Kitana has a played a major role in the Mortal Kombat universe. She is the princess of Edenia and the daughter of Queen Sindel and King Jerrod. She is supposedly over 10,000 years old, but due to Edenians aging dramatically slower than humans, she still appears quite youthful. She has played the roles of both good and evil throughout Mortal Kombat's storyline. First, she was the loyal stepdaughter to the emperor of Outworld, Shao Kahn. However, after learning the truth about her true heritage and how Shao Kahn merged Edenia with Outworld, she became his enemy. Eventually, she would lead an army into Outworld attempting to thwart the emperor's return to power. Kitana also shared a subtle love interest with Liu Kang.

Kitana made her first appearance in Mortal Kombat II as Shao Kahn's daughter and assassin. However, during the tournament, it was revealed that she was actually his stepdaughter, after he had merged Edenia with Outworld. To further is domination of Edenia, Shao Kahn killed Kitana's father, King Jerrod, and took Queen Sindel, who would eventually commit suicide, as his wife. However, Kitana would eventually regain her memories of what happened, and she vowed to overthrow the emperor and restore Edenia to its former beauty. Kitana pretended to remain loyal to Shao Kahn, during the tournament. However, she was secretly helping the Earthrealm warriors. Unfortunately, Mileena had discovered Kitana's treachery and her secret was revealed. The two fought each other, and Mileena was apparently killed by Kitana.

Kitana was accused of treason and sentenced to death. However, during Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm(Mortal Kombat 3), she was able to escape and join up with Liu Kang and rest of the warriors of Earthrealm. While battling Shao Kahn's extermination squads, Kitana was eventually able to make contact with her resurrected mother Sindel and free her from Shao Kahn's grasp. In doing this, Shao Kahn's forces in Earthrealm were severely weakened, and Liu Kang was able to confront the emperor and defeat him.

After Shao Kahn's defeat, Kitana and Sindel freed the realm of Edenia from Outworld. However, peace in Edenia did not last very long. Shinnok had managed to escape the Netherrealm with the aid of Quan Chi, and along with Shinnok's Army of Darkness, the two invaded. Raiden and the Earthrealm warriors were able to defeat Shinnok and send him and his forces back to the Netherrealm. Once Edenia was safe again, Kitana proposed to Liu Kang and offered to rule Edenia together as king and queen. However, he reluctantly declined, telling her his position was as champion of Earthrealm.

Later on, Kitana had learned that Shao Kahn survived his defeat after his invasion of Earthrealm. Realizing Edenia would be vulnerable to attack, she managed to form a peace treaty with the Shokan and the Centaurs, thus creating an alliance among the three. The combined armies led by Kitana and Goro fought against Shao Kahn's Outworld legions with much success. However, after the apparent death of Goro during battle at the hands of Noob Saibot, the Shokan lost confidence in victory and the battle was a stalemate.

It was at this time that Kitana learned the Shao Kahn had been slain. Believing Outworld to no longer be a threat to Edenia, she traveled home. However, during her journey, she encountered Kung Lao who told her Shang Tsung and Quan Chi had formed an alliance, killed Shao Kahn and Liu Kang, and were planning to resurrect the legendary army of the Dragon King. Overcome with grief, she joined with her Earthrealm allies once more to face this new threat. While storming Shang Tsung's palace, Kitana found herself facing Quan Chi. Despite her skill, the sorcerer was able to overpower Kitana and kill her, along with the rest of her allies.

Shorty after, Onaga, the Dragon King, returned. He resurrected Kitana and the Earthrealm warriors, however, they were not under his control. Against her will, Kitana now aided Onaga in his invasion of her own realm of Edenia and imprisoned her mother Queen Sindel. However, unknown to Kitana, the spirit of Liu Kang was able to remain among the living due to the bond the two shared together. He eventually formed an alliance with Ermac, and the two embarked on a mission to defeat Onaga. Successful in defeating the Dragon King, Ermac and Liu Kang were able to free Kitana and the Earthrealm warriors his control.

During her journey back to Edenia, Kitana encounter Blaze who warned of a new threat to all the realms, and that she must gather her forces to defeat it. Disheartened, Kitana wondered if the fighting would ever end. However, Blaze assured her that the wars would soon end. Accepting his word, Kitana agrees to defend the realm of Edenia once more. This will eventually lead her into the events of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon.