Kenshi first appeared in Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance in 2002 as a blind swordsman with telekinetic powers, hunting the sorcerer Shang Tsung who blinded him. He returned as downloadable content for Mortal Kombat in 2011, often called MK9, the reboot developed by NetherRealm Studios. Clips of fighters screaming during stage falls and brutal knockbacks were later ripped and shared on soundboards, where Kenshi's version stood out for its length and desperation. It survives as a go to fall and fail effect for fans editing fights and falls.