Old or new I will like them. And old or new you will play them just the same.

It's time to start moving the original characters out and give the series a fresh breath. Most of the original characters, including the beloved blue and yellow ninjas, have grown stale.

The characters simply feel rehashed. Sonya plays the same that she has since the series inception. Others, such as Johnny Cage, have actually lost moves over the years and are slowly losing what luster they have left.

On the other hand, some of the originals play less like their original counterparts. Take Raiden for example; His character remained virtually unchanged until Deadly Alliance. They actually managed to give us a classic character with a fresh feel. It is always possible to breathe new life into old characters but some have simply got to disappear to advance the story...

That's why new characters are slowly beginning to fill the roster instead of having old characters return. Granted, the new characters in the past two games have been poor additions and were quickly forgotten. New characters in this generation may actually be original and play an important role in Deception.

As for the classic feel, don't look for all of the classics to disappear. If they do, they'll most likely make a return in a later game or something to that effect. Reason being, the older characters have a place in various fans' hearts and they simply can't see them go for good.

Classic characters that disappeared over the years are beginning to make a much needed return. Baraka. Ermac. Kabal. They all found a loyal following along die-hard fans only to be put onto a back burner for years.. Then, after their hiatus, they've returned to fill the void. These characters will retain the classic feel but will rejuvinate the series..

they should give all the people that havnt been in 3d a chance and give the ones that have a break! maybe in mk8/9 they could have back the other ones... i dont think they should kill them ALL off, just maybe they gone on seperate missions... kill off the bad guys except quan chi and kahn! i would like to see them to battleing it out! mk7 should be a mix of umk3 characters and mk4 characters, a few da and some deception's new characters and also ermac etc that had there first 3d appearance in mkd!

now in mk8 some of the mk7 people are dead or something! bring back a few older characters.. make there story's new!!

keepoppin Wrote: It's time to start moving the original characters out and give the series a fresh breath. Most of the original characters, including the beloved blue and yellow ninjas, have grown stale. The characters simply feel rehashed. Sonya plays the same that she has since the series inception. Others, such as Johnny Cage, have actually lost moves over the years and are slowly losing what luster they have left. On the other hand, some of the originals play less like their original counterparts. Take Raiden for example; His character remained virtually unchanged until Deadly Alliance. They actually managed to give us a classic character with a fresh feel. It is always possible to breathe new life into old characters but some have simply got to disappear to advance the story... That's why new characters are slowly beginning to fill the roster instead of having old characters return. Granted, the new characters in the past two games have been poor additions and were quickly forgotten. New characters in this generation may actually be original and play an important role in Deception. As for the classic feel, don't look for all of the classics to disappear. If they do, they'll most likely make a return in a later game or something to that effect. Reason being, the older characters have a place in various fans' hearts and they simply can't see them go for good. Classic characters that disappeared over the years are beginning to make a much needed return. Baraka. Ermac. Kabal. They all found a loyal following along die-hard fans only to be put onto a back burner for years.. Then, after their hiatus, they've returned to fill the void. These characters will retain the classic feel but will rejuvinate the series..

I totally agree with keepoppin

I get the feeling that Mortal Kombat is becoming a bit repetitive, but only because of a handfull of characters. Furthermore, I think that if a character does'nt play a very important role in the game (new or old), then they should'nt be included in the game. For what the MK team is trying to accomplish, it's going to take a lot of freshening up the storyline. They did a good job in MK:DA, but there is still more freshening up that needs to be done.

Depends on the characters...if an original character is no longer really needed storywise, drop him for a while at least. Examples: Johnny Cage, Kano

However some of the originals have changed with the series and could be considered still important and worthwhile to keep: Examples: Rayden, Sub-Zero

Hey, it wouldn't feel like Mortal Kombat without Rayden (at least as a storyteller) or Sub-Zero

calibus_ Wrote: keepoppin Wrote: It's time to start moving the original characters out and give the series a fresh breath. Most of the original characters, including the beloved blue and yellow ninjas, have grown stale. The characters simply feel rehashed. Sonya plays the same that she has since the series inception. Others, such as Johnny Cage, have actually lost moves over the years and are slowly losing what luster they have left. On the other hand, some of the originals play less like their original counterparts. Take Raiden for example; His character remained virtually unchanged until Deadly Alliance. They actually managed to give us a classic character with a fresh feel. It is always possible to breathe new life into old characters but some have simply got to disappear to advance the story... That's why new characters are slowly beginning to fill the roster instead of having old characters return. Granted, the new characters in the past two games have been poor additions and were quickly forgotten. New characters in this generation may actually be original and play an important role in Deception. As for the classic feel, don't look for all of the classics to disappear. If they do, they'll most likely make a return in a later game or something to that effect. Reason being, the older characters have a place in various fans' hearts and they simply can't see them go for good. Classic characters that disappeared over the years are beginning to make a much needed return. Baraka. Ermac. Kabal. They all found a loyal following along die-hard fans only to be put onto a back burner for years.. Then, after their hiatus, they've returned to fill the void. These characters will retain the classic feel but will rejuvinate the series.. I totally agree with keepoppin I get the feeling that Mortal Kombat is becoming a bit repetitive, but only because of a handfull of characters. Furthermore, I think that if a character does'nt play a very important role in the game (new or old), then they should'nt be included in the game. For what the MK team is trying to accomplish, it's going to take a lot of freshening up the storyline. They did a good job in MK:DA, but there is still more freshening up that needs to be done.

