In the original controversy-laden arcade classic, the developers have since admitted that several of the seven kombatants you can choose from are homages to a variety of genre films featuring martial arts and science fiction elements.

Examples include Kano’s eyepiece being a nod to Terminator and Liu Kang being the virtualized embodiment of martial arts master Bruce Lee.  Personal favorite reference: Raiden being a direct rip of a lighting-infused demon monk from John Carpenter’s incomprehensibly amazing Big Trouble in Little China.