I believe the originals will never be gone for long. Almost every single one of them have almost become icons of MK. Johnny Cage, Kano, Liu Kang, Raiden, Scorpion, Sonya, and Sub-Zero. Even Reptile, Shang Tsung and Goro will most likely make a return.

Other classic characters also, became icons of MK and will most likely never be gone for long: Kung Lao, Jax, Kitana and of course Shao Kahn.

There are iconic characters, i.e. Raiden, Kano, Shang Tsung, Liu Kang, etc.

And I've mentioned this in another thread, but there are the 'flagship' characters: those that the franchise is actually built upon, and usually do most of the promo work. i.e. the blatantly obvious Sub-Zero and Scorpion, etc.

What she said.

There are characters that have been around forever in almost all the games, one way or the other, playable, just in story mode, etc.

* Scorpion for example, has been around in all games but Mk3.

* Sonya has been in all but in Mk2 and MKD, but in those 2 she was mentioned, and played an important role in the story.

* Johnny Cage was in all but in Mk3 and MKD, but in MKD his role is important as he is a salve like the others.

* Liu Kang has been in all but in MKDA, and even in that game he played a HUGE role.

* Rayden in all but in Mk3, but even there he is mentioned.

* Sub-Zero THE YOUNGER was in all BUT in mk1, in that game it was the original Sub-Zero, the older brother.

* Sub-Zerp THE ORIGINAL, asuming he really is: has ONLY been playable in Mk1, Mk4, MKD and MKT, but mentioned or appeared in all the games.

And then there are others who keep coming back after "resting" such as Kano, Shang Tsung, Goro, Reptile and Shao Kahn.

Mainly, the originals like those are likely to stay around forever. the main characters of the story that started Mk one way or another.

I'd like to add to that...

Liu Kang has been playable in every game except for Deadly Alliance (and he still had a major part in the story) and for the majority of the series he's been the main hero, and that's not easily replaced.

The oringinal 10(I'm sad to say,Scorpion and Sub-Zero also.I love to hate those2)
Kung Lao:He became way too big after MKII to leave.
Kitana:^Same as above^
Shoa Kahn:An awesome character concept.He is one of the least known characters in MK,and we need to know more about along with Quan Chi,Shinnok, and Shang Tsung

Those are the only ones who will NEVER leave

Here is who should stay and why

Lui Kang - the hero of the series and perennial MK champ
Scorpion - Boon's and just about everyone elses fav...he is the anti-hero
plus everyone knows the "get over here" line
Sub-zero- he has been just about all of the games and is a staple of the
franchise
Raiden - he is the mentor of the warriors and the guide...he is another
staple of the franchise
Shang Tsung - he may seem a bit worn out...but he is the guy you love to
hate. He is the foil to Lui Kang.
Kung Lao - I still think he is underdevelped...but he is Lui Kang without
being such a pretty boy. Everyone loves this guy. Plus MKSM
made him take a more pivotal role in the story
Kitana - the most popular female character. She is the link to Outworld.
Johnny Cage - Although i personally hate him. He is the comic relief of the
series.


Honorable mention (characters who should come and go)
Quan Chi, Sonya, Milleena, Baraka, Shao Khan, Reptile, Noob, Smoke, Goro, Kabal, Havik, Kenshi

I'm going to list the original characters and the games they've appeared in.

Liu Kang: All games except Deadly Alliance.
Raiden: All games except MK3.
Scorpion: All games except MK3.
Sub-Zero: Every game, though it is a different Sub-Zero after MK1.
Johnny Cage: Only games he hasn't been in are MK3 and Deception.
Sonya: She hasn't appeared in MK2 (as a fighter) and Deception.
Kano: Has been in all the "odd" number games.


I'd love it if the next game had all the original fighters. (I think Liu Kang was the only character from the original game who wasn't in Deadly Alliance)