooooo much better than that dumb retcon MK11 pulled. So much more like the version from the original timeline.

Bet ones are: Baraka, Mileena, Reptile, Tanya, and Kenshi.

One thing I would’ve done was at least have Baraka have a love interest in this game. I just want him to be happy for once. Yes he had a wife, but the keyword is had. Mileena, since they had a really good relationship in MKX before his death (Until they retconned it in MK11 for the Tanleena) was a top choice for me, but NRS paired her with Tanya.

As dry as MK1 became, I always find MK videos in this channel to be refreshing and interesting.

Honestly in surprised Reptile wasn’t on the list. Since the beginning Reptile was always just another jobber character that was usually relegated to just being another colored ninja, to being the guy that is constantly used and manipulated by every big bad in the series. Even some of the lesser ones. But in the new Era. Reptile gets to finally stand on his own. And not just be another monster to be used by a villain. But a sympathetic character that is in his own arch of self discovery for himself and his people. Allying with the forces of earth realm. And fighting to save the empire of outworld.

Hey History behind the Warrior, can you do a part 2 of Best Retconned characters in MK1? and you do a great job of this video!👍🤩

I think it's best for Mileena for the New Era to be a bit like Kamen Rider Amazon (the Showa one) in that while she has a feral fighting style, she's quite a nice person once you get past those first impressions Given how there are implications that the New Era might turn out to be like previous timelines onwards, I want it to be different since if it does turn out to be the same, it would make Liu Kang's victory meaningless. I want Mileena and Baraka as well as some of the other guys on the side of good that are formerly evil (like Tanya) to be good people to show that they can move on from their past selves.

Reptile should have been on this list. I don't like the game cause of the bad business practices but the way they handled Reptile was great. Should of made this a top 10 or do a 5 more best characters

The big changes for Barraka and Mileena were so good! I loved to see some basic villains redeemed into more complex characters, and even better sympathetic heroes.

I love MK1 Baraka. His story is awesome. It gives him a personality and makes you sympathize with him. Baraka had always been a favorite character of mine. Simply cause he looked cool. Glad they are doing my boy justice

Mileena saved my life no matter what she is or how she looks she will always be Queen

Agreed also Reptile too. From a Jobber to a fleshout character ❤

Loved that Sindel is strong female character now, not too happy about her gameplay style but I guess you can't have everything. Great video!

Mk1 Sindel being good rather that conspiring with Shao to kill her husband

hope your ready to remake this vid with the other dlc

I know mk1 has been controversial, but I do think the narrative and characterisation has been 10/10

Love how Baraka turned from a second hand jobber to one of the most sympathetic characters in MK. His MK1 retcon is the best thing that happened to him.

I really like what they did with Reptile and Geras personally

I’m just gonna say it, I like the Changes in MK1, let’s be honest one of the reason MK11 failed is that they Retcon tons of things from MK9 and MKX, while don’t get me wrong there’s actual good ones like Nightwolf, Fujin, Shang Tsung, and even the Character Designs look Fantastic, are we going to pretend that the Bad Ones like Shao, Sindel, Skarlet, Kabal, Frost, and the Time Travel Stuff were Great?, Hell to the No it just made it as confusing as if Time Travel is Involved why isn’t the Original Trilogy Characters are in that Game is this the End of a Trilogy, MK1 is meant to be its own Universe with Familiar Faces and some New Twist in the Franchise, it was Obvious from the very beginning this Game was Announced that it was never going to follow the same Story we’re Familiar With, it’s not trying to erase the Lore, just changing it with a new pace and honestly they aren’t bad, Liu and Lao broke the Cycle from their Deaths, Raiden has a Better direction with Personality and Charm, Jobbers and Unknown Characters like Baraka, Reptile, Ashrah, Havik, Reiko, and Li Mei are given New Life and Interesting Roles, Shao, Shang, and Quan are still Evil to the Core, while the Sorcerers aren’t from Earthrealm and Neatherrealm as they were originally Born and now they’re Outworlders and the Former Emperor is in a Different Rank, I will say that they are much more Improved than Ever and have a Interesting Direction as to how the Story will affect them in the Future, Johnny, Kenshi, Geras, and Smoke are Fantastic as Ever, Kitana, Mileena, and Sindel are in a Better Place as a Supporting Family Dymatic as we explore the Royal Family of Edenia in a Refreshing New Paint, and the Rivalry Between Scorpion and Sub-Zero while Different is still as Good as Ever and hell the Aftermath of this are still happening with Hanzo and Harumi being in a Better Spot than the Endless Cycle of Pain and Rage, and even if they are in a Good Life we all know Tragedies are coming in this Universe in the Future, however I will admit that I don’t like Tayna, Nitara, Rain’s Retcons.

Reptile, Baraka and Mileena definitley got the best 'rebirth'. They all actually have purpose now other than 'henchman'. It's just a shame they can never seem to develop Mileena AND Kitana at the same time. It always seems one or the other.

