Mortal Kombat is filled with a variety of species from various realms, but only a few of them look like Goro. Earthrealm is known to have normal humans as well as cyborgs (developed by the Lin Kuei), whereas Outworld has a ton of warrior-like races such as Centaurians and Minotaurs, which is the race of Motaro, a lesser known Kombatant from Mortal Kombat 3. Some noticeably different popular characters include Baraka, who is a Tarkatan, and Mileena, who is a genetic experiment with half-Tarkatan and half-Edenian blood. There are many other unique beings that roam the realms of Mortal Kombat, however, and the four-armed villain Goro is one of them.

Goro has always been a part of the Mortal Kombat series, first appearing in the original Mortal Kombat as a sub-boss and ally of Shang Tsung. He was deemed the reigning Grand Champion of the Mortal Kombat tournament, having defeated the Great Kung Lao approximately 500 years before the events of the first game to gain the title. He reigned as the undefeated champion until being conquered by Liu Kang.

Related: Mortal Kombat's First Ever Sub-Zero Concept Art Shared By Co-Creator

Goro would appear in various Mortal Kombat games after the original, through either a cameo or as a sub-boss. As of the current timeline within the Mortal Kombat universe, Goro as appeared in Mortal Kombat 9, Mortal Kombat X, and Mortal Kombat 11, but is only playable in Mortal Kombat X via DLC. While he’s never the main antagonist, Goro is typically the character heroes have to go through in order to get to the game's main boss. Since Goro fights Cole Young in the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie, it’s likely that their fight will get the protagonist one step closer to the main villain.

Mortal Kombat Shokans: Why Goro Has Four Arms

Mortal Kombat Goro Shokan

Mortal Kombat's Goro has four arms because he is a Shokan, a race of half-human, half-dragon beings from Outworld. They are massive beings born with four arms and hands that only have three fingers, dragon-like eyes, forked tongues, reptilian-like scales, two toes on each foot, and black toenails. There are two classes of Shokan, Draco and Tigrar, and Goro is a part of the Draco class. While the Shokan are an entire race, there are only three well-known Shokan Kombatants that make appearances in the Mortal Kombat series. Alongside Goro is Sheeva, a female Shokan of the Draco class, and Kintaro, a male Shokan of the Tigrar class. Goro currently rules as the Prince of the Shokan, putting him in line to be the next king of the Shokan.

While Goro was last playable in Mortal Kombat X, it is likely that Goro could be a playable character and potential main antagonist of Mortal Kombat 12 if it takes place before the events of the first Mortal Kombat. After all, he is the one who killed Earthrealm’s champion - the Great Kung Lao - and reigned as Mortal Kombat champion for half a millennium. Even if Goro isn’t the main antagonist, he could return once again as a minor antagonist and sub-boss for the story mode, which will likely see Fire God Liu Kang training The Great Kung Lao for the tournament.

Goro may not be as big of a villain as characters like Shang Tsung, Shao Kahn, and Shinnok, but he is important to the Mortal Kombat series. His design makes him recognizable to fans, and his physical prowess make him a threat to those who oppose him. There’s a reason why Goro is a minor boss fight in multiple Mortal Kombat games and a loyal servant of Shang Tsung and Shao Kahn - he is valuable. If Goro never becomes the primary villain of a Mortal Kombat game, at least he’ll be there to be a roadblock for the protagonists.

Next: Mortal Kombat 12 Fighters Who DON'T Need To Appear