I agree whole heartidly with both of you guys. If they have no place in the story, then they shouldnt return. If you think about it, it gives these originals a more anticipated return in the next installment. Its not like they wont be in MK:D, all the originals will return in FMV to show what happens to them. They're not just gonna continue and progress with the story and not explain what happened to them.

I agree, in order for the series and story to stay fresh, newer character favorites must return. The originals deserve a hiatus for a bit, until MK7. The only original character I see, who must return due to his place in the plotline, is Raiden.

Sonya and Jax can stay on Earth tracking down the Red Dragon and repairing the portal openings back on base that Hsu Hao destoryed... perhaps they sent Kenshi to finish a mission tracking Mavado, and he runs into Ermac. Cage can be back home doing movies, Kano... well he has alot of enemies so perhaps hes on the run now more than ever, maybe he has a tie in with Kabal. See they all can have their own storylines, stay out of MK:D, and be just fine. You just wont play as them. When the game comes out, im sure you wont even worry about the originals with this badass roster unfolding.

Good posts guy!I am glad you help me see the other side.I just noticed that most series get ran into the ground b/c they completely take out the orginals.

DoomBringer Wrote: Sonya and Jax can stay on Earth tracking down the Red Dragon and repairing the portal openings back on base that Hsu Hao destoryed... perhaps they sent Kenshi to finish a mission tracking Mavado, and he runs into Ermac. Cage can be back home doing movies, Kano... well he has alot of enemies so perhaps hes on the run now more than ever, maybe he has a tie in with Kabal. See they all can have their own storylines, stay out of MK:D, and be just fine. You just wont play as them. When the game comes out, im sure you wont even worry about the originals with this badass roster unfolding.

Doombringer, that's a great concept...makes a lot of since.

And just to clarify, when I said "freshen up the series more," I was'nt saying get rid of more originals. I LOVE the originals, and I think that many would agree that there has to be a place for some of the originals, or the game just would't be Mortal Kombat, but, I think that there stories dfinitely have to keep up with the evolving series. I think that they accomplished this with Sonya Blade (for one), who, I think, got a very appropriate makeover (visually, and storyline wise). I think that this character has evolved quite well, and I am eager to see where she will go from here (I think it would be a waste not to continue with her). As for characters like Johnny Cage, who's story is near irreparable, this is where you get into the realm of repetitive. Unless he get's an Ultimate heavy duty exstreem makeover (whish is not completely impossible), this is only wasted space that could be use for a better purpose.

Well either way, coming from a fan who doesnt mind seeing the originals taking a break from one game, I think its a great way to freshen up the series. There are so many characters in MK that have such a huge fan base that I think having the original few out for once wont hurt at all. You have so many kickass characters coming back for MK:D like Noob Saibot, Ermac, Kabal, Nightwolf, Sindel, Mileena, and Baraka to name a few that I for one wont miss Cage, Sonya, Jax, etc. I understand people have their original favorites, but like I said its not like the originals wont be in the game, you just wont play as them. You need to have new and familiar faces to keep the game unpredictable and fresh IMO.

I totally agree. I think as long as they're mentioned in the storyline, they are still in the game, even if not playable. There definitely needs to be a dose of life injected into the vein of this series, and if that means returning only 1 or 2 original characters, I won't mind that, at all.

YES!

Mk should keep this:

sonya
johnny cage
rayden

THIS are the most important of all.

I don't think the originals should be removed...however, ALOT of them need to take a break. Sub-Zero and Scorpion are the staples of the series...you can't take Sub-Zero and Scorpion out...its like taking Ryu and Ken out of street fighter, or Haohmaru out of Samurai Shodown. However, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing alot of classic characters take a break for one game, or just going away forever.

Frankly, I never want to see Sonya again. She is the most boring character in the series...to me anyway. Kitana can go too...her story is going nowhere. Johnny Cage I've always liked, but his best days are behind him. After MK2, Johnny Cage was no longer the same, so its time to say goodbye. Same with Jax...his spotlight was in MK2...ever since he just hasn't been that great, though I thought he kicked ass in MKDA. Jax's story is just too old now.

Bottomline, here's what I think:

Take a break for a game or two:

Raiden- give him a narration or story role ala MK3

Reptile- I appreciate that he's evolving with every game, but his appeal is dying...I hate to say it but I liked him better when he was a ninja

Quan Chi- if he took a break for a game, we'd miss him, and wonder what the hell he's up to, so I wouldn't mind him being gone for just one game

Die/Just go away:

Sonya- To borrow a line from Gollum, "Leave now...and never come back!" I'd love to see her killed by Kano, i'm just sick of Sonya at this point

Kitana- She's gotten so stale...give her meaning or get rid of her...replace her with Mileena(which appears to have happened) or maybe Jade

Jax- Much as I like Jax, he just has no real story

Johnny Cage- His glory days are over. One of my all-time favorites, but he just has to go

Sonya, cage, rayden are a must!

Sonya is the original chick she has been around since mk1! she is one of the most important characters of the story.

But mkd seems to be taking a different road so...I will just have to wait for mk7.