This is a list of playable characters from the Mortal Kombat fighting game series and the games in which they appear. The series takes place in a fictional universe composed of six realms, which are overseen by beings known as the Elder Gods. The Elder Gods created a fighting tournament called Mortal Kombat to resolve conflicts between the realms. The first Mortal Kombat game introduces a tournament in which Earthrealm could be conquered by Outworld if the tournament is lost.