Are Goro, Kintaro and Shao Kahn Playable?

Wondering if you can play as Goro, Kintaro, or Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat 9? We break down how it's possible (and not possible) via mods and challenges.

So, you're wondering if you can finally unleash the fury of Goro, Kintaro, or even the mighty Shao Kahn in Mortal Kombat 9? It's a common question, and the answer is a bit of a mixed bag – yes and no, depending on how you play and which version you're on.

Right now, the only official way you'll get to throw down as Goro is by tackling challenge #150 in the game. It's a tough one, but it's your ticket to playing as the Shokan prince. As for Kintaro and Shao Kahn, while there are hints of them in the demo's code with an ending sequence, there's no regular way to select them for Ladder or Versus matches in the base game. Future updates or DLC could theoretically change this, but as it stands, it's not a standard feature.

Now, if you're on the Xbox or PS3 versions and feeling adventurous, third-party programmers have cooked up modifications that let you play as these boss characters. However, this involves digging into your console's files and potentially hardware modifications. It's definitely not the recommended route for most players, as it can be risky and complicated.

For our PC players, there's a more accessible option. A modification has been released specifically to unlock Goro, Kintaro, and Shao Kahn. Just be aware that there's a known bug with the PC mod: Shao Kahn currently won't work in the Fatality Tutorial. If you try to select him, the tutorial will crash and send you right back to the main menu. So, while you can play as him elsewhere, that specific mode is off-limits for now.

If you're looking to find these PC mods, a quick search on any search engine for "Bosses mod MKKE" should point you in the right direction. Before you dive in, remember to back up any original game files that the mod might overwrite. It's always a good idea to run a virus scan on any downloaded files too, just to keep your system safe and sound.