Mortal Kombat 3’s original arcade roster contained 14 playable characters.
The 1995 arcade release expanded the cast with returning fighters and newcomers. Its playable roster included characters such as Liu Kang, Sub-Zero, Sonya Blade, Jax, Kano, Shang Tsung, Sindel, Sheeva, Stryker, Kabal, Nightwolf, and three cybernetic ninja characters: Cyrax, Sektor, and Smoke.
Roster counts can be confusing because Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Mortal Kombat Trilogy added fighters and altered the available lineup. Regional revisions, home conversions, and hidden characters can also make lists appear different from the original arcade selection.
Mortal Kombat 3 also introduced gameplay features that became important to the franchise, including the Run mechanic and chain combos. Its story concerns Shao Kahn’s invasion of Earthrealm and the resurrection of Sindel, giving the expanded roster a major role in the conflict.