Meet the Voice Behind ‘Mortal Kombat II’

Steve Ritchie is something of a legend in the video game world. For most, he’s the prolific pinball designer responsible for creating more machines than anyone else in pinball history. But, for those in the know, he’s also the godlike voice behind the announcer in the classic game, “Mortal Kombat II.” After voicing a number of unsavory characters for his own pinball machines, Ritchie began to perfect the deep, booming register that would later make “Mortal Kombat” so iconic. And while Ritchie spent the majority of his career designing and developing video games, we’ll never forget his seminal contribution to our ‘90s nostalgia.
SUBSCRIBE: goo.gl/vR6Acb
This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.
Got a story idea for us? Shoot us an email at hey [at] GreatBigStory [dot] com
Follow us behind the scenes on Instagram: goo.gl/2KABeX
Make our acquaintance on Facebook: goo.gl/Vn0XIZ
Give us a shout on Twitter: goo.gl/sY1GLY
Come hang with us on Vimeo: goo.gl/T0OzjV
Visit our world directly: www.greatbigsto...

[@Brian6587]

No one can replace Steve's voice in Mortal Kombat. NO ONE! As he would say in MK he is "Outstanding!"

[@Xevnar]

I hope in MK11 this guy's voice is available as a classic announcer option.

[@magrildz]

SilentMassacre64 that is unfortunately unlikely to happen. He was diagnosed with tinnitus in early 2010, later developed to Menière disease, and is likely to go completely deaf in a few years...

[@noobsaibot6405]

i bet this silentmassacre dude just *nutted*

[@victor0491]

11 or ll

[@MaxPayne-gs4vb]

@Danilo Pinheiro still can use his old soundbites

[@DecaMMM]

@@MaxPayne-gs4vb Yea for Shao Kahn since hes back that would be cool.

[@bigman4407]

Always thought it was an old Japanese\mongolian emperor who was the voice in MK2

[@relative_vie]

Big Man lol same

[@HamanKarn567]

Yeah Emperor Hirohito's Ghost decided to assist the production true story. This youtube video is bs to cover that amazing story.

[@dwartbg1]

Big Man Thats the point of voice acting. Congratulations on discovering tap water

[@TheRedRaven_]

I always thought it was Shao Kahn overlooking the fights until he kicks your ass in the final battle.

[@bigman4407]

TheRedRaven yeah, i thought he was too. Wasnt he though in the movie

[@papayer]

"FINISH HIM" "well, cool, okay." whoever this girl was didn't sound very uh, invested.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

cruelpastry Her voice ruined it for me. It makes it sound like all those other shitty top 10 videos.

[@justanotherbum007]

1:26. What an ill-prepared "journalist".

[@througheverything]

That’s the whole point

[@SageofSorrow]

She sounds like one of those chicks who sees a group of guys talking and tries too hard to fit in Her: What cha guys talkin about? Guys: Mortal Kombat 11 Her: oh, cool, ok. My brothers used to always play that. I thought Chun-Li was the coolest Guys:...*calls police*

[@marcusfreeman4101]

@@SageofSorrow 😂😂😂 you can tell she wasn't born in the 90s

[@NikiTopgaard]

This was awsome to watch! I must have listened to his voice for thousands of hours in the 90s!

[@rateaterDK]

Hej niki elsker dine videoer. du får mig altid til at grine. ✌️✌️

[@JSeaman2099]

The first 3 Mortal Kombat games have some of the BEST sound effects in video game history! This man is basically an underrated legend.

[@kenmasterz755]

Best mk announcer and shao Kahn ever

[@subzero8679]

Anyone could do that

[@pzrxex]

1:35 That FINISH HIM line was perfect!Nice video as always. Lol people getting mad over a 1 second delay: D

[@adrian_zombturtle148]

1:34

[@triplehaudah]

Well cool ok

[@sgt.kamarov7536]

Gaming DemonYT 1:34...

[@triborg7919]

30:00

[@noavink1]

wow cool ok

[@travisferguson1721]

His (Steve Ritchie) voice is by far the best of any Mortal Kombat game ever, past, present or future! It adds a lot of to the game(s).

[@ArcadeFreak-gw5rp]

Steve ritchie made the best pinballs ever. One of my favorite designer's.

[@jaycoleman6552]

Arcade Freak 2016 *DESIGNERS. DESIGNER'S is talking about one designer.

[@houseofalbert8260]

Black 3000 confirmed?

[@vindomramvindomram4394]

Funhouse.

[@joelggundam]

@@vindomramvindomram4394 That one was done Pat Lawlor.

