Shang Tsung
Like I said, every fighting game boss is unique in their own way. What makes Shang Tsung unique is his ability to morph into any other character. He was also badass in the movie so let's give Mr. Tsung his due.
Shang's Bio
Age: over 500 years old
Nationality: Formerly Chinese, now Outworlder
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 210
Hair: White as an old man, black or dark brown when younger
Eyes: White in most games, brown (or green) in Deadly Alliance and onward
Fighting Styles: Snake and Crane
Primary Weapon: Chinese Straight Sword
Allies: Doesn't have that many. He tends to stab them in the back once he's done with them
Enemies: Number One on his list is Liu Kang
Occupation: Sorcerer to Outworld Emperor, Shao Kahn
Portrayed By: Richard Divizio (MK Mythologies: Subzero); Ho Sung Pak (Mortal Kombat 1); Dr. Phillip Ahn (Mortal Kombat II); John Turk (MK3/Ultimate/Trilogy); Bruce Locke (MK: Conquest); Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (first film)
Background
The end boss in Mortal Kombat 1.
Mortal Kombat II
Mortal Kombat 3/Ultimate/Trilogy
Tsung is Shao Kahn's lead sorcerer. He once fell out of favor with his emperor after failing to win the Earth realm in tournament battle. But the ever scheming Shang Tsung is instrumental in Kahn's conquest of Earth. He has now been granted more power than ever.
When Shao Kahn overtakes the Earth, he needs Shang Tsung to help locate the surviving humans. Granted new powers, Tsung soon discovers his dark emperor's true plan: as soon as the remaining warriors are disposed of, Kahn will take Tsung's own soul. After learning this, Tsung turns on his master. He catches Motaro off guard and then defeats Shao Kahn. But before the Earth can return to
normal, Tsung takes all the souls as his own. He will forever rule the Earth with his own brand of evil.
Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
The Deadly Alliance was successful in reviving the mummified remains of the Dragon King's undefeatable army. Shang Tsung, however, began to realize that his relevance in the partnership had evaporated once his talents for soul transplantation were no longer needed. The balance of power within the Deadly Alliance had seemingly been undone. Fearing betrayal, he secretly instructed Kano to steal Quan Chi's amulet in an attempt to gain control of the army. Since part of the soul-transfer spell included the command to obey 'He who possesses the amulet,' the army would obey only Shang Tsung, and not Quan Chi, once the amulet was in his possession.
Amulet in hand, Shang Tsung revealed his betrayal to Quan Chi and commanded the army to destroy the sorcerer. Shang Tsung would succeed where others had failed. He would conquer the realms. He would conquer Earth.
Mortal Kombat Armageddon
In an instant, Raiden’s blast destroyed us all! Our souls intertwined, we did battle in the ether. But I was drawn away by a magic more powerful than death. My essence returned to Outworld, where I found myself face to face with Shao Kahn! He was alive! Quan Chi and I had slain him in his fortress—or so we thought. Yet here he stood. At his side was the Shokan prince, Goro! My ghostly visage startled them at first, but Shao Kahn knew what had transpired. Long ago I had pledged my soul to the emperor. That pledge was binding even beyond death. But if he were to die, so too would those who served him. At the time I believed it to be merely another empty vow, yet here I am. My soul has returned from beyond to rejoin Shao Kahn. He had need of me. But I require a host body in which my soul could reside. At the flesh pits, he forged for me a new body. It was weak and grotesque to behold, but it functioned well enough. I craved
mortal souls to heal and fortify my new flesh. I found more than enough at a place all too familiar to me: the village where Li Mei was born. I consumed each peasant’s life force as Shao Kahn and Goro slew them one by one. I was renewed! Shao Kahn then commanded me to aid him in an assault on occupying Edenian forces, in an effort to retake his stronghold. United once more, Shao Kahn, Goro and I laid waste to all who stood in our way! In a flurry of brute strength and magic, we forced our way up to the throne room. The door was
reinforced by some magical spell, but it was no match for our combined might. With a final swing of Shao Kahn’s hammer, the door was breached, and Shao Kahn was Emperor of Outworld once more. Though I am bound to him eternally, an opportunity has arisen that might give me the means to free myself. It seems Quan Chi has also survived death, and he has brought word from Shinnok of a plan to take a mighty power for the Forces of Darkness. If I claim that prize
for myself, I could sever my bond with Shao Kahn! Until that time, I will continue to play my role as his servant and redirect any suspicions he may have of betrayal to others within our new dark alliance. Once I have the power and I am free of Shao Kahn, I will finish him and finally take the throne of Outworld for myself!
Ending
Empowered by the godlike energy he received from Blaze, Shang Tsung found that he could alter the forms of others. Enraged that he was denied the prize, Shao Kahn charged the sorcerer. With a gesture of his hand, Shang Tsung transformed his former master into a centaur slave. Shang Tsung had become the ruler of Outworld at last.