Video games are memorable in part, because of their characters and compelling backstories. So, we’ve played tough games such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Hundreds of mini-bosses and main villains later, we’ve acquired a taste for challenging the toughest video game bosses. To that end, Player.com has rounded up the most challenging video game villains to date.
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Top 7 Video Game Villains You Need to Fight
Rejoice, fans of Soulslike games, because we’ve compiled a list of the best video game villains you can try cracking. One of them is Isshin the Sword Saint, an absolute monster in combat who can wield a variety of weapons. Below are Isshin’s feats and abilities, plus those of other game villains.
#1: Isshin the Sword Saint
Even the most fanatic Dark Souls follower must admit that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a tough nut to crack. Sekiro is underprepared for the many fights he finds himself in. Thankfully, his prosthetic arm is a technological marvel that can deploy spears or throw flames at will. However, all of the prosthetic arm’s abilities pale compared to Isshin Ashina’s combat prowess, a powerful video game villain.
He wields a sword, spear, thunder, and even a revolver in the multi-stage fight against him. Naturally, he starts the battle with his sword but gradually moves on to the big guns in the fight for the future of the Ashina clan. Isshin pursued strength throughout his life until he stood at the top of the totem pole because of his many techniques and weapons. Yes, the Isshin Ashina that players fought was in his prime and he definitely brought the heat.
#2: Senator Steven Armstrong
Senator Armstrong is a muscle-bound genius and video game villain who aims to rule the whole world using Metal Gears. He’s pumped chock-full of nanomachines that make him a force to be reckoned with in combat. Heck, the Senator doesn’t need a bodyguard due to how strong he is. Blow for blow, Raiden couldn’t keep up with him during the fight. So, gamers are encouraged to become a parry god or be defeated dozens of times in a row. For everyone who played Metal Gear Solid: Revengeance, the latter came before the former. However, learn to parry and you’ll persevere.
#3: King Bowser
King Bowser is the villainous mastermind behind the troubles of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and the whole Mushroom Kingdom. He belongs to the Koopa race so he can breathe fire and crush enemies using brute strength alone. His fire-breathing attack can come in the form of flurries of fireballs or as a single jet of flame similar to a flamethrower, making him a well-known video game villain.
Bowser is also known to favour slams, claw attacks, stomps, punches, and tackles. Yes, his melee attacks are known to poison his foes in some Super Mario games. In other Super Mario games, Bowser can’t deal poison damage but he is strong against lava and fire damage.
#4: Ganon or Ganondorf
Ganon or Ganondorf, brings calamity to the Kingdom of Hyrule at every turn. He is Link’s archnemesis and is capable of embodying Demise to crush our favourite heroes. To be specific, he possesses the Triforce of Power, which has been strengthened by Goddess Din. He also isn’t a saint, as his backstory paints him as a thief first and foremost, making him a powerful video game villain.
@polygon i will beat ganon with this #totk #tearsofthekingdom #legendofzelda ♬ original sound – Polygon
That said, Ganon’s goal throughout The Legend of Zelda games was to acquire the two other parts of the Triforce, which are Wisdom and Courage. However, the Sages and Goddesses are always around the corner to thwart his plans, a responsibility that only Link can shoulder. Some of Ganon’s powers that made him a force to be reckoned with were his mastery of swordplay and his invulnerability to mortal wounds.
#5: M. Bison
M. Bison is an iconic Tekken game villain who seeks to dominate the world by using violence and power. In a world of Devil Genes and devastatingly powerful techniques, M. Bison always impresses with his Psycho Power skills. Some of his notable moves are:
@acecore2k M Bison is finished! The final boss of street fighter II has been completed! But I'll make the other designs as well! I've been having lots of fun with these street fighter series! The other members of the Shadaloo bosses are coming soon! ✍️💥 I also like to remind y'all that I'm Open For Commissions! Send me a DM if you have something in mind #streetfigther #mbison #ink #inkdrawingart #inkdrawing #digitalartist #digitalart #fightinggame #fightinggamescommunity #characterdesign #artprocess #fromsketchtofinish ♬ Street Fighter 2 – Remix – Zombr3x
- Bison Warp: Bison Warp uses his Psycho Power to strategically teleport around the stage to deal massive damage.
- Psycho Cannon: M. Bison launches a purple ball of Psycho Cannon at enemies.
- Psycho Crusher: M. Bisons focuses his Psycho Power into his right fist, then he spins towards enemies in a dizzying attack.
M. Bison is the best Psycho Power user in Tekken because he’s a psychotic killer whose negative emotions power his every blow. In short, enemies suffer from the effects of his powers before dying, making him one of the most evil game villains in the history of Tekken games. His most memorable action was attempting to steal Ryu’s body for himself, showcasing his greed and selfishness.
#6: Sephiroth
Sephiroth is the titular game villain in many Final Fantasy games, seemingly capable of carnage. Heck, Sephiroth once attempted to kill the planet just because he went crazy with power. He wields Masamune, an Odachi that’s basically an extra-long Katana. So, he doesn’t need to get close to players to start attacking. Sephiroth is also called the One-Winged Angel because he’s one of the few Final Fantasy characters who can fly.
Sephiroth is also a fearsome warrior who inspired many to join SOLDIER in an attempt to replicate or even surpass his accomplishments. However, that’s a pipe dream because this bad boy is a byproduct of the Jenova Project. One can even claim that he’s the best product ever made by Professor Gast and Professor Hojo who foolishly believed that Jenova was an Ancient. Like Jenova, Sephiroth is immensely durable in combat while possessing superhuman strength and magic skills. Later in the game series, Sephiroth acquired the ability to manipulate clones and characters that had been infused with Jenova’s cells.
#7: Psycho Mantis
Psycho Mantis is a telekinetic nightmare who can also read minds while flying around the battlefield. He’s a child soldier who burns down his village after discovering his powers and, consequently, his father’s resentment towards him. Naturally, Psycho Mantis is attracted to people with negative emotions, which is why we can always find him powering the Man of Fire.
@konami_en BOSSES OF ALL BOSSES | Psycho Mantis One of the most iconic bosses in #MetalGearSolid history, Psycho Mantis terrified players with his fourth wall-breaking psychic powers. Do you remember the first time you confronted him?#MGSVol1 #MGS #psychomantis ♬ original sound – Konami US
Heck, Psycho Mantis is the hidden main boss in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. He gets his powers from negative emotions so the likes of Skull Face and Liquid Snake are irresistible. Skull Face extensively abused this mental connection to unleash the Man of Fire and, eventually, Metal Gear Sahelanthropus on the Diamond Dogs. Psycho Mantis is memorable because of his persistence, a trait that many of Big Boss’ enemies don’t possess. Many of Snake’s enemies don’t survive the first encounter.
Our Final Say: Video Game Villains Are Memorable Because of Their Personalities
Credits go to the storytellers and scriptwriters who dedicated themselves to creating a storyline with few (Ignorable) plot holes. Their game villains are all fleshed out, and yes, they all want to cause maximum damage just for the fun of it. Thankfully, many of the game villains above appear in video games that have been released for a while. So, you can purchase them at a discount.