[@ryanhalvorsen6497]

There was a south park pinball game that I had so much fun playing. I wonder if he made it

[@KombatWarehouse]

1:28 That "Round 1 FIGHT!" sounded like in MK3. Awesome and epic voice

[@yayarea82]

You can tell the narrator wasn't born when this game came out

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

yayarea 82 The narration sounds like those shitty top 10 videos.

[@sethvalentine2873]

Bingo

[@anthonynegron788]

Doesn't matter much because I was born in 99 and I love MKII so much, I can play that game anytime anywhere. It will forever be my favorite MK.

[@Jerry4050]

It's called Journalism they get paid to these videos

[@througheverything]

So? You want her to gain a few years?

[@NewAngels]

He contributed a lot to my childhood and my love for Mortal Kombat

[@boffan1988]

Definitely. His voice was a huge part of the experience of playing the old school MK games.

[@MessiahGaming1080p]

What a beautiful man and to follow his passion so much, it's guys like him that make this planet so much more fun to be in, creating so much cool stuff and they are barely seen doing it either. Big respect from me, love both Mortal and Pinball so much, childhood memories deluxe!

[@itree4]

25 years and i finally see who did the voice for mortal kombat 2! The way he says Kung Lao STILL GIVES ME CHILLS!! BEST VOICE MORTAL EVER HAD.!! 💯

[@Lordani66]

For me, it's "RRReptile"

[@JaredGuynes]

Steve Ritchie is a legend and I am proud to call him a friend.

[@ultimateman55]

This guy's voice seriously helped define my childhood (well, pre-teens and early teens.) MK2's sound design was absolutely mind-blowing at the time and holds up fantastically well even today, in part because of this guy's voice. Thanks for posting this!

[@rashoietolan3047]

A perfect case of right place right time

[@rashoietolan3047]

Baraka there's no "sure"

[@Ch0obyHD]

A Perfect Circle

[@rashoietolan3047]

Whatcha talkin about chubby?

[@ictyyz]

More like he is just really good at what he does

[@rashoietolan3047]

Ava and Isla nah fucka , that voice of his isnt super unique...rewind to where he talks about lowering the pitch...he creates his opportunity through pinballs...

[@OMEGA-ko1bc]

2:19 your 🅱️eating your 🅱️alls smashing it into things

[@pantsshitter533]

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[@MsKitcloudkicker]

🤣

[@randomanimations5446]

🤣😹

[@richardr.patlan4778]

Lol heard that too. Came to the comments to see if anyone else did as well. Lol

[@dotdotdot7432]

OMEGA 8 I

[@juancabeza5809]

MK II announcer's voice is the best in the series!!!

[@KaneRobot]

Yup. The announcers from MK4 onward have all been significantly worse.

[@usamazahid3882]

@@KaneRobot You mean, Herman Sanchez's

[@ObrunoDF]

Best sound effects in the franchise. Remarkable

[@davidwhatsthatabout7404]

2:19 - 2:22 yup. Every Thursday night!

[@darrylthompson7509]

David WhatsThatAbout 😂😂

[@AkiraZack15]

David WhatsThatAbout mate you fucking killed me! 😂😂😂

[@scarab4856]

David WhatsThatAbout lmao

[@spaghettinoodleman7686]

David WhatsThatAbout you wish

[@thedestroyer2052]

XDDD LMAO IM DYING CALL 911!

[@shadowhalk225]

"Wow..... that was it?" "Wow cool okay..." Could you not have gotten someone more qualified or someone who is actually interested in the game?

[@msmander87]

MK 2 was just perfect to the fighting, sound, finishers, controls and his voice, that signature "Fight!" at the beginning of each stage. Thank you sir, for the great memories!

[@josevasquez1595]

I remember when I first heard his voice in the game, when I first played mk2 I got goosebumps lol

[@joelggundam]

I'm a big fan of Steve Richie's pinball machines. I didn't know that he was the system voice for MK2.

[@TboneTenEighties]

MK II is the best MK game. Flawless Victory!

[@shinakumaforu5107]

TboneNYC10 yes it was! No doubt mk 2 was the best mortal kombat game as far as arcades and consoles up till mk9.

[@texaselite1355]

Naw mk 3 trilogy

[@nybethobdilord6912]

Nah mk3 ultimate is. It has the best roster and the awesome 2d sprites with the addition of a combo systems.

