Goro is a character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series. The Prince of the Shokan and former champion of the Mortal Kombat Tournament, he is one of the most recognizable and memorable characters in the series. He is a frequent, recurring antagonist in the series and major ally to the sorcerer Shang Tsung.
Goro made his debut as one of the few original characters in the first Mortal Kombat game while serving as a sub-boss to Shang Tsung. He serves as a sub-boss to many games in the series after.
Goro returned in Mortal Kombat (2011) as an unplayable primary sub-boss, a role he shares with Kintaro. He also serves as a minor antagonist in the game's Story Mode.
Goro returned in Mortal Kombat X as a playable character, being the first character in history as a pre-order bonus character as well as serving as the sub-boss for the game's Arcade. He was later released with the Kombat Pack 2.
Goro is a 4,000-year-old half-human dragon man, the prince of the Shokan, and one of the original characters debuting in the first Mortal Kombat arcade game as the sub-boss, and later appeared as the sub-boss of Mortal Kombat 4, however only on home consoles. He first became playable in the Game Boy port of Mortal Kombat. He appeared as a four-armed Shokan warrior who had been the champion of the Mortal Kombat tournament for nine generations, remaining undefeated for 500 years. Goro is among Shao Kahn's favorite warriors and is well known for his power and brutality. Goro helped the emperor grow closer to dominating Earthrealm, but he lost at the tenth while fighting against Liu Kang, who later defeated the sorcerer Shang Tsung.
He also has an iconic fight against Johnny Cage in the 1995 film.
Goro appears as one of General Shao's officers in the new timeline. He appears frequently at the General's side during the Earthrealm Champion's mission to retrieve Shang Tsung for questioning for Liu Kang in Outworld. As the General found the Earthrealmers in the Sun Do Festival, along with Ashrah and Syzoth escaping to head to the portal, Goro is knocked out by Johnny Cage.
Other timeline counterparts of Goro appear in the second Battle of Armageddon, one wielding four of Shao Kahn's Wrath Hammers. Many of these counterparts are later killed, however the current Goro remained in Outworld.
Theme songs[]
Goro (The Outworld Prince) - The Immortals
Goro vs. Art - feat. Buckethead
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks, Part II[]
There was a flashback or two in which he challenged Liu Kang and Kung Lao within Outworld, then was severely wounded after he was punched in the groin by Johnny. It was implied that after the celebrity made him fall off the cliff, he was revived by Kahn thus wreaking havoc in the courtyard before it collapsed, and the monks fell into his lair.
Mortal Kombat: Shinnok's Uprising[]
Goro arrived at the Shokan city of Kuatan where Princess Kitana was working out peace talks with the Shokan and Centaurs. He broke off the feuding races as he confessed that he'd been in hiding, ashamed of the defeats by Johnny Cage in the first tournament, as well as by Liu Kang and Kung Lao in the Outworld tournament. He never wanted to serve under Shao Kahn due to his savage rule, as well as betraying his kind employing Kintaro, then the Centaurs before he was destroyed. He wanted to restore his place replacing his father leading the Shokan with the Konquerer gone. He made peace with the Centaurs, otherwise he'd be willing to clobber anyone who'd oppose Kitana's rules contrary to Kahn's. He even went out of his way to defend Kitana during the assault at the palace!
Kitana mentioned to Kung Lao that after his ancestor's scrimmages with Quan Chi and his followers, he was slain by Goro. Lao was shocked that Goro survived after his two lethal defeats and wished to put an end to him as payback. Kitana retorted this wasn't the time for vengeance as he must focus on the greater threats of Quan Chi and Shinnok.
