Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero is a story-driven fighting game that casts you in the shoes of Sub-Zero, and chronicles a series of events that occurred prior to the first Mortal Kombat game.

In a storyline that is reminiscent of Looking Glass's Thief, the Lin Kuei assassin/thief is sent to steal an important document. This mission proves to be a test from a mysterious character (which turns out to be Mortal Kombat 4's Quan Chi) who charges you upon retrieval of this object to recover an ancient medallion of untold power. However, once you retrieve the medallion, Quan Chi reveals that he actually tricked you, and the medallion is the key to awakening the demonic Shinnok (also from MK4). You must now become a reluctant hero, as you pursue Quan Chi trough hell itself, hoping you get to Shinnok before him.

Gameplay-wise, the game takes the Mortal Kombat familiar 2D fighting environment and turns it into a hybrid fighter/platformer game, where you must travel through hazardous levels running and jumping around as well as fighting your way against both digitized and polygonal enemies. Sub-Zero's interface is the same as in every Mortal Kombat game, with some additions such as "use" and "turn around" buttons, an inventory system, and a slight RPG twist in which you get experience from defeating opponents that grants you access to new techniques and moves to execute as you progress in the game.

Technically speaking, this game represents the final evolutionary step for 2D engines in the Mortal Kombat series. New features include zooming, 3D lighting, as well as 3D backgrounds and characters.