[@texaselite1355]

Ty Lewis True

[@MitsuUltra]

Nope MK2 was the best and still is. Had trilogy, and ultimate been finished games they could have rivaled but mk2 was the best out of ALL MK'S

[@donvittoriophoto]

Bring this guy back for every MK game. After MK 3 Ultimate all announcer voices suck. Newer voices sound like a guy trying way too hard to be a generic monster with way too much voice pitch adjustment. It just sounds cheep and tacky.

[@sk8terboi10003]

I think Steve Ritchie had a falling out with Midway Williams that had him leave the company and I don't he will ever be in a mortal Kombat again sad he was and is the best pinball designer and shao Khan ever I don't feel it with me 9 shao khan

[@GenyaArikado]

after trilogy

[@magrildz]

Don Vittorio that is unlikely to happen man. Steve was diagnosed with tinnitus in 2010, which later developed to Menière disease and unfortunately he is expected to go completely deaf in a few years...

[@Spideyxman]

I totally agree 👍👍

[@piloto2412]

He was shao kahn in shaolin monks.

[@painkillermiller]

You the man Steve.

[@AshishSharma-kg7zy]

Listening ROUND ONE, JHONNY CAGE WINS, & FINISH HIM, in his voice bring a smile to my face, I was just back to my childhood for a few seconds. I can imagine my self in front of video game in a shop with my friends waiting for my turn.😊😊 I was awesome.

[@drewarm5963]

What a deep bass voice 👏

[@dbzispimpin]

People like Steve brought so much joy to the world, they deserve to get Nobel Prizes for their contributions to man kind.

[@justyg32]

*Feel the power of shao kahn* someday they will hire the voice of this man for a live action movie? steve ritchie is the real shao kahn!

[@king--kang.]

Man that "Flawless Victory" was perfect

[@Lavender_Louis]

I don't play video games and never really have but I love it when you do videos on the voices or creators like this one ore the one about the voice of mario. They are just so interestings and the people are so fun!

[@chijiokemadubuko9004]

Exactly, he's really miss(ed)ing out.

[@Lavender_Louis]

I tried it, it's just not my thing

[@jonahabenhaim1223]

PX Xaver Do you play pinball then?

[@gelmir7322]

Its really nice that they are presenting this culturally iconic individuals with "no names".

[@jerelminter]

@@Lavender_Louis Maybe it's because you suck, try playing video games more often because that's how you get better at them, the only reason why it isn't your thing is because you give up too easily.

[@_DoctorStantz_]

Fantastic short video! As a kid, I would constantly imitate Mr. Ritchie's luscious bass during the MK2 craze. It's lovely to put a face to the voice that lent me so many wonderful memories.

[@swallowedinthesea11]

Deja Vu.

[@Ratih1945]

11swallowedinthesea I've just been in this place before Sorry...

[@uneehq]

Higher on the street Cause I know its my time to come

[@BumblingFool912]

...... Calling you; And I know it's a mystery

[@citrus4419]

Ratih Sanitri that's not how it goes

[@kipzinn4752]

Standing on my feet It's so hard when I try to believe!

[@EsotericArcade]

That was so cool! Loved hearing him still nail “Fatality” as if it was nothing!

[@lastsonofkrypton25]

"Beating your balls" -Steve Ritchie 2017

[@guillermorivas7819]

Mortal Kombat II for SNES was my first MK game. Still have it, played every other year for the memories. The announcer, the music, and background made the game very attractive. They should bring back this announcer and try to make it 2D instead of the overly 3D nonsense with all the special x-rays.

[@mvyper]

Kids can't get how intimidating this game was, almost making you feel like you were really involved in a deathmatch fighting for your life. It just can't be replicated now.

[@dietwater525]

I bet ur 10

[@GhostonemTH]

I fell in love with his voice, he did a great job in MK

[@skidooshlayman12]

Who's the guy who screams "Mortal Kombat!" in the dance song?

[@The4cp]

Skidoosh Layman I think it's one of the guys from Juno Reactor. I'm not 100%sure

[@sanick4864]

Bryan Mack it is

[@The4cp]

Bryan Mack what he said!

[@jbFromNYC]

The origin of the techno theme: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWO3gKqJn55_hrM

[@cheekytron22]

It's from the commercial

[@cutterslade447]

To be able to do this about 25 years ago, with literally no artificial sound modulations. This is the actual WOW work.

[@alexanderrodriguez9197]

This channel deserves more subscribers than it has!

[@adama9747]

Alexander Rodriguez it has 1 million

[@shmo9622]

They got a lot

[@wannathrustshigoku-san3550]

Adam A they deserve more than that.

[@unarmedduck]

It has 1 million and is owned by CNN part Time Warner. i think they're fine.

