Ermac: From Arcade Rumor to Mortal Kombat Icon

Ermac is one of the most famous myths-turned-real in video game history. What began as a rumored hidden fighter in the original Mortal Kombat (1992) arcade game eventually became an official character in the series. This article explores how the name “Ermac” originated, the fan speculation and hoaxes that surrounded his supposed existence, the responses from Midway and the developers, and how the Ermac legend influenced later Mortal Kombat games – including his Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 debut and evolution in the franchise.

Detailed Origins and the Birth of a Legend

Debugging Origins

In the original arcade release of Mortal Kombat (1992), the game's internal audit menu included a line labeled “ERMACS”. This term was short for “Error Macro” and was used as a debugging tool to count certain kinds of errors in the game code. However, the way it was displayed—positioned right below Reptile’s stats—led players to wonder if it might hint at a secret character. Since Reptile was already a well-known hidden fighter in earlier versions, fans assumed that another similar hidden fighter was being teased, and the “ERMACS” entry became the seed for a rumor.

Early Speculation and Rumors

As arcade players discussed their experiences, rumors quickly spread that a red, mysterious ninja named Ermac was lurking behind the code. This was amplified by the fact that errors in arcade games were often seen as signs of hidden features or “Easter eggs” intentionally left by developers. Several fan guides and early gaming magazines even circulated “unlock codes” or “special instructions” claiming that a series of specific inputs would reveal Ermac. One of the most notable moments was a letter published in Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) from a player named Tony Casey, which included a gameplay image displaying “Ermac Wins” of a red ninja—supposedly Ermac—in action. Even though the image was later revealed to be a manipulated picture of Scorpion, it validated the rumors for many fans and kept the excitement alive. . This “evidence” was a hoax – a doctored image of Scorpion tinted red – but it poured fuel on the fire. Soon, readers sent in elaborate (and bogus) instructions for unlocking Ermac , and arcade lore spread that a random glitch would sometimes turn Scorpion’s costume red and rename him “Ermac” in the life bar.

Developers later clarified that the “ERMACS” listing was simply a debugging tool and no hidden red ninja ever existed in the original game code. However, the legend had already taken on a life of its own.

Click here to see all mentions of Ermac in EGM

Inspiration for the legend

Before EGM published the Ermac rumor, a year and a half prior they wrote one for secret character "Sheng Long" for arcade rival Street Fighter II. He was described as Ryu and Ken’s master and the prank inspired later official characters like Gouken (who eventually debuted in Street Fighter IV as Ryu and Ken’s true master) and Akuma (Super Street Fighter II Turbo), who was likely influenced by the "Sheng Long" myth. Six years later, they did it again for Street Fighter III, this time claiming that Sheng Long would be an unlockable sub-boss in the game, which had debuted in arcades the previous February.

Click here to see the EGM Sheng Long rumor

Developer Ambiguity

Midway’s developers, including co-creator Ed Boon, never officially confirmed the existence of Ermac in the 1992 release. In later interviews, Boon mentioned that the “ERMACS” listing was always meant to be a debugging tool. Still, the company played along with the mystery by not fully debunking the rumors immediately. Instead, subtle hints were embedded in later games. For instance, Mortal Kombat II included a puzzle that unscrambled to “Ermac Does Not Exist,” leaving an open-ended mystery that further fed fan curiosity.

Notably, series co-creator John Tobias even drew a cameo of a red-clad ninja in a Mortal Kombat II comic book prequel, further teasing the fans. Later, Mortal Kombat: Deception included a training mode tip explaining, “it is a little-known fact that ‘Ermac’ is short for ‘Error Macro’” – acknowledging the urban legend that fans had nurtured.

Transition from Rumor to Official Character

The Hoax and Its Impact

The hoax letter in a gaming magazine not only fueled speculation but also highlighted how passionate the Mortal Kombat community was about hidden content. The belief in Ermac grew to the point that many arcades experienced increased interest as players tried to reproduce the supposed unlock conditions. Despite never encountering a red ninja during standard gameplay, the rumor became an integral part of the game’s culture.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 – A Response to Fan Demand

By the mid-1990s, the persistent rumor reached a tipping point. Midway decided to honor the community’s dedication by officially introducing Ermac in Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995). While his debut was essentially a palette swap of other ninja characters, his very inclusion was a nod to the urban legend that had captivated fans for years. This decision marked one of the first instances of developers incorporating fan-driven myths directly into the canon of a game series.

