This was the first time Sub-Zero appeared without his mask.
First apperance of Motaro, Sindel, Stryker, Kabal, and Sheeva.
John Tobias said during an interview (included in the MK3 Official Kollectors Book, published by EGM Masters series in 1995) that Motaro was actually influenced by a toy he had when he was a kid. The toy in question, "The Micronauts" antagonist Baron Karza, came with a horse that, when disassembled and combined with the figure, created a centaur-like creature.
Consular instruction booklets said that Stryker didn't use his gun in battle because it "went against the tournament rules" or something along those lines. Ironically, in the next port, Ultimate Mortal Kombat III, he uses it.