Goro accepted to sign Kitana's treaty between his kind and the Centaurs, the one that had been interrupted by Shinnok's invasion. Only to have IT be abruptly halted by a sudden assault from a glowing buzzsaw turning out to be Kung Lao's hat!! Kitana urged him to not start another kombat, and Goro challenged the former monk. Never backing down, Lao explained this was a ceremonial strike for his ancestor whom Goro killed several centuries ago. Goro questioned if he wished to continue the brutal feud, to which Lao replied he just wanted to make things even and have peace between them. Under the circumstances, Goro was impressed over Lao's pride and skills, which reminded him on how his ancestor was in nobility, looks and spirit. Goro realized the last descendant's his spitting image and if he wished to have a son, he shall carry on their legacy, and the Great Kung Lao shall be proud of his accomplishments, and Lao shall be proud of his as well... They shook hands and Kitana was successful.
Mortal Kombat: Vengeance[]
Sindel mentioned to Kung Lao and Aiko that it's most likely either Goro may work for the enemy, Shang Tsung, or perhaps hide away while looking after the Shokan race and negotiate with the Centaurs. The Edenians didn't want to invite more trouble while preparing against the Deadly Alliance.
Goro was then seen inside the Palace along with Sheeva and Sindel with the former tending his angsts and wrecked by past guilt. He was so uneasy as the heroes left to the deep reaches of Outworld, and Sheeva kept reminding him of the positivity, even making peace with Kung Lao. Goro's mind flashed back to all the misery he pulled while acting as Shang's former Champion: from him being defeated by the Great Kung Lao, to Goro slewing him, to losing the two tournaments and being severely wounded by Johnny, and finally making amends with the Shaolin. He then prayed for once to the Elder Gods for Lao's safe and successful mission. Until Asgaarth broke the news the team were engaged with the diabolical sorcerers.
Goro was still with the monarchs as Kitana and Jade were escorting a time displaced Baraka thru the Palace gates, and he decreed with Sheeva the Shokan shall keep a watch over him if he should relocate closer to the Edenian border. He wondered if Onaga shall be resurrected.
Goro in Return of the Dragon King
Return of the Dragon King[]
Goro made a surprise appearance outside the Edenian Palace gates, granting Kung Lao and Hanzo to enter and convincing the guards. Unlike in the games, he still remembered him as the peacemaker between him and the Centaurs, contrary to him serving Kahn and Shang Tsung again... Goro still considered Lao as inspirational and honorable, much like his ancestor. He planned on assisting him against the dreaded Dragon King if the need arose. He stayed with the rest of the royal guard along with Sheeva and Asgaarth, while Sindel, Liu and Jade decided to investigate the Lost Tomb at daybreak.
Goro made a surprise ambush onto Onaga in the Nexus as he made five Shokan Jumps saving Kung Lao's life! He then snatched away the Outworld Kamidogu from the altar and carried Lao to the Outworld portal. Thankfully, they were about a mile away from the melee, and he used the Kamidogu to revive Lao with his Earthrealm pendant. He shook him awake and reiterated he must help put an end to Onaga's tyrannical might! They met up with the other Champions, including Havik, as they confronted the beast. Although it took a while before Goro bashed Onaga after Havik wavered. His abilities seemed to be a mimicry of Onaga's whether it'd be their brute strength, Shokan Jumps, Fireballs, excepting Goro had more versatility; however, even he eventually weakened. He fought the serpent a second time before Liu Kang suggested to destroy the Kamidogu, making Onaga vulnerable to attack! He was one of the heroes backing him away and into the F4 funnel Lao conjured, leaving Onaga's soul to ooze out of Reptile. He was then escorted by Raiden to the Sky Temple awaiting the warriors' fates. He stood eagerly waiting for each victim to recover, and for the first time, he was thrilled that Lao and Liu shared the title as Champions, saviors of the realms, and carrying their ancestor's promising legacy.
Final Kombat[]
Kintaro remembered Liu Kang and Kung Lao decimating him in Kahn's Arena during the second tournament. Somehow, he defected from the Netherrealm like the other Forces of Darkness.