Generally speaking, I think Outworld has benefitted the most from the MK1 changes. A lot of cool stuff happening. My only wish is that Shao was a bit more different. He quickly descended back into his evil persona but I would have loved to see a genuinely loyal version of the character. Maybe he disagrees with Sindel's rule, and he still has certain beliefs about war/conquest but he still follows her and doesn't try to undermine the royal family. I would have loved to see a scene of him leading Outworld's army on the side of good. Maybe eventually he returns to his usual role but it should have been a slow burn of disillusionment and corruption over multiple games in my opinion I think certain characters were rushed back into their status quo too fast like Shao and Bi-Han

Keep making the videos

excellent video, can you provide the name of the intro song that you use? that would be awesome. thanx

Not really the only I kinda disagree with is Raiden, but only because I would put Reptile there instead. Baraka, Sindel, and Reptile are fan faves characters who got a big glow up in this game. Li Mei’s new origin is also a very welcome one as well. I’m excited to see what they do with her and other 3d era characters

I think Bi Han and Kuai Liang benefit greatly from getting to interact with each other on screen. I don't think they benefit more from the reboot than other characters, but they feel worth mentioning

Is geras the same geras in all timeliness? Can remember it being explained but it would make sense

It was refreshing to see a naive or rather more innocent Raiden. I hope the tarkat disease is shown to come from the Netherealm. Quan could have unleashed it on Outworld to help Shao rise to power. This is how they could tie it once again to the Netherealm.

Baraka, Mileena, and Reptile in this timeline is far better than their previous incarnations. Shao is a bit of a bumbling idiot now, but I’ll take it.

All those who want mileena straight say aye

We really need fresh new faces who’re better! New evils too!

Mileena is the star of this story. My god, so many great choices for her character. I also love what they did to Sindel. She is a proud and harsh woman, but a loving mother and a loving ruler. Her dialogues against Shao are some of the best in the story mode.

Hopefully Stryker will be a great retconned character in the future.

I'M THE 1,000th LIKE!!!!!!! 👊🏻🎮🐉🦂🦂🦂✌🏻

I'm glad Baraka finally got some time to shine instead of being a mere punching bag in the story arcs. Hell, ya even to play with him and get some victories. Big ups. It was in MK2, they made this cool looking character and then went...*uhhhmmmm...now what? Ion know...let's trot him out when player needs something to beat up.* Closely followed by Reptile who had epic intro in the original game then...it's like they ain't know what to do with him and thus brought him out when ever the player needed to beat up a henchmen. But overall, I think MK1 did good job with the characters. Imo, side note, Ermac has been issue in the series. Really story wise, he probably could kill most of the cast without blinking easily, but that would create great balance issues. But even then, I like how MK1 handled it, compared to other iterations. Sento mess up and weakens him a bit and make it harder for him to keep the souls as one. So it made storyline sense that he could be beaten. In other games, he goes from making jax arms explodes without touching him, to falling to a few kicks to the face in matter of minutes. *Huh*?

I feel like NRS paid you to agree about this new Raiden.....prove me wrong 💀

MK1 did a lot right in terms of storylines and designs for the characters. Reptile and Baraka, two of my favorites, received the best reworked storylines if you ask me. Reptile being able to shapeshift between a Zaterran and ninja form, and his role as an emissary for Mileena as Empress. Tarkat being a disease, instead of the Tarkatans being a warrior race in Outworld. Baraka leading the Tarkat infected people, who used to be regular Outworlders (Edenians even). He also looks way better in MK 2023 than in the bulky MK11 design too imo.

To me.. This is the best timeline.. It was the best story mode. Im really enjoying mk1

Narratively many of these character changes are great and well done. Personally I don't dislike any changes. Mileena, Lei Mei and Sindel are the best in my opinion. They handled Mileena with love. Sindel was done so right. As a Sindel main I am pleased.

Love mileena and the love she's been Searching 🔎 for since mk 2 I hope this series mk1 2023 continues

I’m interested to see a top worst retcons in mortal kombat 1

Baraka, you are beautiful, you are talented, you are everything.

What they have been doing to subzero and shao khan lately is sickening these were two of the best characters in fighting game history and they’ve been reduced to bums in the story and as playable characters

I agree with nearly everything on this list except maybe Mileena. In the bios for Mileena and Kitana, it was stated that Mileena was a bit unpopular with Outworld's people/courtiers and that many preferred Kitana as the rightful heir. They should've expanded on this and shown the tension between the two sisters making a call back to her jealous nature. With Jerrod dying I would've liked if Mileena saw General Shao as sort of her father figure, someone who she could hone her skills with and look up to. This would give Shao more depth as once again he is very one-dimensional in MK1. In addition, this would be another call back as in the past he viewed Mileena as his daughter. Kitana should've been more present and that moment Mileena shared with Jerrod should've included Kitana. Perhaps Mileena's Tarkat and her growing jealousy boil over and she turns on her sister proclaiming she is the rightful heir and fights her sister. Kitana desperately tries to reach her claiming she only wants what's best for her. Furthermore, at this point, Countess Jade intervenes and aids Kitana. Yes, Jade should've been base roster and be in the base story, because it just makes so much more sense that she is a part of Sindel's court creating a natural environment for her to befriend Kitana. Tanya's retcon was very bad in my opinion. They could've still made her Umgadi but rather than be very loyal (very unlike Tanya) she should've been resentful and craved freedom and opportunities outside servitude to the royal family and she betrays them possibly even covering up Jerrod's murder. She could justify her actions as she did not choose this life but was made to by the royals making her the Tanya we know while also making us sympathize with someone whose life path was chosen for them (Also give her straight hair and kobu jutsu back!). I know not every story is perfect but I feel with Mk1 they have so many interesting set-ups only for them to be wasted on the multiple timelines crap. Instead of multiverses, they should've focused on a more contained story while continuing to expand other characters and relationships.