In UMK3, Ermac was not immediately available on the main roster. Gamers had to unlock him via a special code, keeping the spirit of mystery alive. Once unlocked, Ermac sported a distinctive red color scheme and a move set that incorporated both old and new abilities—a playful acknowledgment that the character existed long in the hearts and minds of fans.

Lore and Backstory

Original Timeline (1995–2006)

In the original MK storyline (the timeline from the early games through MK: Armageddon), Ermac is introduced as an entity composed of hundreds of souls under the control of the evil emperor Shao Kahn . Created by Shao Kahn’s sorcery as a fusion of the souls of fallen Outworld warriors, Ermac served as Shao Kahn’s enforcer during the events of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, aiding the emperor’s invasion of Earthrealm . Because he is a collective being, Ermac refers to himself in plural (“we” instead of “I”), reflecting the multitude of identities within him . His immense concentration of souls grants him powers like telekinesis, telepathic attacks, and even the ability to teleport and travel between realms

After Shao Kahn’s defeat in Mortal Kombat 3, Ermac became inactive with no master to serve. By the time of Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), Shao Kahn was believed dead, and Ermac wandered Outworld without purpose . Kenshi, a blind swordsman, eventually encountered Ermac and freed him from Shao Kahn’s mind control, breaking the emperor’s influence over the warrior . Grateful, Ermac in turn taught Kenshi his telekinetic techniques as repayment . This liberation was a turning point for Ermac: freed from evil control, he became more neutral/good in alignment, seeking redemption for his past deeds.

In Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004), Ermac fully embraced this redemption arc. He allied with the spirit of the late Earthrealm champion Liu Kang to atone for serving evil . Ermac played a key role in Deception’s story by helping Liu Kang’s soul free the minds of Kang’s enslaved allies (Jax, Sonya, Kitana, and others) who were under the influence of the Dragon King Onaga . This act demonstrated Ermac’s shift to a heroic role, protecting realms rather than conquering them.

By Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006), which features a battle royale of nearly every character, Ermac is depicted fighting alongside the forces of good (joining Earthrealm’s fighters in the final battle for power) . While he has no unique storyline in Armageddon’s narrative, his presence in the opening cinematic – and his continued free will – cemented his status as an independent warrior seeking balance. The Armageddon confrontation effectively ended the original timeline, with all characters (including Ermac) perishing in the ultimate battle, leading to a timeline reset in the next title.

Rebooted Timeline (2011–2019)

The series continuity was rebooted in Mortal Kombat (2011) (also known as MK9), creating an alternate timeline. In this rebooted timeline, past events are revisited with some changes. Ermac is again under Shao Kahn’s command during the re-told events of the first tournaments, essentially resetting him to villainous roles . In the story mode of MK 2011, Ermac appears as one of Shao Kahn’s powerful enforcers in Outworld’s tournament team. He is defeated by Liu Kang during the Shaolin Tournament , mirroring his subordinate role from the old timeline. Notably, Ermac brutally obliterates the arms of Jackson “Jax” Briggs in battle during this storyline, using telekinesis to rip them off . This incident is a new twist in the rebooted narrative – it explains why Jax gets cybernetic arms in that timeline (whereas in the original history Jax’s enhancements were voluntary). Ermac’s ending in the 2011 game also reveals a lore tidbit: one of the souls composing him is King Jerrod, the late father of Princess Kitana . This suggests Ermac carries Jerrod’s consciousness within him, though it wasn’t explored further until later.