[@lobonegro1567]

Alexander Rodriguez First, they need to make women wear something sexy. It's the rule of the game and we men like it that way.

[@nmbr4lizard524]

Wish they still used his voice, the best til this day imo. So dark, especially when he say "Baraka." Perfect for a mean ass looking character.

[@Pacifica1]

Imagine if he said, "finish him" next to an mma octagon.☻

[@adrian103435]

thanks for the video. there is not much about steve ritchie and his contribution in mortal kombat. great video. greetings from Argentina

[@320speed]

1:48 Don't start me off if your not going to finish!?

[@gonzo2326]

i have been playing Mortal Kombat since I started gaming (which was at a very early age). I got 3 PS2 games from my uncle and popped in Armageddon. from there, I got better and learned the whole entire story and have played all games except for mk4 and mk gold. it is still one of my favorite game series today.

[@Nirotceh1]

The article was awesome, why was it pulled? Can you guys put it back up again so i can shrare it?

[@lisa5hot]

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Steve Ritchie as the original voice of "Mortal Kombat." This video has been corrected to reflect his role as the second voice from the video game series, starting with "Mortal Kombat II."

[@absaynarda]

Santiago Rivas comment from 2 weeks ago da fuck it was made 5 days ago

[@bangerszn823]

His voice in mk2 will forever stay young

[@AllenTube]

"Mortal kombat has spawned many video games, comic books, tv shows and a film franchise with this techno music *Plays MK theme*" apperantly there's music in the comic books of MK. I'm gonna get one of those!

[@P1iskin]

Thank you for being part of my childhood voicing MK 2, Steve. Respect.

[@JesuszillaS]

I'd really like to know more about his contribution to pinball!

[@siniestro0239]

Since I was a kid I've been impressed with that voice and now I get to meet him (via youtube). a legend!

[@SushiPR]

What is the voice behind Great big story

[@rashoietolan3047]

CornyTortoise57 some punchable fat chick with sarcastic tendencies

[@jrozmeira]

Asking the real question tho

[@huhulili9021]

The person behind Slime Shady?

[@user-jg78]

RASHO IE'TOLAN Suicidal tendencies* Lol joke.

[@alonzosanchez8577]

Thank You For An Amazing Childhood!!!

[@GarciaEnterprises]

Cool story bro!

[@keeloraz9452]

This guys children .... the were scared of him. Phrases like "Go to your room", "Finish your food" haunt them forever

[@Amalokch]

This is awsome!, why it is unlisted???

[@mattischastan7967]

Wow, thank you for finding that jewel of a man back! (for those like me who didn't knew his work and talent!)

[@Keropi41]

Wasn't this uploaded like months ago?

[@jeremyriley1238]

Yes, but as people said, they had to correct the video.

[@Isoquant]

ABSOLUTE LEGEND 🙌

[@kiddychef6241]

Wait. It was him? WOW I JUST SAW HIM AT THE US!

[@ajh90210]

at the US??

[@danver5622]

KiddyChef congrats you lost your chance to at least meet him in person

[@frederickblackwell9960]

Steve Ritchie. Video game legend. Come to Comic Con in Michigan if you are not busy. I am a fan of Mortal Kombat.

[@franciscoaguilar6182]

Who else loved playing this game?😄

[@sapphirejaxxgh8639]

Uniform Duck I'm 28 and I still play it on my phone using an emulator

[@TheCreativeMind]

My friends introduced me to Mortal Kombat it first came out on the Super Nintendo. Then I heard Mortal Kombat 2 was coming out I couldn't wait. I knew every move and every finishing move in the games. Greatest game ever!

[@universalmigrator7876]

I'm not crying, it is just a toasty in my eye...

[@joaquindoezytgaming8527]

Thanos: I am inevitable "FINISH HIM.. wait a minute" Tony: I am ironman *snaps* "FATALITY

[@ghost085]

Best Mortal Kombat announcer ever. The later ones don't sound elegant and menacing enough.

[@edsonvidessantos6636]

*MK II is the best mortal kombat ever. Who agree with me ?*

[@milescurtisnorwood9957]

@JamondGH except it didn't have Raiden, Johnny Cage, or Reptile due to legal issues and some other reasons.

[@jamey6236]

Not IIIIII said the fly!🧚🏻‍♂️ Not meeee said the flea 👾

[@scorpionwins6378]

Ultimate MK3/MK trilogy (ps1) was my favorite. Before the franchise became too evolved and grossly over-intuitive

[@notyetskeletal4809]

Maybe. I'm trying hard to beat the bastard cheating A.I but enjoying every win past the third opponent

[@thanatos5948]

Mortal Kombat Trilogy

[@Ur2ez4me81]

Guy is a legend, hey Steve if you ever get the chance to read this thank you for making my childhood man!