Idk Baraka and Mieelena being sick is kinda stupid doesn't it mean they'll die from it at some point

My Top 5 retconned Characters: 1. Liu Kang: Kinda cheating as it is still Liu Kang, but ... I always kinda liked Raiden and I kinda liked Liu Kang. Giving Liu Kang the new Role of Fire God and Protector of Earthrealm elevated my opinion of him. Him replacing Raiden feels good as Raiden was always very stoic and pragmatic, while Liu Kang is warm and empathetic. He feels just right and combines the best elements Raiden and Liu Kang had in the old timelines. 2. Geras: Similarly to what you said about Mileena and Baraka. Geras being a krony for Chronika made him very onedimensional, while this version feels more fleshed out. He is Liu Kangs Servant, but he has values and ideals of his own. The scene where Liu Kang talks to Geras about the Jadfe Jaguar and why he never used it himself is honestly one of my favorite scenes in Mk1 story. 3. Mileena: For all the things you said. 4.Shang Tsung: Shang Tsung has always been a great villain. But seeing how low he was in Liu Kangs timeline, you can understand the resentment he has for Liu Kang and this timeline of events. He gives us a new interesting origin, while retaining everything that made him great in the first place. 5.Li-Mei: For all the things you said.

I love good and MK11 Sindel, personally. She's beautiful and badass. Just sorry she died in the last two games.

I think there’s a couple of characters that should have been included or at least he a memorable mention. Tanya finally stopped being a backstabbing bitch that would sell out her own mother and managed to finally have a relationship with Mileena with not even a hint of malice (unlike in MKX). Jerrod/Ermac Jerrod finally does something besides being killed to make Shao Kahn look like a threat and Ermac is shown to be a force of good for the first time since deception yeah he’s being used to being back another character it’s been done before but for finally for good instead of evil and he’s portrayed as a threat the last time he was shown as that was in his introduction in MK9. Finally the biggest one of all Reptile, just like Baraka he evolved from a pathetic minion that always loses fights to actually having a chapter, using his real name Zyzozz instead of a title, a tragic and sympathetic character hunted/hated for what he was born with but still having a family he cares so much that he commits evil because he has no choice, amazing design that pleases the fans that prefer him as a human ninja and the ones that want him as a monster, his race/people are given more importance as Zyzozz is no longer the last of his race and finally he’s given a position that is much revered/dignified thank any he has had in the past.

Love how they retconned Sindel's retcon

reptile and baraka are the only good major changes, no longer jobbers I don't like the origin of baraka but they made him likable without removing TOO much of what made him cool

One of the biggest changes that I think was surprising was Scorpion (Kuai Liang), who goes from the 2nd Sub-Zero, to a new version of Scorpion replacing Hanzo as the undead ninja specter. Then there is Smoke, Who I believe had the best changes for his character making him almost a 2nd brother to Kuai and that he helped him found the new Shirairyu alongside Hiromi. Then there is Bi-Han, the og sub-Zero, who is the grandmaster of The Lin Kuei alongside his trusted lieutenants Sektor and Cyrax. The latter of which is rumored to female. Finally there is Ashrah and Reptile both had the best changes to their lore.

Before warching--Syzoth should be #1, and Tanya and Mileena gotta be on the list. Sindel will, but I'm in the minority that didn't mind her heel turn. How often does an MK plot surprise you?

Fujin should return to the game as a playable character.

I already disagree, i loved old mileena, new mileena is cool but i do hate the predator mouth, not even that she swaps between normal and spikey teeth, just those predators things

King Gorbak will disown horror in the DLC for mk1

This game finally made me like Mileena and Li Mei as characters, I'm so glad they fixed the big problem of this franchise having so many boring jobbers; the only one in this game is Reiko. I do like Sindel in this game, because I don't like the idea of her being evil from the start; that was just not a good idea.

My favorite retcon was Baraka and Reptile. Strange you didn't put him in the top 5 best

What about Havik!?

No reptile?

Good girl Mileena is best Mileena.

MK1 Li Mei is cool

Liu kang is so hot fr

I never liked the changes they made on these characters they've could've been kept as the same characters as they were before

And don’t forget Havik (or Dairou)

Bro really didn't talk about Reptile

Its not a retcon liu kang changed them 🙃

To me, they did Baraka justice in this game.