Mortal Kombat: Every Default Sub-Zero Design, Ranked

Summary

• Sub-Zero has a history of detailed and notable designs throughout the Mortal Kombat series.
• Some of Sub-Zero's designs, like the ones in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, have strange or unremarkable elements.
• Other designs, such as in Mortal Kombat 2 and Mortal Kombat X, showcase a sleek and intimidating look for Sub-Zero.

The coolest of all the ninjas (sorry, I had to do it), Sub-Zero is just as iconic as his rival, brother, and best friend, Scorpion. The icy blue ninja has been through years of stories and has a storied legacy for its mantle. Yet, Sub-Zero also seems to have a history of designs that is even more detailed and notable.

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Sub-Zero has appeared in pretty much every single Mortal Kombat game and then some others along the way. So here's to celebrating the Mortal Kombat roster's second, colder, poster boy. Here are all of Sub-Zero's default designs, ranked.

15 Deadly Alliance

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance's version of Sub-Zero might be one of the strangest and most "not" Sub-Zero designs yet. It's a grizzled and aged variation of Sub-Zero, and the attire has a strangely blue scar and short gray hair.

The padded vest has a light blue and black color scheme with slight details thanks to the symbols present. The boots and pants are simple, as well as the arms, which simply have Sub-Zero's icy arm texture, and even though it's an unremarkable attire, it manages to stand out thanks to some strange decisions.

14 Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

The founder of the strange, and thankfully brief, Henry Rollins Sub-Zero collection, this simplistic attire leaves much to be desired. At least his bright red scar was an interesting addition to the character, allowing Kuai Liang to stand out and have a unique character arc.

Like all the ninjas in MK3, Sub-Zero has a padded vest, but Kuai Liang's vest is far more skinny, streamlined, and bare. There are really no details that stand out other than his head, creating a major downgrade from the days of Mortal Kombat 2.

13 Mortal Kombat 4

Ah, Mortal Kombat's entrance into the era of three dimensions, where the ninjas had small yet very noticeable cat ears on their heads. Like Scorpion, Sub-Zero also had these tiny points on his head, but Sub-Zero's design was far different from his MK3 design.

Returning to a masked look, MK4 looked to simplify Sub-Zero with a more classic design. The result was a bit too simple, leading to a vest, and most of his upper body, with no unique details or highlights.

12 Mythologies

Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero was the first venture of Sub-Zero as the main protagonist of a game. The game was also a very different outing than the usual MK games, veering away from the traditional fighting mechanics to also attempt a blend with platforming.

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Sub-Zero's design itself is nothing to write home about, as it's mainly a sleeker and darker variation of the MK4 design, where the blue is a bit more desaturated and seemingly more wet and smooth looking. There isn't much else to see in the appearance, so it basically rests on par with its predecessor's design.

11 Mortal Kombat

The first, original design for Sub-Zero brought to the world the classic color palette-swapping ninjas. Of course, this marks the first entry of Bi-Han being under the hood instead of his younger brother, Kuai Liang.

It's not exactly fair to rank the simplicity of this attire with the details of the later entries, but it still feels like a stronger attire than the ones previously mentioned. The light blue and black color combination alongside the baggy outfit has become an iconic piece of gaming history.

10 Mortal Kombat 2

Like every Mortal Kombat 2 attire, Sub-Zero's attire was given many slight but prominent details, each one making Sub-Zero feel so much more real. The quilt-wearing ninjas had now arrived, with each ninja's attire having many more textures and layers.

Under the light blue cloth mask was now Kuai Liang, the younger brother of the original Sub-Zero, seeking revenge against Scorpion. The default design is still a color palette swap of the other ninjas, but unlike the cold and lifeless eyes of Scorpion, Sub-Zero had a much more human presence.

9 Mortal Kombat 11

A Sub-Zero attire that looks better unmasked? What a time to be alive. Mortal Kombat 11 might have the best aesthetic of any MK game, but unfortunately, Kuai Liang isn't at his peak design.

The textures are fantastic, the silver armor stands out well against the black and blue. The armor on his shoulders and arms looks both stylish and functional, and the hidden details like the daggers are a great touch. The only thing that doesn't click is Kuai Liang's ceremonial hat, which doesn't really fit the ninja's vibe.

8 Shaolin Monks

Shaolin Monks sought to bring things back to a simpler and brighter time for designs. The result was a design that felt both traditional and unique, as Sub-Zero had glowing white eyes and a rich, darker blue, and black color scheme.

The textures in the design are now soft and smooth, bringing in cloth alongside slick leather and contrasting against the rough and gray metal armor. Chain-mail rests under ninja garbs, and Sub-Zero's mask is now icy and white.

7 Injustice 2

Like Scorpion before him and like Raiden alongside him, Sub-Zero appeared in the Injustice universe, but his design was heavily altered. Made to fit in with the fellow superheroes and villains of the DC universe, this design for Sub-Zero is intricate and detailed, filled with a comic book sense of wonder and energy.

The mask is almost cybernetic, the vest is padded and slick, and the tight cowl is replaced with a baggier blue hood. His arms are black and sleek, with icy arms and icicle-covered shoulders that almost look like shoulder pads.

6 Armageddon

Armageddon was a blend of all sorts of ideas, resulting in mostly traditional designs with a few adjustments. Sub-Zero was back in cloth vests, with glowing eyes, a metallic mask, and silver armor that held the design together.

This was the debut of the frozen arm design for Sub-Zero, a look that was usually reserved only for attacks. Sub-Zero instead looked like a constantly glowing mass of energy, ready to unleash ice at a moment's notice.