Mortal Kombat Video Reveals Origin of Sub-Zero & Scorpion’s Differences

Ed Boon, the co-creator of Mortal Kombat, recently shared a video revealing the origins of Sub-Zero and Scorpion. The two ninjas, one possessing ice powers and the other controlling demonic fire, serve as the bloody fighting game series’ most well-known mascots. The rivalry between Scorpion and Sub-Zero ironically stems from a shared origin, though there was a key difference between the original versions of the characters.

Making their debut in the retro Mortal Kombat arcade game in 1992, the backstories of Scorpion and Sub-Zero have been developed over 30 years of series installments. The original Sub-Zero, a cryomancer named Bi-Han, killed a rival clansman named Hanzo Hasashi before the events of the first Mortal Kombat. Hanzo, who was subsequently resurrected as the undead wraith Scorpion, challenges and kills Bi-Han in revenge. The title of Sub-Zero is later adopted by Bi-Han’s younger brother, Kuai Liang, who forms a turbulent friendship with his brother’s killer. Tributes to the two gaming icons, like a GTA 5 Scorpion and Sub-Zero mod, often put a focus on their turbulent relationship.

A behind-the-scenes Mortal Kombat video, posted to Twitter by Ed Boon, reveals the connected origins of Scorpion and Sub-Zero. It is well-known that the two warriors were simple palette swaps of the same actor in the original arcade classic, with the color of his outfit simply swapped from yellow to blue for Sub-Zero. However, Ed Boon’s video reveals that he asked the actor to adopt slightly different fighting stances to help differentiate the two ninjas. Both stances still had to be similar, though, since both characters would use the same attack animations. This difference allowed Scorpion and Sub-Zero to feel like two distinct characters, particularly when facing each other in kombat.

As the co-creator of the violent video game series, Ed Boon often interacts with the Mortal Kombat fanbase on social media. For example, Ed Boon responded to angry fans on Twitter after a Mortal Kombat 12 announcement never came at the DICE Awards. Boon was inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame during the February event, and many fans expected a new game announcement during the ceremony. No mention of Mortal Kombat 12 came at the DICE Awards, however, and angry fans on Twitter were quickly put in their place by a tactful response from Boon.

While it is common knowledge that Scorpion and Sub-Zero are palette swaps, the origins of their subtle differences is fascinating. Thanks to a simple idea from Ed Boon, the two rival ninjas were injected with a dose of unique personality and charm. These separate fighting stances laid the groundwork for both Mortal Kombat icons possessing distinct designs, personalties and fighting styles.

Source: Ed Boon/Twitter

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