[@MrXabungle]

why is this unlisted?

[@shakemiz]

RawbThatPunk It just went live lol

[@josephflores5522]

This video was uploaded 4 days ago, how is this comment a month ago?

[@gamerplayer8882]

TauntingAxe2983 video was private since they got a fact wrong.

[@javier77th]

Stuff like this is what the internet and KZbin were created for. Great fun fact video! Its like Peter Cullen will always be Optimus Prime. But it wasn’t until watching the Transformers cartoons growing up, was when I finally realized how many other voices he actually did by watching other cartoons reruns and shows. As a huge Knight Rider and Transformers fan, you can imagine how much I marked out when I realized he was K.A.R.R.!

[@damadumdum]

why was this reuploaded?

[@suongle901]

Oryx I think.

[@lisa5hot]

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Steve Ritchie as the original voice of "Mortal Kombat." This video has been corrected to reflect his role as the second voice from the video game series, starting with "Mortal Kombat II."

[@3Beans3]

Mortal Kombat was the shit when I was a kid!! So nostalgic!

[@BassTesters]

Re-upload?

[@dvk1895]

Steve is great! He got me through college. School or work depending on day was round one! lol I often tell the story of how Iwould be literrally falling asleep between class and work. I would say round 1 then 2 in the mk (steves) voice.. ahh the memories . Thank You Steve.

[@shubstyle]

Kitana is the best ❤️💪🏼

[@drowningin]

close but no! Mileena is the best!

[@derekfultz5924]

I met him last year at Midwest Gaming classic. I was standing at the dock vaping and he was asking me what food in Wisconsin was good around the area. Pretty nice guy just chatted about pinball for a bit, then my friend came over recognizing him said "Finish him" and let me tell you he did not like that at all (dirtiest look). I can tell this guy wants to be recognized for his pinball career instead of being just the voice of a game.

[@sleepless9994]

*”KISS HIM!!!”*

[@sleepless9994]

SilentLos aaaaa *FINISH HIM*

[@gia257]

I DECLARE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@evoke2976]

omg hes so lovable!!!

[@billvu08]

2:20 “Your Beating The Ball” Ew

[@NOWrunAMOK]

I want Richie as a ring tone “ANSWER ME”

[@howtoweird984]

*HELLO PERSON SCROLLING THROUGH THE COMMENTS*

[@PersonausdemAll]

Try hard doge Blogger and video game singer xD

[@phantom_bread]

hi

[@UltraMagnus3786]

Very cool background story on something most gamers probably haven’t thought that much about. Thanks for this.

[@shocknawe]

What is a Mortal Combat? JK. Ryu is my main.

[@trelarasleontas3531]

awesome video, the narrator of this video haven't even heard of mortal kombat before or even know what a game is.

IS THAT YOUR BEST!!??

[@jr.a8301]

YOU WEAK,PATHETIC FOOL!

[@christhelostsoul9927]

Muahahahahahaha You are Nothing

[@SanshokuCustoms]

Those words are part of my life since the day i first play MK II, my dark laugh is from this guys Shao Kahn's laugh though

[@crispin5741]

Bring back Steve. Don't like the recent guy as much.

[@xtremodubhub2683]

Finish Him is just 🔥🔥🔥

[@tonsonlorencedanield]

Wheres the SF love?

[@mcprol2467]

Lorence Tonson Here. I love Street fighter.

[@newartmov]

Awesome to see who did those voices! One of my favorite games of all time!

[@greenyboy3926]

6th! Early Squad where r u at?

[@greenyboy3926]

OMG!!! U GUYS RESPONSED TO ME!!!!! IVE BEEN WATCHIN THESE IN SCHOOL EVER SINCE 4TH GRADE!!!! Thank u so much!

[@greenyboy3926]

Dude, that's impossible this video came out yesterday

[@dazzawesome]

I love Mortal Kombat ! Thanks for making this video !

[@ArcadeDude44]

SR is THE MAN!👍. Thank you sir, for all you do!

[@dazwannawzad9272]

I still emulate/hear in my head his voice when I pick Reptile. I think everyone that knows of MK has done his voice when they say "Finish Him"! MKII is still my fav MK just ahead of MKXL, thanks for the nostalgic trip!!!

[@dazzawesome]

Steve Ritchie is very talented and awesome !

[@MarinusMakesStuff]

Oh man, I love this channel!! Ever since I discovered it yesterday I've seen nothing but good stuff! :)