Entertainment
10 Greatest Video Game Boss Fights of All Time
Video games can deliver a whole range of intended experiences, from relaxing and wholesome content in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to terrifying frights in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. However, one of the most timeless aspects of the medium is boss fights, which pit players against an extra-powerful enemy where they must showcase what they have learned while adapting to the moveset of the opponent.
A boss fight can make or break a game. That is why this list will rank the ten greatest video game boss fights of all time based on aspects such as memorability, originality, difficulty, thematic relevance, moveset, unique mechanics, skill testing, narrative stakes, fan opinion, critical acclaim, and overall quality. From the ones with a massive build-up to the boss fights that happen out of nowhere, each one brings a glorious and tense feeling, which is why gamers love the medium so much.
10
Sans – ‘Undertale’ (2015)
Almost every single boss fight on this list comes from a AAA blockbuster title, except for one indie game that proves this underrated genre is home to some thrilling boss fights. Undertale is one of the most recognized indie titles of all time, and while it has many bosses, none are better than the final fight in the Genocide storyline against Sans.
After the player decides to kill every character in the game, their final opponent is Sans, who is undoubtedly the hardest boss in the game. His battle is intentionally unfair, from attacking the player while in their inventory to dodging attacks, which no other enemy does, to removing invincibility frames; Sans is the ultimate punishment for the player in Undertale if they select the Genocide route.
9
Volo – ‘Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ (2022)
Pokémon unexpectedly has some incredible boss fights, such as Whitney, Cynthia, and Red, but the one that makes this list is probably pretty unexpected. Volo is presumably an ancestor of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, who spends most of his time helping the player until the finale of the game, where he challenges the player in what is easily the franchise’s most challenging fight.
Pokémon is a series, and the game can be hand-holdy, but this boss fight subverts those expectations through the most difficult fight in the franchise. Volo’s first team is essentially the same as Cynthia’s, and after winning that, the players fight against Giratina’s two forms, all without healing or changing teams. It is a gruelling and unfair challenge that can only be passed using potions and more than a few revives, proving Pokémon Legends: Arceus was a step in the right direction for Pokémon.
8
Phalanx – ‘Shadow of the Colossus’ (2005)
Some games have good boss fights, and then other video games are only boss fights, with the main purpose being to defeat the challenging enemies. Shadow of the Colossus has the player killing 16 Colossi to revive their loved one, and one of these gargantuan beings they must kill is Phalanx, a massive serpent flying around the dunes of the desert.
There are so many boss fights in this game that are deserving of making this list, but Phalanx is arguably the best because of how it subverts expectations. It never once attacks the player, with gamers needing to chase it down on horseback, leap onto the massive creature and scale the beast while slowly chipping away at its health bar. This grand, sweeping cinematic boss fight is a spectacle to behold, but its end is a bleak and depressing note when players learn they killed a peaceful, majestic being.
Hideo Kojima is a legendary game designer, and his Metal Gear Solid franchise is known for having some of the best boss fights, with two of them being on this list. Let’s start with Psycho Mantis from the first game. This psychic enemy pushes the character and player to the limits by levitating furniture, controlling allies, and breaking the fourth wall.
The boss fight in the game itself isn’t anything special, but it becomes such a memorable experience because of the way it breaks the fourth wall. Psycho Mantis can read Solid Snake’s mind, which is achieved by reading the memory card on the console, highlighting what the player has previously done. Metal Gear Solid goes one step further with the player needing to switch controller ports, so Psycho Mantis can no longer read your movements. It’s an ingenious and creative way to blend gameplay with real life that results in an unforgettable gaming moment.
6
Malenia, Blade of Miquella – ‘Elden Ring’ (2022)
FromSoftware and soulslike games in general are known for their challenging combat and infamous boss battles, earning two spots on this list. The first is Malenia, Blade of Miquella from Elden Ring. With so many boss fights, it was hard to choose one, but the honor had to go to the most popular boss, Malenia, a demigod rotting from within who made so many players rage-quit the game.
