Shao Kahn debuted as the final boss of Mortal Kombat II in 1993, the emperor of Outworld whose size, helmet and hammer made him one of fighting games' most recognisable villains. His taunts and laughs were part of his in-fight intimidation, heard while he mocked the player between rounds. Clips of that laugh later spread through gaming videos, soundboards and meme edits, where it became shorthand for a dominant winner laughing at someone who just lost, far beyond Mortal Kombat matches themselves.