Kung Lao

A playable Shaolin monk character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise, known for using his razor-sharp hat as a weapon.

Action

Games

1994–2005

Years

Platforms

$56.10

Ø CIB

+6.2%

24M change

About

Kung Lao debuted in Mortal Kombat II (1994) and returned in Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1996) as a peaceful yet formidable warrior. He is depicted as a close ally of Liu Kang and a descendant of the Great Kung Lao. He later appeared in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) and starred as a main protagonist in the spin-off Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005).

Characterized by his trademark razor-rimmed bowler hat, this Shaolin monk utilizes the weapon for both ranged projectile attacks and graphic execution moves known as Fatalities. The hat's design was inspired by the character Oddjob from the James Bond film franchise. Throughout his appearances in Mortal Kombat II (1994), Mortal Kombat 3 (1995), and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1996), his gameplay style emphasized high mobility, featuring teleportation maneuvers and rapid spinning attacks that deflect incoming projectiles.

In Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002) and its Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance [Platinum] (2003) re-release, his narrative focus shifted toward vengeance, prompting him to temporarily abandon his pacifist philosophy to train under the martial arts master Bo' Rai Cho. This era introduced a wind-based fighting style and altered his visual design to include a mourning band. The character's cooperative mechanics were fully realized in Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (2005), where players utilized his unique aerial combat maneuvers and hat-tossing physics to defeat hordes of enemies in a multidirectional beat-'em-up format, cementing his status as a mechanical pillar of the franchise.