10 Boss Fights You Literally Cannot Lose

If you‘re aiming to add a deeper emotional resonance to a boss battle, one effective approach could be to design it in such a way that your character appears to be unable to win. Experiencing an insurmountable obstacle symbolically can create a powerful feeling of being outmatched in reality.

Sometimes, games can present an unusual challenge. Instead of facing a battle you can’t possibly win, you might come across a conflict that seems almost unwinnable unless you put in a significant amount of effort. Or, it could be a fight where losing is nearly impossible.

As a gamer, I’ve encountered moments that are reminiscent of unbeatable bosses, but with a twist of humor. These are the challenges that can leave you scratching your head and chuckling at the same time.

10. Bob The Killer Goldfish

Earthworm Jim

In “Down the Tubes,” level five of Earthworm Jim, our heroic earthworm faces challenges as he maneuvers through an underwater labyrinth. He’s continuously pursued by menacing mutant cats and dangerous pufferfish. This treacherous journey is overseen by a malevolent ruler: Bob the Killer Goldfish.

In level five of Earthworm Jim, called “Down the Tubes,” our worm hero swims through an underwater maze filled with trouble from mutant cats and pufferfish. The journey is dangerous and controlled by a bad boss, Bob the Killer Goldfish.

As I reached the culmination of the underwater stage, I found myself squaring off against Bob in the heart of the aquatic fortress. There, the ominous sea creature stared menacingly back at me, confined within its transparent tank.

Regrettably, poor Bob is confined within a glass bowl and isn’t capable of causing harm. If Jim were to shoot, approach, or merely walk by, the bowl might accidentally tip over, causing Bob to swim about without any malicious intent.

9. Zote The Mighty

Hollow Knight

Throughout your journey in Hollow Knight, you frequently meet Zote, a self-proclaimed “renowned knight” who ventures into Hallownest in pursuit of honor and acclaim.

If you choose not to abandon him in the wilderness, you’ll eventually have an opportunity to meet him again, this time in the Arena of Fools.

This version maintains the original sentiment while using simpler language and a more conversational tone.

Unfortunately, no matter how frequently Zote brags, he struggles to escape from a soggy bag. His so-called “nail” is nothing more than a cheap imitation crafted from wood, incapable of causing any real harm, let alone knocking you down. A few firm hits should be enough to defeat him.

In contrast, the depiction of Zote within Bretta’s mind, known as Grey Prince Zote, is a formidable character.

8. The Handsome Men

Killer7

In the fifth installment of Killer7, titled Alter Ego, the Smiths find themselves opposing a once noble group of Super Sentai warriors who have transformed into ruthless assassins known as The Handsome Men. Following an encounter with this dangerous faction in the Dominican Republic, the Smiths are issued a formal duel invitation on none other than Broadway.

In turn, every individual from the Smith family faces off against a counterpart from the Handsome Men, utilizing identical weapons and methods. Despite appearing as a thrilling competition, it’s actually pre-arranged.

1. Regardless of how skilled or unskilled you are, the outcomes (wins and losses) will always be consistent.

2. In the end, Garcian encounters Handsome Pink, who is actually a hacker who masterminded the entire deception. It’s as peculiar as it seems.

7. Professor Nakayama

Borderlands 2

In the expansion of Borderlands 2 titled Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt, the primary adversary you face is Professor Nakayama – an ardent admirer of the deceased Handsome Jack, who aims to recreate his hero as a clone.

Throughout their journey towards Nakayama, he’s frequently heard over the radio expressing his fear, often quite loudly.

As they arrive, he gathers his resolve for a final, intense confrontation and steps down from the holographic stairway.

In this sentence, I’ve tried to maintain the original meaning while making it more conversational and easier to understand. The word “descends” is used instead of “steps down” to convey a sense of movement, and “holographic stairway” is replaced with “digistructed staircase” for clarity, as digistruction is a term often used in the context of virtual or holographic environments.

Subsequently, he stumbles and tumbles headlong down the steps, ending up lifeless. The lesson here is clear: when constructing stairs, always include safety handrails.

6. Professor Calvert

Fallout 3

In the additional content for Fallout 3 known as Point Lookout, the primary storyline revolves around resolving an age-old feud between Desmond Lockheart, a scientist transformed into a ghoul, and the intellect of Professor Calvert, who exists only as a brain.