At one point, he has a lethal match against Goro, as a flashback when he fought him inside the Edenian throne room. It was a tough battle, although since Goro had more ferocity while Kintaro was nimbler, he had the advantage. He never killed him, and Sheeva approved with the decision on sparing him, as with the lesson with Kung Lao, he made peace with the Centaurs and he's willing to do the same for the Tigerians. Goro was at a crossroads as whether he'd want to stay with Queen Sindel or move to Australia where the Shokan would live. As soon as they'd find and kill Kano.
He then realized his enemies would be revived to fight in the battle of Armageddon, and he admired Liu's strategies on being the levelheaded one, taking out their enemies one at a time before Blaze, and perhaps pit them against each other to cut down their numbers.
He was honored to fight alongside Kung Lao when the battle should occur, as he never had the chance to redeem himself with the Great Kung Lao. He rode the Netherwing to the southern crater. He assisted the heroes alongside Sheeva and Kintaro, even when facing his rival, Motaro as a Minotaur. From him and the wrath of Shao Kahn's Hammer, he was greatly wounded with Sheeva. Until they were recuperated by Cetrion's remorseful tears raining down on the heroes. After that, he and Sheeva made it official that they'd relocate to Australia with Kintaro to take their stead in Edenia! He assisted his clan to wipe out criminals and became a new protector of Earthrealm! Even years later, when he served with the Special Forces against Kotal and his new recruits.
Kontentment[]
In a flashback stated by Caro to Aiko, Goro was won over by the Great Kung Lao 50 years after his victory over Shang Tsung! However, while he was trained by Fire God Liu Kang, he still succumbed and died to his severe injuries. Due to his tragedy, the Keeper of Time rewound all of history, and the Prince soon attained his unstoppable title.
Koherence[]
Goro made a small drum solo at a distance within the Edenian Palace. He soon emerged from the shadows and offered to be the percussionist for Kenshi and Aiko's upcoming musical number at the Sky Temple! He said it'd been years since he played the modernized drums and cymbals, and just like Sindel, he knew how savage and tempting the Makeba tribe is. He went with the confirmation that they're the ancestors of the Africans and Indians of Earthrealm as they migrated there during Onaga's expansion of Outworld! He started to prepare for the performance in 3 days, and he appreciated Aiko as the honorable Kung Lao's lover, as he'd grown to be a mature, valiant warrior like his ancestor.
Goro anticipating for the performance behind his brand-new drum set near the entry of the Sky Temple
He arrived late along with Jerrod to the Sky Temple after he encouraged the Edenian Resistance to be prepared for the Matokan ceremony since Sindel had one of Aiko's heart gems. Just like Ashrah, he was intrigued by the chosen number Fujin and Aiko chosen, and he improvised his drum solos easily along with the former demon's bass. It took him only a few tries to master the song and he even felt uplifted by it and the positive energy emanating from the band's own gems. Seven hours before the ceremony, Fujin recommended Goro to tighten the screws as they sounded sloppy when being beat. He was also very busy when Raiden appeared and greeted everyone. And at 8pm Chinese Standard Time, Goro was anxious as he and his posse overheard the tremors by the Matoka! That was until Fujin and Aiko made a fanfare announcement before their first song! He was rocking and rapidly hitting the drums and cymbals in unison, and he along with Ermac and Kenshi were the leading performers, even during the backup number when Goro beat on his claves. He roared in triumph as the Shaolin and the other distant spectators cheered!
Trivia[]
- Ikran despised Goro's roles in the 3D games after MK GOLD! She always hated the idea on having another Shokan be dead to fool people Goro was slain, only to have him serve Shao Kahn, whom his decoy was killed, and undo everything including the peace treaty made to the Centaurs. As the former undefeated Champion from Outworld and admiring Kung Lao's nobility, he shall be an antihero instead of a backstabbing villain for the sake on defending his race!
Gallery[]
.webp "Goro (MK1).webp (12 KB)")
Goro's Lair[]
