I'm not sure why so many people assume that we'll see ten returning characters in the next game. Boon has stated that he wants as much "newness" as possible in the next game, and that MK:A marks the end of Shang Tsung's tournament. He said in the GI interview that while he couldn't picture an MK game without Scorpion or Sub Zero...Well, you get the idea. If Scorpion and Sub Zero might not return, it would seem to me like nothing is guaranteed as far as returning characters are concerned.

Personally, I like the idea of a whole new cast. It might be nice to have a few characters that relate to other characters (ie a military person with connections to Sonya, a Shinrai Ryu ninja with connections to Scorpion etc) but I don't really want another game with a ton of returning characters. But, if we do see ten returnees, these are the one's I'd want to see:

Hanzo (Human Scorpion)
Kira
Kano
Rayden
Fujin
Sareena
Noob
Sektor
Shao Khan
Kung Lao

Personally, the only characters I see returning are:

Scorpion
Sub-Zero
Raiden
Quan Chi
Shang Tsung
Shao Khan
and maybe someone random like Fujin.

Note: This topic was made before information was out for Armageddon, I really had no clue all the characters were going to be in it. I also like the idea of Hanzo Hasashi being playable in MK8.

My Ten Are:

Sonya
Mileena
Jade
Frost
Nitara
Raiden
Sub-Zero
Baraka
Scorpion
Johnny Cage

1.Hornbuckle
2.Meat
3.Zebron
4.Hell Retro
5.Riptide
6.Watchdog
7.Monitor
8.Tremor
9.Durrok
9.Pinklet

1.Baraka
2.Sub-zero
3.Scorpion
4.Reptile
5.Goro
6.Kintaro
7.Smoke(the human one)
8.Smoke(the non human one)
9.Sektor
10.Cyrax

Sonya
Johnny Cage
Sub Zero
Scorpion
Reptile
Kitana
Mileena
Shinnok (simply because I don't know much about him)
Motaro (Because he's not going to be in Armageddon)
Noob Saibot

ten eh? errrmmm well

1.scorpion (he is the best)

2.smoke(i would like him to be a single person instead of being with NOOB!

3.RAIN(HE,S COOL)

4.NO ONE ELSE!

i cant tell if your being sarcastic but
1.Zebron was a concept
2.Hornbuckle was just a background character 10 years ago(where were you)
3.Riptide and Hell Retro were from a fake game, you can find the origin webpage at the kombat pavilion

I was being VERY sarcastic with those ideas but since they won't be in
the finished game I'll have to make them through Create a Character.
But seriously this is my list
1.T
2.R
3.E
4.M
5.O
6.R
TREMOR.There is no reason to NOT bring him in despite being a 'thug'
If they can bring back the 'classic characters' like Jarek and Reiko or the lame new 'black dragons'Kobra and Kira,Why not?They've already added lamer characters to the roster so bring in Tremor.

Since we got pretty much everyone returning for the upcoming MK:A game (I hope its not a bad sign that it has the same initial as a certain movie) I hoping for the follow to survive the upcoming game and make a return in the one following:

1. Raiden--He's the one that connects all of Mortal Kombat together and is one of the originals. Can't have a MK game without him being there somewhere either as a playable character or a NPC.

2. Sonya Blade--Another original and the first true female fighter in my opinion. What's her name from SF2 was just a cheerleader that could highkick real fast. She is also the only 'good' gal that represents Earth. What other female warriors has Earth shown us so far? Kira a terrorist or someone willing to work with them and Frost a traitor to her own teacher (Don't yell this is all we have on her so far, the story might and will no doubt change if MK keeps her)

3. Johnny Cage--You should tell by now I like most of the originals to make a return. Johnny Cage is the fun guy that gives you a break from all the seriousness of the game. I do admit I'm getting a little tired of him being a total clown but I still believe that the clown act is only that an act. Besides anyone that that can say "Lay it on me, man" to Raiden with a straight face can't be all bad.

4. Kung Lao--He's what Liu Kang should have been and should be given more game time.

5. Nitara--One of the few truely original and interesting characters in the newer games . She is also one of the few non-human I believe should be able to make a return. The Shokans are a dieing race but the Vampires are making a comeback. Let's see that comeback.

6. Movado (sp?)--The Black Dragon is dead...long live the Red. Enough with the dumb brute crimals. Show us more of the cunning of an intelligent one.

7. Fujin--What can I say...I like guys with long hair and can control natural elements.

8. Shang Tsung--The original bad guy of the series and a bigger danger with no tournament rules holding him back.

9. Scorpion--Sorry, Subby but I now prefer Scorp. His look and story is starting to get interesting.

10. Kidd Thunder-- Joking, but I loved that Friendship and can't really think of any other character I would really like to see.

1. Raiden
2. Shang Tsung
3. Kung Lao
4. Cyrax
5. Sonya Blade
6. Jax
7. Smoke
8. Baraka
9. Quan Chi
10. Cage

I went back and re-edited mine.

I have to have the Super Seven plus Reptile, Smoke and Noob Saibot lol