Let’s be real for a second. When Mortal Kombat 1 launched, I was honestly a little skeptical about Cole Young.
You know the type—the guy who’s just there to explain the plot to the audience because the writers couldn’t figure out how to show it to us directly. And this is where things get interesting.
He’s the ‘tour guide.’ But then I played him, and honestly? The guy has a lot more going on under that hoodie than I gave him credit for.
Cole Young isn’t just the protagonist of the 2021 reboot; he’s a pivotal piece of the puzzle in NetherRealm’s latest reboot.
If you’re wondering why this guy keeps popping up in trailers and is apparently the main guy this time around, let’s break it down.
We’re talking about his origin, his surprisingly deep connection to the Lin Kuei, and what his role looks like now that Shang Tsung has rewritten history.
The Bruce Lee Influence: Where It All Started
So, who is Cole Young exactly? Well, the developers didn’t just pull him out of thin air.
They based him heavily on the legend, Bruce Lee.
You can see the moves—fluid, aggressive, a mix of boxing and his famous Jeet Kune Do.
It makes sense. Oddly enough,
NetherRealm loves paying homage to the roots of martial arts cinema.
From what I’ve seen in the movies and the games, Cole starts as a down-on-his-luck MMA fighter trying to pay the bills.
He’s got a scar that looks like it came from a fight he didn’t start, and he’s just trying to support his family.
He’s not a warrior by trade; he’s a survivor.
But his life changes the moment he steps into the tournament.
The scar burns—a literal pain in his chest—and that’s how he finds out he’s on the radar for the most dangerous people in the realm.
The Scorpion Connection: A Burning Question
The biggest mystery in Cole Young’s story is, of course, his link to the Shirai Ryu.
We all know that Scorpion, the fiery ninja, seems obsessed with finding him.
But why?
Here is the thing that most people overlook: Cole Young is the only human with the specific ‘Dragon Blood.’ It sounds like fantasy nonsense, but in the MK universe, it makes him a target for Shang Tsung.
Tsung wants to consume that blood to gain power.
But the Scorpion connection? That goes deeper.
Turns out, the fire inside him? It’s not just a symptom.
It’s a link.
The Scar actually belongs to Hanzo Hasashi—Scorpion.
Cole is somehow carrying a piece of him.
It’s a crazy concept, right? But it explains why Scorpion protects him sometimes and tries to kill him other times. And this is where things get interesting.
It’s a messy family reunion nobody asked for.
Cole Young vs.
Johnny Cage: An Odd Couple
One of the best parts of the reboot was the dynamic between Cole and Johnny Cage.
I mean, think about it.
A humble MMA guy who just wants to go home, and the Hollywood ego that refuses to quit.
They clash, obviously.
Cage thinks he knows everything, and Cole is just like, ‘I just want to protect my family.’ But as the story goes on, they actually develop a real respect for each other’s skills.
Cage’s ego clashes with Cole’s grounded, ‘street’ fighting style.
It creates some hilarious dialogue moments and actually helps the plot move forward because Cage brings the star power and Cole brings the raw talent.
What Makes Cole Young Special in MK1?
Okay, let’s talk about Mortal Kombat 1.
How does Cole fit into the new timeline where Kronika never messed things up? In MK1, he’s still the guy with the secret lineage, but the context is different.
He’s not just the ‘everyman’ anymore; he’s one of the key players in defending Earthrealm.
The developers gave him a complete visual overhaul that looks way more polished.
His outfit feels less like a generic ‘street fighter’ and more like a dedicated fighter now. Oddly enough,
The gameplay is interesting because he uses a mix of mid-range pokes and strong, heavy hits. Now think about that for a second.
He’s got that ‘anti-air’ game on lock, which is super useful if you’re playing online.
- The Scar: It’s still there.
It still burns.
And it still makes him a magnet for bad guys.
- The Bloodline: He carries the Jinsei essence, making him a natural target for Shang Tsung’s sorcery.
- The Motivation: Unlike Liu Kang or Raiden, Cole fights to protect a normal life.
He’s not a chosen god; he’s a dad, a husband, and a fighter. Now think about that for a second.
That grounding makes him relatable.
The Controversy: Why Everyone Hates Him
I have to touch on this because it’s unavoidable in the MK community.
Cole Young is arguably the most polarizing character NetherRealm has ever made.
Some players love his accessibility.
He’s easy to pick up, the moves are clear, and he feels good to play.
But others? They hate him.
They call him a ‘Mary Sue’ or a ‘plot device.’ They say he’s too overpowered or that he steals the spotlight from classic warriors like Liu Kang or Sub-Zero.
It’s a valid complaint, I guess.
When you introduce a new character in a reboot, you naturally alienate the die-hard fans who loved the old roster.
But from a business perspective? He’s a winner.
He’s a protagonist, and he’s the face of the new era.
Is He The Chosen One?
There’s a theory that Cole Young is actually the reincarnation of Hanzo Hasashi, but that feels a little too convenient for me.
I think he’s his own person—a new warrior in a long line of Earthrealm protectors.
He doesn’t need to be a god; he just needs to be a damn good fighter.
And honestly? He is.
At the end of the day, Cole Young brings a different flavor to the franchise.
He’s not a sorcerer, he’s not a god, and he’s not a clone.
He’s a guy with a scar and a lot of heart.
And in a universe filled with gods and demons, that might just be the most dangerous thing of all.
Wrap Up
If you’re on the fence about playing him in MK1, give him a shot.
Even if you don’t main him, knowing his backstory makes every time you see Scorpion light him up with a fireball hit a little more interesting.
It’s the messy, complicated storytelling that keeps us coming back for more.
Image source: pexels.com
Image source credit: pexels.com