Why Wasn’t Raiden in Mortal Kombat 3? The Shocking Truth!
The absence of Raiden, the electrifying God of Thunder, from Mortal Kombat 3 was a major point of contention for fans. The official answer, and one often repeated, comes down to two primary factors: storyline justification and character roster management due to popularity concerns. The official narrative explanation was that Raiden, sensing the overwhelming power of Shao Kahn and the imminent threat to Earthrealm, relinquished his godhood to join the mortal warriors. However, he believed the situation was beyond his control, declaring himself unable to participate directly in the conflict.
But that’s not the entire story. As the article extract mentions, Midway considered Raiden as one of the least-selected characters in MK2. This played a significant role in his initial exclusion. Game development during the mid-90s was constrained by technological limitations, and arcade cabinets had limited memory and processing power. This meant difficult choices had to be made about which characters to include in the roster. Popularity contests are always part of those decisions. Resources were finite, and the developers opted to prioritize characters they believed would resonate more with players, leading to Raiden’s initial omission.
Of course, this didn’t sit well with everyone. Fan feedback can be a powerful force and, in this case, it led to Raiden’s triumphant return in Mortal Kombat Trilogy, an updated version of MK3. This re-release included nearly every character from the entire Mortal Kombat franchise up to that point, satisfying fan demand and solidifying Raiden’s place as a core character.
Deeper Dive: Understanding the Development Context
To fully appreciate Raiden’s absence and subsequent return, it’s crucial to understand the development environment of the time. Arcade games thrived on enticing players to spend more money, and character selection was a key element of this. Characters perceived as less exciting or challenging were often left behind to make way for new additions or revisions to existing fighters. This pragmatic approach, driven by market forces and technological constraints, sometimes resulted in unpopular decisions from a fan perspective.
The team at Midway understood that the Mortal Kombat franchise was built on character recognition. Removing key figures like Raiden, even for strategic reasons, risked alienating a core audience. The inclusion of Raiden in Nightwolf’s Friendship was a clever nod to fans, acknowledging his absence while still keeping him somewhat visible. This ultimately served as a bridge, paving the way for his fully playable return in later iterations.
In summary, Raiden’s exclusion from Mortal Kombat 3 was a complex decision influenced by a combination of storyline justification, character popularity analysis, and technological limitations. While disappointing for fans at the time, his eventual return underscored the importance of fan feedback and solidified his lasting legacy within the Mortal Kombat universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Raiden and Mortal Kombat 3
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify Raiden’s absence from Mortal Kombat 3 and related topics:
1. Where is Raiden in MK3 storywise?
In the MK3 storyline, Raiden relinquishes his elder god status, believing that Earthrealm is doomed. He joins the mortal warriors, but is not directly playable. He is watching.
2. Why wasn’t Raiden a playable character in Mortal Kombat 3?
The decision was a multifaceted one involving storyline considerations, character popularity, and technological limitations of the time. Raiden was deemed to be amongst the least popular of the kombatants which ultimately resulted in the decision to remove him from Mortal Kombat 3’s playable roster.
3. How did Raiden appear in Mortal Kombat 3 despite not being a playable character?
Raiden appeared in the attract mode, warning of the impending doom, and as part of Nightwolf’s Friendship animation, where Nightwolf transforms into Raiden.
4. Was Carlos Pesina involved in Mortal Kombat 3?
Carlos Pesina, who played Raiden in the first two games, did not directly contribute to MK3.
5. Why is Raiden not a god in MK1?
In the Mortal Kombat 1 timeline created by Liu Kang, Raiden is a mortal chosen champion, not a god, to prevent him from following a dark path as seen in previous timelines.
6. Why was Johnny Cage not in Mortal Kombat 3 initially?
Johnny Cage was initially cut because he was also considered one of the least selected characters in Mortal Kombat 2.
7. How was Mortal Kombat 3 received by fans?
Mortal Kombat 3 received mixed reactions. Some enjoyed the new features and characters, while others were disappointed by the omission of popular characters like Raiden and Scorpion.
8. Why was Sonya not in Mortal Kombat 2?
Sonya and Kano were removed from Mortal Kombat 2 primarily due to memory constraints and their perceived lower popularity compared to other characters.
9. What is the relationship between Liu Kang and Raiden?
Their relationship has evolved significantly throughout the series. They started as master and student, then allies, and sometimes adversaries, depending on the storyline. In the new timeline, they are peers.
10. Why does Shao Kahn hate Raiden?
Shao Kahn views Raiden as an obstacle to his conquest of Earthrealm. Raiden is Earthrealm’s protector, standing against Shao Kahn’s ambition.
11. What made Raiden evil in some timelines?
Corruption by dark forces, such as Onaga, or the burden of protecting Earthrealm leading to morally questionable decisions, can turn Raiden into a darker version of himself.
12. Which Mortal Kombat games did Scorpion not appear in?
Scorpion has appeared in every main installment of Mortal Kombat except Mortal Kombat 3.
13. Is Fujin related to Raiden?
Fujin is Raiden’s brother and fellow protector of Earthrealm, serving as the God of Wind.
14. What is the significance of Raiden losing his godhood?
Raiden’s decision to relinquish his godhood in some timelines signifies his willingness to join the mortals in their fight, even without his divine powers, showcasing his dedication to Earthrealm.
15. What is Mortal Kombat’s enduring appeal?
Mortal Kombat’s enduring appeal stems from its unique blend of martial arts action, fantastical elements, intriguing characters, and engaging storylines.
The Mortal Kombat franchise has had a significant impact on the landscape of games and their role in education. To explore this further, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to learn about the intersection of gaming and education. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to promoting game-based learning and understanding the educational potential of video games. Their research explores how games can be used to enhance learning outcomes and engage students in new and innovative ways.