Elden Ring is all about dodging, parrying, blocking, and learning the enemy’s movements, and that is tested to the extreme with the Malenia boss fight. She demands frame-perfect timing that is nearly impossible to do repeatedly, not to mention she can heal after landing an attack even if it is blocked. Malenia is a definitive Elden Ring boss that is the reason why so many players love the soulslike genre.
5
Ganondorf – ‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ (1998)
The Legend of Zelda franchise has some fun boss fights like Koloktos, and while that is more mechanically fun, it doesn’t have the same weight as the final fight against Ganondorf/Ganon in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This three-tiered boss fight starts with an energy-deflecting round that evolves into a dramatic escape from the castle into a final battle against his pig demon form in Hyrule Field.
The first section is the successful first encounter, but the escape from Hyrule Castle is just as gripping. But the epic scale and dramatic weight of the fight in Hyrule Field is the culmination of one of the greatest video games of the century. Ocarina of Time is perfect in many ways, and the final fight against Ganondorf is a thematic conclusion with an operatic finale that feels like a symphony of triumph.
4
Vergil – ‘Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening’ (2005)
One of the best things about the Devil May Cry franchise is that there are plenty of recurring boss fights with everyone’s favorite villain, Vergil, especially in Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening. Vergil isn’t just an enemy, but the brother of Dante, the protagonist, making every encounter a narrative duel of two familiar characters wondering if this will be the last time they face off.
While Vergil’s fights in the fifth game are also incredible, the final fight against him in Devil May Cry 3 is simply outstanding. Vergil is the quintessential rival boss, who reappears to match Dante’s chaotic style with calculated moves. By mirroring the player’s moveset, Vergil becomes a familiar boss fight that forces the player to understand the gameplay and controls more thoroughly.
3
Mr. Freeze – ‘Batman: Arkham City’ (2011)
Batman is a character with many iconic villains in his rogue’s gallery, and they are brought to vivid life in Batman: Arkham City, specifically Mr. Freeze. After wandering into a frozen GCPD laboratory, Batman must face off against Mr. Freeze in a lethal game of cat and mouse where the player must use their wits, gadgets, and surroundings to defeat the ominous presence.
Most boss fights have a specific pattern and dedicated puzzle or combat solution to take them down, but not Mr. Freeze. Direct confrontation leads to instant death, meaning the player must use everything they have learned in a mini sandbox room to defeat him. This approach makes every playthrough unique, and with endless possibilities, it makes the audience feel like Batman solving a problem through detective work. Batman: Arkham City has many other great fights, but Mr. Freeze is the top of the list for a reason, proving why this is the best Batman video game.
2
Isshin, The Sword Saint – ‘Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’ (2019)
This list mentioned that there would be two FromSoftware soulslike games, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice earned the second spot with Isshin, The Sword Saint. The sword combat in this game is remarkable, and this boss fight shows that off firsthand, but also boasts a couple of other tiers where he wields a spear and a pistol.
A lot of video game bosses have some sort of gimmick to make them fresh and distinct from others, but Isshin is simply a final exam where players need to use everything they learned. Deflecting, counters, reversals — players need to be in top shape, with nothing but mastery to take down Isshin. This final boss is the best way to end Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, making the last battle feel like an earned win.
Psycho Mantis from the first Metal Gear Solid was fun and unique, but there is one better boss in the series, and that is The Boss from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Once Snake’s mentor, The Boss supposedly defected; the twist is that she did so as part of her mission. When a nuclear warhead was fired, she takes the blame, trading her legacy and pride for the safety of her nation. It is fitting that the greatest boss fight in video game history is named The Boss, but there is more poetic and thematic relevance to this character.
This fight was the climax of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the buildup was immaculate, making players dread the moment they have to kill Snake’s mentor. Outside the narrative perfection, it is also technically impressive and engaging, promoting the hand-to-hand combat the two created and stealth mechanics that are so important. It ends in a poetic climax where the burden of killing The Boss is taken from Snake and given directly to the player, concluding in a tragically beautiful final moment that highlights why Metal Gear Solid 3 is a fantastic action video game.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login