Nightwolf is a fictional character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game franchise by Midway Games and NetherRealm Studios. He debuted in Mortal Kombat 3 (1995) as a Native American shaman selected to defend a fictional realm Earthrealm against invading forces from another realm Outworld. In addition to his fighting prowess, Nightwolf possesses magical abilities that allow him to enhance his strength and create weapons. The character has appeared in various media outside of the games, including as one of the central heroes in the animated series Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996), and as a supporting character in the film Mortal Kombat Annihilation. While his portrayal in the franchise has been criticized as a stereotype of Native Americans, his depiction in the rebooted games has received a mixed reception.