Upon spilling the beans about my location to Desmond unintentionally, we decide to pay Calvert a visit. Despite having robust security at his hideout, it seems he overlooked reinforcing his brain tank’s surroundings.

In simpler terms, the room where Desmond resides has a small number of malfunctioning security systems that can’t attack you. If you aim at his control center or ‘brain tank’, repeated shots should neutralize him. It’s quite possible that even without your intervention, Desmond himself might destroy him due to some internal issues.

5. Mettaton NEO

Undertale

In the “Genocide” mode of Undertale, the majority of the boss battles are swapped out for tougher alternatives, like the persistent Undyne character, for instance.

As you traverse Hotland and approach the Core, it appears once more that Mettaton stands guard at the elevator leading to the city.

Determined to end the destruction, Mettaton morphs into Mettaton NEO – a new, even more sophisticated version of his already enhanced form.

Regrettably, you’ve reached a point where even a single careless slash with your blade is enough to erase Mettaton entirely. This isn’t so much a battle that I can’t defeat you, but rather one that Mettaton stands no chance of winning.

4. Yu Yevon

Final Fantasy X

At the culmination of Final Fantasy X, the group manages to vanquish the last Aeon and encounters the originator of Sin: Yu Yevon.

In a nutshell, Yu Yevon functions as a potent magic-wielder, persistently assaulting the group with spells like Gravija while simultaneously restoring his own health using Curaga. However, due to narrative constraints, the entire party has an ongoing Auto-Life enchantment active.

In any challenge or battle you face, no matter if it’s dirty tricks with corrupted Aeons or ultimate spells like Ultima, there’s nothing Yu Yevon can do to defeat you. The only way for this encounter to go awry is for you to somehow turn yourself into stone – a rather anticlimactic end to an otherwise thrilling tale.

3. The Electrocutioner

Batman: Arkham Origins

In Batman: Arkham Origins, a group of secondary and tertiary villains have been tasked by crime lord Black Mask to capture Batman. One of these criminals is Lester Buchinsky, also known as the Electrocutioner.

In an illicit underground fighting arena, Buchinsky squares off against Batman, buoyed by the roars of a rowdy gathering of criminals.

Initially, he spends some time strutting and boasting about his plan to defeat Batman. Regrettably, it only takes one strike for Buchinsky to be quickly knocked out with a powerful kick to the head.

Later on, Batman utilized his electrically charged gauntlets, and promptly put them into action. Unfortunately, Buchinsky makes just one additional appearance within the game, as the Joker forcefully ejected him through a window, resulting in his fatal fall.

2. Nechku

Okami

Just before reaching the final dungeon in Okami, you’ll encounter the twin demons Lechku and Nechku. They are the culprits who have kept Kamui constantly covered in snowfall.

Or, more concisely: In the second last dungeon of Okami, your objectives are to defeat the twin demons Lechku and Nechku, who are responsible for keeping Kamui under a continuous blizzard.

Typically, this demon duo tends to travel as a pair. However, when you initially meet one, you’ll find only Nechku standing alone.

In this specific situation, you have an advantage since Nechku might be formidable in a one-on-one encounter, but you’re backed by Amaterasu’s former self, Shiranui. At the height of her power, Shiranui is essentially a natural force, much like the sun goddess herself.

You’re not required to take any action; Shiranui will manage the entire interaction. Following Nechku’s defeat, however, a new battle with Lechku arises, which is an entirely different situation.

Just sit back and let Shiranui handle things; it’s in charge of the whole encounter. After Nechku is vanquished, you’ll face another fight with Lechku by his side, but that’s a different story.

1. Mist Noble

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

As I ventured into the depths of Ashina, the hidden forest stood before me, shrouded in a mystifying fog that made every step feel like a walk through an unknown dream.

The source of this fog is a creature known fittingly as Mist Noble, a dragon residing within an abandoned sanctuary at the heart of the location. Upon entering the sanctuary, you can swiftly descend from the ceiling beams and eliminate it immediately.

As I cautiously approach, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief knowing that the Mist Noble isn’t much of a fighter. After all, even if it decides to show itself, its fighting abilities are hardly impressive.

In simpler terms, this creature will occasionally flail its limbs in your direction, inflicting minor, almost insignificant harm. While it theoretically has the potential to be fatal if left alone for around 30 minutes, it’s more likely that you’d lose patience and end up attacking it before then.

2025-01-13 17:09