Shinnok was first introduced in Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero where he was the main villain. The story has him as a fallen Elder God. In Chinese mythology, he would be Tongtian Jiaozhu or the Heavenly Grandmaster. In Norse Mythology, he would be Loki. Shinnok and Quan Chi both overthrew Lucifer (who's probably not a bad guy but just another name for King Yama) allowing them to gather the forces they needed. Eventually, he made his debut as a fighting-game character in Mortal Kombat 4 and its update Gold which he was RATHER LAME. In short, a lazy Shang Tsung!
I could remember how he had a booming voice. However, his gameplay was lacking originality. The graphical limitations prohibited the character from shape-shifting. Instead, he copied the moves of characters (except hidden characters). At first, I took it as a challenge to play as him. However, fifth-generation hardware limitations prevented him from using those moves on the CPU. I felt the same happened to Shang Tsung in later games when he could still randomly morph. Shinnok became a way-too-easy final boss. I thought he had the potential since he practically was a fallen Elder God. It seemed that the 1998 series Legend of the Eight Immortals actually copied the plot. Tongtian Jiaozhu was later betrayed by Pangolin - a free-roaming sorcerer who served as the latter's right hand.
Shinnok did make his return in Mortal Kombat Armageddon where the got his own moves. One of them involved a slamming fist, a teleport attack, and the hand grab. That was the beginning of somehow defining Shinnok to who he was. Though, the moveset was rather lame. MK Armageddon was a very lame game I'd never pick up and play again. Then the reboot happened to which felt he was going to get vindicated. Mortal Kombat (2011) was such a classic it was easy to think Shinnok would get vindicated. Not especially the ending of the story mode shows he orchestrated all the attacks.
How I felt he was better (and worse) in Mortal Kombat X
Arcade-wise, fighting Shinnok wasn't really as hard as Shao Kahn. However, it was certainly correcting how easy he was in MK4 and Gold. It's just like how Goro was fixed by giving him a character ending and a sub-boss you can mutilate. After Shinnok is defeated - he becomes the unplayable Corrupted Shinnok. It's a one-round match fight to the finish. I feel that fire beam's really VERY ANNOYING so it's only understandable that the form can't be accessed. Meanwhile, I feel the fact he could still be thrown and launched a stepdown from Shao Kahn. Did the programmers do it in purpose because they hate him? I felt Shinnok doesn't deserve all the late like Hsu Hao ever did.
I think my problem is how Shinnok was dealt with in Story Mode. The story mode had some serious inconsistencies. I felt Kung Jin defeating Kotal Kahn was one. I think another worth mentioning is Shinnok vs. the Cages. Johnny Cage beats Shinnok earlier on. Raiden seals Shinnok into the amulet. Seriously, I have to read ALL of the MKX comic books to understand what happened in between the first chapter to the next? I even feel Tekken owed us a comic book series to explain the events between the second and third games. Johnny gains the green energy that defeats Shinnok. Later, Cassie gains the green energy that also defeated Shinnok. This time, Shinnok in his CORRUPTED FORM is defeated by Cassie. I feel that Cassie should've been exhausted because she was a newbie and dealing with an Elder God. Instead, it felt like Cassie just won it unlike her parents. Sonya never had it all easy either. Cassie defeating Shinnok could make sense if she was utterly exhausted after it.
I felt the writers probably wanted to make an Avengers reference. Loki himself was battered up by the Hulk. Shinnok has Loki's haughty attitude that always made him a joy to beat up. Loki says, "I'm a god you vile creature!" then Hulk beats him. I felt like Johnny and Cassie beating Shinnok was probably a reference to that scene. Later, Raiden captured Shinnok like Thor captured Loki. Thor later beheaded Loki in the comics. Raiden beheaded Shinnok after some torture scenes. I felt the satisfaction of Raiden finally beating up Shinnok. Though, I felt Raiden should've been the one to give Shinnok the finishing blow and not Cassie. Cassie winning was really no different (and needs A LOT OF EXPLANATION as how Liu Kang (in the original timeline) won against Shinnok. Shinnok still has powers even without his amulet. Raiden would be the more ideal guy to defeat Shinnok. Sheesh, let Raiden be the one to defeat Shinnok one way or another and not anybody else!
I still think Shinnok getting beheaded was more appropriate. Raiden was getting fed up with his job as protector of Earthrealm. Raiden, now corrupted, decides to get even with Shinnok once and for all. Mortal Kombat 11 has one of the most satisfying intros ever. Shinnok finally getting bloodied, tortured, and beaten by RAIDEN HIMSELF. Raiden then brings Shinnok's head over to the Revenants as a warning. Though, I felt sad that Shinnok became but a footnote in MK11....
Updated: June 18, 2022
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