In Mortal Kombat X (2015), set 20+ years later in the new timeline, Shao Kahn is gone and Outworld faces a civil war. Ermac initially serves Mileena, who claims the throne, but he defects to Kotal Kahn when he realizes Mileena is a clone and not Shao Kahn’s true heir . By siding with Kotal Kahn, Ermac again acts in what he believes is Outworld’s best interest (finding a “proper” ruler for his realm) . He becomes part of Kotal’s trusted group alongside Reptile, Ferra/Torr, and Erron Black . In MKX’s story, Ermac battles Earthrealm’s Special Forces (led by Cassie Cage) when Kotal’s regime clashes with them, and he is ultimately defeated by the younger generation of heroes. Still, his choice to back Kotal over Mileena indicates Ermac’s free will and sense of honor in this timeline – he is not inherently evil, but loyal to Outworld’s stability

Ermac does not return as a playable fighter in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019), but he makes a brief cameo in the Krypt mode of that game . In the MK11 Krypt, the player can encounter Ermac’s spectral form – he falls into a pit and leaves behind his iconic green soul medallion for the player to collect, implying that Ermac was (at least at that moment) defeated or in a weakened state. This Easter egg cameo acknowledges Ermac’s existence in the universe, even though he isn’t involved in MK11’s main story.

New Era Timeline (Mortal Kombat 1 – 2023)

A second reboot occurs with Mortal Kombat 11’s ending, and the series timeline is re-refreshed in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) – a “new era” orchestrated by Liu Kang. In this timeline, Ermac’s backstory is altered: he is once again an amalgam of souls, but now created by the sorcerer Quan Chi (under orders from Shang Tsung) rather than by Shao Kahn . Upon his creation, Ermac is unleashed as a weapon and manages to overpower several Earthrealm defenders, showcasing his formidable strength . However, during battle Kenshi uses his mystical sword to absorb some of Ermac’s souls, weakening Ermac and allowing the demon-hunter Ashrah to defeat him . Later in the new era story, Princess Mileena battles Ermac and in doing so frees the spirit of King Jerrod (her father) from within Ermac . Jerrod’s soul takes control of Ermac’s body, effectively turning Ermac into an ally for the heroes. Under King Jerrod’s control, Ermac reunites with Queen Sindel and helps protect Outworld from Shang Tsung’s forces . After the climactic battle, Jerrod (through Ermac) appoints Mileena as the new Empress of Outworld upon Sindel’s death . By the end of MK1’s story, Jerrod’s hold over Ermac begins to wane, leaving Ermac’s ultimate fate and independence uncertain . This new portrayal retains Ermac’s core concept (a fusion of souls seeking direction), while inserting him into the narrative in a fresh way.

Appearances in Mortal Kombat Games (Roles and Evolution)

Ermac has appeared in numerous major Mortal Kombat titles over the years, often with updates to his design and gameplay. Below is a chronological list of the games in which Ermac appears and his role in each:

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)

Debut. Ermac is introduced as a secret unlockable character (a red palette-swapped ninja) . He has no biography in-game beyond serving Shao Kahn as a warrior. Despite minimal story presence, Ermac’s gameplay made an impact – he possessed a powerful Telekinetic Slam special move that could lift and smash opponents from afar, which Ed Boon considered one of the strongest moves in UMK3 . Ermac’s inclusion was a direct payoff to the Ermac rumor: players could finally fight as the elusive red ninja.

Mortal Kombat Trilogy (1996)

Expanded roster. Ermac returns as a selectable character in this compilation title, which included all fighters from MK1 through UMK3. He received a brief backstory in Trilogy’s manual, identifying him as a mystical creation of Shao Kahn made from slain warriors’ souls. In gameplay, Trilogy retained Ermac’s UMK3 move set (teleport punch and telekinetic attacks). (Fun fact: The instruction booklet art depicted Ermac in a brownish-red outfit, causing some fans to confuse him with a different rumored character named “Tremor.”)

Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002)

Story cameo (non-playable). Ermac is not on the playable roster in Deadly Alliance, but he is mentioned in Kenshi’s biography/ending. The game’s lore states that Kenshi encountered Ermac in Outworld and freed him from corruption . This sets up Ermac’s return in the following game. (Players would have to wait until the next installment to actually use Ermac again.)

Mortal Kombat: Deception (2004)

Playable return with a new design. Ermac makes a big comeback in Deception, now sporting a dramatically redesigned look. No longer just a ninja sprite swap, his appearance is more sorcerer-like and mummified – wrapped in bandages, with glowing green mystical energy emanating from him. In Deception’s story, Ermac is now free of Kahn and seeking redemption; his ending and the Konquest mode depict him helping Liu Kang’s spirit rescue warriors from Onaga . Gameplay-wise, Deception gives Ermac multiple fighting styles: for example, Hua Chuan and Choy Lee Fut martial arts, plus an axe weapon style. He retains trademark special moves (telekinetic lifts, etc.) and is portrayed as a neutral/good character aligned with the heroes. This game cemented Ermac’s identity as more than a rumor – he became a fleshed-out character with unique attire and positive character development.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (2006)

Playable (series finale of original timeline). Armageddon features every MK character, including Ermac, with a design and move set similar to Deception. The opening cinematic shows Ermac fighting alongside Earthrealm’s champions in the final battle . While he has no dedicated story mode (the game’s plot is generalized for all fighters), Ermac does get an arcade ending and is fully playable. Notably, Armageddon’s custom Fatality system means Ermac has no unique finishing move in this title. After this game, the timeline resets, so this is the last appearance of the original-timeline Ermac.

Mortal Kombat (2011)

Rebooted return. Ermac appears in the revamped MK9 with a look that combines classic ninja elements and supernatural details. He wears a red-and-black ninja outfit with mystic symbols and bandages, and he levitates instead of walking, emphasizing his telekinetic nature. In story mode, Ermac is an opponent fought during Outworld’s invasion; a highlight is his brutal defeat of Jax (tearing off Jax’s arms) . As a playable character, Ermac’s move set in MK9 includes the Force Lift (telekinetic slam) and Force Ball (a green projectile) , plus a teleporting attack called Force Port . He also gained spectacular new Fatalities, such as ripping out an opponent’s internal organs with telekinesis. This iteration re-establishes Ermac as a powerful villain under Shao Kahn, while hinting at the soul of King Jerrod within him (via his ending)

Mortal Kombat X (2015)

Play as a soul sorcerer with variations. Ermac returns in MKX, now serving Kotal Kahn in the story . His appearance in this game is more ghastly – he wears tattered robes and a hood, with visibly undead features (grayish skin and glowing green eyes). Notably, Ermac floats in his idle stance, underscoring that he is kept aloft by magical forces. MKX introduced a Variation system, and Ermac has three distinct fighting variations: Master of Souls: focuses on soul energy—he can summon green orbs and use a Soul Ball projectile that can ensnare opponents when three orbs are active . Mystic: emphasizes telekinetic powers—enhanced versions of his Telelift attacks and telekinetic pushes. Spectral: grants him the ability to levitate and fly temporarily (via a move called Hover), allowing unique aerial combos. Across all variations, Ermac retains key moves like telekinetic slams and a teleport punch. His role in MKX’s story is minor (he’s a boss fight for the heroes), but one cinematic implies Kitana and Liu Kang (now undead) defeat him during Shinnok’s siege. Overall, MKX portrays Ermac as a formidable, if somewhat tragic, figure who ultimately gets defeated with Outworld’s old guard.

Mortal Kombat 11 (2019)

Cameo only. Ermac is absent from the playable roster in MK11, marking the first main title since 2004 in which he isn’t playable. However, he makes a brief cameo in the Krypt: the player witnesses Ermac falling into the Pit (a spike-filled chasm) and can loot his fallen body to obtain Ermac’s amulet . This implies Ermac was defeated or sacrificed, possibly during Kotal Kahn’s rule or by Shang Tsung’s trickery (the details are left vague). Despite no fighting role in MK11, this cameo keeps Ermac’s narrative thread alive, as his soul magic artifact becomes the player’s tool in the Krypt.

Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)

DLC playable character. In the latest installment (a timeline reset by Liu Kang), Ermac appears in story cutscenes and is later released as a downloadable character as part of the Kombat Pack. In story mode, he is created by Quan Chi as a fusion of souls and initially fights for Shang Tsung’s evil plot . After battles with Kenshi, Ashrah, and Mileena, Ermac’s body is taken over by the soul of King Jerrod, turning him into an ally for Mileena and Sindel . His design in MK1 (2023) is markedly different from past games – he resembles a bandaged, undead sorcerer with pieces of armor and a face mask, evoking a mummy or revenant appearance . MK1 gives Ermac updated abilities (many classic moves return with new names) and continues to highlight his internal struggle for identity. (As of the Kombat Pack release, players can use Ermac in MK1 to wield his soul magic in the new era timeline.)